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If you are considering adding a Scottish Terrier to your family, it’s important to understand the breed’s temperament and personality traits.
These dogs are known for being loyal and loving companions, but they also have a lot of energy and can be quite active.
In this article, you’ll discover the Scottish Terrier’s temperament, personality, physical traits, and more!
Table of Contents
Common Scottish Terrier Behaviors & Temperaments
Scottish Terriers are said to be loyal and loving companions. They’re also said to be very active, playful, and curious.
They can be quite stubborn at times, but with proper training and socialization they can be well-mannered dogs.
Scottish Terriers were originally bred as hunting dogs, so they have a strong prey drive and may chase small animals.
To really understand their specific temperaments and behaviors I compiled a list of the most popular questions people ask about these breeds, here they are.
Are Scottish Terriers Affectionate?
Scottish Terriers are loving with their owners, but may be less so with others.
This is usually a problem only if they have not been adequately trained and socialized.
Those that have been properly taught and socialized will enjoy being around individuals and will seek out affection from them.
Are Scottish Terriers Aggressive?
Scottish Terriers are not naturally aggressive, but they may become so if they’re not sufficiently trained and socialized.
Are Scottish Terriers Cuddly?
Some Scottish Terriers like being cuddled, while others do not. It all depends on how they were raised and their personality.
Those who grew up in a loving family and are accustomed to being embraced will undoubtedly enjoy it, while those who did not may or may not.
Are Scottish Terriers Friendly?
The Scottish Terrier is a kind, loving dog that cherishes family members but may be standoffish with new people.
Scottish Terriers can be untrusting and even suspicious of strangers despite being pleasant with individuals they know.
Are Scottish Terriers Mean?
No, Scottish Terriers are not mean. They may be aloof with strangers and even suspicious of them, but they’re not aggressive or violent by nature.
Are Scottish Terriers Protective?
Yes, Scottish Terriers can be protective of their family and home. They’re naturally suspicious of strangers and may bark at them.
When left unchecked they can develop territory or resource guarding behaviors.
With proper training and socialization, they can be taught to trust people and not be so suspicious to strangers.
Are Scottish Terriers Quiet Or Yappy? Do They Bark?
Barking is natural for Scottish Terriers, but some may bark more than others.
Those who are considered “yappy” typically bark at anything and everything, while those who are considered “quiet” may only bark when they feel it’s necessary.
The level of barking can also be affected by how well they’re trained and socialized.
Those who are properly trained and socialized typically bark less than those who are not.
Are Scottish Terriers Smart?
Yes, Scottish Terriers are regarded as being very bright. If they have a committed owner, they can be quick learners picking up on things faster than most breeds.
Are Scottish Terriers Stubborn?
Yes, Scottish Terriers can be quite stubborn. They’re known for their independence and strong will.
This can make training them somewhat difficult, but due to their intelligence they can learn quickly.
With patience, consistency and the right reward, they can be taught to obey commands.
Are Scottish Terriers Hard To Train?
Yes, Scottish Terriers are more difficult to train compared to some other breeds. They’re quick learners but stubborn and like their own space.
Scottish Terriers may be easier to train if they have a strong owner that is committed to teaching them who’s in charge.
If there was a ranking for their difficulty to train they’d be moderately hard to train.
Scottish Terrier Physical Traits & Needs
Now that you have an idea of some of their behaviors and temperaments, let’s look at their physical traits and needs as a breed.
Here are the most popular questions answered about their physical traits and needs.
How Big Are Scottish Terriers? How Much Do They Weigh?
Adult Scottish Terriers usually weigh between 18 and 22 pounds.
How Long Are Scottish Terriers?
The average height for a Scottish Terrier is about 11 inches.
What Colors Do Scottish Terriers Come In?
Scottish Terriers can be black, silver, brindle, or wheaten.
Do Scottish Terriers Need A Lot Of Exercise?
Scottish Terriers are quite active and require some exercise, although they do not require as much as some other breeds.
A daily walk or play session should be enough. They require a moderate amount of exercise, a daily stroll and a game of fetch, is sufficient.
Play will help to meet a lot of their exercise needs, much as it does for all breeds, but play will not satisfy their fundamental need to walk.
So be prepared to go on daily walks if your plan is to get a Scottish Terrier.
Do Scottish Terriers Need Grooming?
Scottish Terriers require some grooming, but not as much as some other breeds.
They will need to be brushed at least once a week, and their nails will need to be trimmed on a regular basis.
Their coat may also need to be clipped or trimmed every few months.
Do Scottish Terriers Need Haircuts?
Scottish Terriers do not need haircuts, but their coat may require trimming or clipping every few months.
Do Scottish Terriers Shed?
All Scottish Terriers shed, though some may shed more than others.
Those who shed a lot will likely need to be brushed daily, while those who shed less may only need to be brushed once or twice a week.
Do Scottish Terriers Have A Double Coat?
Scottish Terriers have a thick double coat. The outer coat is harsh and wiry, while the undercoat is soft and dense.
This type of coat helps to protect them from weather and predators .
Do Scottish Terriers Have Hair Or Fur?
Scottish Terriers have hair, not fur.
Are Scottish Terriers Hypoallergenic?
Yes, Scottish Terriers are hypoallergenic. This means that they’re less likely to cause an allergic reaction in people with allergies.
Do Scottish Terriers Smell?
Scottish Terriers do not have an overly strong odor, but they may develop one if they’re not properly groomed.
Those who are properly groomed and have a clean coat don’t have an issue with odor.
Do Scottish Terriers Have Allergies?
Scottish Terrier allergies are quite common.
The most common allergens come from the environmental or a Scottish Terriers diet.
If a Scottish Terrier is allergic to something, you may notice them scratching more than normal, have red or irritated skin, or experience hair loss.
Some Scottish Terriers are allergic to grass, dust, or even carpet fiber. They’re definitely a breed more sensitive to food and their surroundings.
Do Scottish Terriers Have Black Gums?
No, Scottish Terriers do not have black gums.
The gum color can range from pale pink to dark brown.
Do Scottish Terriers Have Health Problems?
Scottish Terriers are generally healthy dogs, but they may be afflicted with certain diseases.
Allergies, epilepsy, and hip dysplasia are just a few of the most frequent health issues seen in Scottish Terriers.
How Long Can Scottish Terriers Live?
The average lifespan of a Scottish Terrier is between 12 and 15 years.
Some may live longer, while others may not make it to 12.
It really depends on the individual dog and their lifestyle.
How Many Teeth Do Scottish Terriers Have?
Scottish Terriers have 42 teeth.
This includes both their upper and lower jaws.
How much Do Scottish Terriers Sleep?
Scottish Terriers typically sleep for 12 to 14 hours a day.
This is normal for most dogs, but may be more or less depending on the individual dog.
How strong Is A Scottish Terrier’s Bite?
The average Scottish Terriers bite is about 232 PSI.
This is considered to be a relatively strong bite for a dog of their size.
Do Scottish Terriers Have Webbed Feet?
No, Scottish Terriers do not have webbed feet.
Are There White Scottish Terriers?
The most common Scottish Terrier color is black, with white coats being unheard of in the breed.
The misconceptions lies In some wheaten colored Scottish Terriers where the color is so light that it can be mistaken for white.
Are Scottish Terriers Always Black?
No, Scottish Terriers are not always black.
As they age, their coat slowly fades to a gray or silver color. There’s also wheaten and brindle colored Scottish Terriers.
Other Posts You Might Find Interesting:
Scottish Terriers: Frequently Asked Questions & Fun Facts
Everything A Scottish Terrier Can & Can’t Do (Complete List)