The Scottish Terrier is a classic and widely recognizable dog breed. These energetic, playful, agile, and lively little dogs love their families and are affectionate with them. Here are a few more facts about Scottish Terriers:

1. Scottish Terriers Have a Long History

Scottish Terriers have a long history and are thought to be the oldest breed of the Highland terrier group. Throughout the dog’s history, there have been debates about origins and differences between Scottish Terriers and other terriers from Scotland, especially during the 1800s.

What is not debated is that the Scottie is a dog breed with a long history and origins as a farm dog and a hunting dog. They also gained popularity, especially among the nobility. King James (VI of Scotland and I of England) often gave Scotties as gifts in the 17th century.

These little dogs arrived in the United States in 1883 and it only took two years for the AKC to register the first one. Actors and other celebrities helped the Scottish Terrier reach peak popularity in the 1930s and 40s. The breed has also been one of the popular presidential pups a few times.

2. They Are Not the Only Terrier From Scotland

Although this dog breed is called the Scottish Terrier, they are not the only terrier breed originating from Scotland. They are actually one of five terrier breeds with origins in Scotland. In addition to the Scottish Terrier, there are also the Cairn Terrier, Skye Terrier, Dandie Dinmont Terrier, and West Highland Terrier.

3. Scotties Are Prone to Barking

Scotties are very protective of their families and are alert watchdogs, which means they are prone to barking. Unless you start to train your dog to stop barking early on, this can become a nuisance behavior.

Because of their protective instinct, they are also naturally wary of strangers. A well-socialized Scottish Terrier will warm up a little to strangers once they have been introduced, but it can still take them some time to come around and actively seek affection from people outside of the family.

4. They Have a High Prey Drive

These dogs were originally bred to control the rodent population on farms and to hunt badgers and foxes, which means they have a high prey drive and an urge to chase. Because of this, they may not be the best fit for a household with other smaller pets.

Although they can do well with them if they are raised together, they will still need some extra socialization with them. They also should only be let off-leash in securely fenced areas. They are certainly capable of mastering the recall command, but they may ignore it in favor of chasing something interesting.

These are just a few facts about Scottish Terriers. Scotties can be a great fit for single owners and families who can give them the exercise, mental stimulation, training, and affection they need to be happy and healthy.

If this seems like the right dog breed for you, learn more about them and then check out the available Scottish Terrier puppies. Who knows? You could end up finding the perfect addition to your family!