Scottish Terrier Guide: Temperament, Size, Grooming and Adoption
Scottish Terrier overview
The American Kennel Club places the Scottish Terrier in the Terrier Group and lists Scotland as its origin. The United Kennel Club describes a small, compact, short-legged and sturdily built dog with a hard, wiry, weather-resistant coat.
Where does the Scottish Terrier come from?
The breed began in the Scottish highlands, where small earth dogs were bred to go underground after foxes, badgers, rats and similar vermin. Early on the breed was sometimes called the Aberdeen Terrier, but Scottish Terrier became the name that stuck. The United Kennel Club recognized the breed in 1934, and the American Kennel Club recognized it in 1885.
How big is a Scottie? Height and weight
The American Kennel Club puts the Scottish Terrier in its small size category, with a published height of 10 inches and weights of 19-22 pounds for males and 18-21 pounds for females. The United Kennel Club standard likewise describes height at the withers as about 10 inches for either sex, so a large Scottie dog is not what this breed standard describes.
Scottish Terrier temperament and personality
The American Kennel Club describes Scotties as independent, confident and spirited. For anyone wondering about Scottie dog personality, VCA Animal Hospitals calls them fearless, clever, curious and often mischievous, and notes they can be feisty and sometimes argumentative around other dogs. The United Kennel Club says the breed can be loving and gentle with people yet aggressive with other dogs. Some Scotties may chase other household pets, though VCA notes they can learn to get along with cats and that rodents are a poor choice of housemate.
Exercise and training needs
VCA says a long walk or short run plus a vigorous game can meet exercise needs, along with a chance to sniff and explore on leash or in a safe place. Scotties tend to go off hunting and may not come when called, so a secure setting matters. They are described as independent and stubborn, and they tend to do best with reward-based training using food or games.
Scottie grooming
VCA recommends combing the coat once or twice a week. Dead hairs are plucked out about every three months to keep the shape tidy, and professional clipping makes coat care easier.
How long do Scotties live? Life expectancy and weight
For Scottie life expectancy, the American Kennel Club gives a general figure of 12 years for the Scottish Terrier. VCA notes the breed tends to stay at a good weight or be slightly overweight, so restricted calories may be needed if a dog starts to gain too much.
AKC breed facts
These are the American Kennel Club’s general facts and 1 to 5 ratings for the Scottish Terrier as a breed. General tendencies don’t establish any one dog’s ancestry, personality or health; ask the listing organization about the dog you are considering.
- AKC group
- Terrier Group
- AKC recognition year
- 1885
- Height (AKC published)
- 10 inches
- Weight (AKC published)
- 19-22 pounds (male), 18-21 pounds (female)
- General life expectancy
- 12 years
- AKC size category
- Small
AKC general breed ratings (1 to 5)
- Energy: 3 of 5
- Mental enrichment: 4 of 5
- Trainability: 3 of 5
- Grooming frequency: 3 of 5
- Shedding: 2 of 5
- Vocalization: 4 of 5
- Drooling: 2 of 5
- Adaptability: 4 of 5
- Playfulness: 4 of 5
- Watchful or protective tendency: 5 of 5
- Affection toward family: 5 of 5
- Openness toward strangers: 3 of 5
- AKC child compatibility rating: 3 of 5
- AKC dog compatibility rating: 2 of 5
Health screenings AKC lists for the breed
Breeding evaluations AKC names for the breed; they are not a diagnosis or a testing plan for any one dog.
- Patella Evaluation
- Von Willebrand Disease III (Scottish Terrier) (VWDIII) - DNA Test
- Craniomandibular Osteopathy
Source: American Kennel Club breed profile (opens in a new tab), retrieved November 4, 2026 (snapshot akc-2026-11-04).
Written by Lily's Second Chance with AI assistance from the sources listed under References. Facts were checked automatically against those sources on November 9, 2026.
References
- Breed Standards : Scottish Terrier | United Kennel Club (UKC) (opens in a new tab), United Kennel Club, checked November 7, 2026
- Scottish Terrier | VCA Animal Hospitals (opens in a new tab), VCA Animal Hospitals, checked November 7, 2026
- Scottish Terrier - AKC breed profile (snapshot akc-2026-11-04) (opens in a new tab), American Kennel Club, checked November 4, 2026
