The small, alert dog stood beneath a crashing thunderstorm. Lightning flickered across the horizon. Ears and tail raised defiantly, the dog growled at the sky. She wasn't frightened of the thunder as many dogs are. She was angry and didn't hush until the storm passed her territory. The brave Scottish Terrier exemplified her breed's nickname: the Diehard.
This scene wasn't from the windswept Scottish Highlands of the 1800s. It occurred recently in Culver, Ore. The dog's name was Megan, owned by Steve and Karen Timm of Milwaukee, Ore. The Timms' diminutive Scottie was ready to take on anything, even Mother Nature. "Megan barked as hard as she could at that thunderstorm," Karen Timm said. "And ... it went away! Oh, man, was she proud of herself for scaring away that storm. She shook off the rain and 'Scottie-walked'—kind of a swagger on four-inch legs—back to her mom and dad."
Small dog, big attitude. The paradox surprises and delights the Scottie enthusiast. "Scotties aren't what people typically expect from a cute little dog," said Barbara Lounsbury, who has owned Scotties for 41 years and, with her husband Charles, owns Hollyloch Kennel in Canterbury, Conn. "They are big, dignified dogs in a small body, very courageous and full of themselves."

Small Frame, Big Attitude
Scotties seem unaware of their true size. They'll challenge larger dogs, especially if they sense a threat to their family. When an unfamiliar, boisterous chocolate Labrador Retriever bounded up to Ruth Devine in Louisville, Ky., she was glad she had a strong hold on the leash attached to her 5-year-old Scottie, Dee Dee. "If I hadn't held her back, she would've gone right for that dog's throat," Devine said. "Dee Dee thought that Lab was going to attack me."

But the Scottie is more than a 20-pound, would-be bodyguard. It has plenty of room in its heart for affection. "There is a kind of magic, a synergy between a Scottie-lover and Scottie that creates something wonderful," said Joseph Harvill of Albuquerque, N.M., owner of two Scotties, Gus and Willie, and editor of Great Scots, a magazine devoted to celebrating the breed.
"They have different moods and are very person-like in how they interact with you," Harvill said. "You never know exactly what they will do next, but whatever it is will usually give you great joy." Harvill recalled the recent example of an acquaintance whose Scottie carried to her in its mouth a single flower nipped out of her garden—after she had become hysterically upset at his original gift of a dead mouse.
The Scottish Highlands, with its emerald hills, ancient stone monuments and melancholy bagpipe music, provided the setting for the rugged Terrier's development in the 16th century. Used for hunting vermin, the Terriers were bred along pure lines for centuries, but it wasn't until the mid-1800s that the Scottish Terrier was officially distinguished from other Terrier breeds. Controversy ensued when Skye, Dandie Dinmont and Yorkshire Terriers won the first Scottish Terrier classes at dog shows in England in the 1860s and '70s. Outraged Scots flooded farm journals with letters of protest, and finally an official standard, written around 1880 by J.B. Morrison, settled the matter.
Shortly thereafter, John Naylor imported the first Scottish Terriers to the United States. Among them was a dog named Whinstone, one of the important founding sires for the breed in North America. In 1886, the American Kennel Club registered the first Scottie in the Terrier Group. The breed's popularity has had its ups and downs but it now ranks as No. 42, with 4,396 dogs registered in 2000.
Originally used to hunt badger and fox—not a job for the faint-hearted—the breed's instinct for prey remains strong. Owners should expect the occasional trophy rodent deposited proudly on the doorstep.
"The scent of a rabbit or squirrel will always be more interesting than you saying 'Come get the cookie!,'" Lounsbury said. For this reason, it's important to keep your Scottie on a leash. Scotties adapt to almost any home environment—small apartment or country estate—with one notable caveat. "A fenced yard is the only way to keep a Scottie alive," Lounsbury said, because of their tendency to roam.
It isn't surprising Scotties believe obedience is optional. "The Scottish Terrier was bred to think on its own and not just obey [a person's] command," said Christine Stephens, owner of Glenby Kennel of Oregon City, Ore., who has raised Scotties for 33 years. That's the trade-off owning this intelligent, independent breed: Scotties can be as stubborn as they are loyal.

Patience Is Key
Owners face distinct challenges and rewards when training these dogs. "If you raise your voice or lose your temper, they get very hurt," Stephens said. "Even though they're tough, you can break their spirit."
"Patience is the key," Lounsbury said. "Lots of patience, and the ability to laugh when you realize the dog has made a fool of you." A Scottie's stubborn nature may make it difficult for it to win in obedience competition. However, the breed excels in the conformation ring, where it charms spectators and judges alike. Scottish Terriers have won Best in Show at Westminster several times. Earthdog trials, which test vermin-hunting skills, are another competition where Scotties excel.
The three popular Terriers from Scotland are often confused with one another. Although they share a common ancestry, differences in temperament and physical features distinguish each type. The Cairn Terrier is lighter-boned with a shorter coat. The West Highland White Terrier has a similar sturdy build, but the ear set and rounded face are quite different than the Scottie's, which features a higher ear carriage and longer muzzle with a square, powerful jaw. In addition, the Scottie is more serious and not as high-energy as the others and is less inclined to bark.
The breed standard calls for a compact, short-legged dog with a "cobby" or thick-set body. Its head is prized for its piercing, almond-shaped eyes, set below its trademark brow, and high-set, pointed ears. The weatherproof, wiry outercoat covers a soft undercoat for insulation in the highlands climate of Scotland. The long hair on underbelly and legs blends into the short hair along the back. The stout tail carried proud and straight upward completes the picture. Professional trimming every two to four months is needed to maintain the classic Scottie silhouette, and brushing at home three times weekly keeps the dog smart-looking and tangle-free.
Prospective owners should ask breeders about genetic diseases before selecting a puppy. "Scottie cramp," also known as kinetic disorder of Scottish Terriers, affects the nerve and muscle function. Brought on by excitement or physical activity, the condition causes dogs to suddenly stiffen or collapse, unable to move. While it is not life-threatening and dogs recover quickly with rest, the sight is distressing. Also ask about craniomandibular osteopathy, or MO, a painful inherited disease of the bone of the lower jaw. Researchers are looking for a way to identify carriers, which should not be bred. Inquire if both the puppy's parents have been tested for Von Willebrand's disease, an inherited bleeding disorder.
Many Scottish Terrier breeders will not sell a puppy to a family with a toddler or young children. The dogs have little tolerance for rambunctious kids and ear- or tail-pulling, and may defend themselves with a nip.
The arrival of visitors, whether a friend or stranger, will be heralded with a warning bark, an important Scottie responsibility. Owners needn't worry their dogs will offend a non-dog person; they don't jump uninvited into anyone's lap or lick people's faces. Scotties need time to assess the newcomer and make friends. Harvill, who lived in Scotland for seven years, said the dogs are like their native countryfolk: "A Scot won't pretend friendship before it's there—it has to be real and then it's lifelong."
The right attitude equals happy ownership. "Many people want a pet to be subservient, docile and always do what it is told," Harvill said. If those people end up with Scotties, they are going to lock horns." If you can appreciate a Scottish Terrier's independent nature rather than be frustrated by it, you will be rewarded with a special place in its grand heart.

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The Scottish Terrier originated in Scotland during the 17th century. In Great Britain during the mid 18th century their primary purpose was for routing various small animals, such as the fox, from their dens. Noblemen carried these active little dogs in a basket strapped to their saddles as they rode their horses on hunting trips.
Once the noblemen chased the foxes into their dens, they would place the Scotties on the ground where the aggressive little dogs continued the chase following the fox into the hole. This caused the frightened fox to run back out another hole and the chase by horse would begin once again. The Scottish Terrier makes an excellent watch dog, and is a dependable and loyal family companion.
Size:
About 10 inches.
Weight: 19 to 22 pounds
Coat:
Double coated. Short dense undercoat with outer coat intensely hard and wiry.
Color:
Black, wheaten or brindle of any color
Activity Level:
Scotties need vigorous DAILY exercise. They will do okay in an apartment if they get enough exercise. It is very active indoors and a small yard will do.
Grooming:
Regular brushing and routine nail trimming. Bathe as necessary. The Scottie requires regular professional grooming. They shed little to no hair.
Temperament:
The Scottish Terrier is dependable and loyal, but may sometimes appear aloof and independent. He is not a docile pet. The Scottie is very sensitive and make a great pet for those who understand his feisty nature. The Scottish terrier, like most terriers (affectionately known as terrors) are very, high energy dogs. The Scottie can also be short of patience. Because of his high energy level, he can also be destructive and very noisy if left to his own devices.
Reception To Training:
Fair candidate in the hands of a skilled trainer. The Scottish Terrier is an intelligent breed. However; they bore easily.
Health Problems:
Epilepsy, PRA, Cataracts.
Life Span:
12-15 years.
Show Dog Prospect: Good
Obedience Prospect: Fair
Companion Prospect: Good