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Scottish Terrier: Breed Profile, Temperament, Health, and Care Guide

A Scottish Terrier is a small Terrier Group breed developed in Aberdeen, Scotland, to hunt fox, badger, and other den animals, known for its tenacity and nicknamed the Diehard.

A Scottish Terrier is a small Terrier Group breed developed in Aberdeen, Scotland, to hunt fox, badger, rabbit, and other den-dwelling animals, prized for a tenacious, independent working style that earned it the enduring nickname “the Diehard.” Instantly recognizable by its low, long body and distinctive bearded profile, the Scottie has been a fixture of American culture for generations, most famously as President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s dog Fala. This guide covers where the breed originated, its temperament, how big Scottish Terriers get, how long they live, the health problems they are prone to, grooming, how much exercise they need, how easy they are to train, what to feed them, the pros and cons of owning one, and what else people ask.

What Is a Scottish Terrier and Where Did the Breed Originate?

A Scottish Terrier belongs to the American Kennel Club’s Terrier Group. The breed’s roots trace back to 1700s Scotland, originally known as the Aberdeen Terrier, developed to chase fox, badger, and rabbit out of their dens. Early Scottish terrier types were grouped together as one general “Skye” class in dog shows until the 1870s, when the category split into what became the Scottish, Skye, Cairn, and West Highland White Terriers. John Naylor introduced the breed to America in 1883, and the AKC registered its first Scottish Terrier in 1885.

The American Kennel Club defines the breed in its “Official Standard of the Scottish Terrier”, approved October 12, 1993, which sets out the size, coat, and temperament a Scottish Terrier should have. As of September 2026, the AKC ranks the Scottish Terrier 54th of 210 breeds in popularity.

What Is a Scottish Terrier’s Temperament Like?

A Scottish Terrier’s temperament is independent, confident, and dignified, often described as having an almost-human character. Scotties are deeply loyal and territorial, generally aloof with strangers, which makes them excellent watchdogs, but their strong-willed nature and moderate tolerance for young children mean the breed does best in homes with older kids who understand how to interact respectfully with dogs. Scottish Terriers can be overbearing with other dogs and have a genuinely high prey drive toward small animals, making solo or dog-only households a better fit than ones with cats or small pets.

How Big Do Scottish Terriers Get?

Scottish Terriers are a small, compact, sturdy breed standing about 10 inches tall regardless of sex, with a distinctive wiry outer coat, bushy eyebrows, and a beard that can brush the ground if left untrimmed.

What Is the Average Scottish Terrier Height and Weight?

Measure	American Kennel Club figure
Height	10 inches
Weight	19-22 pounds (male), 18-21 pounds (female)
Life expectancy	12 years

Figures are from the American Kennel Club Scottish Terrier breed profile, retrieved September 2026.

How Long Do Scottish Terriers Live?

Scottish Terriers live 11 to 13 years, with some sources citing up to 15. Regular veterinary screening, in particular for the bladder cancer risk covered below, is among the most important things an owner can do for this breed’s long-term health.

What Health Problems Are Scottish Terriers Prone To?

Scottish Terriers are documented as being at higher risk for the following conditions.

• Bladder cancer (transitional cell carcinoma). The single most-discussed Scottie-specific health risk; the breed carries a documented, elevated risk compared to most other breeds.
• Scottie cramp. A breed-specific condition causing muscle spasms and coordination problems, often triggered by excitement or stress; it’s not painful but can look alarming.
• Von Willebrand’s disease. An inherited bleeding disorder affecting the blood’s ability to clot properly.
• Craniomandibular osteopathy. A condition affecting the jawbone in young, growing dogs.
• Patellar luxation and thyroid issues. A kneecap condition and reduced thyroid hormone production, both recognized, breed-associated concerns.

How Do You Groom a Scottish Terrier?

Scottish Terriers have a wiry double coat that sheds little but needs regular trimming and grooming to stay tidy, since it will grow long and unkempt, in particular around the beard and skirt, if left unmanaged. Routine brushing between grooming appointments, along with nail trims and ear checks, rounds out the care routine.

How Much Exercise Does a Scottish Terrier Need?

A Scottish Terrier needs regular but not vigorous exercise, generally daily walks and playtime, which combined with the breed’s small size makes it a genuinely good fit for apartment living. Scotties are natural diggers, a direct holdover from their den-hunting history, so secure fencing matters given the breed’s tendency to dig its way out of a yard, and off-leash time should stay within a contained area.

Are Scottish Terriers Easy to Train?

Scottish Terriers are clever but genuinely stubborn, making them moderately difficult to train compared to more naturally compliant breeds. Patient, kind, consistent training works best, since Scotties tend to become withdrawn if treated harshly, and the breed isn’t recommended for first-time or inexperienced dog owners.

What Should You Feed a Scottish Terrier?

Scottish Terriers do well on one to one and a half cups of high-quality dry food daily, and some breeders have reported good results with a moderate-protein diet around 20%. A veterinarian can help adjust a feeding plan based on the dog’s individual age, weight, and activity level.

What Are the Pros and Cons of Owning a Scottish Terrier?

Here are the main advantages of owning a Scottish Terrier.

• Dignified, loyal, confident temperament
• Well suited to apartment living given moderate exercise needs
• Low-shedding coat
• Naturally aloof with strangers, making an excellent watchdog

Here are the main drawbacks of owning a Scottish Terrier.

• Documented, elevated risk of bladder cancer
• Stubborn and moderately difficult to train, not ideal for first-time owners
• Can be overbearing with other dogs and poor with small pets given high prey drive
• Coat needs regular trimming to stay manageable

Scottish Terrier rescue organizations place adult dogs regularly, worth a look for anyone drawn to the breed’s dignified character but not set on a breeder search.

What Else Do People Ask About the Scottish Terrier?

The questions below cover how much a Scottish Terrier costs, whether Scottish Terriers are good family dogs, what Scottie cramp is, why Scottish Terriers have a higher risk of bladder cancer, and whether Scottish Terriers need a lot of exercise.

How much does a Scottish Terrier cost?

Scottish Terrier prices vary by region, bloodline, and breeder reputation, and a puppy from a breeder who screens for bladder cancer risk factors and joint health typically costs more than one that doesn’t. Adopting an adult Scottish Terrier through a rescue is usually a lower-cost alternative.

Are Scottish Terriers good family dogs?

Scottish Terriers can be good family dogs, in particular in homes with older children who understand how to interact respectfully with a dignified, somewhat independent breed. Their moderate tolerance for boisterous young children means the breed suits an experienced, calm household better than one with young kids.

What is Scottie cramp?

Scottie cramp is a breed-specific condition causing temporary muscle spasms and coordination problems, typically triggered by excitement, stress, or vigorous activity. It looks alarming but isn’t painful, and most affected dogs live otherwise normal lives, though it’s worth discussing with a veterinarian if you notice episodes.

Why do Scottish Terriers have a higher risk of bladder cancer?

Scottish Terriers carry a documented, breed-wide predisposition to transitional cell carcinoma, a form of bladder cancer, at a higher rate than most other breeds. Researchers haven’t identified one single cause, though genetics clearly play a role, which is why regular veterinary checkups and prompt attention to urinary symptoms matter considerably for this breed.

Do Scottish Terriers need a lot of exercise?

No, Scottish Terriers need only regular, moderate exercise, generally daily walks and some playtime rather than vigorous activity, which combined with their small size makes them a reasonable fit for apartment living. Secure fencing still matters given the breed’s strong digging instinct.

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