SCOTTISH TERRIERS First,I will tell you what I can about these feisty little dogs; then I will provide links to other people's sites who probably know more than I do about the subject. HISTORY Several theories exist as to the origin of the Scottish Terrier. Some of them trace the breed as far back as 1700, although a dog exactly like the Scottie we know today, with the same size and shape, can't be verified until around 1870. Back then, it was known as the Aberdeen terrier, for the town in which it was raised, or simply the Scotch terrier (to those outside of Scotland, I bet). They have also been called "short-coated Skye terriers". Whatever they used to be called, one thing is for sure: They are the only dog deemed worthy to bear the national name of the country of their origin, Scotland. SCOTTIE CHARACTER Scotties are stubborn. Let me repeat, Scotties are stubborn. If I have to repeat it again, maybe you're just as stubborn as they are! Yelling at them does not seem to work. Patience and lots of praise when they "accidentally" do something right seems to work best. They are VERY intelligent, but they are also independent. They really do think for themselves. Sometimes they look at you with those bright eyes as if to say "Hey, I'm the Scotty and you're not! I know what's right!" After that, it's simply a matter of diverting their attention, if you can. Scotties are a vocal lot. They make all sorts of noises and mutterings under their breath, and do some growling when they play (all in fun, of course). They make excellent apartment pets, though, because they are not the type to bark all day just for attention. They only bark when they have something really important to say. Scotties will tolerate kids, but for the most part, they like to be left alone, except at certain times of the day. They will decide what those times are. With mine, they want lots of attention as soon as we get home (Bonnie first; she's the Queen). After that, they go off to play games with each other. They do come back once in a while to say "Look at me" or "You play now", but that's pretty much it until bedtime. They will let you know when it's time for a walk (once you establish a routine, they will make certain you stick to it). No variations from the routine will be tolerated.
First,I will tell you what I can about these feisty little dogs; then I will provide links to other people's sites who probably know more than I do about the subject.
Several theories exist as to the origin of the Scottish Terrier. Some of them trace the breed as far back as 1700, although a dog exactly like the Scottie we know today, with the same size and shape, can't be verified until around 1870. Back then, it was known as the Aberdeen terrier, for the town in which it was raised, or simply the Scotch terrier (to those outside of Scotland, I bet). They have also been called "short-coated Skye terriers". Whatever they used to be called, one thing is for sure: They are the only dog deemed worthy to bear the national name of the country of their origin, Scotland.
Scotties are stubborn.
Let me repeat, Scotties are stubborn.
If I have to repeat it again, maybe you're just as stubborn as they are!
Yelling at them does not seem to work. Patience and lots of praise when they "accidentally" do something right seems to work best. They are VERY intelligent, but they are also independent. They really do think for themselves. Sometimes they look at you with those bright eyes as if to say "Hey, I'm the Scotty and you're not! I know what's right!" After that, it's simply a matter of diverting their attention, if you can.
Scotties are a vocal lot. They make all sorts of noises and mutterings under their breath, and do some growling when they play (all in fun, of course). They make excellent apartment pets, though, because they are not the type to bark all day just for attention. They only bark when they have something really important to say.
Scotties will tolerate kids, but for the most part, they like to be left alone, except at certain times of the day. They will decide what those times are. With mine, they want lots of attention as soon as we get home (Bonnie first; she's the Queen). After that, they go off to play games with each other. They do come back once in a while to say "Look at me" or "You play now", but that's pretty much it until bedtime. They will let you know when it's time for a walk (once you establish a routine, they will make certain you stick to it). No variations from the routine will be tolerated.