From the AKC Official Standard for the Scottish Terrier:

The Scottish Terrier should be alert and spirited but also stable and steady-going. He is a determined and thoughtful dog whose "heads up, tails up" attitude in the ring should convey both fire and control. The Scottish Terrier, while loving and gentle with people, can be aggressive with other dogs. He should exude ruggedness and power, living up to his nickname, the "Diehard".

Scotties are a hardy dog with determination and independent thinking. It almost gives them a human type of quality that Scottie lovers admire. If you are looking for a family pet that will cuddle for hours or a prize winning obedience dog then maybe a Scottie is not for you. Scotties win your heart by their zest for life and their love for adventure. They are a loyal dog that enjoys playing and going for walks and especialy rides in the car. They are eager to see what is around the next bend.

I find my Scotties are good with children as long as the child is taught to treat the dog with respect. Small children (toddlers) need to be supervised around puppies or dogs of any breed. It is a good idea to observe a Scottie by visiting friends or neighbors that have one. Ask them what they like about their Scottie.

A Scottish Terrier is a dog bred to "go to ground", meaning it was bred to hunt and chase small prey into or out of burrows and crevices. Therefore, your Scottie needs to be kept on a leash or in a well fenced yard at all times to ensure their safety. Instinctively the Scottie will chase the neighbors cat or the pesty squirrel and not think twice about the busy street. Scotties need to be protected around water. They are not good swimmers and many a Scottie has lost his life in the back yard pool.

Scottish Terriers have a hard coat that sheds little. The coat may be Black, Brindle (shades of Black, brown or white hairs), or Wheaten (light brown to golden color). They do need to be groomed on a regular basis (every 4 to 6 weeks). You can teach yourself how to groom a Scottie or you can take your Scottie to a professional groomer. They need a good quality commercial dog food and they need to be protected from fleas and ticks so they don't develope an allergy.

Special Considerations

Scotties are not for all people. There is no perfect dog out there, but you as an individual or family need to look at what you need in a pet. What kind of commitment can you make in time and personal involvement with socializing and training your life time friend? Scotties make great pets, but like children they will require guidance and discipline. But the time you take with them will mean you will reap the benefits for years to come.