How to Care for a Scottish Terrier (Scottie)

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By Melissa Maroff
eHow Contributing Writer

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Care for a Scottish Terrier (Scottie)

It seems like every time you turn around at an antique store or flea market you see something bearing the likeness of a Scottish Terrier or “Scottie” dog. A breed that had its heydey in the 30s, 40s and 50s, Scotties have received an unfair reputation in more recent years for not being “pet of the year.” But, on the contrary, Scotties (if raised with love and care) make well-mannered, devoted companions that can live till a ripe old age. Here are some ways to help ensure that they do.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Step 1

Spay or neuter your Scottie for a happier, healthier dog. Spaying before the first heat period prevents the chance of breast cancer and the likelihood of uterine infections in females, and neutering before the age of 4 prevents testicular cancer, helps prevent prostate problems and curbs aggression in males. Sterilization has also helped eliminate genetic disorders that have been passed down in Scotties.
Step 2

Keep your Scottie’s vaccinations up to date and schedule regular medical exams. You can also do a monthly home exam of the skin, eyes, ears, nose, teeth and gums. Keep up with flea and heartworm preventative.
Step 3

Brush your Scottie’s teeth and have them cleaned and scaled professionally on a regular basis. Check with a veterinarian for a suggested schedule. Use a toothbrush/toothpaste made especially for dogs. Scotties have large teeth that are close together and are prone to decay. Preventative dental maintenance can include giving biscuits as treats and safe, tartar-control chew toys.
Step 4

Feed your Scottie a quality dry dog food with meat listed as the first ingredient or a homemade diet, and make sure it contains the proper balance of protein, carbs, fats, fiber, vitamins and minerals. If you like, you can mix the dry with canned or moist food for more variety, but make sure to feed enough dry since it's better for the teeth. Don't overfeed—Scotties have a tendency toward being overweight in the senior years.
Step 5

Give your Scottie regular exercise and the chance to roam, sniff and dig, which they enjoy immensely. They’re not runners, but like to walk. They have a tendency toward being sedentary as they age, so it’s important to keep up the exercise.
Step 6

Brush your Scottie’s coat regularly with a stiff brush to reduce the amount of shedding. Their coat is prone to tangles and regular grooming should help eliminate this, as well as prevent them from swallowing hair when they lick themselves. Have their coat trimmed professionally two or three times a year.
Step 7

Bathe your Scottie every three to six months. Frequent baths will dry out their skin. Clean your Scottie’s ears and clip his nails regularly. Gently clean the ears with a cotton ball or Q-tip and a little baby oil or special ear-cleaning solution for dogs. Ask your veterinarian to show you how to clip the nails.

Comments

diggitydogg said

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on 6/20/2007 Yes, that's a White Scottie. Sealyham Terriers (which are usually white) are similar to Scotties, but were bred from a cross of other breeds, so of course, have their own special traits and needs. They were originally bred in Wales, whereas the Scottish Terrier hails from of course...Ireland (Ba-dum-bump). Sealyhams are also a very rare breed.