Terrier Small size 8-10 kg

Scottish Terrier

A bold, dignified little terrier that suits apartments and independent owners - its stubborn streak, prey drive and grooming needs are the trade-offs.

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Find out how this breed matches your household

Quick overview

Small
Size
8-10 kg, 25-28 cm tall
Moderate
Activity
Needs daily walks and play
Moderate
Alone-time tolerance
Independent; tolerates a work day reasonably well
Moderate
Handling
Smart but famously stubborn
Moderate
Coat care
Wiry coat needs regular trimming or hand-stripping
Moderate
Fit with kids
Better with respectful, older children
Low
Other pets
Strong prey drive toward small animals
Moderate
Health burden
Knee, skin and dental issues

The Scottish Terrier typically weighs 8-10 kg, stands 25-28 cm, and lives 11-13 years.

Consider this breed if…

you want a dignified, low-clingy companion rather than a lapdog,
you appreciate a dog with its own opinions and dry personality,
you live in an apartment and can offer solid daily walks,
you accept regular professional grooming or will learn stripping.

Do not consider this breed if…

you have hamsters, rabbits, or free-roaming cats - it was bred to kill vermin,
you want fast, eager obedience and off-leash reliability,
you have toddlers who grab; a Scottie has limited patience for rough handling,
you want a cuddly velcro dog - this one keeps its dignity.

A typical day with a Scottish Terrier

  1. 7:00 · Morning
    30 min walk with dedicated sniffing time
  2. 9:00 · Midmorning
    Naps or supervises the household from its chosen post
  3. 12:30 · Noon
    Short walk; check for squirrels first
  4. 16:00 · Afternoon
    A game or short training - keep it interesting
  5. 18:30 · Evening
    Longer walk on leash; a fenced sniff-around
  6. 21:00 · Night
    Settles nearby - close to you, not on you

Temperament and training

Trainability Moderate
Independence Very high
Prey drive Very high
Sensitivity Moderate
Vocal tendency High
Guarding tendency High
Common owner mistakes
Treating stubbornness as a training failure instead of a breed feature · Letting it off leash because it is small - the prey drive is not · Clipping the wiry coat for convenience and losing texture and color

Family and environment

Kids Conditional
Fine with respectful older kids; short fuse for grabbing toddlers.
Dogs Conditional
Confident to a fault; may pick arguments with much bigger dogs.
Cats Conditional
Possible when raised together; small pets are prey, full stop.
Apartment Suitable
Size and independence fit; alert barking needs managing.
House with a yard Suitable
Expect digging - it is an earthdog by design.
City Suitable
Handles urban life well on leash.
Countryside Manages
Loves it, but wildlife means leash or fence.
Health data provided by RealVetCost
Overall health burden Moderate

Detailed health data - inheritance, prevalence, course, and typical treatment costs - lives in a separate expert database. This is general guidance, not veterinary advice - confirm any decision with your vet.

View the full health profile
Top health concerns
Luxating patella Kneecap slips out of place; may need surgery
Allergies and skin issues Can cause recurring itching and infections
Dental disease Routine cleaning helps prevent tooth loss
Obesity Watch portions; excess weight strains joints

Similar breeds - by reason

Not visually similar - similar in what they mean for you.

Cheerier, more outgoing cousin
West Highland White Terrier
A confident, portable terrier that suits many homes - skin allergies are the standout health concern to budget for.
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Scrappier, more natural-coated relative
Cairn Terrier
A hardy, spirited little earthdog that stays busy and vocal - great for active owners who can handle a strong terrier prey drive.
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Rarer, calmer low-slung terrier
Sealyham Terrier
A calm, affectionate rare terrier that adapts well to apartment life - its independent streak, prey drive and coat upkeep are the main trade-offs.
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Frequently asked questions

How much does a Scottish Terrier cost?
Expect roughly $1,400-$2,500 from a health-testing US breeder - Scotties are not a cheap or common breed. Ongoing costs are moderate: grooming every 6-8 weeks adds up over the years, and knee surgery for a luxating patella can run $1,500-$4,000 if it comes to that. Over an 11-13 year life, plan for $15,000+ in total care even for a healthy dog.
Are Scottish Terriers good with kids?
With older, respectful children, usually yes - the breed is loyal and sturdy for its size. With toddlers it is a mediocre match: Scotties dislike being grabbed, chased, or treated as toys, and they will communicate that. Families with small children generally do better with a more tolerant breed.
Are Scotties hard to train?
They are smart but were bred to work alone underground, making their own decisions - so obedience for its own sake bores them. Short, rewarding, varied sessions work; drilling and harsh corrections produce a small, immovable protest. Recall around prey should never be trusted, regardless of training.
Do Scottish Terriers shed?
Very little - the hard, wiry coat mostly stays put, which suits tidy homes. The trade-off is upkeep: it needs stripping or clipping every couple of months plus weekly brushing, especially the beard and furnishings, or it mats. Clipping is easier but gradually softens the coat's texture.