Getting To Know Your Shetland Sheepdog

Getting to know your dog starts by getting to know its breed, and that includes getting a better idea about its appearance, personality, and health requirements. Here’s what you need to know about Shetland Sheepdogs:

Also known as the “Sheltie,” the Shetland Sheepdog originally began life as a small herding dog for Shetland Island terrain. When you first look at this breed, you will notice a strong resemblance with the Collie although the Shetland Sheepdog is smaller. While the exact origin of this breed remains unknown, we do know that somewhere off the coast of Scotland the dog was bred down to what we know it to be today.

To give you an idea of the makeup of the Shetland Sheepdog, you have breeding from the Yakki, Icelandic Sheepdog, and Border Collie. Then, it is believed that in the 19th century, this breed could have been crossbred with other dogs to include the Prince Charles Spaniel, Pomeranian, and perhaps even the King Charles Spaniel. However, to add even more question to the mix is that in the early part of the 20th century, the coat of the Shetland Sheepdog came out brindle, which would indicate two other breeds to include the Corgi and Terrier.

What we do know is that the American Kennel Club first recognized the Shetland Sheepdog in 1911, which resulted from the first registration of a dog named Lord Scott. Although the Shetland Sheepdog was once a prominent breed in Shetland, today you rarely see it. Instead, the Border Collie has taken its place in importance and use.

This breed has an amazing ability to compete. As an agile dog, they are outstanding when it comes to showmanship, obedience, herding, tracking, and so on. Therefore, using the Shetland Sheepdog in competitions or show is a satisfying decision.

Physical Appearance

The Sheltie has a graceful and sweet appearance. As far as the breed’s coat, there is a double coat with the topcoat being long and straight and the undercoat being short and furry. In fact, the topcoat is water-repellant while the undercoat is extremely thick. To keep tangles at bay, it is important that the Shetland Sheepdog be brushed and groomed on a regular basis. Otherwise, you could be dealing with deeply matted hair in places such as the hind legs, under the elbows, and even behind the ears.

If you want to show your Sheltie through the American Kennel Club, there is a definite height requirement. For instance, the male and female dog would need to be between 13 and 16 inches at the withers. For weight, most males will fall somewhere around 14 to 18 pounds with the females averaging 12 to 16 pounds. Another requirement includes ears that are tipped or just slightly bent. Colors of this breed also vary to include:

Sable (light gold to mahogany)
Tri-color (white, black, and tan)
Blue Merle (gray, black, white, and tan)
Bi-blues (gray, black, and some white)
Merle (not often seen in show but acceptable)
Double Merle (brings risk of blindness and deafness)

Temperament and Personality

When looking for a good family dog and companion, the Sheltie is a great option to consider. This particular breed is exceptionally bright, loyal, affectionate, and loving. The one thing you need to be aware of is that the Sheltie can be wary of strangers. Socializing this breed at a young age can help overcome some of those types of unwanted behaviors. The Shetland Sheepdog is great with adults but wait until you see them with children. They are patient, protective, and extremely gentle even with the smallest of child. This breed also works well with other animals.

Some people believe that the Shetland Sheepdog barks too much and while some can be a little on the yappy side, but with proper training, this trait can be overcome. With most breeds, you would find either the male or female having a slightly better edge over the other. However, with the Sheltie, male and female are equally great dogs. When choosing this breed, just make sure you have adequate time for training and playing, as well as room for running around.

Health

Unfortunately, the Shetland Sheepdog is prone to certain health problems such as Epilepsy, Ophthalmologist, Hypothyroidism, and various types of skin allergies. As far as the eyes, this particular breed can inherit two problems. The first is called Sheltie Eye Syndrome or SES, which affects all three layers of the eye, resulting in a blind spot to full blindness. For this, special testing can be performed while a puppy to determine if the defect exists. The second is called Progressive Retinal Atrophy or PRA. In this case, the dog would begin to experience problems with night vision, which would eventually lead to daytime problems and then blindness.

Dermatomyositis is another health risk associated specific to the Sheltie. Unfortunately, this problem is often not diagnosed until after six months or is even misdiagnosed. What happens is that Dermatomyositis starts as Alopecia on the top of the head, which means losing hair. Sometimes, the problem can affect the dog’s tail as well. Sadly, while this appears as a skin problem, it is actually an autonomic nervous system disease, eventually leading to the animal being humanely euthanized.

Other possibilities although not as common, include Von Willebrand Disease, a hereditary defect, and Hypothyroidism, a condition in which the thyroid is not functioning as it should. Typically, good grooming, diet, and exercise will go a long way in keeping the Shetland Sheepdog healthy.

In its native Germany the Miniature Pinscher is called the Zwergpinscher (dwarf pinscher) or the Reh Pinscher after the small roe deer of the same name. In the United States it is usually called the Minpin.

The Miniature Pinscher’s ancestors were bred in Scandinavia. It looks like a miniature Doberman Pinscher, but was actually bred in Scandinavia about a century before the Doberman. The two breeds are not related. Ancestors of the Miniature Pinscher were probably small German pinschers (terriers) and possibly Scandinavian Klein pinschers. Some writers think the gene pool included the Italian Greyhound. The breed was developed in Germany during the nineteenth century. By 1895 selective breeding produced what we recognize today as the Miniature Pinscher.

In 1895 the German Pinscher Club was formed. In the United States the American Miniature Pinscher club was formed in 1925. The AKC recognized the bred in 1929.

The Miniature Pinscher was bred from terriers for use as ratters and barking alarm dogs. The Miniature Pinscher’s current function is probably just taking care of its family. It is popular in apartments and condos of the big cities because of its size, personality and cleanliness.

Personality

The Miniature Pinscher is energetic, lively and serious. He is quite courageous and is extremely loyal. The Miniature Pinscher’s main desire is to please its handler, owner or friend. He will perform almost any feat to prove it.

The Miniature Pinscher gets along fairly well with other small house pets. He loves the family children providing they respect him and do not try to carry him around and lift him up. Its original breeding as an alarm dog causes the Miniature Pinscher to be quite a “barker,” which sometimes needs to be controlled before it becomes a vice. He is an independent little dog and normally suspicious of strangers, which is also a part of his original breeding purpose as a guard dog. Early exposure and training can help reduce this characteristic.

The Miniature Pinscher is intelligent and a good student during training times. He has the capacity to learn much more than is taught to the average toy breed. Despite the tiny stature of the Miniature Pinscher he acts much like his terrier ancestors and is usually quite at home supervising the family and watching out for them. The Miniature Pinscher is not a lapdog.

Appearance

The Miniature Pinscher stands 10 to 12 inches tall and weights about 8 to 10 pounds. He is muscular, smooth and clean-lined. His naturally erect ears may be cropped. The Miniature Pinscher usually has dark almond eyes with an intelligent expression. The coat is slick and glossy. The colors are black and tan, solid red and red intermingled with black hairs.

Grooming Requirements

The Miniature Pinscher requires minimal grooming. The coat is close to the body. He is easy to maintain. Regular brushing using a sisal brush or a bristle brush and a hound glove will to keep the Miniature Pinscher in tiptop condition. Brushing several times a week will keep the coat and skin in good condition. The user of a velvet pad will make the coat more beautiful.

My Miniature Pinscher Remy Martin is telling me to leave Dj my 7 week old baby alone so he can sleep ~Panja4
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The Scottish Terriers, or “Scotties” as they are affectionately known are a beautiful breed of terriers that were bred in the Scottish Highlands. These jaunty likeable dogs have a wonderful step and look to them. They are very sensitive, however to any form of correction. These guys love to walk and make excellent apartment dwellers. These guys need exercise and can develop temperament troubles if not being exercised daily. They also do well in a fenced in yard. Play is vital for a happy Scottie to keep happy and healthy. As a puppy, they are boisterous, but as an adult, they become more serious.

These guys come in black, brindle and tan. The black form is the one that is most identified with these lovable terriers. This being said, this breed is solid and is short, with a long wiry coat. Their top coat isn’t so wiry. Constant brushing of their coat is necessary to remove buildup of hair in the outer and inner coat. This prevents matted hair and making the terrier miserable in the heat of some places. They do have a temperament of being happy but can snap at people. However, this trait isn’t as pronounced as it is with many of the other terrier breeds.

These dogs are good watch dogs and are used as such in a variety of ways. They are also used for fox hunting as well as chasing vermin. This wonderful dog is a spirited and very faithful companion. There are many examples of famous people that own Scotties. George Bush is one that comes to mind. These lovable dogs offer fantastic companionship and friendship. That bond can be broken though with or through mistreatment or harsh attempts to correct them. Bear this in mind when selecting a Scottie for your very own.

They are wonderful indoor dogs as well. These wonderful terriers can become close companions to you and provide a long lasting, lifetime friendship. Feeding and care of your Scottie is essential to a happy, healthy, well behaved dog. Keep all vet appointments and shots to keep your Scottie healthy for long years of companionship. In the end, your relationship with the Scottie is life enriching, long term friendship. You couldn’t ask for better in a loyal companion. This also goes for any children that you may have. They also will have a long term companion for as long as they live.

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Look what my son taught our dog, Rupert, to do! Now we can’t get him to stop. Funny, except for the mess it makes and the fact that I have to sanitize it now!!

Is the Rottweiler the right dog for me?

The Rottweiler is the current “fad” guard/macho dog of the moment. For four years running, it has been the second most-popular AKC registered breed. Don’t be swept up by the hype, or the fact that you neighbor, aunt, sister, or best friend has one. The Rottweiler is a large, powerful dog and along with ownership comes much responsibility. Rottweilers require extensive socialization from an early age. Are you willing to carry your puppy for several months, (he shouldn’t be walking in public places until he is fully immunized at around 16-20 weeks), exposing him to the sights, sounds and people he will encounter as an adult? Because of their size and strength, obedience training for your Rottweiler is a must. Weekly group classes for 6 to 12 months is generally considered a minimum. Rottweilers are “people” dogs.

They want to be with their masters. As a working breed, the Rottweiler requires daily exercise, a good romp twice a day at least. Left alone or with inadequate exercise for long periods they may become unruly and destructive.

How are they with children?

A properly bred Rottweiler who receives adequate socialization and training will generally get along fine with children, but tolerance will vary from dog to dog. He must be taught early on what is acceptable behavior and what is not, as should the child. Because of their large size and inherent desire to “herd”, Rottweilers should always be supervised around children. A minor “bump” can cause serious injury to a small child. Also, some Rottweilers have a high degree of “prey” drive (the instinct to chase moving objects), therefore should never be left alone with children, who naturally will want to run and play. Some breeders recommend waiting until the children are at least school age before introducing a Rottweiler into the home. The amount of space in your home, the age of your children and the amount of time the dog will be in contact with the children should be part of your decision.

Are they vicious?

A properly bred, socialized and trained Rottweiler is not inherently vicious. The rapid rise in popularity of the breed has attracted many irresponsible breeders who are only interested in making a profit, and don’t care what damage is done to the breed in the process.

Are they good with other pets?

Problems should be minimal when a Rottweiler is raised from puppyhood with other pets. Introducing a new pet when there is an adult Rottweiler in the household should be done slowly and with care. Dog to dog aggression is influenced by the early socialization of puppies, their bloodlines and sex; males are less tolerant of other males than they are of females. Bitches may also be intolerant of other dogs. The Rottweiler is highly intelligent and trainable, and with perserverence, should be able to learn to co-exist peacefully with any pet you wish to introduce.

What kind of training do they require?

The Rottweiler has been developed for its working ability and often blooms when given a chance to work with its master, although there are occasional exceptions. It is very necessary to establish your control of the animal and obedience training is often the easiest and most rewarding way to do so. Your breeder should be able to provide you with guidance in the selection of a training class, however, avoid the very rough trainer, no matter how highly recommended. Rottweilers can often be controlled using verbal reprimands alone, and while they occasionally require strong physical corrections, some trainers tend to be much rougher on Rottweilers than is necessary. Women have been very successful with the dogs in obedience training. Physical mastery of the dog is generally less important than sensitive, patient and positive training methods. Patience is an important factor in training a Rottweiler.

What about discipline?

The Rottweiler is a sensitive, intelligent and loyal animal and usually wants to please its owner. Occasionally, it can be quite stubborn though, and requires more attention. It is imperative that discipline is consistent and firm without being overly rough. A harsh word will often suffice, although sharper corrections are sometimes necessary. Ownership isn’t for the timid or very busy person who cannot or is not inclined towards careful supervision of his/her pet.

Do they require much exercise?

The Rottweiler is a working breed. He is generally not happy sitting around doing nothing all day. A large yard with a six-foot high fence is ideal, but adult Rottweilers have been kept successfully in large apartments. The yard is essential if a puppy or young dog is being acquired; it will help to keep the dog exercised and reduce boredom which in turn may prevent destructive behavior. If you don’t have the space, consider a smaller or less active breed. Personal commitment on the part of the owner is the most important thing. People willing to walk their dog on a regular basis will find a more personal and bonding relationship developing than just letting them run by themselves in the yard. Your Rottweiler will require a minimum of two good walks each day (10 to 20 minutes each). Adequate exercise is necessary to maintain the good health of your Rottweiler, as they have a tendency to gain weight without proper exercise.

Do they shed?

The Rottweiler is a double-coated breed, with a medium length outer coat and a soft downy undercoat. They do shed, more than one would think by looking at their appearance. The amount of shedding will vary with climatic conditions. They generally tend to “blow out” their undercoats twice a year, in spring and fall.

Are they noisy?

Rottweilers will bark to announce the arrival of people on the property, and at animals and birds in the yard, but they generally don’t bark without reason.

Which sex makes the best pet?

Opinions vary on this topic. Most breeders would generally recommend a female, especially for first-time owners. Females are smaller and easier to control, somewhat less dominant and usually more affectionate. Males are stronger, more powerful and dominant, and therefore somewhat harder to train and control.

Where should I buy my Rottweiler puppy?

There are various places where you may acquire a Rottweiler puppy, but only ONE place where you should – from a responsible breeder. Pet shops acquire their puppies from puppy mills, brokers and back-yard breeders. Their puppies are separated from their dams and litters at too early and age, they are not properly socialized and may well develop serious health problems.

Puppy mills, brokers and back-yard breeders have only one priority – to make a profit. They are not interested in the welfare of the puppies they breed. Beware of petshops that advertise “we get our puppies from private breeders.” No responsible breeder would ever broker puppies to a pet shop. Don’t perpetuate the puppy mill problem – steer clear of pet shops.

What is a “Responsible” breeder?

This is a difficult category to define, but there are certain minimum standards that are accepted as “responsible” by most who are active in the dog fancy. Following are some of the things a responsible breeder will be doing:

1. All breeding stock will be certified free of Hip Dysplasia by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA). Elbows may also be certified as free of Elbow Dysplasia; this is a relatively new trend and some older dogs/bitches may not be certified. The breeder will be willing to supply you with copies of the OFA certificates. No bitch or dog will be bred before the age of two, (the minimum age for OFA certification). OFA does issue preliminary evaluations of hips and elbows, but actual certification will not be done before two years.

2. Breeding stock will be certified free of inherited eye disease annually by a Board certified Veterinary Ophthalmologist; the certificate is issued by the Canine Eye Registry Foundation (CERF).

3. Bitches and dogs used for breeding will have achieved certain competitive titles such as AKC Champion or an advanced obedience title (CDX, UD). Responsible breeders will usually not breed dogs and bitches whose quality has not been proven in competition, although under certain circumstances (injuries which prevent competition) they may.

4. The Breeder will belong to one or more Rottweiler Clubs which require adherence to a “Code of Ethics” from all members (adherence to a certain level of responsibility in ownership and breeding). The largest of these clubs include the American Rottweiler Club, The Colonial Rottweiler Club, The Medallion Rottweiler Club and the Gold Coast Rottweiler Club. There are numerous local Rottweiler clubs, some are “Code” clubs and some are not – ask. Code of Ethics clubs do not permit members to advertise puppy prices.

5. The Breeder will be active in the sport of dogs, competing in conformation, obedience, tracking or herding events.

6. A responsible breeder will not give you a “hard-sell” routine when you call to inquire about his/her dogs. Usually he/she will be trying everything they can to discourage you from buying a Rottweiler. A reputable breeder’s number one concern is that his/her puppies are placed in responsible homes where they will receive the same kind of care and training he/she gives his/her own dogs. Expect to be interviewed at length as to why you want to own a Rottweiler, and what your family and

In its native Germany the Miniature Pinscher is called the Zwergpinscher (dwarf pinscher) or the Reh Pinscher after the small roe deer of the same name. In the United States it is usually called the Minpin.

The Miniature Pinscher’s ancestors were bred in Scandinavia. It looks like a miniature Doberman Pinscher, but was actually bred in Scandinavia about a century before the Doberman. The two breeds are not related. Ancestors of the Miniature Pinscher were probably small German pinschers (terriers) and possibly Scandinavian Klein pinschers. Some writers think the gene pool included the Italian Greyhound. The breed was developed in Germany during the nineteenth century. By 1895 selective breeding produced what we recognize today as the Miniature Pinscher.

In 1895 the German Pinscher Club was formed. In the United States the American Miniature Pinscher club was formed in 1925. The AKC recognized the bred in 1929.

The Miniature Pinscher was bred from terriers for use as ratters and barking alarm dogs. The Miniature Pinscher’s current function is probably just taking care of its family. It is popular in apartments and condos of the big cities because of its size, personality and cleanliness.

Personality

The Miniature Pinscher is energetic, lively and serious. He is quite courageous and is extremely loyal. The Miniature Pinscher’s main desire is to please its handler, owner or friend. He will perform almost any feat to prove it.

The Miniature Pinscher gets along fairly well with other small house pets. He loves the family children providing they respect him and do not try to carry him around and lift him up. Its original breeding as an alarm dog causes the Miniature Pinscher to be quite a “barker,” which sometimes needs to be controlled before it becomes a vice. He is an independent little dog and normally suspicious of strangers, which is also a part of his original breeding purpose as a guard dog. Early exposure and training can help reduce this characteristic.

The Miniature Pinscher is intelligent and a good student during training times. He has the capacity to learn much more than is taught to the average toy breed. Despite the tiny stature of the Miniature Pinscher he acts much like his terrier ancestors and is usually quite at home supervising the family and watching out for them. The Miniature Pinscher is not a lapdog.

Appearance

The Miniature Pinscher stands 10 to 12 inches tall and weights about 8 to 10 pounds. He is muscular, smooth and clean-lined. His naturally erect ears may be cropped. The Miniature Pinscher usually has dark almond eyes with an intelligent expression. The coat is slick and glossy. The colors are black and tan, solid red and red intermingled with black hairs.

Grooming Requirements

The Miniature Pinscher requires minimal grooming. The coat is close to the body. He is easy to maintain. Regular brushing using a sisal brush or a bristle brush and a hound glove will to keep the Miniature Pinscher in tiptop condition. Brushing several times a week will keep the coat and skin in good condition. The user of a velvet pad will make the coat more beautiful.

The Miniature Schnauzer is a feisty and playful dog. It tends to be overtly active at times and often gets hurt in the process. One should be extremely careful while playing with it.

The most common problem that a Miniature Schnauzer owner faces while playing with his dog is when the dog hurts himself in the face and even worse, in the eyes.

The dog should never be allowed to hang his head outside the window because flying debris and even insects can harm his vision.

If the dog gathers dirt in his eyes, a concoction of 2 cups of water and a teaspoon of salt should be the perfect solution. Without touching his eyes, a cotton swab should be dipped into the concoction and his eyes can be effectively cleaned with the same. Avoid eye drops unless prescribed by the vet.

Powders and soaps are to be completely avoided and trimming and clipping the hair around the eyes can go a long way in preventing irritation and eye infection.

Excess mucus or tearing, cataract and glaucoma are some of the eye ailments that are seen to affect a Miniature Schnauzer. But the most common among all ailments is the dry eye.

Just as it sounds like, the dry eye syndrome is when the dog’s eyes become dry and he suffers from irritation.

According to vets, the Miniature Schnauzer suffers from dry eyes because the dog’s immune system mistakes its tear glands for a foreign object that needs to be destroyed. When the tear glands are unable to produce adequate moisture to combat the immune system’s attack, the eyes become more and more dry.

Dry eye often leads to injured corneas, infections and even blindness. The most common symptoms are rubbing of eyes, reddened eyes, yellow discharge, and squinting and even cloudiness of vision.

This ailment is more rampant in middle-aged to senior dogs as compared to the younger ones.

When the first signs of dry eyes are noticed, one should immediately rush his Miniature Schnauzer to the veterinarian before conducting any kind of treatment of his own.

Some say the Newfoundland breed is said to be descended from a mix of the native Indian dogs of the Beothuk tribe living in Newfoundland many centuries ago, others say that the Newfoundland Dog is descended from the Pyrenean Mastiff and the Mastiff type dogs brought by the Vikings, who were believed to have been the earliest European visitors to the Eastern coast of the North American continent.

However the Newfoundland came to be, he is well known historically as a working dog of the country of Newfoundland, having been used for centuries as a fisherman’s helper, bringing in the nets full of fish from the sea and pulling the carts full of fish to the local villages.

The Newfoundland is considered to be one of the most highly instinctive life-saving breeds and water rescue breeds of all the dogs. The Newfoundland’s strong instinctive desire to swim into the water, coupled with his desire to keep humans from harm, have led to numerous accounts of the dog’s life saving abilities from bringing in floundering boats to carrying ropes out to floundering swimmers.

The Newfoundland is among the Giant breeds. He should stand 26-29 inches at the shoulder and weigh from 140 to 150 pounds, with females being of smaller stature for the most part. The coat is exceedingly thick and double and can be black, black and white (also termed Landseer, after the famous painter Sir Edwin Landseer, who often painted the black and white Newfoundlands,) and brown, brown and white, gray and very rarely black and tan or cream. The coat requires regular brushing. The coat is weather resistant and should not be shaved as it provides insulation in both the summer and the winter.

The Newfoundland’s body should be heavy boned and massive and appear nearly square, being as long as he is tall. The ears are lop and , like the face, are covered with short hair, elsewhere all the fur is two inches or more in length. The feet are webbed between the toes. The dog should have great strength for pulling carts and power for swimming.

As a general rule Newfs are a messy dog, some drool and most puppies like to dig water out of the water bucket. Being large as puppies, they can be very destructive. Newfs are noted for their sweet disposition and gentleness towards humans and even towards other creatures. Most Newfoundlands do not exhibit aggression in any manner. The standard of the Newfoundland Club remarks: “sweetness of temperament is the hallmark of the breed”. The Newfoundland does not make a good kennel dog. Without human companionship they can become quite unruly and they are a big enough dog to do a good deal of damage when they jump up enthusiastically on an unsuspecting visitor.

The Newfoundland is an “easy trainer” and is motivated to want to please his owner. They are generally not a “one person” dog but will extend affection to all whom they meet. They have made their mark as excellent therapy dogs, search and rescue dogs and draft dogs. Almost all those who have had the pleasure of living with a Newfoundland will tell you that they will never consider another breed.

This is a video of my son, Oscar, laughing hysterically at our 145 lb, 2 year old Newfoundland Landseer, Tatou.
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The Scottish terriers, also known as Scotties, are short-legged British terriers. They are one among other go-to-ground and wire-coated terriers developed in the highlands of Scotland. The Scotties are said to have jaunty attitude so they are often used to represent advertisements of the country to where they originated.

However, Scotties’ nature is not in coherence with their public image or trademark. In fact, Scotties are like the citizens of his native land who are independent, stoic, and fiercely loyal to their masters. They also adhere much to their own privacy.

Scotties, Westies, and Cairns are very similar regarding their appearance. The Westies and the Cairns are, in fact, closely-related. The Westie can be considered as the white variety of the Cairn who has a coat of any color but white. Westies are hybrids of white dogs crossed with Cairns of western Scotland. Scotties, however, have longer heads and bodies, have generally dark coats and are aloof than the other two.

The following are some of the basic facts breeders would really love to know about Scotties:

Category: Terrier

Living Environment: either outdoor or indoor (mostly preferred by breeders)

Coat: wiry, short (about 2 inches) and thick Colors: iron gray or steel, black, wheaten, or sandy; the coat may also be brindled or grizzled

Height: about 10 inches

Weight: between 18 and 20 pounds

Temperament: they need to be praised frequently and they adapt with the moods of the household

Breeders should note of the following health issues: • Von Willibrand’s disease (VWD), an inherited disorder • Flea allergies and other skin problems • Epilepsy • Jawbone disorders • Scottie cramp, a minor condition that causes walking difficulties • Cerebellar abiotrophy, a slow-to-progress and rare neurological disease that causes loss of coordination

Care and Exercise: • Their coats need special care to maintain its appearance and texture. It is suggested that they should be subjected to professional grooming once or twice each year for their coats to stay wiry and firm. • The fur needs to be combed a couple of times in each week and even needs occasional trimming. • Scotties’ dead hairs should be plucked out through stripping. Using electric clippers will only make their coats dull and soft. • Play with them. Hunting and squeaky balls and toys are their favorites. • They should be on leash while walking in public places.

Origin/History:

The origins of the breed are obscure. It was noted that forerunners of Scotties were sent to France’s Royal Highness by King James I of England during the 16th century. Later on, three different terriers were revealed as Scotch Terriers, which included the Westies, the Cairns, and the Scotties. The Dandie Dinmont variety had also been noted as closely-related to the abovementioned terriers but its apparent physical differences categorized itself as a separate breed.

Terrier dogs that were bred in Britain were developed to hunt vermin that ate grains, and pestered eggs and poultry farms. Most breeds grew as scrappy and courageous dogs and were trained to follow badgers or foxes into their dens. Their wiry coats and soft undercoats protected them against rugged terrains and harsh climates.

If you want to have a Scottie in your life, you should not be impulsive about the matter for animosity and lack of proper training will only harm and traumatize the dog. If properly taken cared of, this breed can even appoint itself as a guardian of the family. It can also be fiercely loyal, that is it can protect you even if it means endangering its own life.

To this effect, I guess you must agree that a Scottie is a dog that is second to none.

Scottish terriers, or Scottie dogs, are sporty and independent, and tend to do better in quiet households with one or two people. Care for a Scottish terrier’s coat by getting it professionally groomed withadvice from a certified dog trainer in this free video on pet care and obedience. Expert: Nancy Frensley Contact: www.berkeleyhumane.org/ Bio: Nancy Frensley is a certified pet dog trainer. Filmmaker: Sam Lee