A Little About Scottish Terriers
You may also know this cute breed as the Aberdeen Terrier, although I have always called them Scottie dogs.
Originally the breed was simply grouped under the name of Skye Terriers and the Scottish Terrier was one of the five that make up this group.
My friend has one of these cute dogs, he is independent and sometimes can be quite feisty. He’s a small, compact doggie, with short legs and a stocky body.
What catches my attention right away are his sharp eyes, which seem to look right through me. Little erect ears and a pointy tail are also some of the breed characteristics.
My friend tells me that her Scottie’s coat is hard and wiry. It is also weatherproof.
I decided to find out a little more about the coat and how much the Scottish Terrier sheds because may people suffer from allergies and may prefer a dog who does not shed too much.
Short History of the Scottish Terrier
The breed was first named ‘officially’ by the Earl of Dumbarton as ‘the diehard.’ Tracing the lineage back will show that the original female was called Splinter II.
Many celebrities have owned Scotties. These include the 32nd President of the USA, namely Franklin D Roosevelt. His pooch was called Fala. Another famous Scottie owner was President George W Bush.
Probably the most remembered place for you to have seen a Scottish Terrier is on the monopoly board and a playing piece.
Scottish Terriers are territorial and can be somewhat feisty. They make great watchdogs and will be extremely loyal to their owners.
Sadly, the breed tends to suffer from some serious illnesses such as autoimmune disease, joint disorders and cancers.
They even have a condition named after them which is the Scotty Cramp.
That being said, the Scottish Terrier is one of the most successful breeds to show at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.
What is a Scottish Terriers Coat Like?
When we look at the coat of the Scottish Terrier, we see that they have two coats, instead of one. The topcoat, which you may know as the overcoat is hard and wiry, while the undercoat is soft and dense.
The Scottie’s coat never stops growing, much like the hair on our own heads. Because of this the breed does not shed very much, despite the appearance of having a full body of hair.
If you plan to show your pooch then the hair must be groomed daily, although if you simply want a pet, you may get away with grooming him once a week.
This is a great plus for busy people who do not have time to groom a dog daily.
As with most dogs, the grooming will take you at least half an hour and longer if the hair is tangled.
Normally a groomer will trim the coat to the traditional Scottie style which is longer on the beard, legs and lower body.
The colours of the Scottie coat range from dark grey to jet black. Occasionally you will find a brindle, which is a mix of black and brown.
Very seldom will you find a wheaten coloured Scottie although they do sometimes show up.
Do Scottish Terriers Shed?
Every dog sheds to some degree, some breeds shed more than others. It is a fallacy that no dog will ever shed.
What you are looking for if you suffer from allergies and still want a dog, is one that sheds as little as possible.
Because the hair of the Scottie does not stop growing it also does not shed as much as other breeds.
The hair simply gets caught up in the undercoat as it grows out.
This is the reason why not too much hair finds its way onto the floor and furniture. It is also the reason why you need to groom your pooch well.
Hair that is not brushed out will entangle with the undercoat and form knots and tangles.
This will cause your pooch a lot of irritation, may harbour insects and parasites and result in skin infections.
When to Start Grooming?
You should start to groom your pooch as soon as you can. The younger, the better, so that the dog becomes used to being handled for long periods of time.
It will also get him used to being brushed and trimmed.
Grooming your pooch will give you the opportunity to check the condition of the skin for redness and tenderness, rashes and sore spots.
How Much do Scottish Terriers Shed?
Although the breed sheds far less than many other breeds, they will still shed.
You can expect to find some hair on the floor as the seasons change. The start of spring will see some excess hair, as will the start of winter.
With regular grooming you will be able to catch the dead hair in the brush rather than find it on the floor.
That’s a huge bonus to anyone who does not like excessive amounts of hair in the house, or anyone who suffers from allergies.
Keeping the coat clipped and trimmed will also help to reduce any dropped hair. Ideally you need to clip and trim every few months.
The Scottish Terrier breed is classed as a ‘medium’ shedder which means that they do not drop a huge amount of hair. You can still expect some shed hair, just not a mountain of it!
When do Scottish Terriers Shed the Most?
When they do shed, it is normally as the seasons change. The winter hair grows out in the spring and then the winter coat grows back in the autumn.
Apart from certain illnesses and health conditions, you will find that the Scottie sheds very little.
How to Combat Scottish Terriers Shedding
Certainly, the best way to reduce shedding in any dog breed is to groom them regularly. The Scottish Terrier is no different.
Originally Scotties were hand stripped although these days there are plenty of excellent brushes which do the same thing and possibly a little less painfully that hand stripping.
Taking your Scottie to a professional groomer on a regular basis will also keep shedding to a minimum.
The Scottish Terrier Club recommends that the breed is brushed well every few days to keep the coat from forming mats and tangles.
What Equipment Help to Combat Scottish Terriers
There are several excellent tools to help groom the Scottish Terrier. You should add them to your grooming basket.
- Coarse brush
- Metal-toothed comb
- Pin brush
- Thinning shears
- Electric clippers
Are Scottish Terriers Considered to be Hypoallergenic?
Although no dog breed is truly hypoallergenic, the Scottish Terrier comes very close to this. They are in fact considered to be hypoallergenic by some breeders.
The breed sheds very little and neither do they drool a lot. In many people’s minds, this makes them hypoallergenic.
If you are allergic to dander you should try to visit and meet the dog before taking it home with you.
Do Some Scottish Terriers Shed More Than Others?
No, all Scotties shed the same. What may make them shed more can be an illness or parasite infection.
Health Reasons for Increased Shedding in Scottish Terriers
Scotties often have bad reactions to fleas, and this may cause them to chew at a certain spot on their body to relive the discomfort.
They have been known to chew until a bald spot appears.
Skin issues will also cause the dog to lick and scratch so regular grooming is important to prevent these from happening.
Final Thoughts
So, after doing my research on these feisty little doggies, I find that they are great, loyal pets who do not shed a lot.
Neither do they drool so they are one of the best dogs for anyone who suffers from allergies.