The Scottish Terrier — the "Scottie" — is a 18-22 lb dog with the personality of an animal three times its size and the cancer risk of one too. That second sentence is the one most breed profiles bury, and it should not be buried: no small breed carries a heavier oncologic burden than the Scottie. If you take one fact away from this page, make it that one, because it shapes every decision that follows. Physically the Scottie is unmistakable: a low, brick-shaped body on short legs, a hard wiry double coat in black, wheaten or brindle, a prominent beard and eyebrows, and erect ears that miss nothing. They were built underground to corner badger and fox, and that job is still in the temperament. Scotties are independent, confident, territorial, and famously stubborn — the breed's nickname is "the Diehard." They bond intensely to their household, are aloof and unbought by strangers, and will bark at anything that crosses the perimeter. They are not biddable golden-retriever dogs and an owner expecting that will be frustrated; they are dignified, opinionated companions that decide when they want affection. This is a good apartment dog by size and energy (one solid walk plus a play session a day), and an excellent watchdog. They tolerate older, respectful children better than toddlers who grab. They are not dog-park dogs — terrier sharpness toward other dogs is normal, not a training failure. Who the Scottie is right for: an owner who wants a characterful, low-shedding, independent small dog AND who buys from health-tested lines, budgets for grooming, and accepts that this breed needs lifelong cancer vigilance. Who it is wrong for: anyone who wants an easy, soft, eager-to-please dog, or who cannot afford the screening and potential oncology costs this breed honestly carries.
Origin
🇬🇧 Scotland
Life Span
12–15 years
Weight
8.5–10 kg
Height
25–28 cm
high
Exercise
low
Shedding
Friendly
Apartment
The Scottish Terrier comes from the Highlands of Scotland, where short-legged, hard-coated earth terriers were bred for centuries to go to ground after badger, fox and vermin on rocky hill farms. The modern breed was distinguished from the other Highland terriers (Cairn, West Highland White, Skye, Dandie Dinmont) and given a fixed standard in the late 1880s; the American Kennel Club recognized it in 1885. The Scottie reached cultural saturation i…
Scottish Terrier dog breed portrait
Scottish Terriers have been owned by more U.S. Presidents than any other breed, including Franklin D. Roosevelt, Dwight D. Eisenhower, and George W. Bush.
Roosevelt's Scottie, Fala, was so famous that he has his own statue at the FDR Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The iconic Monopoly dog token is based on a Scottish Terrier.
Scotties were one of the most popular breeds in the 1930s and 40s, appearing in many advertisements and films of the era.
Despite their small size, Scottish Terriers were bred to hunt badgers and foxes, which explains their fearless and tenacious nature.
Purchase Price
800–2500 USD
Monthly Cost
~$90 USD
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A Scottish Terrier costs $800–$2,500 to purchase from a reputable breeder, plus roughly $90/month in ongoing expenses — food, veterinary care, grooming, and insurance. Over a 12–15-year lifespan, total lifetime ownership cost runs $12,960–$16,200. Adopting from a rescue ($50–$500) reduces the upfront cost significantly. The first year is always the most expensive due to initial setup costs ($300–$800) on top of the purchase price.
Prices vary based on lineage, breeder reputation, location, and whether the Scottish Terrier is pet-quality or show-quality. Adopting from a rescue or shelter typically costs $50–$500 and gives a Scottish Terrier a second chance at a loving home.
| Expense | Estimated Range |
|---|---|
| Food & treats | $31–$41/mo |
| Veterinary care (wellness) | $18–$27/mo |
| Grooming | $9–$14/mo |
| Pet insurance | $30–$70/mo |
| Toys, supplies & misc | $7–$11/mo |
| Total monthly estimate | ~$90/mo |
Purchase
$800–$2,500
Initial setup
$300–$800
crate, bed, bowls, collar, leash
12 months care
~$1,080
This estimate includes routine food, veterinary wellness visits, grooming, insurance, and supplies — but does not include emergency veterinary care, boarding, or specialized training. Actual costs vary by location, lifestyle choices, and your Scottish Terrier's individual health needs.
All costs are approximate U.S. averages and vary by location, breeder, veterinary clinic, and individual needs. Updated March 2026.
Day-to-day a Scottie is low-maintenance on energy and high-maintenance on coat and cancer surveillance — plan for both. Coat: the wiry double coat does not shed much but it does not maintain itself. Pet owners clip every 6-8 weeks ($50-$80 a session, ~$400-$650/year); show coats are hand-stripped. Brush twice a week and keep the beard and furnishings clean — wet beards breed skin infection. Skipping grooming is not cosmetic neglect; matted furnishings hide skin disease. Weight: keep a visible waist. Obesity worsens patellar luxation and compounds hypothyroidism, which runs above-average in this breed and itself drives weight gain — a vicious loop. Two measured meals, monthly weigh-ins, cut portions 10% if the waist disappears. Cancer surveillance — the part most owners skip and shouldn't: because lymphoma and bladder cancer are disproportionately common here, ask your vet about twice-yearly bloodwork and palpation from middle age, and learn the bladder-cancer red flags below. This is the single highest-value habit in the breed. Exercise: one 30-45 minute walk plus a play or sniff session daily. Secure fencing and a leash — prey drive is intact and recall is unreliable by design. They tolerate cold; they overheat in summer. Training: short, reward-based, consistent. Harsh correction shuts a Scottie down. Socialize early to dampen dog-reactivity. Decision rule: blood in the urine, straining to urinate, recurring urinary infections, or a new lump are same-day vet visits in this breed — early bladder-cancer and lymphoma detection materially changes both cost and outcome.
Dive deeper into everything Scottish Terrier — costs, care, and expert insights.
How Much Does a Scottish Terrier Cost?
Purchase price, monthly costs, and lifetime expenses
Scottish Terrier Care Guide
## Scottish Terrier Care Overview This Scottish Terrier care guide gives owners a practical plan...
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