From their rugged badger dog roots in Scotland to the pampered life of President Bush's Barney and Miss Beazley, this sturdy little canine makes a devoted pet.
Scottish Terriers, sometimes called “Diehards” due to their bold and determined ruggedness, originated in Scotland and were originally bred for hunting foxes and badgers. First introduced in America in 1883 by a man named John Naylor, these tough little Scotties also make wonderful pets.
Scotties in the White House
Popular with political leaders, various Scottish Terriers have scampered the halls of the White House. The first was Fala, belonging to Franklin D. Roosevelt. FDR loved his dog very much and it has been reported that he once spent $15,000 to have a destroyer return to the Aleutian Islands to retrieve the little black dog when he’d been accidentally left behind. In the 1950’s, former president Dwight D. Eisenhower kept two Scottish Terriers named Caacie and Telek.
Currently President George Bush is owned by two black Scottish Terriers named Barney and Miss Beazley. Born September 30, 2000, Barney is the older First Dog. Miss Beazley joined the First Family in January of 2005 as a birthday gift from President Bush to his wife, Laura. Barney and Miss Beazley have starred in several adorable White House Barney Cam films, accessible online. Jimmy Orr, director of the White House website, says that Barney’s video has been the most popular offering on the site. Even though these special dogs have been known to accompany President Bush on the Air Force One, they also love to just be regular pooches and romp and play ball on the South Lawn.
Physical Characteristics
Stubby Scottish Terrier bodies sport a wiry coat that comes in black, wheaten or brindle. From the tip of the long bearded face to the end of a perky tail, these dogs are built for working low to the ground, yet this sturdy little breed may fool those not familiar with their grace. Many of them work well in agility competition. However, with their short legs and heavy body, Scottish Terriers are terrible swimmers. They should wear a life jacket and always be supervised around water. Many Scottie rescues will not adopt to homes with swimming pools.
All breeds are prone to their own genetic problems and Scottie owners should watch for liver disease, Cushings syndrome, Scottie Cramp, Transitional Cell Carcinoma, epilepsy, allergies, skin disorders, and hypothyroidism. However, in comparison to others, Scotties are a hardy breed. With proper diet and good care, they can live 12 to 15 years.
Temperament
Most Scottish Terriers are dignified and reserved, showing calm affection and devotion to those they love. Although alert and spirited, they are happier in a family with adults or older children. They can sometimes be aggressive toward other pets. Typical of terriers, these dogs have strong hunting instincts and love to dig. Nothing pleases them more than a long walk, a ball to fetch, or a squeaky toy to chew on,
If you've decided that one of these sweet bearded faces belongs in your home, please consider adopting from a local rescue.
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