Scottish Terrier characteristics
| Trait | Rating | How common |
|---|---|---|
| Size | Small | 24% of breeds |
| Energy level | Medium | — |
| Trainability | Low | 10% of breeds |
| Friendliness | Medium | 34% of breeds |
| Good with children | Medium | — |
| Grooming needs | High | 20% of breeds |
| Shedding | Low | 26% of breeds |
| Barking | Medium | 41% of breeds |
| Protectiveness | High | 22% of breeds |
| Adaptability | Medium | 41% of breeds |
| Typical lifespan | 13 years | — |
| Hypoallergenic | No | — |
“How common” is the share of the 321 breeds we score that sit in the same band. Ratings describe the breed, not any individual dog.
Is the Scottish Terrier right for you?
The Scottish Terrier is a compact little dog that suits apartments and smaller homes well and needs little floor space. In terms of temperament, it is generally good with children when socialized and supervised and is naturally alert and defends its people. Day to day, the Scottish Terrier wants a decent walk or two each day and some playtime, which is the single biggest factor in whether it will suit your routine.
Exercise and daily routine
The Scottish Terrier wants a decent walk or two each day and some playtime. With medium energy and medium athleticism, a consistent daily routine keeps this breed physically and mentally satisfied. Skipping exercise is the most common cause of problem behaviour, so match the Scottish Terrier to a lifestyle you can realistically maintain.
Grooming, shedding and upkeep
The Scottish Terrier needs frequent grooming and benefits from professional trims and sheds very little. It is not considered hypoallergenic, so allergy sufferers should spend time around the breed first.
Temperament and training
The Scottish Terrier takes a little persistence to train but responds to consistency and barks a moderate amount, usually with reason. It manages solitude comfortably, so plan for company or gradual alone-time training if you work away from home. Early socialization and positive, reward-based training bring out the best in this breed.
What stands out about the Scottish Terrier
Most breed descriptions call everything “loyal and intelligent”. These are the ratings where the Scottish Terrier genuinely differs from the rest of the catalogue — the things worth knowing before you commit.
- Trainability: Low — the Scottish Terrier is less biddable than most breeds. Only 10% of breeds we score share this rating.
- Grooming needs: High — the Scottish Terrier needs more grooming than most breeds. Only 20% of breeds we score share this rating.
What a week with a Scottish Terrier actually costs you
| Exercise | About an hour a day of walking and play suits it. |
|---|---|
| Coat | Brushing several times a week, with professional grooming at intervals. |
| Time alone | Handles normal working hours better than most, given exercise either side. |
| Noise | Average for a dog — it will bark at the door and at things it dislikes. |
Where the Scottish Terrier fits — and where it does not
Each verdict below comes from the ratings in the table above, so you can check the reasoning rather than take it on trust.
| Household | Verdict | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Apartment living | Good fit | Medium energy and medium barking travel well into a flat. |
| Families with young children | Depends | Medium child tolerance: fine with supervision and older children, less so with toddlers. |
| First-time owners | Poor fit | The combination of drive, independence and training difficulty is a lot for a first dog. |
| Homes with cats | Depends | High prey drive. Introductions need managing, and a bolting cat triggers exactly the instinct this breed was selected for. |
| Long working days | Good fit | High independence, so time alone is less of a problem than for many breeds. |
| Allergy households | Depends | No low-allergen coat recorded, though shedding is not extreme. |
| Wanting a watchful dog | Good fit | High protectiveness. Socialisation decides whether that reads as steady or reactive. |
Guides the Scottish Terrier is ranked in
The Scottish Terrier earns a place on 1 of our lifestyle shortlists:
Perfect for
- Patient families
- Apartment living
- Scottish breed enthusiasts
- Experienced owners
Things to consider
- Can be stubborn
- Independent nature
- Moderate exercise needs
Not sure which breed is right for you?
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Find your perfect matchFrequently asked questions
- Is the Scottish Terrier good with children?
- The Scottish Terrier can be good with children when properly socialized and supervised.
- Does the Scottish Terrier shed a lot?
- The Scottish Terrier has low shedding.
- How much exercise does the Scottish Terrier need?
- With medium energy, the Scottish Terrier needs moderate daily exercise such as a good walk or two.
- How long does the Scottish Terrier live?
- The Scottish Terrier typically lives around 13 years.
- Can the Scottish Terrier live in an apartment?
- Yes — the Scottish Terrier is small and not overly vocal, so it adapts well to apartment living with daily walks.
- Is the Scottish Terrier easy to train?
- The Scottish Terrier takes a little persistence to train but responds to consistency. Consistency, early socialization and reward-based methods work best.
- Can the Scottish Terrier be left alone during the day?
- The Scottish Terrier manages solitude comfortably. Build up alone time gradually and provide enrichment to prevent boredom.