Breed guide

Scottish Terrier

The Scottie dog. Dignified, independent, famous silhouette. Uniquely high bladder cancer risk — urinary monitoring is essential.

AKC Rank

#57

Size

small (18-22 lbs)

Life Expectancy

12-14 yrs

Activity

moderate

Feeding a Scottish Terrier

Small dignified terrier. ~500-700 kcal/day. Bladder cancer risk is uniquely elevated.

Key nutrients

•antioxidants
•omega-3

Portion notes: Two meals daily. Watch urinary habits closely.

Fresh food picks for Scottish Terriers

Our recommended fresh-food subscriptions for small dogs.

fresh food

The Farmer's Dog

Fresh, human-grade food portioned for your dog

•Human-grade fresh food
•Portioned per dog
•Vet-developed recipes
•50% off first box

See The Farmer's Dog →

fresh food

Ollie

Fresh food with both cooked and baked recipes

•Fresh and baked recipes
•Turkey, beef, lamb, chicken proteins
•Custom portions
•60% off first box

See Ollie →

fresh food

Nom Nom

Restaurant-quality fresh food with microbiome testing

•Pre-portioned pouches
•Vet-formulated
•Microbiome testing available
•50% off first order

See Nom Nom →

fresh food

Spot & Tango

Fresh or UnKibble — whole-food nutrition, your choice

•Fresh or UnKibble options
•Human-grade ingredients
•Shelf-stable storage option
•50% off first order

See Spot & Tango →

First-year cost

What a Scottish Terrier actually costs year one

Breed-specific estimate based on size, health concerns, and grooming needs. Excludes purchase/adoption fees (highly variable).

First-year total

$2,540-$5,540

Ongoing years run $1,900-$4,130 (no gear + training one-times).

Food (year one)

Fresh food subscription

$900-$1,500

Gear (one-time)

Crate, bed, harness, bowls, toys

$240-$360

Vet care

Wellness + breed-specific

$600-$1,250

Grooming

high grooming needs

$400-$1,200

Training

Puppy class + supplies

$150-$500

Supplements

Breed-matched, optional

$0-$180

Other first-year

Vaccines, neuter, DNA test

$250-$550

Pet insurance (estimate)

Not included above — shown for planning. Breed-risk adjusted.

$560-$980/yr

Estimates based on US market averages for small dogs. Your costs will vary with lifestyle and region.

Health concerns to watch

bladder cancer (TCC)

von Willebrand's disease

craniomandibular osteopathy

patellar luxation

Scottie cramp

Scotties have 18x the bladder cancer risk of other breeds — any urinary changes need immediate vet attention.

Wire coat needs hand-stripping or professional grooming every 6-8 weeks.

Independent streak makes training a patience exercise.

Gear for Scottish Terriers

Breed-size-appropriate picks. Links go to Amazon.

Crate

for Scottish Terriers

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Harness

for Scottish Terriers

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Bed

for Scottish Terriers

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Collar

for Scottish Terriers

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Leash

for Scottish Terriers

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Slow feeder bowl

for Scottish Terriers

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Chew toy

for Scottish Terriers

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As an Amazon Associate, Barkly earns from qualifying purchases.

Training for Scottish Terriers

Matched to Scottish Terrier temperament (confident, independent, spirited).

training

GoodPup

1-on-1 virtual dog training with certified trainers

•1-on-1 live video sessions
•Certified trainers
•Custom per-dog plan
•Weekly structure

See GoodPup →

training

BAXTER & Bella

Online puppy training program, lifetime access

•Lifetime membership
•Self-paced video lessons
•Puppy + adult content
•Behavior troubleshooting

See BAXTER & Bella →

training

Dogo

App-based training with daily structure

•App-based daily plans
•AI-guided feedback
•Affordable monthly cost
•Trick training library

See Dogo →

GPS trackers for Scottish Terriers

Size-appropriate picks for tracking, activity monitoring, and escape alerts.

gps tracker

Fi

Smart collar with GPS + activity tracking

•Real-time GPS
•Activity + sleep tracking
•Escape alerts
•3-month battery

See Fi →

gps tracker

Tractive

Affordable GPS tracker with unlimited range

•Attaches to any collar
•Worldwide GPS coverage
•Activity monitoring
•Budget-friendly

See Tractive →

Curious about their DNA?

Confirm breed mix, check for genetic health risks, and get actionable insights.

dna

Embark

The most comprehensive dog DNA test

•350+ breeds identified
•250+ health conditions screened
•Cornell-partnered science
•Relatives finder

See Embark →

dna

Wisdom Panel

Breed identification + health screening

•350+ breeds
•Genetic health insights
•Budget-friendly option
•Fast results

See Wisdom Panel →

Scottish Terrier questions, answered

How long do Scottish Terriers live?▾

Scottish Terriers typically live 12-14 years. Good nutrition, regular vet care, and weight management are the three biggest factors in reaching the top of that range.

How big do Scottish Terriers get?▾

Adult Scottish Terriers typically weigh 18-22 lbs and stand 10-10 inches at the shoulder. That makes them a small breed.

How much exercise does a Scottish Terrier need?▾

Scottish Terriers are a moderate-activity breed. Plan on 45-90 minutes of walks and play per day. Mental stimulation (training, puzzle toys) matters as much as physical exercise.

What health problems do Scottish Terriers commonly have?▾

Scottish Terriers are most prone to: bladder cancer (TCC), von Willebrand's disease, craniomandibular osteopathy, patellar luxation, Scottie cramp. Preventive vet visits, a quality diet, and weight management reduce risk on most of these. Reputable breeders screen for the genetic conditions.

Are Scottish Terriers hard to groom?▾

Scottish Terriers need high grooming — daily brushing, regular professional grooming (every 4-8 weeks), coat maintenance. Their wire coat is low-maintenance day-to-day.

What should I feed a Scottish Terrier?▾

Small dignified terrier. ~500-700 kcal/day. Bladder cancer risk is uniquely elevated. Key nutrients to look for: antioxidants, omega-3.

Are Scottish Terriers good for first-time owners?▾

Scottish Terriers are better suited to experienced owners. They're confident, independent, spirited — traits that reward confident, consistent handling. First-time owners should budget for professional training.

Ask Barkly about your Scottish Terrier

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