There are more than 300 recognized dog breeds around the world and, although the origin of some of them remains a mystery, many others have a well-documented history that allows us to know their origin. The latter is the case of the 12 breeds described in this article, all of them originating from the different territories of Scotland, on the island of Great Britain.
In this article on our site we tell you about the most notable characteristics of the main Scottish dog breeds so you can learn about their appearance, temperament and more frequent he alth problems. You can not lose this!
Cairn terrier
The cairn terrier is a small dog weighing between six and eight kilograms. This breed, from the western islands of Scotland, became popular in the 16th century, a time when they took advantage of their brave character and their determination to catch the foxes and other small mammals that hid in the rock mounds (in English, "cairns") that the inhabitants of the villages built to mark their land.
He is a dog very active and energetic, with a temperament friendly and playful, although he can be somewhat stubborn and impulsive on some occasions as a result of his hunting instinct. Thanks to the characteristics of its coat and the double layer of hair it has, it is a breed that adapts very well to different climates, which is why today we can find cairn terriers all over the world.
Regarding its he alth, it is a dog that is quite resistant to disease, although it is common to find specimens with dermatological and allergic problems that require special handling, especially with regard to diet and body hygiene.
Barbudo collie or bearded collie
The term "collie" encompasses different breeds of sheepdogs originating in Great Britain, among which we find the bearded collie, originating from from Scotland. It is a medium-sized dog, weighing between 18 and 25 kilos and with a spectacular long, smooth or slightly wavy coat, which can come in various colors and requires frequent brushing to stay he althy.
The bearded collie is a breed traditionally used for herding, so it is very active, attentive and intelligentIn addition, well socialized, he is a affectionate, patient and friendly dog, so he is suitable for families with children and adapts well to life in a flat, as long as their needs for both physical and mental stimulation are met daily.
Regarding its he alth, it is a breed that, although resistant, has a tendency to suffer eye and musculoskeletal pathologies, such as hip dysplasia, for which it is necessary to carry out veterinary check-ups at least once year.
Long-haired and Short-haired Collie
The rough collie or long-haired collie is a large Scottish dog that stands out for its majestic and elegant bearing It has a characteristic elongated snout and a leafy, sand-colored, blackbird-blue or tricolor coat with a short, soft undercoat that protects it from temperature changes.
He is, like the bearded collie, a shepherd-type dog that enjoys his work in the fields and shows a great predisposition to learn and face new challenges. Rough Collies are generally mischievous as puppies but, with a basic education, they are very attached dogs to their guardians, friendly with people and other animals, calm and affectionate, very appropriate to live with family and children. It is a long-lived and he althy breed, but with a certain tendency to suffer from congenital diseases such as hip or elbow dysplasia.
The smooth collie, somewhat less known, is the name given to the short-haired variety of the rough collie, with the same characteristics and temperament, but without the characteristic long coat. Of course, the short-haired collie is also a dog originating from Scotland.
Dandie dinmont terrier
This small breed of dog is characterized by having the elongated body and short legs, similar to those of the dachshund, and a curious fur that can be pepper or mustard colored and that is more abundant on the legs and on the head. Although this breed became famous as early as the 17th century, where it was used to hunt badgers, otters and other small mammals, its current name was given in honor of one of the characters in the novel written by Sir W alter Scott in 1815. Like most Scottish dog breeds, it has a soft undercoat to protect it from low temperatures.
Despite being a dog with an average weight of only 10 kilos, he is very strong and muscular and stands out for his independent characterand his determination, although he is also an extremely noble dog, very sensitive and devoted to his guardians, with whom he develops a strong bond.
With regard to its he alth, its special morphostructure makes the dandie dinmont a breed with a predisposition to suffer problems in the spine, such as herniated discs, which makes it essential to wear a good veterinary control to prevent this type of pathology.
Golden retriever
When thinking of Scottish dog names this is one of the first that comes to mind. The golden retriever is a large, golden-colored dog, although its coat can have different shades, from light cream to tan. It is, without a doubt, one of the most famous dog breeds in the world and it is not for less, because, in general, it is an extremely sociable, playful, affectionate, versatile and very intelligent, which makes it an ideal companion for almost any family, with or without children, as well as an excellent assistance dog for animal-assisted therapies or interventions. However, it is important to be very responsible and constant with their education and socialization since they are puppies to prevent them from developing behavioral problems.
The golden retriever is a retriever by nature, so it is easy to see them following trails and carrying objects in their mouths. He enjoys sports very much, he loves to go on frequent trips to the countryside and he loves taking a dip in rivers and lakes, which makes it easier for us to keep him in good physical condition, since he tends to put on weightif you lead a sedentary life.
In addition to obesity, the main pathologies it faces are hip and elbow dysplasia, hypothyroidism or skin allergies.
Gordon setter or Scottish setter
The Gordon Setter is the quintessential Scottish hunting dog. It has an elegant appearance and incredible physical resistance and speed that allow it to stay active and focused during long hunting days. It is a large dog, very athletic and well-proportioned, with a beautiful black and tan coat characterized by the fringes that hang on the tail and legs and which needs to be brushed quite often as it tends to tangle.
Regarding his temperament, he is a noble, affectionate dog, very attached to his guardians and to whom, as long as he has socialized well as a puppy, he loves interacting with other dogs and people, with whom he is confident, cheerful and playful. It is not a suitable breed for sedentary people or those who do not have time to dedicate to it, since we are talking about a dog with some high energy requirements to which it is necessary to offer it in a plenty of physical and mental stimulation every day to ensure your well-being. If we do this, the Gordon Setter can adapt perfectly to life in a flat.
The main he alth problems that the Scottish setter usually suffers from are gastric torsion, eye pathologies, mainly retinal dysplasia, cataracts or progressive retinal atrophy, and ear canal infections that can be largely prevented. measured by routinely cleaning your ears.
Scottish deerhound
Another of the great Scottish dogs par excellence is, without a doubt, the Scottish Hound. Scottish deerhounds were used in ancient times to hunt deer, so it is understandable that they have a strong and athletic appearance and such an imposing size, reaching almost one meter tall and weighing around 40 kilos. They are similar to other sighthounds, such as greyhounds, in terms of their morphology and speed, but hounds have developed a characteristic thick, rough, shaggy coat, adapted to the low temperatures of the Scottish highlands.
Despite his strong hunting instinct which can complicate his coexistence with other animals such as cats or rabbits, he is a very calm dog It does not require too much daily exercise, so, despite its large size, it can live perfectly in flats and urban areas. It is a dog docile, affectionate and that very rarely shows aggressive behavior, so it is a suitable breed for people without much experience who can provide it with a basic education and quality.
As with all large and giant dog breeds, their life expectancy is somewhat shorter than that of smaller dogs, around 10 years. When they reach old age, hounds are prone to heart problems and some types of cancer, especially bone cancer.
Shetland sheepdog
The Shetland Sheepdog, better known as the "sheltie", is a small-sized dog (around 10 kilos in weight), that developed in the Shetland Islands in the northeast of Scotland, where we can still find them today exercising tireless herding tasks. Its physical appearance is very similar to that of the rough collie, but in reduced size. It has a long, rounded snout and small ears that, when the dog is attentive, are shown semi-erect with the tips falling forward. Its coat is dense and longer in the withers, chest and legs, where it forms fringes. It is advisable to brush it frequently to avoid the formation of knots.
He is a very strong and energetic dog, always willing to train and work together with his guardian with whom he establishes strong bonds. It is common to see Shelties competing in dog sports such as agility or flyball. Before strangers it can be shy and distrustful, but it is not usually aggressive. It is a guardian breed and is attentive to everything that happens around it, so it tends to bark and be quite rowdy when it detects a potential threat.
The Shetland Sheepdog can suffer from some important hereditary pathologies such as the so-called collie eye anomaly or deafness.
Skye terrier
The Skye Terrier is one of the Oldest breeds in Scotland and, as its name suggests, it hails from the Isle of Skye, in the northwest of the country. It is a dog with an elongated appearance and short legs in proportion to its body. Its hair, hard and straight, can be black, gray, fawn or cream. Although the majority of specimens have their ears erect and covered with hair that form original fringes, some have them drooping, long and quite close to the face.
He is a good-natured dog and very faithfulto his guardians, but he tends to be quite stubborn, so sometimes His education is not easy. Likewise, he is a dog that is somewhat distrustful of strangersand can be suspicious of them, so it is essential to socialize him correctly from the time he is a puppy, both with people and other animals
The most common he alth problems in the Skye Terrier are those related to its morphology, such as herniated discs, bone deformities or arthritis.
Scottish Terrier
The Scottish Terrier is often known by the name of "Scottish" and is a very famous breed in this country. It is a small dog but very robust and with a very long snout which, together with its prominent whiskers and eyebrows, gives it a very characteristic appearance. It has long upright ears and an exceptional sense of hearing that allows it to always stay alert. Its hair is hard and dense and can be black or wheat, being shorter in the tail, which is almost always kept in a vertical position.
The Scottish is a dog with a great personality, strong character, very brave, barking and determined that, although affectionate and loyal With his tutors, he is quite independent, so his education can be challenging in some cases. He adapts well to life both at home and in a flat and has a medium activity level
Unfortunately, this breed shows a certain predisposition to different types of cancer, as well as dermatological and allergic problems and a hereditary pathology known as craniomandibular osteopathy. However, with good nutrition, hygiene and regular check-ups at the vet, it is a dog with a long life expectancy.
West Highland white terrier
Better known as the Westie, the West Highland White Terrier is another dog originally from Scotland, but it is now very easy to see it in homes all over the world, as it is a very popular dog. Its hallmark is its beautiful, completely white, double-layered coat, which requires frequent maintenance to preserve its shine and softness, and contrasts with its black eyes and nose. It is a breed of small size, very compact and robust, with a lot of energy and a marked hunting instinct that predisposes it to chase other animals or objects.
The Westie is a confident, mischievous and affectionate dog that can be stubborn if forced to do something he doesn't want to, so it is recommended to be patient and always use positive reinforcement in their education. It is important that his guardians provide him with enough exercise and offer him environmental stimulation to prevent him from becoming excessively bored or stressed, as he tends to be a barking dog and somewhat destructive, especially if he has a garden to dig in.
The Westie, like the Scottish, can be affected by a congenital disorder called craniomandibular osteopathy, colloquially known as "westie jaw". Allergic problems are also frequent in this breed.
These are the recognized Scottish dogs whose origin in this country is known for certain. However, as we said at the beginning, there are many other breeds whose origin is still uncertain. This is the case of the border collie, which may also have originated in Scotland, but which remains unconfirmed to this day. Tell us, how many Scottish dog names did you know?
