Rise of the Scottish Terrier

“For it is the new or novice fancier upon whom any breed must depend chiefly for its popularity. The old ones depart or die, although in the particular case of the Scottish Terrier, it is invariably the latter rather than the former event that causes severance of relationship between man and dog. The Diehard holds them till death. Once a Scot owner, always a Scot owner, for no other breed can quite fill his unique place.”

1926 excerpt from Feild and Fancy Magazine written by Mr. Vinton Breese

The following is a brief timeline of just a few of the highlighted events that promoted and preserved our Scottish Terrier Breed. To learn more, a list of suggested article links have been included below.

1835

The Scottish Terrier by various names has been indigenous to Scotland for a thousand years or more, and it is thought the original stock was brought in by the early Celts from Europe.

1837

In the early 1800’s there was little concern over what a non-descript Terrier looked like. The feature most prized by the men of the day was ability to rid the farms and fields of destructive vermin. For sport, farmers would gather the best of these dogs and wager on their favorites. “The terrier is applied to several puposes in which its diminutive size, its strength, courage, activity, and perserverance are all called into action. In the office of unearthing the Fox, it is an essential edition to the pack, and a good kennel can scarcely be without them; and it takes to the earth with much eagerness, from which it has received its name. But if the Terrier contribute so much to the enjoyment of the regular sportsman, it offers no less amusement to those of less dignified character, by the feats it displays in the destruction of minor vermin, – the Badger, the Polecat, and the whole tribe of Mustelidae, and particularly the Rat.” Excerpt from History of British Quadrepeds – The Terrier – Published in 1837 – Author Thomas Bell

1859

On June 28, 1859, the first public dog show was held for entertainment in the town of Newcastle, U.K. Only Pointers and Setters participated in this show, because these were the most highly prized dog breeds of the day for the upper class paying customer. In the Victorian era only two types of dogs were preferred. The elegant sporting dogs for hunting or the small fashionable toys for companionship. The Terriers were generally considered too rough looking and too independent/untrainable for the upper class.

1865

The Victorian Era and the fancy of dog shows brought the breeds into the public eye for the first time. Dogs became prized not for what they could do but for what they looked like. Owning and being seen with a pedigree dog conveyed class and status. A royal’s favoritism of one breed over another could mean becoming popular or disappearing.

1877

The first formal dog show in the United States was held in 1877, sponsored by the Westminster Kennel Club. This new venue of entertainment propelled the Scottie into American homes and changed their lives. Owning and showing pedigree dogs became a popular pastime for all genders.

1880

In 1880 Mr. James Morrison and Mr. Thompson Gray drew up the first standard for the Scottish Terrier. The working qualities of the breed were the main emphasis, but primarily portrayed the dog we know today as our Scottish Terrier, originally being picked for their gameness rather than for their looks.

1883

In 1883, the first Scottish Terriers were imported to America from the United Kingdom by John Naylor. His imports, Tam Glen and Bonnie Belle, showed in Pittsburgh in the spring of 1883, entered in a class for Rough-Haired Terriers. There was little public interest, and in 1889, unable to financially support his passion anymore, John Naylor gave up his efforts to promote the breed.

1891

In 1891, Henry Brooks and Oliver Ames took up the reins of bringing Scotties to America with their imports. They formed a partnership in Wankie Kennels and introduced Champion Tiree to the show ring. Although they won ribbons competing against themselves there was still no propagation of the Scottish Terrier in America and they gave up importing and exhibiting.

1892

Dog Shows started out as a novelty side show at livestock fairs or a comparison of a hunters’ dog merits at the local pub in the 1850’s. By the late 19th century, dog shows had become a money making way of entertaining and educating the public. They became major events attended mostly by the wealthy and held at grand exhibition halls. It was here that fanciers of their chosen breeds could promote their dogs and, if winning their classes, could prove their merits as well.

1897

James Little of Newcastle Kennels is credited with keeping the breed going where other kennels had become discouraged.

1898

When Tiree was imported and became the first American champion in 1898, our Club was formed. We adopted the standards written by the Scottish Terrier Club of Scotland, and with a few revisions the last standard was framed in 1947 and is still the standard today with few amendments.

1900

The Scottish Terrier Club of America owes its being to the enthusiasm and hard work of two gentlemen, Dr. Fayette C. Ewing and Mr. J. Steele Mackenzie, who brought together the little group of Scottie lovers who were struggling to improve and popularize their beloved Diehard. The Scottish Terrier Club of America was elected a member of the American Kennel Club in 1900 which at the close of that year had a total membership of twenty-five.

1904

Francis G. Lloyd became involved in the Scottish Terrier breed at the start of the 1900’s importing and showing a large number of dogs. He established Walescott kennels and served as President of the newly established American Club for the Scottish Terrier. His name is honored on the most prestigious trophy awarded by the club. Reading the names on this trophy is to read a history of the Scottish Terrier in the United States, since the names go back to 1921.

1907

“Guid gear goes in mickle bundles” is a Scotch proverb which applies most appropriately to this excellent liitle dog – the Scottish terrier. An ugly little fellow, the smallest of the working terriers, his short, wiry, dense coat, small, piercing, rather sunken eyes, and little sharp-pointed ears made him very unpopular in America for some time. No attempt was made to introduce him into this country until 1883, when the first importations were made by Mr. John H. Naylor of Chicago, and although a few wealthy men took up the breeding of this little dog with enthusiasm, there was no getting the public to take it. The dog did not attract and there was a time when it was almost impossible even to give young stock away. Since 1895, however, Scottie has steadily been growing in popularity, and made his way by his own merits to a warm corner in the hearts of his admirers, not on account of any special attractiveness, but by his smartness and cleverness as a companion and house dog. 1907 Article from Stable & Kennel Magazine written by E.S.W.

1935

Dog shows and dog showing became a very popular event for enthusiasts and the general public to attend. It was an opportunity for a family outing to go see and learn about different breeds of dogs.

1940

Large kennels of dogs were established with kennel managers running these facilities and breeding top winning dogs for Americans to purchase for show and companionship.

1942

The Scottish Terrier has been one of the most recognized iconic breeds of dogs. The dog has been used in some of the biggest advertising campaigns of the 1900’s.

1943

Popularity of the Scottish Terrier was catapulted with the publicity of President Roosevelt’s Fala. FDR was rarely seen without him. He had his own secretary to answer all his fan mail.

1950

1950’s Monopoly Scottie token piece was introduced when Roosevelt was in office with Fala. It is one of most popular game pieces and still exists today.

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