Brief History of Scotties

“First of the Superlatively Suitable Six, is that odd little chunk of canniness, merriment, sadness, joy, steadfast devotion, courage and rare powers of discrimination, the Scottish Terrier. The old Highland saying that “guid gear goes in mickle bundles”, might well have been framed specially to fit the Scottie or Diehard, as many of his friends delight to call him. Compact, quick as a cat, alert as only a real terrier can be, he possesses strength far beyond his apparent stature, and a spirit which, once he decides is just, knows no limit. Large of head, short of leg, impressively sturdy in bone and muscle, he is emphatically multum in parvo. And within his wiry coat of black, gray-grizzle, or brindle beats a heart as wholesome and as honest as the wind-swept moorlands from which he comes. Small wonder that those who know him well prefer him to all others.”

1926 excerpt from Holland’s Magazine – What Dog Shall I Choose Author Mr. Robert S. Lemmon

The following is a brief timeline of physical changes and characteristics in the Scottish Terrier’s evolution. To learn more, a list of suggested article links has been included below.

1807

“The terrier has a most acute smell, is generally an attendant on every pack of hounds, and is very expert in forcing foxes or other game out of their coverts. It is the determined enemy of all the vermin kind; such as Weasels, Foumarts, Badgers, Rats, Mice, &c. It is fierce, keen and hardy; and, in its encounters with the Badger, sometimes meets with very severe treatment, which it sustains with great courage and fortitude. A well-trained veteran dog frequently proves more than a match for that hard-biting animal. There are two kinds of Terriers, – the one rough, short-legged, long-backed, very strong. and most commonly black or yellowish color, mixed with white; the other is smooth, sleek, and more sprightly appearance: it is generally of reddish brown color, or black, with tanned legs; and it is similar to the rough Terrier in disposition and faculties, but inferior in size, …

1829

“The Scotch Terrier is generally low in stature, seldom more than twelve or fourteen inches in height, with a strong muscular body, and short and stout legs; his ears are small and half-pricked; his head is rather large in proportion to the size of his body, and the muzzle considerably pointed; his scent is exceptionally acute, so that he can trace the footsteps of other animals with certainty: he is generally of a sand-colour or black. Dogs of these colours are certainly the most hardy, and more to be depended upon. When white or pied, it is a sure mark of the impurity of the breed. The hair of the Terrier is long, matted, and hard, over almost every part of his body. His bite is extremely keen.” Excerpt from Biological Sketches and Anecdotes of the Dog – Published 1829 – Author Capt. Thomas Brown

1846

THE “DIEHARD”The name the Diehard seems to have traced back to the first Earl of Dunbarton who nicknamed his Terriers the “Dunbar Diehards” because of their unique toughness in the field.

1850

Known as the Rough-Haired, Scotch, Otter, Cairn, Highland Terrier, Skye, Dandie, Aberdeen, Scots or Scottish Terrier, there had been much confusion as to what to call our breed. These dogs interbred until dog fanciers interest in sustaining a certain type warranted a “recipe” called the Breed Standard.

1870

Observations of the best features and characteristics were put down on paper to help hunters develop a consistent working dog. One that had a specific function, mainly ridding the farmers land or barns of rodents and vermin to protect food sources. All Scottish Terrier pedigrees can be traced back to four foundational dogs from this era, one of which was Roger Rough.

Early depiction of one of John Naylor's first Scottie imports to the US

1880

The first breed standard was drafted by J.B. Morrison, respected dog authority of the day, to help clear up the confusion and which was later published in Vero Shaw’s Illustrated Book of the Dog in 1880.

1892

Two famous imports of Mrs. Brooks & Ames of Wankie Kennels were considered some of the greatest showdogs of their time.

1898

The pattern described in the Breed Standard assisted breeders in choosing superior males to be bred to their females. The most highly valued of these sires were the ones considered “pre-potent” for reproducing their type consistently.

1902

Small American kennels advanced via imports from England. Their owners spent much time and money showing their stock to the American public at local dog shows.

1907

1907 The Dog Fancier Magazine described James Little’s Newcastle Model as having the best example of what a Scottish Terrier head should be.

1911

In 1911, a Scottish Terrier named Tickle ‘Em Jock won Best in Show at the 5th Westminster Kennel Club Show. This win did much to help publicize the breed in America although many exhibitors that day criticized the judge’s decision.

1912

“Scottie may not be so attractive at first sight as some others, but he has qualities that enable him to hold his friends long and fast. I hope that we shall not lose sight of the sporting possibilities of the Diehard, and in a rush for ribbons and cups forget that he was first of all a game hunter of foxes and otters. Many of us know he is most useful and companionable in the field and it will be a pity if we neglect this side of his development. There is always this tendency among fanciers, and in the case of this breed it is to be deplored.” Excerpt from Scottish and Irish Terriers – Published 1912 – Author William Haynes

1913

CH Bapton Beryl, daughter of CH Bapton Norman, was said to be the greatest show bitch of all time.

1925

These dogs were considered first class representations of their breed in their day by Scottish Terrier experts. “I have never chanced upon a Scotty, however old and feeble, that would not face battle and death at the most impossible odds. The Scotty is a pigmy with the heart of a lion. He knows no fear. He knows no treachery. Into the stony earth of the wiliest and fiercest fox the Scotty can force his way, there to attack and kill and drag forth the den”s lurking occupant. No collie, or other large dog can do that. Yes, whatever the odds against him, the Scotty will plunge eagerly into the hole of badger, otter or fox. Down there he may well lose his life. But he will lose it fighting with every atom of fight that there is in him. He will not sneak out beaten and yowling. He will come …

1930s

“THERE WAS NEVER A GOOD SCOTTIE WITH A BAD COLOR” Most prevelant Scotties being shown to the public were variations of brindle. The all black color craze was believed to have started as a preference due to fashion.

1933

“The makers of the Standard, who knew the breed before its show-days and worked it in the scrubby undergrowth, the heather, when it went to earth and dug foxes and varmints from the cairns, saw that it was brindle and grey and red, because of its work which invoked those natural influences that develop the protective coloring in animals.” – Fayette C. Ewing 1933

1935

The dog that “had the most sensational show record of any Scottish Terrier ever exhibited in America,” according to the New York Times. Won “best in show” multiple times. As a Fnalist at Westminster in 1932, Time Magazine said the dog was “built like a midget plough horse.” Heather Reveller was owned by mystery writer S.S. Van Dine (real name Willard H. Wright). “The color of the Scottish Terrier has been the object of fad changes since the breed was first recognized and exhibited Initially, color was of no concern to breeders and owners, so long as the dog could do his work. In those days, the color of our dogs was generally described as sandy or fawn, occasionally red or grizzled, rarely black.” Excerpt from Scottish Terrier, a book by T. Allen Kirk

1947

Excerpt from Dog News – “The Scot-Aristocrat and Gentlemen of the Dog World” – published 1947 – author Glory Merritt of Canada.

1966

“In the Scottish Terrier we are blessed with a dog that was bred that way for a specific purpose: to go to ground for rodents or varmints; to run the fields in any weather; to have a natural hunting instinct, alert and inquisitive; to be hard and sound with sufficient stamina to go all day. He was given a head much too large for beauty, but to house an honest mouthful of punishing teeth. A skull large enough to house some common sense and protect his deep set eyes, topped with small prick ears that can be laid flat and out of the way of an objecting tooth or claw. A muscular neck, strong enough to pull a badger from his den. Sloping shoulders to gently squeeze into cracks and holes. Well boned, short front legs with strong feet and nails, for digging and pushing backward – (how else to …