The Scottish Terrier is warm-hearted, discreet, sociable, brave, and prone to keeping a sharp eye on family activities. He isn’t as loud or reactive as some of the other terriers, so when he’s well trained, your eardrums should remain intact. The average Scottish Terrier weighs about 20 pounds. Unlike some terriers, his tail is left natural, not cut.

His convenient size, cheerful outlook and dramatic coloring has helped make the Scotty the popular all-around favorite he is today. Scotties come in many colors, from the classic solid black (with a red tartan bow, of course!) to wheaton and brindle. White patches or markings are a fault.

You’ll need to take your Scotty to the groomer’s several times a year. If you do, this minimal investment in appearance will pay off in a sharp-looking dog. But woe to owners who don’t take even that much care with the Scotty’s coat! Your poor pet will itch with matted dead hair that he’ll trail all over the house.

Occasionally, your Scotty will go through something resembling a molting process, in which case you’ll need him clipped quite short indeed. You can do this yourself or take him to a groomer, but it’s always a good idea to have a professional give you some tips if you opt to do it yourself.

The basic Scotty trim cuts the hair close on the head, neck, shoulders and body, but leaves ample fur on the lower parts, creating that distinctive and very attractive Scotty shape. This simple trim leads to a really nice-looking dog.

About the Author

Blake Kritzberg is proprietor of Poodle-oo, your source for dog clothes. Stop by for small dog couture and home decor, designer dog collars and leather dog leashes.

You may be looking for a dog with behavioral characteristics such as the ability to guard, herd, retrieve, or just sit on your lap. Other questions you’ll need to ask yourself are what age? size? sex? pure breed or not. For most pet parents, the age is considered first.

What age of dog? Of course, a puppy is delightful, especially if you’ve got children in the house, but there may be reasons why an older dog is better. If you’re looking for a good companion right from the start, a young adult dog may be best. A puppy requires someone around all day to properly house train and to develop a good relationship. If you choose an older dog, make sure it is house-trained, a dog that has been kenneled for a long time may not be.

Size is the next important consideration. Large breeds are both expensive to buy and to feed, they need a lot of space and a lot of exercise and aren’t well suited to city living in an apartment. Small and toy breeds need far less space and exercise, they eat less too! But you must take care with young children, as toy breeds bones are fine and fragile and children can accidentally hurt them seriously. Large breeds also age quicker than the smaller breeds and most don’t live beyond 14 years, while the smaller breeds can live to be 20 years old.

Male or female is the next consideration, and most owners have their own preferences. Females are usually more demanding of attention, but they are easier to train and develop a more solid attachment to their owners. Male dogs are usually more consistent in their temperament, but are more difficult to train due to their independent nature. Male’s may become so aggressive or wander so much that neutering is called for. This isn’t always successful and can change the dog’s character.

Pedigree or not? Non pedigree dogs sometimes called mongrels, have a lot in their favor. While they aren’t as predictable in terms of looks and temperament, they are much less afflicted by inherited diseases than pedigree dogs and seem to avoid some of the more common ailments. Pedigree dogs can develop ailments that are common to their breed that gets passed to each new generation. You should look into the “hereditary defects” of any pedigree you are considering. Most of these ailments don’t occur until the animal is old, but they will occur.

No matter what type, breed, age, size, color, or other choice of dog you make, just remember, they will all need part of your time and space. Owning a pet and becoming a good pet parent is a commitment, but it can be one of the best and happiest commitments you can make, for both of you.

Brent & Randy Jones have been a part of the pet industry for a long time, with their own grooming service being in business for years. They recently formed a website dedicated to pets and their owners with products including dog clothes, fancy dog collars, strollers, and more. Feel free to check out the site for more information about these products.