The Scottie packs a lot of dog into a small size. It is strong and sturdy, with a solid body on short heavy legs, and doesn’t reach much more than 25 cm in height. They have small, bright eyes, which wear a keen expression, and thin erect ears. Perhaps their most celebrated feature is their distinctive beard, long eyebrows and wiry outer coat that brushes the ground. The coat is double-coated and comes in black, grey, brindle or wheaten. Scotties are almost certainly big dogs in small bodies! They are self-assured, alert and feisty, and can really move when they want to. These rugged little dogs have endless determination and spirit, which can also manifest as stubbornness. These traits, coupled with their strong hunting instincts, mean that this is a breed that should mostly be kept on a lead when out walking. If not, you may spend hours trying to recall your Scottie from its adventures. Scotties can make good family dogs, although may not have a strong affinity with very young children and are better suited to older children. They can also be feisty with other dogs, although early socialisation will greatly help with this. As for cats and other small household pets, these are best avoided due to the breed’s very strong prey instincts. Scotties are devoted to their owners and those who lavish their time on them will be rewarded with a canine companion that will more than repay all the love and attention received.