The Fathers of this breed knew more than you do when they set the Standard 16 to 18 pounds for bitches and 18 to 20 for dogs. They wanted an active, working dog... they did not want a low-set, lubberly, inactive, waddling hulk that could neither jump nor run. Fayette Ewing |
Five key elements must be present for the Scottish Terrier to have
correct substance:
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Remember size and substance are two different things. A Scottie must be a substantial dog but not a large dog. A Scottie too large to go to ground lacks breed type. While such a dog may be useful in a breeding program, he should not have success in the show ring.
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Penalize exaggerations, be they in conformation or in show preparation. Aim for proportion, usefulness, and general balance... Dorothy Caspersz |
We may be at another such crossroads today. With the increase in the number of shows and the approval of more judges who are less familiar with our breed, Scotties (and other breeds as well) are at risk of losing their distinctive outline. More and more often, judges and breeders look for the "short" back and the "square" dog. While such dogs make a smart appearance standing still, their movement and agility are hampered. In the words of Dorothy Caspersz:
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Interestingly enough, when the 1993 Breed Standard committee was working on their proposed standard, one of the committee members put an 8 1/2 x 11 inch tablet in her tackbox. She brought up the subject of back length to breeders at every show she attended. There were nearly always a couple of breeders who insisted that their dogs were "much" shorter than 11 inches. With that, she brought out her tablet and laid it on the back of the dog. Without exception, the backs of the "short-backed" dogs were all within 1/4 inch of 11 inches, BUT those same dogs were also well above 10 inches tall. In other words, while seeking to achieve that Holy Grail, the ultra-short back, breeders have, in many cases, without realizing it, begun to breed taller dogs. |
The information in this section is not meant as an argument for a return to the original Scottie nor is it intended to justify long-backed dogs. The most important point to remember is that outline is one of the essential features that make up breed type. If the Scottie is to maintain his correct outline and his correct movement, breeders and judges need to recognize and preserve the proportions that make up correct outline. Recently, a well-known AKC Terrier judge opened up an AKC Judges' Education Seminar by saying, "The Scottie is a square dog." Last year, at our national specialty, a highly regarded young breeder was overheard telling a spectator that "Scotties are supposed to be square." If this trend toward a square dog continues, we will lose our correct outline and proportions. Whatever remains may be a very smart little terrier, but it won't be a Scottish Terrier. Below are a bitch (left) and a dog (right) of the correct size, proportion, and substance:
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This is the end of Chapter 1. Please click here to submit questions. Questions and answers will be posted on a separate page and updated regularly. Suggestions are also VERY welcome. Thanks for your interest in the Scottish Terrier. |