WHAT MAKES A SCOTTISH TERRIER

General appearance

Thick set, of suitable size to go to ground, which would preclude dogs of excessive body weight, short legged, alert in carriage and suggestive of great power and activity in small compass. Head gives impression of being long for size of dog. Very agile and active in spite of short legs.

Characteristics

Loyal and faithful. Dignified, independent and reserved, but courageous and highly intelligent.

Temperament

Bold, but never aggressive.

Head and skull

Long without being out of proportion to size of dog. Length of skull enabling it to be fairly wide and yet retain narrow appearance. Skull nearly flat and cheek bones not protruding. Foreface strongly constructed and deep throughout. Skull and foreface of equal length. Slight but distinct stop between skull and foreface just in front of eye. Nose large, black and, in profile, the line from nose towards chin appears to slope backwards.

Eyes

Almond shaped, dark brown, fairly wide apart, well set under eyebrows with keen, intelligent expression.

Ears

Neat, fine texture, pointed, erect and set on top of skull but not too close together. Large, wide-based ears highly undesirable.

Mouth

Teeth large with perfect, regular scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws.

Neck

Muscular and of moderate length.

Forequarters

Head carried on muscular neck of moderate length showing quality, set into long sloping shoulders, brisket well in front of straight, well-boned forelegs to straight pasterns. Chest fairly broad and hung between forelegs which must not be out at the elbow nor placed under body.

Body

Well-rounded ribs flattening to deep chest and carried well back. Back proportionately short and very muscular. Topline of body straight and level, loin muscular and deep, powerfully coupling ribs to hindquarters.

Hindquarters

Remarkably powerful for size of dog. Big, wide buttocks, deep thighs and well-bent stifles. Hocks short, strong, turning neither in nor out.

Feet

Good size, well padded, toes well arched and close-knit, forefeet slightly larger than hindfeet.

Tail

Moderate length giving general balance to dog, thick at root and tapering towards tip. Set on with upright carriage or slight bend.

Gait/movement

Smooth and free, straight both back and front with drive from behind and level gait throughout.

Coat

Close-lying, double coat; undercoat short, dense and soft; outer coat harsh, dense and wiry, together making a weather-resisting covering.

Colour

Black, wheaten or brindle of any shade.

Size

Height at withers 25-28 cms (10-11 ins); weight 8.5-10.5 kgs (19-23 lbs).

Faults

Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog and on the dog’s ability to perform its traditional work.