So you think you want a scottie...

Maybe you saw one in a cartoon and fell in love with the rakish personality and the accent. Maybe you were charmed by the Scotties who recently lived at the White House and had their own web cams. Maybe you saw one out walking and were intrigued and wanted to know more about this very charming little dog. We know that Scotties are cute but we also know they are not the right dog for everyone. Before you bring one into your family, we’d like to help you make sure that having a Scottie is the right dog for you.

The Scottie, like all purebred dogs, does have some health issues. They can include the following:

• Allergies – airborne and food

• von Willebrand’s Disease (VWD is usually less clinically severe than hemophilia and is inherited as an autosomal trait)

• Bladder Cancer

• Cerebellar Abiotrophy (a rare, slow-to-progress neurological disease that causes loss of coordination)

• Scottie Cramp

• Cushings syndrome (a collection of symptoms caused by an excess of a hormone called cortisol)

• Hypothyroidism (an underproduction of hormones by the thyroid gland)

• Epilepsy

• CMO (Craniomandibular Osteopathy (CMO) is an inherited disorder characterized by an abnormal growth of the bone of the lower jaw)

• Liver shunts

• Juvenile Cataracts

While this list may seem daunting, the potential for these problems is a reality and it is something that you should keep in mind if you are considering a Scottie. Scotties are wonderful companions and very loyal to their family or to their “person”. The breed has a range of health, temperaments, and energy levels. Please take the time now to make a careful choice.

Food for thought –

If you want a dog that:

• requires regular and extensive grooming

• demands attention and exercise

• challenges your will

• needs training and human contact

• thinks independently and

• voices its opinion

then the Scottie may be right for you.

If you want a dog that:

• requires minimal grooming

• needs little or no attention or exercise

• requires little mental stimulation

• is content to be left alone

• is very obedient in nature and

• blends into the woodwork

then the Scottie is NOT right for you.

If you are getting started researching the breed, may we suggest that you read more about Scotties at the Scottish Terrier Club of America (“STCA”) website:

http://www.stca.biz/

It contains a lot of good general information about selecting the right kind of dog for your family and specific information about Scotties.

Thank you for considering adoption!