15 Scottish Dog Breeds (With Info & Pictures)
The American Kennel Club recognizes 201 dog breeds, and there are hundreds more waiting to be accepted. It can be challenging to sort through them all without a good system. Many people like to sort them by size, but dividing them by country is another good way, and sometimes it helps to see how the dogs are related.
We’ve created a list of 15 Scottish dog breeds so you can learn more about the breeds from Scotland. For each entry, we’ve included an image and a short description. We think you will find several breeds that would make great additions to your home.
The 15 Scottish Dog Breeds
1. Dandie Dinmont Terrier
The Dandie Dinmont Terrier is a small dog with a long body and an instantly recognizable topknot of hair on their head. They originally hunted badgers during the 1600s and 1700s. Today, they make fantastic family pets that are affectionate, fun-loving, and independent. They usually stand less than 12 inches tall and weigh about 20 pounds.
2. Bearded Collie
The Bearded Collie is a shepherd dog with long hair that often covers their eyes. Children love this breed because of their long hair, and Bearded Collies enjoy playing with kids. They're energetic and spend much of the day running around, and they are intelligent enough to learn advanced tricks. Bearded Collies are often used by rescue organizations.
3. Gordon Setter
The Gordon Setter is the largest of all setters and can weigh up to 80 pounds and stand 27 inches tall at the shoulder. They started out hunting birds almost 200 years ago, and today, they make excellent pets. Their alert and eager temperament allow them to excel as watchdogs, and their fearless in defense of their owners. This ancient breed first came to America in 1842.
4. Scottish Terrier
Several celebrities, including presidents, have owned a Scottish Terrier. They're also a piece in the original Monopoly board game. They are smaller dogs that rarely weigh more than 25 pounds. Scottish Terriers are playful but can often be stubborn and even feisty. They are fairly independent and are a good choice if you need to spend time away from home.
5. Cairn Terrier
The Cairn Terrier is a working dog that used to chase game between the cairns in the Scottish Highlands. They usually stand about a foot tall and weigh about 15 pounds. They have a thick double coat that allows them to withstand cold temperatures. They shed very little, have a long lifespan, can live in small apartments, and don’t require much exercise.
6. Golden Retriever
The Golden Retriever is one of the more popular dogs in America. They love water and will jump at any opportunity to go swimming. They also like to drive in the car and enjoy playing with children. Goldens are quite loyal and often live 10–12 years. They stand about 22 inches tall and weigh 70 pounds.
7. Rough Collie
Many people call the Rough Collie a Long-Haired Collie, and they originated in Scotland. They're rarely aggressive or nervous, and they get along with children and other pets. They also get along with strangers, but they require early socialization. Many people will recognize the Rough Collie as Lassie from the old television show and films.
8. Smooth Collie
The Smooth Collie is a short-haired version of the Rough Collie. They look different without all of the fur, but they are the same in every other way. They usually stand about 22 inches tall at the shoulder and weigh about 40 pounds. They're easy to train and can learn a wide range of tricks. Smooth Collies make excellent pets for families because they are very gentle with children.
9. Scottish Deerhound
The Scottish Deerhound is a large hound, similar to the Greyhound, but slightly larger with rough fur. This breed often weighs more than 100 pounds and stands about 30 inches at the shoulders. They're gentle and friendly and enjoy playing with children who often see them as small horses. This large Scottish dog breed often follow their owners around, and you will usually find them at your feet.
10. Skye Terrier
The Skye Terrier is a small, long-haired dog on the United Kingdom’s endangered species list. They like to go for long walks and are generally friendly but also fearless. They can easily escalate a fight with another, much larger dog. Their long hair will require regular combing to keep it free of tangles and knots.
11. Bloodhound
The Bloodhound is a popular dog that makes a great family pet due to their friendly nature. Many law enforcement agencies also use them to track prisoners and missing people because of their ability to find and track a scent. At home, they can be stubborn, especially if they find an animal scent they want to track. They usually stands a little over 25 inches tall and can weigh well over 100 pounds.
12. Border Terrier
The Border Terrier is a small dog with a rough coat. They're the 10th most popular breed in the United Kingdom and are popular in America as well. They're even-tempered and rarely get aggressive toward other people or pets. They make an excellent watchdog, but they don't bark excessively. Border Terriers are small and rarely grow taller than 12 inches at the shoulders and weigh about 15 pounds.
13. Shetland Sheepdog
The Shetland Sheepdog looks similar to the Rough Collie but is much smaller. They're a clever and vocal dog that is willing to please, so they're not hard to train. They usually grow up to 12 inches tall and weigh about 20 pounds. Shetland Sheepdogs are available in several colors and have thick fur around the neck. They're healthy pups that sometimes carry the blue-eyed gene.
14. West Highland White Terrier
The West Highland White Terrier is a small dog that is quick to learn and good with children as long as they don’t handle them roughly. Children like their long fur and pointy ears and can sometimes pull on them. Westies are quite healthy and often live more than a dozen years. They are outgoing and get used to strangers quickly.
15. Border Collie
Many lists name the Border Collie as the most intelligent dog breed. They have a distinctive white and black color pattern but can also have red and tri-color patterns. They're excellent pets for families, but their hearing instincts can cause them to nip at ankles. They aren't trying to hurt anyone, but the behavior can scare children who aren’t expecting it. Border Collies are medium-sized dogs that weigh about 40 pounds and stand about 20 inches tall at the shoulders.
Summing Up
As you can see, quite a few popular dog breeds on this list come from Scotland. Many of these Scottish dog breeds make great family pets, including the Bearded Collie, Golden Retriever, and Border Collie. The only breed that will be difficult to find is the Skye Terrier, whose numbers are falling, causing the United Kingdom to list them as endangered.
We hope you enjoyed reading this list and found a few canines you want to own. If we have helped you choose your next pet, please share these 15 Scottish dog breeds on Facebook and Twitter.
Related read: Doxie Scot (Scottish Terrier & Dachshund Mix)
Featured Image Credit: youngryand, Shutterstock
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Ollie is a zoologist turned freelance animal writer living in South Australia with his partner Alex and their mini zoo consisting of their eldest, a rescue dog named Pepper, many aquatic creatures, and their cat Steve. Ollie has a Master's degree in wildlife biology but became a freelance animal writer in 2020 and hasn't looked back. He loves sharing what he has learned with pet parents around the planet.
