Scoland Terrier -- Scottish Terrier X West Highland White Terrier

		Scoland Terrier
		He is not recognized by the F.C.I.


Origin			Great Britain -> U.S.A.
Translation			Francis Vandersteen

A brief presentation of the Scoland Terrier

The Scoland Terrier is a hybrid of the Scottish Terrier and the West Highland White Terrier or Westie, both from Scotland. This hybrid is quite the ultimate Terrier, combining playfulness, intelligence, loyalty, love and energy with just the right amount of aggression in a happy, bright set of dogs that will instantly melt your heart and become the apple of your eye. The Scoland Terrier will entertain, love and guard you and your family with the best of dogs, all disguised as a cuddly bundle of love and energy.

History of the Scoland Terrier

There isn't much historical information available for this hybrid, so we'll have to learn more about it from the history of its parent breeds. This is truly a vision of the UK, with both breeds originating in Scotland. The Scoland Terrier hybrid itself is recognized by the American Canine Hybrid Club, the Designer Breed Registry, the Designer Dogs Kennel Club, the Dog Registry of America and the International Designer Canine Registry.

	A little of the Scottish Terrier
	The origins of the Scottish Terrier, or at least dogs resembling the Scottish Terrier, can be traced back to around 1500, when they were described in a book by a man named Don Leslie, or even further back to Pliny the Elder in 55 BC, when, during the Roman occupation of Britain, he wrote about the “little dog that followed its prey to the ground”. Although their heritage is somewhat obscure, it is thought to have included the Aberdeen Terrier, a member of a group of Terriers known as the Skye Terrier, which was later split into several Terriers, one of which is the Scottish Terrier we know and love today. The Scottish Terrier was originally bred to be a racer and foxhunter, as well as an eradicator of other pests. The Scottish Terrier, talented, feisty and confident, was officially recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1885 and is the 58th most popular dog on its register.

	Standard of the Scottish Terrier


	A little of the West Highland White Terrier
	The origins of the West Highland White Terrier or Westie go back to the 1500s, when it was developed and bred to hunt small game in the Scottish Highlands. They can be found in mining communities, farms, villages, mills, fields, homes and gardens, hunting, trapping and killing vermin. The breed's color was originally red, but after a dog was mistakenly killed for looking too much like a fox, it was bred to change its color, first to cream, then to the white of today. The Westie was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1908 and is the 41st most popular dog breed on its register.

	Standard of the West Highland White Terrier

Appearance of the Scoland Terrier

The Scoland Terrier is a hybrid of the Scottish Terrier and the West Highland White Terrier, and as such can inherit appearance characteristics from one or both of its parent breeds. Breeders and owners of the Scoland Terrier describe it as having a head similar to the Westie and a body closer to the Scottish Terrier. They are generally black with white markings, although some have indicated that the color can also be wheaten. Their eyes are round, bright and dark, with a black nose and scissor bite. Ears are straight and triangular, small to medium-sized, with a medium-length tail and downy coat. Its coat is harsh or hard, double with a soft, dense undercoat, and about 5 centimeters long.

Temperament of the Scoland Terrier

The Scoland Terrier is a hybrid of the Scottish Terrier and the West Highland White Terrier, and can inherit personality and temperament traits from one or both parent breeds. Owners and breeders of Scoland Terriers describe them as playful, adorable, intelligent, affectionate, fun-loving and opinionated, a particular trait known to Terriers. They are sensitive to their environment and their human family, and possess an extremely high level of intelligence that enables them to adapt to many changes in family circumstances and their environment. Early socialization will certainly be necessary to ensure that they get on well with children and strangers, which is particularly important if you have other pets in the house. Don't forget that his hunting instinct comes from both parental breeds and is deeply rooted in him, as is his tendency to dig. While the digging instinct can sometimes be suppressed, the hunting instinct simply cannot. Since both parent breeds bring independence and stubbornness to the organic mix, training is likely to be a challenge and should be done slowly, in stages, teaching the simplest commands, then developing them. They are not very prone to barking, but will alert you to strangers or problems. Both parent breeds bring high levels of energy that will need to be managed daily. They are naturally curious, and the hunting instinct kicks in, which means they have an above-average likelihood of getting into mischief when left alone for long periods, these annoying destructive behaviors developing from the boredom resulting from these periods of isolation.

Needs and activities of the Scoland Terrier

The Scoland Terrier is an active little dog, requiring daily walks, plenty of time to play and romp in the dog park or fenced backyard, interactive games like fetch, Frisbee or fly ball, and obedience and agility training and practice. You should expect him to exercise for one to two hours a day. You should also expect him to demand all your attention, all or most of the time, and to be more than happy to curl up on your lap or next to you in your comfy armchair or bed while you watch TV or read. Being a small dog, he can live very well in an apartment or condo, provided you're prepared to give him daily exercise to manage his high energy levels. He can also live very well in a family home, with or without a fenced yard, in urban or rural settings, and in virtually any climate, as long as you provide appropriate protection and precautions for extreme temperatures. It digs naturally, so be prepared for this activity. Fenced-in yards may not be suitable for him, unless you provide him with a suitable place to dig in complete safety. In addition, it's strongly recommended that you keep him on a leash when he's outside the house, fenced yard or similar enclosure, as he has a strong urge to hunt and feed. Without this precaution, you may find yourself chasing your dog around the neighborhood or through the brambles, as he chases a small animal or an interesting scent that has caught his attention.

Maintenance of the Scoland Terrier

The Scoland Terrier is a hybrid that falls into the moderate-maintenance category, with a medium-length, thick, dense double coat that sheds moderately. Your hybrid will need brushing at least once a week to remove loose hair, debris, knots and tangles, as well as to distribute oils throughout the coat. His ears should also be checked weekly, and cleaned as needed with a cotton ball and a dog-approved ear cleaner. While you're grooming him and checking his ears, be sure to also check his toenails, trimming them if necessary, unless he manages to maintain them with his normal daily exercise. All canine breeds are recommended to have their teeth brushed at home at least two to three times a week, and the Scoland Terrier is no exception. This at-home brushing regimen will help prevent the development of periodontal disease and the tooth loss that accompanies it. This breed is low on the drool and odor scale.