Scottese -- Scottish Terrier X Maltese

		Scottese
		He is not recognized by the F.C.I.


Origin			Scotland <> Central Mediterranean Basin -> U.S.A.
Translation			Francis Vandersteen

A brief presentation of the Scottese

The Scottese is a hybrid mix of Maltese and Scottish Terrier. This hybrid mix is so recent that no information is yet available on the hybrid itself. Looking at the parent breeds, it's easy to see what special combination these two parent breeds have created. The hybrid Scottese is spirited and courageous, loving and affectionate, intelligent and loyal, gentle and a little independent - all these traits are packed into a fluffy, adorable little package that will immediately capture your heart and soul, making you wonder how you ever lived without him.

History of the Scottese

The Scottese hybrid, a Maltese/Scottish Terrier mix, presents an interesting mix of historical information when examining the backgrounds of its parent breeds. Since no historical information is available on this hybrid, it's the preferred method for getting an idea of who and what your puppy may be. The Scottese hybrid is recognized by the Designer Breed Registry and the American Canine Hybrid Club.

	A little of the Scottish Terrier
	The Scottish Terrier, as its name suggests, was created in Scotland to hunt foxes, rats and other vermin. He has done this successfully, and is easily found in mining communities, homes, farms, gardens and villages, where he eradicates various types of vermin. The date of origin is a little unclear, as there are a number of theories as to when and how the breed developed. Depending on which theory you subscribe to, the Scottish Terrier could date back to 55 BC, as indicated by writings dating from the Roman occupation of Britain, or to the 1800s, when the breed proved to be a well-established purebred. Whichever theory you subscribe to, the Scottish Terrier is a spirited, lively and adorable little companion and watchdog that you're sure to fall in love with very quickly. The Scottish Terrier continues to be a very popular breed in the United States, being officially recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1885, where it is the 58th most popular breed in its registry.

	Standard of the Scottish Terrier


	A little of the Maltese
	The Maltese originated in Italy and Malta, an island off the southern coast of Italy, and can be traced back to at least 3500 BC and possibly even further, making it quite possibly the oldest of all small dog breeds. Not only is the Maltese probably the oldest breed of toy dog, it may also be the oldest royal lapdog known to man. Early Roman, Greek and Egyptian cultures attributed healing and comforting properties to them and valued them accordingly. Although its exact heritage is unknown, its popularity continued to grow and it crossed the "pond", arriving in the United States in the late 1800s, where the Maltese breed was officially recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1888 and has continued to grow in popularity, ranking 33rd in popularity in their breed registry. Did you know that writers, poets and artists have depicted this silky, lively little bundle in their works since the first great cultures that existed in Rome, Greece and Egypt, literally immortalizing them.

	Standard of the Maltese

Appearance of the Scottese

The Scottese hybrid is a mix of Maltese and Scottish Terrier and, as such, may inherit appearance traits from one or both parent breeds. Depending on the biological mix, your Scottese hybrid dog will probably measure 23 to 25.5 centimeters and weigh 2 to 10 kilos. He'll probably have dark eyes and a teardrop-shaped black nose on a slightly tapered, medium-length muzzle. Its body will be compact and solidly built, with straight legs, small round paws and a tail of variable length. Its coat may be long, soft and silky or medium-length, rough and hard, and it may or may not be double-coated. Coat color can be pure white, black, wheaten or brindle of any color. Ears may be folded, hanging close to the head, or erect and pointed.

Temperament of the Scottese

The Scottese hybrid, a mix of Maltese and Scottish Terrier, can inherit temperament and personality traits from one or both of its parent breeds. This combination of pure breeds means that your dog can have the following temperament and personality traits: aggression, affection, alertness, gentleness, cheerfulness, courage, intelligence, independence, alertness, mischievousness, stubbornness and sociability. This feisty but gentle and loving little bundle of joy was a precious companion who was also playful, energetic and daring, often behaving like a much larger dog despite his small size. With early socialization, he will get on very well with children but will probably need some supervision with young children, the family cat and other dogs. He may be a little wary of strangers until he's assured of your safety in the situation, he may be small but he doesn't seem to know it when it comes to protecting those he loves. Because of the Scottish Terrier parent's contribution to independence, training him can be a little more difficult, but be patient, start with the basics and develop them slowly and positively. This is a dog full of energy, so you should expect him to exercise every day, but not over long distances like other larger dogs, remembering that his little legs have to work harder to keep up with your pace.

Needs and activities of the Scottese

Your Scottese is an active little dog. He needs about an hour of exercise a day, which may include one or two daily walks, romping and playing in a dog park or fenced yard, games of fetch or Frisbee in the house or outside, and even agility training and practice. He has a moderate to high hunting/prey instinct, as well as a moderate tendency to wander. This is important because, when you take him out, if he's not on a leash, you could find yourself walking or running farther and longer than you intended, chasing him down the street, through the neighborhood or into the woods after a small animal or an interesting scent that has caught his eye. To avoid these situations, keep him on a leash when he's outside the house, fenced garden or similar safe enclosure. He tolerates moderate climates best, and needs extra protection and precautions for extreme temperatures, hot or cold. As he is small and not necessarily an incessant barker, he can live very well in an apartment or condominium, provided his exercise needs are met and noise restrictions are taken into account. They can also live well in family homes, with or without fenced yards, in rural or urban settings.

Maintenance of the Scottese

Your Scottese hybrid falls into the moderate maintenance category and the minimal or low shedding category, requiring weekly brushing. Its coat is considered hypoallergenic. His ears should be checked weekly and cleaned if necessary, using a cotton ball and an approved canine ear cleaner. Also check his toenails weekly, at the same time as his ears, and trim them if necessary, unless he's able to maintain them with exercise. You'll need to brush his teeth at home two or three times a week to prevent the development of periodontal disease and the accompanying tooth loss. He's considered weak in the drool and odor categories too. It's an active little bundle that will need daily exercise to manage its energy and stay healthy, happy and fit.