Appearance of the Scottese
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| 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
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| 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
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| 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
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| 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. |
English (United Kingdom)