We can thank Scotland for some of the most beautiful dog breeds and we are going to celebrate them; a little bit about their history, what they are known for and why we love them.
There are some golden oldies, a gentle giant and some great hunters. Thank you,Scotland! These dog breeds are all worth celebrating.
WEST HIGHLAND TERRIER
The West Highland white terrer often referred to as a Westie, is a breed that is completely intertwined with its country of origin. Westies are part of a group of Scottish Terriers thought to have branched off the same family tree.
Bred to combat rodent infestations in marketplaces and estates, Westies are part of a group known as 'earth dogs', as they are on the ground hunters with an affinity for fast moving vermin.
FACTS
Life span: 12-16 years
Colour: White
Weight: Female: 6-7kg, Male: 7-10kg
Height: Female: 23-28cm, Male: 25-30cm
Temperament: Friendly, alert, active, courageous, independent.
BORDER TERRIER
Terriers have thrived in Scotland due to their skill for hunting prey over rugged terrain, and the border terrier does that to this day. Named because of its early years spent assisting farmers on the Scottish-English border.
Today, it's one of the most popular terriers in the United Kingdom, with a sweet personality and the ability to get on well with other dogs.
Despite their small size, Border Terriers are energetic dogs with big personalities.
They’re keen to learn new things and so can be easy to train in the right hands. They love to play and interact with their owners at any given opportunity so can be great companions.
FACTS
Life span: 12-15 years
Colour: Blue & Tan, grizzle & tan, Wheaton, Red
Weight: Female: 5.1-6.4kg, Male: 5.9-7kg
Height: Female: 28-36cm, Male: 33-40cm
Temperament: Intelligent, fearless, affectionate, alert, obedient.
GOLDEN RETRIEVER
The history of this breed goes back to the Scottish Highlands.
Throughout the latter half of the 1800's, a breeder carefully developed golden retrievers from his Scottish estate to create a top-of-the-line hunting companion.
The bloodline of goldens includes the now-extinct yellow retriever and tweed water spaniel as well as Irish setters and bloodhounds.
FACTS
Life span: 10-12 years
Colour: Dark golden, light golden, cream, golden
Weight: Female: 25-32kg, Male: 30-34kg
Height: Female: 51-56cm, Male: 56-61cm
Temperament: Trustworthy, intelligent, friendly, kind, reliable and confident.
BLOODHOUND
The bloodhound was used to sniff out raiders and cattle thieves in the Middle Ages.
Thought to originate from Belgium, the bloodhound was bred in Scotland from 1300. They were originally used as a leashed hound in hunting deer and wild boar and known as the sleuth hound for their ability to track and hunt.
They can be easy to train in the right hands and respond well to positive training methods. They're affectionate dogs and very easy going in the home environment.
FACTS
Life span: 10-12 years
Colour: Liver & tan, black & tan, red
Weight: Female: 36-45kg, Male: 41-50kg
Height: Female: 58-64cm, Male: 64-69cm
Temperament: Stubborn, even tempered, affectionate, gentle.
