Some Points on Grooming

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"The coat of the Scottish Terrier is a double one. The outer coat is harsh, dense and wiry. The undercoat is short, dense and soft. These coats make a weather-resistant covering for the dogs.

The double coat, and in particular the short, dense, soft undercoat, provide warmth and resistance to the wet. Another reason for such a thick coat is protection for the dog in his original work. A mouth full of hair was often the only protection for the skin when a foe attacked.

Colors of the Scottish Terrier are black, wheaten and brindle of any shade. The average coat grows thick and profusely and requires care and attention to maintain it in good order. Many people would consider the amount of coat care a disadvantage of the breed but it can be a rewarding challenge.

There is a right and wrong way to groom a dog. A good grooming session is best done once a week, brushing energetically with a hard bristle brush. Normally, the dog’s coat should be brushed against the growth on the back from the tip of the head to the tail, all four legs and underneath. It should then be brushed thoroughly back with the growth.

Combs should be used sparingly as in the hands of the novice groomer; these can tear out furnishings and leg hair from over use.

If starting with a puppy, you must accustom him to handling and grooming on the table. It is wise to spend a few minutes each day training him to accept and enjoy these sessions.

EQUIPMENT NEEDED

• Grooming table or a table with a no slip surface
• Hard bristle brush
• Pin brush or wire brush (terrier mitt or pad)
• A no tangle comb
• Clippers, electric or manual
• Scissors
• Thinning scissors
• Stripping knives

Stripping is usually necessary two or three times per year when the coat has become fully “blown”. The coat has to be removed to make way for the new growth. This may be done by hand or with a stripping knife. When the coat is ready, it is easily removed without discomfort for the dog. All stripping by hand or by knife should be done in the direction of the coat, which it grows. A small tuft of hair held between finger and thumb should be plucked out smartly.

Your other hand should be lightly above the area being dealt with to anchor the dog’s skin and minimize the pull. When using the stripping knife, hold it between finger and thumb, flick hair forward and then pluck in the direction in which the coat is growing.

Starting at the back, continue up the neck to the head then to the tail and down the sides. Clipping is usually done against the growth of the coat. Clipped areas of the Scottie are the throat, ears and skull. Continual re-positioning of the clippers is necessary as the coat grows in different directions on different parts of the body. Under the throat, the hairs grow downward, but the sides of the neck it grows outwards and backwards. The skull is clipped towards the foreface and sides of the head from the ears to muzzle.

The rolled coat procedure can keep your dogs coat in good, hard coat indefinitely. This method is of particular use to exhibitors as it enables them to keep the dog n top show coat all year round rather than the customary stripping tow or three times per year. The frequency of rolling depends on the quality of the dog’s coat, how dense it is and how fast it grows. Most show dogs would be worked on at least once ort twice per week.

Brush the coat vigorously with a bristle brush and rake out as much undercoat as necessary. Brush your hand gently against the growth of the coat and pluck out the hairs that stand out from the rest. Do this several times until individual hairs do not rise.

The process should be repeated at regular intervals, each time removing the longer hairs. This pattern will continue with the new growth. Keeping the dog in this sort of coat requires regular effort.

The head must be trimmed to give the impression of strength and quality. Ears should be closely clipped inside and out. Tufts between the ears and some in front of the ears should be left. The purpose of the ear tufts adds interest and character, giving an optical illusion of the width of the skull and helps make the ears appear smaller.

Be careful not to leave too much. If too much is left in front of the ears this can shorten the length of the skull and look untidy. Hair around the edges of the ear should be trimmed back to the leather.

Eyebrows should be graduated with the hair left longer on the inner parts, gradually tapering shorter to the outer corner of the eyes.

When trimming the neck, attention should be given to the build of the dog. If he is thick set, then trimming closely is preferred, but if his neck is long and narrow, more hair should be left. Stripping should blend the line down from the neck, which meets the clipped areas on the throat, and this can be successfully done with thinning scissors and a stripping knife.

Forelegs should look thick and straight and the lines should continue in a straight line from the neck. Too much hair left on the outside of the front legs may fly away in all directions and appear to give the illusion of incorrect movement.

The feet should be trimmed around and all excess hair removed, particularly any overhanging the pad. The hind legs should be trimmed similar to the front feet.

The hair on the body should blend with the furnishings. Considerable skill is needed for blending of the shorter hair into the longer and this must be done to eliminate lines or ridges.

The ideal shape of the tail is an inverted carrot, thick at the root and tapering to a point. The use of a stripping knife, thinning scissors and scissors on the tail should be used to help you shape it.

The area around the vent (anus) should be kept clean and free of hair.

The ideal method of trimming your Scottish Terrier is by trial and error and observation. Having a photo handy of what you consider to be a well-presented dog and trying to achieve this, is a good beginning. Now, begin shaping and continually compare your methods with others. Much pleasure and satisfaction can be gained when you see your finished product!

Your nearest Scottie Club will be more than happy to put you in contact with your nearest Scottish Terrier exhibitor who is experienced in the grooming process. Always remember that the coat differs between a show scottie and a pet scottie."

Responsible breeders are concerned with the betterment of the breed and breeding healthier dogs with the appropriate temperament for the breed.

ALWAYS buy your puppy from a reputable breeder

A responsible breeder also makes sure that every single Scottie goes to an owner who will provide it with the same love and devotion for life that the breeder has provided for the first twelve weeks.