So far as specialist Clubs are concerned, the Scottish Terrier is well provided, there being no less than four - the Scottish Terrier Club (England), founded in 1887; the Scottish Terrier Club (Scotland), founded a year later; the Northern Scottish Terrier Club, and the London Scottish Terrier Club, both founded in 1902.

Below is given the description of the Scottish Terrier as drawn up by the Scottish Terrier Club (England): -

Skull

Proportionately long, slightly domed, and covered with short, hard hair, about fin. long, or less. It should not be quite flat, as there should be a sort of stop, or drop, between the eyes.

Muzzle

Very powerful, and gradually tapering towards the nose, which should always be black, and of a good size. The jaw should be perfectly level, and the teeth square, though the nose projects somewhat over the mouth, which gives the impression of the upper jaw being longer than the lower one.

Eyes

A dark brown or hazel colour ; small, piercing, very bright, and rather sunken.

Ears

Very small, prick or half-prick (the former is preferable), but never drop. They should also be sharp-pointed, and the hair on them should not be long, but velvety, and they should not be cut. The ears should be free from any fringe at the top.

Neck

Short, thick, and muscular ; strongly set on sloping shoulders.

Chest

Broad in comparison to the size of the dog, and proportionately deep.

Body

Of moderate length, but not so long as a Skye's, and rather flat-sided ; well ribbed up, and exceedingly strong in hindquarters.

Legs And Feet

Both fore and hind legs should be short, and very heavy in bone, the former being straight, and well set on under the body, as the Scotch Terrier should not be "out at elbows." The hocks should be bent, and the thighs very muscular; and the feet strong, small, and thickly covered with short hair, the fore feet being larger than the hind ones.

The Tail which is never cut, should be about 7in. long, carried with a slight bend, and often gaily.

The Coat should be rather short (about 2in.), intensely hard and wiry in texture, and very dense all over the body.

Size

From 15 1b. to 20 lb. ; the best weight being as near as possible about 18 1b. for dogs and 16 1b. for bitches, when in condition for work.

Colours

Steel or iron-grey, black-brindle, grey-brindle, black, sandy, and wheaten. White markings are objectionable, and can only be allowed on the chest and to a small exent.

General Appearance

The face should wear a very sharp, bright, and active expression, and the head should be carried up. The dog (owing to the shortness of his coat) should appear to be higher on the leg than he really is ; but, at the same time, he should look compact, and possessed of great muscle in his hindquarters. In fact, a Scotch Terrier, though essentially a Terrier, cannot be too powerfully put together, and should be from 9m. to I2in. in height.

Special Faults

Muzzle

Either under- or over-hung.

Eyes

Large or light-coloured.

Ears

Large, round at the points, or drop. It is also a fault if they are too heavily covered with hair.

Legs

Bent, or slightly bent at elbows.

Coat

Any silkiness, wave, or tendency to curl is a serious blemish, as is also an open coat.

Size

Specimens over 20lb. should not be encouraged.

Scale Of Points

Skull...... ...

Muzzle ..............

7i

Eyes ..

5

Ears ..

5

Neck ...........

5

Chest ............

5

Body..

15

Legs and Feet..

10

Tail . .

Coat ..

15

Size ..

10

Colour ...........

General Appearance ...........

10

Total ..

100