Scottish Terriers remain popular with members of the London Scottie Club. But they are out of favour again with the general public, according to the latest Kennel Club of Great Britain survey of breeds.
While other breeds have seen huge drops in puppy registrations in 2023 – Pug, English Bulldog, French Bulldog, Chihuahua, and Belgian Shepherd – the Scotties only needed a dip to hit the newspaper headlines again. That is because Scotties have recently been the subject of a precarious balancing act which has seen them “on”, “off” and now again “on” the KC endangered species list.
Keep calm and carry on! We need to see this in context.
The pandemic lockdown was a huge boost to many breeds, especially smaller dogs like Scotties that at-home workers could keep in confined apartments and blissfully think would go on forever. During lockdown there was also a surge of breeding to meet that new wave of demand and the price of a Scottie puppy jumped from around 1,500 pounds to 3,500 pounds. This only encouraged even more breeding. It helped take Scotties off the endangered list.
The Times coverage of Scotties plight, 25 February 2024
With employers increasingly demanding staff return to the Victorian era values of working from a workplace rather than embracing new digital approaches to the life-work balance there have been two major swings in 2023.
Firstly, the cost of Scottie puppies has fallen to around 1,500 pounds again. Secondly, the number of Scotties which our friends at charity STECS must rehome every year, has jumped to around 100 from a low point of 50 just two years ago.
This has turned off breeders’ get-rich-quick business strategy.
But it has also forced us to rethink how we approach the Scotties’ population. With the emphasis on neutering young dogs – regardless of any impending medical reason – we are helping to keep Scotties on the extinction list. Sobering thought.
There are other factors which may also be discouraging puppy-buying and encouraging puppy-rehoming. The rampant rise in the cost of living. UK inflation is slowing, but that is cold comfort to households who still see elevated food and energy bills. Pet food prices and vet bills are also higher than during the pandemic and insurance premiums catch up when vet bills rise. So pet owners are poorer.
Some of these topics – food, grooming and insurance – were the centre of discussion in the latest London Scottie Radio podcast in which STECS Welfare Officer Cath Marchbank took part in February. Cath provided useful budget-saving tips to listeners. You can hear the podcast here.
I’m a Sunday Times subscriber and read the article over breakfast, a disappointing start to the day! Where we walk Ted, Scotties have never been more prevalent – he regularly sees two other breed buddies and they receive heaps of compliments from other dog owners. Let’s keep our spirits up and keep the faith – Scotties have plenty of fight in them yet!!
Scotties are full of personality and that is why when you have own one is difficult not to have another one. Their character, love and loyalty are beyond anything.
They are truly part of the family and will act like it. Now, that new people need to pass the Scottie inspection and test … that is for sure ! ☺️
Should also bear in mind that the KC registration figure isn’t necessarily very accurate – not all dogs are registered
There is now an alternative to the Kennel Cub. Established in 2012 the Pedigree Club has over 50,000 dogs registered with them. Many people have become dis satisfied with the Kennel Club because of the controversy around the breed standards contributing to poor health . Also the rise in the number of breeds such as the many ‘doodles’ that are now very common have all contributed to the number of Scottie’s not being registered with the kennel club
I think Scotties are more expensive when it comes to grooming and cuts and take more time to groom they are also characters when it comes to nature and may have an independent streak which is not everyones liking and they are hard going when they are puppies
….but we love our independant girl and love Scotties and we have a 3 half year old grandaughter who loves our Scottie Bonni and she loves Ava we just watch that play is supervised due to the teeth….but we have spent a fortune in cuts and its more expensive than our own hair cut but we love Bonni too much to let her go but I could imagine that would be something people should consider before buying a puppy how much in time and money it will cost them over a life time .
Scotties are not just handsome dogs. They burst with character, have an independent spirit yet are fiercely loyal and companionable. They’ll defend your home with a bark that belies their smaller stature and cuddle up to you when you need some canine love. As we’ve discovered since joining the London Scottie Club, they are super happy in a pack with other Scotties – but seem content on their own with their owners. They are great with kids – less good with cats and guinea pigs!