Dog Breeds Of The Scottish Highlands
One of the main distinguishing features of dog breeds from the Scottish Highlands is their small size, which makes them very adaptable to living in small city apartments.
The Scottish Highlands are known for movies like Braveheart , their meadows and forts, but … There are also dog breeds in the Scottish Highlands!
In this article we will introduce you to the dog breeds that arose in this magical and historical region.
What are the Scottish Highlands dog breeds?
Some are known worldwide, others can only be found in the area.
The truth is that the dogs of the Scottish Highlands share common origins and were used for activities similar to hunting.
Here are the breeds that originated in this region:
1. West Highland White Terrier
We’ll start with the most famous of the Highland dogs. They are also called “Westies” and have completely white fur.
Like the other terriers, this one is energetic, brave and barks a lot. It was created to hunt rabbits and birds, hence its light color (to distinguish it from gray or black prey).
The West Highland White Terrier (picture at the beginning of the article) is small: no more than 30 centimeters high and 10 kilos in weight. Its tail is “carrot-shaped” and measures about six inches. Its fur is long and disheveled, mainly on the face.
2. Deerhound
The Deerhound, is a very old hunting dog (appears in portraits of feudal lords). When it became the “fashion” to hunt deer with a shotgun, this breed of dogs almost died out.
However, breeders managed to get this aristocratic dog.
The Deerhound looks a bit weird, with the body of a greyhound of the same family and long limbs.
The chest is deep, with an arched back and a very long tail that becomes thin at the tip. In terms of temperament, he has mild manners, is ideal as a companion dog and is characterized by his loyalty and tenderness.
3. Cairn Terrier
Among the dogs of the Scottish Highlands, this breed is the oldest and many newer ones have emerged from it (among them the Westies).
He is a working dog that was used for hunting and catching prey in the caves between the mountains of the region. The word cairn means cave in Gällisch, where foxes and badgers live.
The Cairn Terrier is active, tough, cheerful, and makes a very good pet because it is easy to train. In addition, it adapts very well to any environment, be it houses or city apartments.
He loves digging holes in the ground, he doesn’t bark a lot and he can get bored if he’s alone for long hours.
4. Scottish Terrier
The Aberdeen Terrier, or “Scottie” as it is popularly known, is another breed of dog from the Scottish Highlands.
Its origins date back to the eighteenth century, but it was separated from the West Highland and Cairn Terriers in 1890 (until then the three races were considered one).
He is a natural digger of small size, but very resilient and quick due to his muscular body.
The fur of the Scottish terrier is tough and can be black, beige, or brindle. Its long snout and pointy ears are always straight, which goes hand in hand with its watchful nature.
5. Skye Terrier
The last breed of dogs of the Scottish Highlands was born on the Isle of Skye (hence the name). It was created after crossing the Highland Terriers with Maltese dogs, which survived a shipwreck in the sixteenth century.
It is an endangered breed that may be disappearing due to the low number of “pure” births in the UK.
This dog has a sturdy and elongated body. With a strong muzzle, erect ears, a long neck, and short but muscular limbs.
The fur is very noticeable due to its length and the fact that it almost completely covers its eyes.
The Scottish Highlands dog breeds make perfect city pets – except for the deerhound, which takes up more space. Due to their small size, they adapt quickly anywhere!
