Scottish Terrier
The Scottie — FDR's best friend, the Monopoly dog, and the breed with the highest bladder cancer rate of any dog. That unmistakable silhouette, that dignified beard, that independent spirit. Complete guide: the TCC (bladder cancer) risk that's 19× higher than other breeds, the mysterious "Scottie Cramp," and why this breed is called "the Diehard."
📋 Breed Overview
📑 TOC
🏴 History — The Presidential Terrier
The Scottish Terrier is one of Scotland's five terrier breeds, developed to hunt foxes, badgers, and vermin in the rocky Scottish Highlands. Their short legs, compact body, and fearless temperament allowed them to go to ground after prey in narrow burrows. They became global icons through Fala, President Franklin D. Roosevelt's beloved Scottie — Fala is immortalized in bronze at the FDR Memorial in Washington, DC. George W. Bush also owned two Scotties (Barney and Miss Beazley). The breed is nicknamed "the Diehard" for its tenacious, never-give-up character. Rank #57 AKC (2025).
⚠️ Bladder Cancer — 19× Higher Risk (TCC)
Scottish Terriers have the highest rate of transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) — bladder cancer — of any breed. They develop TCC at a rate 19× higher than mixed-breed dogs. This is the breed's #1 genetic health crisis. Symptoms: blood in urine, straining to urinate, frequent attempts with little output — easily mistaken for a UTI. Any Scottie with urinary symptoms needs an ultrasound or cystoscopy immediately — not "a round of antibiotics to see if it clears up."
Scotties also have elevated risk of gastric carcinoma (stomach cancer) and malignant melanoma. Research from Purdue University and the Scottish Terrier Club of America is investigating the genetic basis, but no screening test yet exists. Prevention: avoid lawn chemicals (herbicides/pesticides linked to TCC in Scotties), provide filtered water, and feed cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, Brussels sprouts — shown to reduce TCC risk in Scottie-specific research).
🧬 Scottie Cramp — The Mystery Condition
Scottie Cramp is a breed-specific inherited movement disorder. Affected dogs appear normal at rest but, when excited or exercised, develop a stiff, goose-stepping gait — sometimes the back legs lock and the dog tumbles over. It's NOT painful and does not progress — it's a neurotransmitter disorder, not a muscle disease. Most dogs live normal lives with stress management. It's inherited as an autosomal recessive trait — DNA test is not yet available.
⚕️ Other Health
- von Willebrand's Disease: DNA test available
- Craniomandibular Osteopathy: Jaw bone swelling in puppies — "Scottie Jaw"
- Patellar Luxation: Slipping kneecaps
- Cushing's Disease: Above-average rate