Editing Scottish Terrier (section)

== Temperament ==
Scotties are territorial, alert, quick moving and feisty, perhaps even more so than other terrier breeds. The breed is known to be independent and self-assured, playful, intelligent, and has been nicknamed the 'Diehard' because of its rugged nature and endless determination.<ref name="Temperament">{{cite web |url=http://www.dog-breed-facts.com/Breeds/scottish-terrier.html |title=Scottish Terrier |publisher=Dog-Breed-Facts.com |access-date=2008-08-13}}</ref> The "Diehard" nickname was originally given to it in the 18th century by [[George Douglas, 1st Earl of Dumbarton|George, the first Earl of Dumbarton]].<ref name="mactavish">{{cite web |title=History of the Scottish Terrier |url=http://www.mactavishscotties.ca/scotties/history.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080501093737/http://www.mactavishscotties.ca/scotties/history.html |archive-date=2008-05-01 |access-date=2008-08-13 |publisher=MacTavish Scotties}}</ref> The Earl had a famous pack of Scottish Terriers, so brave that they were named "Diehards". They were supposed to have inspired the name of his Regiment, [[The Royal Scots]], "Dumbarton's Diehards".<ref name="mactavish"/>

Scotties, while being described as very loving, have also been described as stubborn.<ref name="Terrier Dog Breeds">{{cite web |url=http://www.buzzle.com/articles/terriers-dog-breeds/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20150217085110/http://www.buzzle.com/articles/terriers-dog-breeds/ |url-status=usurped |archive-date=2015-02-17 |title=Terrier Dog Breeds |publisher=Buzzle.com |access-date=2015-02-17}}</ref> They are sometimes described as an aloof breed, although it has been noted that they tend to be very loyal to their family and are known to attach themselves to one or two people.<ref name="canismajor">{{cite web |url=http://www.canismajor.com/dog/scottie.html |title=The Scottish Terrier |publisher=Dog Owner's Guide |access-date=2009-08-14}}</ref>
[[File:ScottishTerrierShortCoat.jpg|alt=A black Scottish Terrier with breed-specific eyebrows and beard, but without the breed-specific skirt. The dog has a short body coat and has dirt on its face from digging in the dirt below it. The dog's mouth is open.|thumb|A Scottish Terrier can be groomed to trim off the breed-specific skirt.]]
It has been suggested that the Scottish Terrier can make a good watchdog due to its tendency to bark only when necessary and because it is typically reserved with strangers, although this is not always the case.<ref name="Temperament"/> They have been described as a fearless breed that may be aggressive around other dogs unless introduced at an early age.<ref name="barkbytes">{{cite web |url=http://www.barkbytes.com/profile/sctter.htm |title=Profile of the Scottish Terrier |author=Jones, Jewel R. |publisher=BarkBytes |access-date=2008-08-13}}</ref> Scottish Terriers were originally bred to hunt and fight [[Eurasian badger]]s. Therefore, the Scottie is prone to dig as well as chase small [[mammals]], such as [[squirrel]]s, [[rat]]s, and [[mice]].<ref name="barkbytes"/> Keeping cats, rabbits, ferrets, and other small [[Domesticated]] animals in the home with a Scottish terrier is not advisable due to the fact that this dog breed was specifically bred to hunt small mammals, as mentioned above. Scottish Terriers are also not recommended to cohabitate with small children or children who are inexperienced with dogs.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Scottish Terrier|url=https://www.orvis.com/scottish-terrier|access-date=2021-09-19|website=www.orvis.com|language=en}}</ref>