Scotland has given the world whisky, bagpipes, deep-fried Mars bars, Irn Bru, amongst other things. But perhaps one of the greatest gifts from this wild and windswept land is its magnificent dogs. Aye, the Scots know a thing or two about breeding a fine hound. I studied in Aberdeen University and am still a regular visitor to other parts of this beautiful country. I love Scotland. A few years ago, we brought our Westie, Juno, to the highlands, and the number of people we met who just wanted to talk to the dog was amazing.
What Are the Native Scottish Dog Breeds?
They include some well-known tiny terriers, of course, but also some dogs which you may be surprised to find originated in Scotland. Right then, deep breath, here they are:
- Golden Retriever
- West Highland Terrier
- Shetland Sheepdog
- Scottish Terrier
- Cairn Terrier
- Border Terrier
- Gordon Setter
- Rough Collie
- Smooth Collie
- Scottish Deerhound
- Bearded Collie
- Dandy Dinmont
- Skye Terrier
- Bloodhound (sort of)
The Golden Retriever: Scotland’s Beloved Family Dog
Stop the lights – the Golden Retriever is Scottish? Indeed, it is! This beloved family favourite was created at Guisachan Estate near Inverness by a man named Dudley Coutts Marjoribanks, later known as Lord Tweedmouth.
In 1868, Lord Tweedmouth bred a yellow Wavy-Coated Retriever called Nous with a Tweed Water Spaniel named Belle, producing a litter of golden puppies that would become the foundation of the entire breed. He wanted a dog that could handle the harsh Scottish climate while retrieving game from both land and water – and its fair to say, he succeeded.
Today, Golden Retrievers are one of the most popular breeds on the planet. They’re intelligent, gentle, eager to please, and absolutely mad for water. They make wonderful family pets and excel at everything from guide dog work to search and rescue.
West Highland White Terrier: Scotland’s Iconic White Dog
Ah, the Westie! That bright white coat and those cheeky dark eyes have made this breed one of the most popular terriers in the world. I was lucky enough to have a Westie called Juno and she was the light of our lives.
The story goes that Colonel Edward Donald Malcolm, the 16th Laird of Poltalloch in Argyllshire, accidentally shot one of his favourite terriers after mistaking it for a fox as it emerged from the undergrowth. Heartbroken, he vowed to breed only white terriers from then on – dogs you could never confuse with quarry. Thus, the Poltalloch Terrier was born, eventually becoming the West Highland White Terrier we know and love today.
Westies are confident, spirited, and absolutely convinced they’re much bigger than they actually are. They’re sociable, loyal, and entertaining companions, though they do have that classic terrier stubbornness that requires patient training. Their white coats look stunning but do need regular grooming to keep them looking their best.
Buy the West Highland Terrier Appreciation Society Art Print
Shetland Sheepdog: The Smart Scottish Herding Dog
The “Sheltie” comes from the remote Shetland Islands, where it was developed to herd the smaller sheep that thrive in that harsh environment. They look like miniature Rough Collies, but they’re a distinct breed with their own unique personality.
Shelties are incredibly intelligent – often ranked among the smartest breeds – and they’re agile, eager to please, and wonderfully loyal. They excel at obedience and agility competitions, where their quick minds and nimble feet give them a real advantage.
These sensitive dogs form strong bonds with their families and can be reserved with strangers. They’re vocal too – Shelties like to bark, whether to alert you to visitors, express excitement, or simply because they’ve got something to say. If you want a quiet life, this might not be your breed. But if you want a devoted, intelligent companion who’ll keep you entertained, a Sheltie could be just the ticket.
Buy the Shetland Sheepdog Appreciation Society Art Print
Shop all of our art gifts for Shetland Sheepdog lovers here.
Scottie Dog: Scotland’s Bearded National Icon
The Scottish Terrier – originally called the Aberdeen Terrier – is perhaps the most iconic of all Scottish breeds. With their distinctive silhouette, beard, and eyebrows, they’re instantly recognisable. These compact, sturdy terriers were bred to hunt foxes, badgers, and vermin, and they’re tough as old boots despite their relatively small size.
Scotties earned the nickname “diehard” for their tenacious spirit. They’re loyal to their families but can be wary of strangers – proper little guardians of the home. They’re also independently minded, which is a polite way of saying they’ll do things in their own sweet time, thank you very much.
These dogs have been beloved by presidents, royalty, and film stars alike. They’re alert, quick, and have a dignified bearing that suggests they know exactly how important they are. A Scottie won’t beg for your attention – they’ll simply expect it as a given.
Buy the Scottish Terrier Appreciation Society Art Print
Shop all of our art gifts for Shetland Sheepdog lovers here.
The Cairn Terrier: Toto’s Real-Life Scottish Heritage
One of the oldest terrier breeds going, the Cairn Terrier earned its name doing exactly what it sounds like – chasing prey between the cairns (those piles of stones you see dotting the Scottish Highlands). These compact little dynamo dogs were essential working dogs for Highland farmers dealing with vermin.
And who is the most famous Cairn of all time? That would be Toto from The Wizard of Oz. I suspect the Cairns of Scotland were less interested in yellow brick roads and more focused on chasing furry things down holes.
Cairns are active, alert, and absolutely fearless for their size. They’ve got that classic terrier fire in their belly and make excellent watchdogs who’ll alert you to anything and everything.
Border Terrier: The Hardy Scottish-English Working Dog
From the rugged borderlands between Scotland and England comes this plucky little character with an adorable “otter head” and legs that seem too long for a terrier. Border Terriers were bred to keep up with horses on the hunt while being small enough to flush foxes from their dens.
These “wee warriors” have a double coat – wiry on the outside, soft underneath that keeps them warm and waterproof. They’re spirited dogs with that classic terrier stubbornness, but they respond brilliantly to mental stimulation and training.
Border Terriers are affectionate, good-tempered, and make lovely family pets. They’ve a fair bit of energy to burn, though, so they’ll keep you on your toes. And yes, they will absolutely try to chase anything small and furry.
Gordon Setter: Scotland’s Largest Gundog Breed
The largest and most substantial of the setter breeds, the Gordon Setter is a handsome devil with a striking black and tan coat. Developed in Scotland for hunting game birds, these dogs were refined at Gordon Castle by the fourth Duke of Gordon in the late 18th century. (Hence the name).
Gordons are built for endurance over speed – they’ll work all day in the field without complaint. They’re intelligent, loyal, and absolutely devoted to their families. They’ve got energy to burn and need plenty of exercise and mental stimulation to stay happy.
These setters can be a wee bit stubborn at times (a very Scottish trait, some might say), but they respond beautifully to patient, consistent training. With their elegant appearance and affectionate nature, they make wonderful companions for active households who appreciate a dog with both brains and beauty.
Rough Collie: Lassie’s Scottish Sheepdog Heritage
Ah, Lassie! The Rough Collie is probably the most recognisable Scottish dog breed, thanks to a certain heroic telly dog who could apparently summon the emergency services with a single bark.
These magnificent animals originated as working sheepdogs in the Scottish Highlands, where their thick, weather-resistant coats protected them from the elements. They were humble farm dogs until Queen Victoria discovered them during a visit to Balmoral Castle and fell completely in love. She brought Collies back to her kennels, and suddenly everyone wanted one.
The breed’s popularity exploded again with the Lassie films and TV series, and it’s easy to see why. Rough Collies are intelligent, gentle, loyal, and absolutely gorgeous. They’re sensitive souls who respond to love rather than harsh discipline, and they adore being part of family life. Despite that glorious coat, they’re surprisingly easy to maintain with regular brushing.
Smooth Collie: Scotland’s Rare Short-Haired Herding Dog
The Smooth Collie is essentially the Rough Collie’s short-haired sibling. They share the same ancestry, temperament, and intelligence – just with a coat that’s far easier to maintain. While the Rough Collie herded sheep in the Scottish Highlands, the Smooth Collie excelled at driving cattle in the lowlands of Northern England.
These dogs have all the wonderful qualities of the Rough Collie – the loyalty, the gentleness, the keen intelligence – wrapped in a more practical package for those who’d rather not spend their weekends brushing out tangles. They’re affectionate, responsive to training, and make excellent family companions.
Sadly, the Smooth Collie is now a vulnerable breed with worryingly low registration numbers. If you love the Collie personality but want a lower-maintenance coat, please consider this wonderful breed. They deserve far more recognition than they currently receive. One of our neighbours has four of these gorgeous dogs, and they are a much-loved part of the family.
The Scottish Deerhound: The Ancient Highland Sighthound
If ever a dog looked like it stepped out of a medieval tapestry, it’s the Scottish Deerhound. These gentle giants are one of the oldest breeds in existence, with ancestors depicted on Roman pottery from the 1st century hunting Red Deer.
Built for speed and endurance, Deerhounds were the prized companions of Scottish clan chiefs, used to hunt deer that could weigh up to 400 pounds. At one time, no one below the rank of Earl was permitted to own one – they were literally dogs of nobility.
Despite their imposing size, Deerhounds are surprisingly calm and dignified indoors. They’re gentle, friendly, and make wonderful companions for families with older children. Just be warned – they’ve still got that prey drive, so walks should be in secure areas unless you fancy watching your dog disappear over the horizon after a rabbit.
Buy the Scottish Deerhound Appreciation Society Art Print
Shop all of our art gifts for Scottish Deerhound lovers here.
Bearded Collie: The Bouncing Scottish Sheepdog
The “Beardie” is a shaggy bundle of joy that hails from the Scottish Highlands, where it spent centuries herding cattle and driving livestock to market in all manner of foul weather. These hardy souls worked long hours across terrain that would make a mountain goat think twice.
While some believed them to be an ancient breed from before the Roman conquest, it’s now thought that Bearded Collies descended from Central European dogs brought to Scotland in the 1500s. Either way, they’ve been part of Scottish life for a long, long time.
Known for their famous “Beardie bounce” and seemingly endless enthusiasm, these dogs are energetic, playful, and incredibly intelligent. Just be prepared for regular grooming sessions unless you fancy your dog looking like a walking haystack. They’re wonderful family dogs for those who can match their high energy levels – think less “Netflix and chill” and more “let’s climb that hill in horizontal rain.”
Dandie Dinmont: Scotland’s Rarest Terrier Breed
Here’s a dog with a story like no other – the Dandie Dinmont is the only breed in the world named after a fictional character. When Sir Walter Scott published his novel “Guy Mannering” in 1815, he included a farmer called Dandie Dinmont who kept a pack of “Pepper and Mustard” terriers.
Scott was so enamoured with these terriers that he acquired two of his own, named Ginger and Spice. The breed descends from the rough terriers of the Scottish Borders, where gypsies and tinkers had been breeding them since the early 1700s. With their long bodies, short legs, and magnificent topknot of silky hair, they look like nothing else in the dog world.
Sadly, the Dandie is now on the Kennel Club’s Vulnerable Native Breeds list – sometimes called “Scotland’s Forgotten Breed.” This gentle, affectionate terrier deserves far more attention. They’re calmer than most terriers, get along well with children and even cats, and have a bark that sounds like it belongs to a much larger dog. Here’s hoping these wee gems make a proper comeback.
Skye Terrier: Greyfriars Bobby’s Loyal Scottish Breed
From the misty Isle of Skye in Scotland’s Inner Hebrides comes this elegant, long-bodied terrier with the most magnificent ears you ever did see. Skye Terriers were bred to hunt foxes, badgers, and otters, pursuing them into their dens without hesitation.
The breed’s most famous representative is undoubtedly Greyfriars Bobby, the little dog who, according to the legend, spent years guarding his owner’s grave in Edinburgh. There’s a statue of Bobby near Greyfriars Kirkyard that’s become one of the city’s most beloved landmarks.
Sadly, the Skye Terrier is now one of the most endangered native British breeds. Queen Victoria adored them, and they were once the toast of high society, but their numbers have dwindled dramatically. These loyal, dignified dogs deserve to be celebrated and preserved for future generations.
The Bloodhound: Scotland’s Medieval Tracking Dog
Now here’s a surprise for many – the Bloodhound has strong Scottish roots! Known as the “sleuth-hound” in Scotland, these magnificent sniffers were used to track down cattle thieves and border raiders in medieval times. Imagine being on the run with one of these lads on your scent – you wouldn’t get far.
While the breed’s exact origins are debated (with Belgium also claiming a stake), Bloodhounds were being bred in Scotland from around 1300. Their extraordinary sense of smell is legendary – these dogs could find a needle in a haystack, and probably tell you who dropped it there.
Despite their intimidating name, Bloodhounds are gentle giants with droopy faces that could melt the hardest heart. They’re patient, affectionate, and only slightly stubborn. Just don’t expect a quick walk – they’ll want to investigate every single smell along the way.
Why Scottish Dog Breeds Deserve Celebration
From the windswept Highlands to the remote islands, Scotland has produced some truly remarkable dogs. Whether it’s the gentle giant Deerhound, the clever Collie, or the feisty terriers that made their name hunting vermin between cairns, each breed reflects the landscape and people that created them.
Several of these breeds are now on vulnerable dog breed lists, with numbers dropping to worrying levels. If you’re thinking of adding a four-legged friend to your family, perhaps consider one of Scotland’s lesser-known treasures. The Dandie Dinmont, the Skye Terrier, and the Smooth Collie all need champions to ensure they stick around for future generations.
And whatever Scottish breed has captured your heart, why not celebrate them with one of our fun, contemporary Dog Appreciation Society art prints? Each one is a little love letter to these magnificent dogs – and a grand way to show your appreciation for Scotland’s finest exports (after whisky, obviously).
Sláinte to Scotland’s dogs!
The Kennel Club – Vulnerable Native Breeds
https://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/getting-a-dog/are-you-ready/vulnerable-native-breeds/
Friends of Guisachan – The Golden Retriever’s Ancestral Home
https://friendsofguisachan.org
