Are Scottish Terriers Good With Kids?

It is an age-old question that comes up ever so often and something I've often wondered myself: are Scottish Terriers good with kids? With their stubborn character and strong-willed nature, you'd think the answer would be a certain "no" - and that's been the word on the street (and nowadays, the Internet). I'm not convinced the answer is quite so black-and-white. There a number of variables that determine whether Scottish Terriers will be good with kids and having watched my Scottie crew interact with children for the first time over the last year, my experience confirms it.

Mr. K and my niece (future Scottie Mom, for sure!)
First, it is important to know not all Scotties are alike. So, what works for my Scottie crew may not work for yours. If you have experience with Scottish Terriers and children, I welcome you to contribute to the conversation by leaving a comment below. My goal in sharing these experiences is to help current, future and potential Scottie Moms and Dads make an informed decision when considering to expand the family - whether they are wanting to introduce a fur or human child. 

I wondered for years how my Scottish Terriers would react to young children and it wasn't until my niece (and future Scottie Mom!) arrived that I got to see how very differently each interacted with her. Heather immediately took to her as if the child were her own. Mr. K kept his distance with a watchful eye before fully accepting this newbie into his circle. Nibbles and Pudley are still figuring it out, mostly going about their own way and only paying attention to her when she lets out a loud squeal - to which they respond with coordinated head tilts that only make my niece laugh more.

Psst...check out fashions of a future Scottie Mom here!


Heather, by far, was the most tolerant of the Scottie crew with my niece. She let my niece pull on her beard on several occasions (while we immediately set to work to loosen her grip on the hairs). Heather responded to my niece bopping her on the bottom by turning around and walking back to her with a smile looking to nuzzle her head against my niece's tummy. Mr. K also has let other children bop him on the head without issue but I know his tolerance would wear thin after repeated offenses. The key is knowing your Scottie and their limits. It is equally important to know the child and to make sure you're fostering a culture of mutual respect.

With my niece and her family living four hours away, the Scottie crew only sees her once per month. This slower than usual period of integration may prove especially helpful for Nibbles and Pudley who are still learning to be comfortable around adults visiting the Scottie House. Each time we visit, Mr. K appears more comfortable around this tiny human. He even rolled over for belly rubs and allowed her to hold his toy. Though their bond isn't as strong as what my niece and Heather had, I'm confident there is a budding relationship there. All they need is a little patience and to take baby steps.


I'm also a firm believer that our beloved Scotties adopt to the environment around them. If you're overly anxious or nervous about the Scottie dog being around a child, the Scottish Terrier will be, too. However, if you've eased them into the experience of being around a child and feel cautiously optimistic that all will go well then they, too, will feel good about the situation and will exercise that same caution around tiny humans. Now, it is your turn to share your experience with Scottie dogs and children. Would you say that Scottish Terriers are good with kids?

12 comments:

  1. Our scotties are not around kids much and tend to just look at them, or move behind me. However, when a baby suddently came close and kissed Macdui on the nose--three times, he just looked surprised. I have had scotties who would put up with kids, but didn't really like them.

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  2. My Scottie grew up around younger children and teenagers. He likes kids and is facinated with strollers (I think he wonders why he isn't allowed to be strolled around). He plays well with children, too, even in his old age of 11. My 8 year old cousin loves playing tug and chase with him. My Scottie play well, but doesn't lunge toward the toy like he does with the adults.

    Overall, it depends on the scottie, desensitizing them to unpredictable children and ensuring children know to treat dogs with respect will lead to a happy, healthy scottie child relationship

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  3. My Edgar does pretty well with my niece and nephew. He has had a few minor snaps to warn that he's had enough when they ignored his other signs, but is overall very tolerant, even letting my niece dress him up.

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  4. We adopted Coal after a family surrendered him. He came from a home with small children and he immediately became watch dog over my infant and toddler grandnieces. The toddler would walk and grad his hair to steady herself, and he just turned his head and smiled. Yes, or course everyone's Scotties are different but mine loves kids.

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  5. Both of ours love kids. We have a Wheaton male and a black female. They are litter mates. The breeder had young children and they can't wait to see children of all ages when they here one close by.

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  6. I had a Scottie as a little girl (named Scottie because 3 year olds are very creative). He not only put up with me but with the three other babies that followed me. Honestly, I can not ever remember a gentler, kinder soul.

    The only time he ever so much as growled at a child was when a neighbor child was pulling on his ears. He wasn't trying to be mean, he was just trying to say "OW! That HURTS!!"

    Otherwise he put up with us with the patients of a saint. Everything from me trying to ride him to my little sister pushing him away and eating his food. We never got so much as a snarl from him.

    Rest in peace, my beloved minion.

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  7. I was a little concerned when I found out I was pregnant of how Knox would deal with this new human in the house. It turns out Knox loves Liam more than anything and these two have so much fun together. Liam is now 16 months old, btw.
    I would advise just to keep an eye on your scotties to see how they behave around the baby. Now I can say I'm pretty comfortable with these two interacting.

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  8. My 2nd scottie Abby came to us at 12 weeks and "grew up" in the day card I ran at the time. She was great with all ages. My 3rd scottie, Lindsey, is a retired show dog, not around children at all. She has been perfect with my 3, 3 year old grandkids. Never a nip. I think you've just got to know your dog

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  9. I was really worried with mine because she was skittish around adults and doesn't like to do things kids enjoy doing with dogs (like chasing balls or playing with toys), but man was I wrong. I have a now 3yr old niece who has been around the pup since she came home from the hospital and the 2 had an instant bond. The tail wags start when we pull into the neighborhood and don't stop till we leave the house.

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  10. I agree on depending on the dog. We've had our scottie Sara ever since my nephew Noah was a baby, and she has been an absolute saint. Like, he could grab her by the beard and she wouldn't make a peep! It's been the same with Noahs little brother Oliver. He may get grabby, but Sara just takes it like a champ.

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  11. I have had 4 Scotties, 2 of them rescues. All have loved my grandchildren, and other nieces and nephews and their children. I have always supervised so when the children would put their faces near the Scottie's face, I would make sure the Scottie was comfortable or I removed the dog. Never had a problem.

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  12. I have bred Scottish Terriers for 28 years. I talk with each new Scottie parents or family and explain the need to socialize their puppy. Most important is if they don't have children to be sure 2 have their puppy exposed to and interacting with kids. It will pay off from now on for just a little trouble. I agree with Lynn Wray that all small children should be taught not to put their face up to a dog's face. I tried to get across that if both puppy and child are taught to respect each other that love will follow..I have never seen a Scottie raised with kids that doesn't like kids. When bringing a new baby into the home read up on info from someone you respect on how to help your Scott accept the new family member. Your breeder should be a great source of information for the life of your Scottie . God bless you folks who rescue these sweethearts. The breeders should be ashamed for not taking these Scotties and finding them new homes!

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