Scottish Terrier Club of California

The SCOTTISH TERRIER CLUB OF CALIFORNIA thanks you for inquiring about our favorite breed. We want you to purchase a healthy, well-bred Scottie puppy with a fine disposition. We also want to be sure that you receive full value for the price you pay.

Scottie pups are sometimes available from other sources, but your best assurance of satisfaction is to buy your puppy from a reputable breeder.

THE REASONS BEING:

1. It is important that you see under what conditions the puppy was raised, and that it is healthy and has been reared in a sanitary, parasite- free environment.

2. You want to be sure that your puppy has had its necessary shots against distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus and leptospirosis, that it has been wormed, if need, and that it has been tested for VWD (Von Willebrand's Disease). These safeguards will keep your veterinary costs to a minimum.

3. When you buy from a reputable breeder, you can usually see some of the puppy's relatives and know that when your pup reaches maturity, it will look and behave like a true representative of the breed.

4. Most breeders supply a feeding schedule for your guidance and will be on hand throughout your Scottie's long life to assist you with any problems that may arise.

A good breeder will only sell his or her puppies to good homes, never to wholesale or retail outlets. Also, breeders understand that all pedigreed Scotties are not breeding stock, and will explain to you the benefits of spaying or neutering.

Pet shops sell puppies to anyone with money, even if the buyer would be better suited to a different dog. They generally buy in litter lots from breeders whose only goal is to breed more puppies. Such puppies are seldom, if ever, tested or screened for genetic disorders. This can result in "surprise" health problems later in life. And often they sell puppies shipped immediately after weaning (3 to 5 weeks), which have not been properly socialized.

A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE STCC:

The club, originally known as the Scottish Terrier Club of the West, was founded in 1927 by a group of diehard fanciers in Los Angeles, to promote an interest in the breed on the West Coast. In July 1931 the Club joined with a group known as the Scottish Terrier Dinner Clan and, with the blessings of the American Kennel Club, formed what is now known as the Scottish Terrier Club of California. It then became the first regional club of the Scottish Terrier Club of America, the parent organization of the breed, founded in 1900.

Mr. Bryce Gillespie became the guiding force behind the future growth and success of this club near the end of 1931. Like many organizations, it had its growing pains, but dedication to the Scottish Terrier and to the betterment of the breed has always been the most important goal of its supporters.

The Club's many activities are reflective of its dedication to the Scottish Terrier. Among these is the newsletter which has been published since 1950 in an effort to keep the membership apprised of the ongoing activities of the Club.

Another activity of special merit is the Scottie Rescue. Formed in 1973 in memory of Dorissa Barnes, who presented the idea to the Club, it was originally organized and managed by Florence Wolman until her death in 1983. Since then, the Club has kept up the management of the Rescue.

The Rescue's purpose is to give homeless or abandoned Scotties care, love and attention until new homes can be found. Until this is accomplished, all medical expenses, board and keep are paid for out of the Scottie Rescue Fund.

Each year the Scottish Terrier Club of California holds two (2) AKC-sanctioned puppy matches, one in the spring and one in the fall. These matches give young dogs (and sometimes novice exhibitors) a change to "get their feet wet" before they try to compete in the show ring.

An annual Specialty show is held each year around the third weekend in June in conjunction with the Great Western Terrier Association show. This is the highlight of the year, with many Scotties from all over the country. The Specialty show is followed by our annual awards banquet.

Monthly meetings are held on the first Friday of each month at 8:00 p.m. You can call or write the Club's secretary for the date and place of the next meeting. Guests are welcome at these meetings.

During the year, the Club also offers a variety of educational opportunities, including grooming seminars (for both show and pet grooming), as well as speakers at the meetings. This information, along with information regarding the Specialty show and puppy matches is published bi-monthly in the STCC Bulletin, which is available to non-members. For subscription information, or to find out the name and number of a STCC member in your area, contact the STCC Corresponding Secretary.

If you know of a Scottie in need of a new family, or a family who would like to adopt a Rescue Scottie, please contact the Club Rescue Coordinator.

All donations to help needy scotties are deeply appreciated. Make checks payable to STCC.

A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE SCOTTISH TERRIER:

The Scottish Terrier, or "Scottie" as they are commonly called, are first and foremost a terrier. They typify "power in a small package" and are on of the more aggressive breeds in this group as exemplified by their true and complete terrier qualities. They are classified as one of the short-legged terrier breeds. Their hardcoated and thick-set body is hung between short, heavy legs with a head that is proportionately long. Such characteristics, joined with their very keen, piercing expression and their erect ears and tail, are salient features of the breed.

John H. Naylor ogo had the honor of introducing the breed to America and the show ring when he imported Scotties, Tam Glan and Bonnie Belle, in the early 1880's. There were no separate classebreed at that time, so from 1883 to 1885 there were shown in what was called the Rough-Haired Terrier class. History records that the first regular class for Scotties was held in 1890 and the first American Champion was Tiree, imported by the Wankie Kennels, who completed his title in 1898 at the age of nine.

The popularity of the breed grew in the early 1900's after a somewhat shaky start. Dr. F.C. Weing, destined to become known as the Dean of the Scottish Terrier, took on the task of popularizing the breed by importing the best stock available, insisting on separate show classes and writing a monthly column about his beloved breed in Popular Dogs Magazine. When a three-year- old champion named Tickle 'Em Jock won the coveted Best in Show at Westminster in 1911 the breed really took off and has remained popular to this day.

Until the early 1940's the destiny of the breed rested with a number of breeders with large show kennels located mostly in the East and Midwest. It was an expensive hobby for those who could afford to import top dogs from England and, if necessary, send their bitches halfway across the country for breeding.

Imports have had a significant role in making modern Scotties what they are today. The Scottish Terrier today is in the capable hands of breeders with much smaller kennels, as the large kennels no longer exist. Raising and showing Scotties today is a family project, not one relegated to the kennelman. Regional clubs are now found in all parts of the country, including the state of Hawaii. With air travel shortening the distance between East and West coasts, bitches can be shipped to top studs anywhere in the country in a relatively short time. Thus, the best can easily be bred to the best to produce the best.