How to Groom a Scottie

The Scottish terrier's thick, wiry outer coating protects it from thorns, insects and moisture while the soft undercoat insulates it against the cold. Scotties are groomed to have a sturdy and distinct look: the head appears brick-shaped from the front and flat from a profile perspective. This look accentuates the dog's naturally muscular body while preventing tangling and matting in the thick fur. You can avoid paying top dollar at your local groomer by bathing, brushing and trimming your beloved Scottie at home.

Things You'll Need

  • Brush
  • Fine-toothed comb
  • Tear-free dog shampoo
  • Towel
  • Hair dryer
  • Small scissors
  • Dog clippers
  • blade
  • Pet nail clippers
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Instructions

    • 1

      Brush your Scottie's eyebrows and beard forward using slow, gentle passes. Work the beard thoroughly to remove any forming mats or dried food which may be stuck within the fur.

    • 2

      Begin at the crown of the Scottie's head and brush in the direction of the coat. Make numerous passes until you have brushed out the entire coat. Pay special attention to the elbows on the front legs, the tufts of hair behind the back legs and the tummy area, as these areas are susceptible to matting.

    • 3

      Use fine-toothed comb to remove dead hairs from the outer coat. Comb all areas of the body, including the eyebrows, beard and tail with the comb to encourage new hair growth.

    • 4

      Bathe your Scottie when necessary, like after a play session in the mud or a romp through the woods. Brush and comb before bathing. Work a small amount of shampoo into a rich lather all over the body, paying special attention to the tummy, legs and hind quarters. Rinse thoroughly and follow with a towel drying, and then dry with a hair dryer on the lowest setting. Finish with another brushing of the eyebrows, beard and full coat.

    • 5

      Trim the dog's eyebrows so that they taper from the inside of the eye to the outside. The length of the eyebrow near the inside of the eye should be around 1 1/2 inches. The tapered end should be around 1/2-inch. Comb hair under the eyes and mouth into the natural growth of the beard.

    • 6

      Cut away fringing hair along the edges of your Scottie's ears with small scissors. Avoid cutting the tufts of hair at the base of the ears, as this is part of the telltale "Scottie look."

    • 7

      Attach a blade guard to your dog clippers and groom the underside and tail of your Scottie. Pay special attention to the tummy area, elbows, hind legs and anus. Clip the tail so that it looks like an upside-down carrot when raised. Move clippers in the direction of hair growth to avoid cutting the coat too short. If you decide to clip the sides of your Scottie's body, ensure that each side is evenly cut for a flattering and uniform look.

    • 8

      Trim your dog's nails at the point where they begin to form a downward hook. Avoid cutting further back as this may cause the nail to bleed.