Scottish Terrier grooming: brushing, bathing and shedding
A practical grooming routine for the Scottish Terrier: coat care, baths, nails and ears.
The correct Scottie coat is hard and weatherproof, and it stays that way only if dead hair is pulled out by hand-stripping two to four times a year. Clipping is quicker and many pet owners choose it, but a clipped coat turns softer, fades on black dogs and mats more easily. Either way, a professional groom every 6 to 8 weeks keeps the classic outline.
Between grooms, comb the skirt, legs and beard two or three times a week to prevent mats, especially in the armpits and behind the elbows. Scotties shed very little, which suits some people with mild allergies, though no dog is truly allergy-free. Trim nails every three to four weeks and check ears monthly.
Scottish Terrier grooming in numbers
This is an illustrative schedule based on our editorial grooming score, not a breed-specific care protocol. Coat condition, skin problems and professional advice may call for a different routine.
| Task | Planning example |
|---|---|
| Brushing | 4 to 5 times a week |
| Bathing | Every 3 to 6 weeks |
| Shedding | Light |
| Nail trim | Every 3 to 4 weeks |
| Ear check | Weekly |
| Teeth | Daily brushing; introduce gently and ask your vet if the mouth seems painful |
Coat
A hard, wiry outer coat about 5 cm (2 in) long over a soft, dense undercoat, with longer furnishings on the beard, eyebrows, legs and underside.
Grooming needs
Shedding
Drooling