First Breed Standard. 1880

General Appearance - is that of a thick-set, compact, short coated terrier, standing about nine & a half inches high, with body long in comparison, and averaging 16lb. or 17lb. weight for dogs, and 2lb. less for bitches. Ears and tail uncut. Although in reality no higher at shoulder than the Skye or Dandie Dinmont, it has a leggier appearance from the fact that the coat is much shorter than in those two varieties. The head is carried pretty high, showing an intelligent cheery face.

Temperament - an incessant restlessness and perpetual motion, accompanied by an eager look, asking plainly for the word of command; a muscular form, fitting him for the most arduous work; and sagacity, intelligence, and courage to make the most of the situation, qualify the Scottish Terrier for the role of "Friend of The Family", or "Companion In Arms", in a sense unsurpassed by any other dog large or small.

Head - is longish and bold, and is full between the eyes it is free from long, soft, or woolly hair and is smaller in the bitch than in the dog.

Muzzle - is a most important point, and should be long and powerful, tapering slightly to the nose, which should be well formed, well spread over the muzzle, and black in colour. There must be no approach to snipeyness. The teeth should be perfectly level in front, neither being under nor overshot, fitting well together.

Eyes - are small, well sunk in the head, dark hazel, bright and expressive, with heavy eyebrows.

Ears - are very small and free from long hair, feather, or fringe; in fact, as a rule, rather bare of hair and never cut.

Neck - is short, thick, and very muscular, well set between the shoulders and showing great power.

Chest & Body - the body gives an impression of great strength, being little else than a combination of bone and muscle. The chest is broad and deep, the ribs flat - a wonderful provision of nature, indispensable to dogs often compelled to force their way through burrows and dunes on their sides. The back broad, the loin thick and very strong. This is a feature calling for special attention, as a dog in any degree weak in hind quarters lacks one of the main features of this breed and should on no account be used as a stud dog. The body is covered with a dense, hard, wet resisting coat about 2 inches long.

 Legs - the forelegs are short and straight with immense bone for a dog of this size. Elbows well in and not outside, the forearm particularly muscular. The hind legs are also strong, the thighs being well developed and thick, the hocks well bent.

Feet - are small and firmly padded to resist the stony ground; nails strong, generally black. Although free from feathering, the legs and feet are well covered with hair to the very toes.

Tail - should not exceed 7 or 8 inches; covered with the same quality and length of hair as the body, and is carried with a slight bend, never docked.

Colour - various shades of grey or grizzle, and brindle, the most desirable colour being red brindle with black muzzle and ear tips.