Painting by Maud Earl:
Maud Earl painted a lot of different dogs in the late part of the nineteenth century and early part of the twentieth century in both the UK and the United States.
She was a chronicler of what many dogs looked like as they became standardized breeds.
This is what the Scottish terrier looks like today in the form of this year’s Best in Show at Westminster:
The original dos were shorter in coat (which may be the result of a different stripping regime) and longer in the leg.
They are almost like different breeds.
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My grandmother had two little Scottie magnets that entertained us (the grandkids) for many, many hours, pushing them around and back and forth. They were very old at the time, as my mother remembered that they were old when she played with them.
The little magnets looked EXACTLY like the Westminster dog. I wonder at what point these dogs changed?
We were fascinated by those little things. Must be a developmental stage.
That ‘trim the dog so it looks like it has no feet’ thing just creeps me out. It’s not natural.
I am on a first name basis with Scotties having grown up with them. Even though I now have Irish Terriers, Scotties remain special to me. It is a breed so many people know about but fortunately very few people have. The reason I say this is they are a handful for a person who does not live eat and breath terrier. They are stubborn, wayward, have a mind of their own and while they dote on their families they can be prickly with others, and with in that family they will pick out a special person. The Scottie that I prize the most is a bitch Scottie that has the personality I call “The Church Lady” (if you don’t know who the Church lady is go over to You tube :) ) everything is on their terms, affection who they will give it to and take it from. You want me to come in, well make an appointment. etc. Oh the memories.
The reason why I have Irish Terriers instead of my beloved Scotties is health issues. Scotties have a bunch of them causing these crusty dogs to live but 10 or so years. Irish Terrier are healthy, and live for 14 or more years and are very special is their own way. My Redheads are called “The Chew Crew”. I have been owned by Irish Terriers for well over 30 years.
The longer legged shorter coated “Scotties”, of just a bit over 100 years ago where then known as Aberdeen Terriers. Think of them as the working version of the Scotch Terrier. It is the show ring that has given us the Scotch Terrier we presently have. I wish we still had the Aberdeen type.
http://www.messybeast.com/history/1800dogs.htm
Aberdeen and Highland terriers on this page (taxidermied).
I like the older style dogs in these photos. I especially prefer the older dachshund and toy spaniel… Were basset hounds smarter back then? The Aberdeen has a cuteness about it, did it have a nicer personality than today’s Scottish Terrier? I have known a number of Scotties who were one person dogs.
I have a bunch of old Scottie pics at my album here: http://smg.photobucket.com/home/Pietoro/tag/scottish%20terrier
There was some overlap between Scotties and Westies back in the day, apparently, as well.
I like that little 1901 Scottish Terrier “CH Model.” I can see the appeal in the breed.
Thanks for sharing the photos.
And they’ve got feet!
Well crap, all the comments I’ve made today are under Brett’s name. Can you change that?
That took all of two seconds to correct.