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.
STCC Corresponding Secretary:
Karen Gallow
(818) 353-0657
RESCUE Coordinator:
Carol Herd
(714) 893-5821
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