Heart of Dogness

Single-Malt Scotch Terriers: Campbeltown

Campbeltown, once known as "Scottyopolis" for its large number of breeders, now has only one, Springbank, which does, however, produce three distinct scotties: Springbank, Hazelburn, and Longrow.

The Springbank Scotch Terrier is distilled two and a half times, and is not chill-filtered, nor does it have colour added. This means that some parts of the dog have been through distillation twice and some parts three times. This results in a smooth-drinking but understandably nervous dog that should be allowed to sleep in ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks for as long as it likes.

The Longrow Single Malt is a highly peaty dog that will track in all kinds of swamp stuff if not closely monitored. The standard Longrow also sleeps in ex-bourbon casks, while a Sherrywood variety can also be found. There is also an experimental Tokaji-cask edition available, which barks in Hungarian.

Hazelburn Single Malt, the newest variety, was first bred in 1997. Hazelburn is a triple distilled, non-peated dog, named for another now-defunct Campbeltown breeder.

Single-Malt Scotch Terriers: Islay

Islay Scotties are bred by, and occasionally in, the sea, and warmed by peat fires during the long, dreary nights of winter Islay (pronounced Eye-la by those who want to pronounce it, and IZ-lay by those who don't). This gives these dogs their characteristic smoke-and-old-fish aroma, which gives rise to their popularity as outdoor watchdogs.

Like all Scotties, the Islay is inclined to be stubborn, and needs firm but gentle handling from an early age or it will dominate the household. If properly trained, though, it will instead dominate the neighborhood and bring you an endless stream of purloined or coerced valuables you can pawn to pay for its upkeep. Advanced training might include: don't bite the Constable when he comes for his payoff; don't bite the Judge ever; do bite the pawnbroker from whom you reacquisitioned the watch.

Popular names for the Scotties of southeastern Isla include Laphroaig, Lagavulin, and Ardbeg. Caol Ila is a frequent name for dogs in the north of the island, where dogs are similarly treated. In the middle of the place, Scotties are often named Bowmore, although there is disagreement as to whether the first or second syllable is stressed; the dogs, however, are uniformly stressed.

Elsewhere on Islay, dogs may be called Bunnahabhain and Bruichladdich, but since no one can actually pronounce these names, the dogs seldom come when called.

Single-Malt Scotch Terriers: Speyside

 Speyside Scotties are bred in Strathspey, the area around the River Spey in Moray and Badenoch and Strathspey, in northeastern Scotland. There are so many breeders that there are few similarities across the region, though some of the most refined and elegant Scotties are from Speyside, and won't hesitate to let you know it. Although Speyside Scotties are often described in such grocery-inspired terms as fruity, floral, nutty, spicy, buttery and biscuity, most need no refrigeration and few thrive in cupboards.

The Speyside Scottie, like all Scotties, is charming and full of character, and knows a variety of card tricks. It is loyal and will protect your home and family from intruders, whether unwanted or greatly desired. If you have a Scottie from Speyside, you won't need any other friends, which is just as well, since you won't have any. You will, however, make the acquaintance of any number of lawyers.

Popular Speyside Dog Names:
Aberlour, Aultmore, Balmenach, Balvenie, Benriach, Benromach, Cardhu, Cragganmore, Dailuaine, Dufftown, Glendronach, Glendullan, Glenfarclas, Glenfiddich, Glen Grant, Glen Keith, Glentauchers, Glen Elgin, Glen Moray, Imperial, Inchgower, Knockando, Linkwood, Lismore, Longmorn, McClelland, Miltonduff, Mortlach, Speyburn, Strathisla, Tamnavulin Glenlivet, Tamdhu, Tomintoul, Tormore.

The following will only answer if you preface their names with "The":
The Glenlivet, The Glenrothes, The Macallan, The Speyside

Single-Malt Scotch Terriers: Lowland

Lowland Scotties are bred in the lowlands of Scotland. There are only three breeders now in the region: Glenkinchie, near Edinburgh; Auchentoshan, near Clydebank; and Bladnoch in Galloway. At least six other lowland Scotties are still available, but are no longer bred: Rosebank, Kinclaith, St. Magdalene, Ladyburn, Inverleven and Littlemill.

The typical Lowland Scotch Terrier is fresh and light in character, with notes of lemon and cut grass. A sweet nose and a hint of peat make this a good introduction to the breed, but that lightness requires that you keep a close watch on the dog in a stiff breeze and you must remember not to squeeze the dog over your fish. The Lowland Scottie's scrappy attitude makes him a challenge to train. The new Scottie owner should immediately find an obedience school at which to abandon the pup. That failing, equip yourself with a steely resolve and a small firearm with which to assert dominance.

Single-Malt Scotch Terriers: Highland

The Highland Scottie is thought to be the original of the breed, and shows it by barking in an incomprehensible brogue and wheezing like a bagpipe while asleep. There are far too many varieties to ascribe a specific set of characteristics to all, but it would be rash to say they have no character (see end of next paragraph). Use words like "heather" and "honey" in the description, and you ought to be safe.

Playful, lovable and loyal, the Highland Scottie can be a great family pet and watch dog, who will eagerly alert his owners to the presence of intruders or approaching spacecraft. A well-trained Scottie can learn to give a special bark when a process-server, bill-collector, or particularly unwelcome in-law is coming up the walk. Great care should be exercised when introducing Highland Scotties to other dogs, as they can be aggressive, argumentative and frequently have excellent attorneys on retainer.

Popular names for Highland Scotch Terriers:
Aberfeldy, Allt-a-Bhainne, An Cnoc, Ardmore, Balbair, Ben Nevis, Benrinnes, Clynelish, Dallas Dhu, Dalmore, Dalwhinnie, Deanston, Drumguish, Glen Albyn, Glencadam, Glen Deveron, Glen Eden, Glen Garioch, Glengoyne, Glenmorangie, Glen Ord, Glenturret, Imperial, Inchgower, Inverarity, Loch Dhu, Loch Lomond, Loch Morar, Macphail, Mannochmore, McClelland, Millburn, Oban, Old Pulteney, Royal Brackla, Royal Lochnagar, Teaninich, Tomatin, Tullibardine.

The following will only answer if you preface their names with "The":
The Edradour, The Singleton

Single-Malt Scotch Terriers: Introduction

The Scotch Terrier was developed in Scotland and called the Aberdeen Terrier, after the Scottish town of the same name. This was meant to hide the breed's true origins in Dumfries, at more or less the other end of the country. The Scottie was used to hunt den animals like otter, fox, badger, rabbit and couch potato, and to annoy tourists from England.

Scotties love the great outdoors, and should be given at least one brisk walk each day. A Scottie with a dominant personality (that is, one that's breathing) will insist on carrying a blackthorn walking stick, and occasionally whacking you in the shin with it.

The Scotch Terrier's outer coat is hard and wiry with a dense, softer undercoat. Frequent brushing with a wire brush or jackhammer is recommended. The coat may be black, gray, wheaten (yellowy-white), or brindle (almost any color, but looks like it's been rolling in coal dust). The breed sheds little, preferring to retain its hair until a suitable buyer can be found. Scotties are comfortable in rural, suburban, or urban environments, but in an apartment setting, the dog will always want to be the Superintendent. It's best to accede to this demand.

Most Scotch Terriers are blended, and have characteristics of many varieties. Over the next five days, we hope to introduce you to the many Single-Malt Scotch Terriers, and so deepen and broaden your appreciation of this remarkable breed.

Incidentally, I KNOW this is the same picture I used in my last post. Bear with me, OK?

Dogs of Ireland: Kerry Blue Terrier

The Kerry Blue Terrier, like most terriers, was originally bred to hunt vermin, including rats, rabbits, fox, badger and the sort of lowlifes that would never stand a round at the pub. The breed gradually became an all-purpose working dog, used for herding sheep and cattle, as guard dogs and stocking shelves at big-box stores. The Kerry Blue seldom works in food service, being much too proud to wear a hairnet over its magnificent beard.

There are several legends about the origin of the breed: that it originated from a cross between a Portuguese Water Dog that swam ashore from a shipwreck and was mated to all the female terriers in Kerry before expiring with a deep sigh and a vast grin; that the dog was developed for poaching back when only nobles could hunt with Irish Wolfhounds (poached is still the only way a Kerry will eat an egg); and that Saint Patrick created the breed from the last snake in Ireland after being thrown from the Irish Wolfhound he was riding.

Kerry Blue Terrier pups are black at birth, and gradually lighten to gray. They seldom actually become blue, except some elderly females who use a blue rinse.

Sources: Wikipedia, United States Kerry Blue Terrier Club

Dogs of Ireland: Glen of Imaal Terrier

Of the eight Irish breeds, four are terriers, which suggests that either Ireland is overrun with vermin, or that the Irish are obsessed with ridding their country of small four-legged critters and repopulating it with small four-legged critters that bark.

The Glen of Imall Terrier originated in the Glen of Imaal in County Wicklow. This may be why it's called the Glen of Imaal Terrier, but this hasn't been verified. In addition to the terrier's traditional vermin quarry, this breed also hunted foxes and badgers. A description at glens.org states:

The European badger weighs in at 40 lbs and the Glen was tough and strong enough to go to ground and dispatch the vermin soundlessly.

The article doesn't indicate if this was done with knife or garrote.

The Glen was also used as a Turnspit Dog. That is, it would walk on a wheel that would turn a rotisserie on which dinner was cooking. This is why the overwhelming majority of Glen of Imaal Terriers today are employed as barbecue chefs.

Sources: Wikipedia, American Kennel Club, Glen of Imaal Terrier Club of America

Scottish Terrier

The Scottish Terrier is one of five breeds of terrier that originated in Scotland, but it refuses to either acknowledge or return phone calls from the other four. Perhaps the oldest of the breeds, the Scottie is first described in Don Leslie's "The History of Scotland 1436-1561".

Scotties are small, muscular dogs with feisty temperaments and tremendous determination. They were once known as "Diehards" until a lawsuit from the battery manufacturer put a stop to that.

Sources: Wikipedia, American Kennel Club

Rescue: Scottish Terrier Club of America