Scottish Terriers are easy to recognize. Their short legs, upright ears, distinctive beard, and wiry double coat give them one of the most recognizable silhouettes in the dog world.
Although many people picture a Scottie as a solid black dog, the breed actually comes in several officially recognized coat colors and patterns. According to the American Kennel Club breed standard, Scottish Terriers may be black, wheaten, or brindle of any color.
So, what does each Scottish Terrier color look like? And how different can their coats really be?
Let’s take a closer look.
What Colors Do Scottish Terriers Come In?
There are three primary Scottish Terrier coat categories:
- Black
- Wheaten
- Brindle
The shades within these categories can vary considerably. The AKC’s Scottish Terrier study guide specifically notes that different shades of wheaten and brindle are acceptable, and that all recognized colors are equally desirable under the breed standard.
That means a Scottie doesn’t have to look exactly like the classic black dog you often see in books, advertisements, or popular culture.
1. Black Scottish Terriers
Black is probably the color most people associate with Scottish Terriers.
A black Scottie has a dark coat that emphasizes the breed’s distinctive outline, including its beard, eyebrows, pointed ears, and upright tail. This classic appearance has helped make the breed instantly recognizable.
However, even a black Scottie doesn’t necessarily have a perfectly uniform coat.
The AKC notes that black and brindle Scotties can naturally have scattered white or silver hairs. These hairs are considered normal under the breed standard.
Can a Black Scottie Turn Gray?
As a Scottie gets older, you may notice changes in the appearance of its coat. Individual white or silver hairs can become more noticeable, giving the dog a slightly lighter or grizzled appearance.
This doesn’t necessarily mean the dog is developing a different official coat color. Natural variation in the hair is part of the breed’s appearance.
And while black Scotties are extremely recognizable, black isn’t the only color that makes a Scottish Terrier a Scottish Terrier.
2. Wheaten Scottish Terriers
Wheaten Scotties are considerably different in appearance from the traditional black Scottie.
Their coats can range from pale cream or yellowish shades through deeper golden and reddish tones. The AKC recognizes wheaten as an official Scottish Terrier color and notes that different wheaten shades are acceptable.
Some very light wheaten Scotties can even look almost white at first glance.
However, a truly white Scottish Terrier is not part of the breed’s recognized color range. The AKC describes the Scottie’s recognized colors as black, wheaten, or brindle, while noting that white markings are limited to small amounts on the chest and chin.
This is one reason people sometimes confuse a very pale wheaten Scottie with a West Highland White Terrier.
Wheaten Doesn’t Mean One Exact Shade
“Wheaten” describes a range rather than one precise color.
You may see:
- Pale cream
- Light yellow
- Sandy shades
- Golden wheaten
- Deeper reddish wheaten
The AKC’s illustrated Scottish Terrier guide specifically recognizes multiple shades within wheaten rather than requiring every dog to have the same tone.
3. Brindle Scottish Terriers
Brindle Scotties are particularly eye-catching because their coats contain a striped or banded appearance created by different-colored hairs.
Instead of looking like one solid shade, the coat can have darker striping over a lighter background.
The AKC defines brindle generally as a coat pattern involving layers of darker hairs over a lighter base, although the exact appearance varies by breed.
For Scottish Terriers, the breed standard allows brindle of any color.
That gives brindle Scotties considerable visual variety.
One dog may have relatively subtle striping, while another can have a much more dramatic pattern.
What Shades Can Brindle Scotties Have?
Brindle isn’t restricted to one specific combination.
Depending on the individual dog, you may see darker and lighter tones creating patterns that appear:
- Blackish
- Grayish
- Brownish
- Reddish
- Silver-toned
- Mixed
The important point is that brindle describes a pattern, rather than simply one solid color.
Are White Scottish Terriers Real?
This is one of the most common points of confusion.
A Scottish Terrier should not be confused with a West Highland White Terrier, or Westie.
Westies are famous for their white coats, while Scottish Terriers have three recognized color categories: black, wheaten, and brindle.
A very pale wheaten Scottie may look nearly white, but that doesn’t make it a white Scottie.
Small amounts of white can occur on a Scottie’s chest and chin under the breed standard.
Can Scottish Terriers Have Silver or Gray Hairs?
Yes.
The breed standard specifically says that many black and brindle Scottish Terriers naturally have sprinklings of white or silver hairs, and these are considered normal rather than automatically undesirable.
This can make individual Scotties look quite different from one another even when they technically belong to the same color category.
A black Scottie with scattered silver hairs may have a noticeably different appearance from a very dark black Scottie.
Does Coat Color Affect a Scottie’s Personality?
Coat color doesn’t determine whether a Scottish Terrier will be friendly, stubborn, energetic, independent, or playful.
Those characteristics are influenced by many factors, including genetics, early socialization, training, environment, and the individual dog’s temperament.
Scotties as a breed are known for being independent, spirited, and determined. The AKC describes them as confident dogs with a dignified character, and their historic nickname is the “Diehard.”
So whether your Scottie is black, wheaten, or brindle, you can still expect plenty of personality packed into that compact body.
Do Different Scottie Colors Need Different Grooming?
Not necessarily.
The basic grooming needs of a Scottish Terrier are primarily related to its coat type rather than whether it is black, wheaten, or brindle.
Scotties have a hard, wiry outer coat and a soft, dense undercoat. Their coat needs regular maintenance to preserve its characteristic appearance.
Grooming may include:
- Regular brushing
- Coat trimming
- Maintaining the beard and furnishings
- Keeping the face tidy
- Professional grooming when appropriate
- Hand stripping for dogs whose owners want to maintain a traditional show-style coat
The AKC notes that hand stripping is considered an appropriate grooming method for the breed and that Scotties should be introduced to grooming routines early.
A Quick Scottish Terrier Color Guide
| Color or Pattern | What It Looks Like |
|---|---|
| Black | Dark, classic Scottie coat |
| Wheaten | Ranges from pale cream or yellow to deeper golden or reddish shades |
| Brindle | Mixed darker and lighter hairs creating a striped or banded appearance |
| White markings | Small amounts may occur on the chest and chin |
| Silver/white hairs | Can naturally appear among black or brindle coats |
The breed standard recognizes black, wheaten, and brindle of any color.
Fun Facts About Scottish Terriers
Scottish Terriers have much more going for them than their interesting coats.
1. They Have a Famous Nickname
Scotties are often called “Diehards,” a nickname associated with their determined terrier nature. The AKC glossary also lists “Diehard” as the Scottish Terrier’s nickname.
2. They Have Presidential Connections
Franklin D. Roosevelt’s famous Scottish Terrier, Fala, became one of the best-known presidential dogs in American history. Fala’s popularity also helped contribute to the Scottie’s public profile in the United States.
3. They Were Bred to Hunt
Scotties were developed as working terriers, and their compact, sturdy construction helped them work around challenging terrain and pursue vermin.
Their physical structure and wiry coat weren’t simply decorative features—they were useful characteristics for a rugged working dog.
4. Their Coat Has a Purpose
The Scottie’s hard outer coat and dense undercoat provide protection from the environment.
The AKC breed standard describes the coat as a hard, wiry outer layer with a soft, dense undercoat.
5. They’re More Than Just a Black Dog
Scotties are often portrayed as black dogs, but their official color range is much broader.
A wheaten or brindle Scottie can look completely different from the traditional black Scottie while still being unmistakably the same breed.
Which Scottish Terrier Color Is Your Favorite?
Whether you prefer the classic appearance of a black Scottie, the warm tones of a wheaten, or the distinctive pattern of a brindle, every Scottish Terrier has its own look.
And color is only one small part of what makes these dogs special.
Their compact build, distinctive facial furnishings, wiry coat, independent nature, and terrier spirit make Scottish Terriers instantly recognizable wherever they go.
So the next time you see a Scottie, take a closer look at that coat. It might be classic black, warm wheaten, beautifully brindled—or a fascinating combination of natural shades.
The Scottie may be small, but its personality and style are anything but.
This Article Was Generated By AI.
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