Broad Soul

Broad Soul of a Small Scottie

 

1. A One Hundred Percent Scottie

“What’s this, a Riesenschnauzer is reposing?
No, that’s a Scottie standing,”
(From the discussion of two owners)

No one breed of Terriers has got such a misleading and comic appearance as the Scottie. Thick knitted eyebrows and long beard makes him look like a wise old man and the portliness as well as self-esteem makes everyone fell a deep respect towards this small dog. But the appearance as it often happens is misleading. Thick eyebrows hide a cheeky sight of the eternal teenager full of interest and bravery. The dog with the appearance of a mannered lord and the soul of a young adventurer full of expression and quirkiness that conquests the hearts of hundreds people. Like a small Hobbit from the tales of Tolkein the Scottie returns home from its turbulent journeys back to a silent and comfortable life.

The dog consists of contradictions that make its nature united and unique. Philosophical viewpoint towards life and love for meditativeness are suddenly changed by the outburst of energy and desire for energetic activity. The dog suddenly thinks that the life is passing by and that’s why it is essential to take part in it. Inborn tact, patience and respectness in co-ordination with the feeling of self-confidence and independence made this dog a gentleman. What diplomacy! There is no such a situation, which might put this dog to a dead-end. It’s more likely that this dog with the royal self-confidence makes its enemy find out the way from the difficult situation.

The best judge of human nature knows everything about its owner even more than the owner knows about himself. In the worst situation the dog becomes indifferent to its owner. In the best way – it becomes his best friend.

It’s impossible to ignore the being of the dog at home. The whole attention and never ending interest for everything makes this dog the central object in the family. It easily conquers sympathy and love of all the family members. Like its relative Celtdog the Scottie is not the one that barks without any need. If the dog barks it means that really something important has happened. In general it accepts life with pleasure and without any objections, it is always ready to share its happiness or disappointment with the master. It is always ready to accompany the master anywhere and anytime, ready to accept all troubles without fear or sadness. This dog is never boring or regrettable.

The born hunter with a wonderful scent, good sight and sharp ear contrary to its relatives Terriers it is a peaceful dog if not spoilt by wrong education. The Scottie doesn’t go for pitiful ructions and unnecessary rows. It is always ready to take challenge and to fight till the end. Nonresignation and braveness is the power of its character, which keeps it from running away, and the feeling of ownership makes it fight for the territory.

Like one American writer, the owner of a Scottish Terrier wrote, “The Scottie is the only dog breed with which a man might have a quarrel”. Really it is possible to have a chat with the dog and it won’t be a monologue. A live sight of eyes, wiggle of ears and light movements of a tail show that the dog isn’t just listening but understands the meaning of the words. These features are typical just to a few our human companions. The more you believe in the dog’s intelligence and speak with it like with a personality the more pleasure you receive from one another.

Somebody blames this dog for persistence and even for capriciousness but this might be arguable because every clever dog might have its own opinion. Being a clever dog it might think that you are not right and then it could become very stubborn, not quick in obedience and begin to growl. In such a case rough words and punishment are not suitable because the dog becomes angrier and more discontent what might lead to the outbreak of its independent nature.

One of the most wonderful features of this dog is the sense of humour. From the beginning of its youth days it might think that it itself, its relatives or friends are funny. If you are in a good mood the dog will share this feeling with you as well. If you are sad, the dog is sad too. It is always near you because this is its aim of life. For hundred of years these small and brave Terriers have been not only hunters and warders. They have been and they will be the members of families and our partners. For ages the Scotch and later the English have been training the best national features of these dogs. The small Terriers of Scotland, which are called “Scottie”, won the fame to be the national breed of Scotland.

2. A Small King of a Mountainous Kingdom

“To write about the origin of any dog breed with a
sort of determination is not a very easy task”
(A.I.Kozlovskij)

In ancient times the special conditions of the climate and the mountainous country of Scotland formed the exterior of a small, robust and short dog. The history of the dog’s breed formation is contradictory because the authors try to find out any mention of the breed in the depth of centuries. But the very first mentioning about the Scottish Terrier is found in the book of Bishop John Lesley of Rossa town in 1561.

Brave hunters first appeared in the Hebrides Islands and Western Scotland. It seems that later the following breeds appeared from this dog, like: Dandie Dinmont Terrier, Skye Terrier, West Highland White Terrier, Cairn Terrier and Scottish Terrier. The ancestors of Scottish Terriers lived in the environs of Blackmount region (Mooren), Blackpoint (Pertshire) and Rannoch. At first these dogs hadn’t got the unite breed name. In some places they were called Poltalloch Terrier according to the name of a man, who had grown them – Malcolm of Poltalloch. In Aberdeen, which was known as the centre of rough fur Terriers, they were called Aberdeen Terriers. In the distant regions their names resembled nicknames – Brokenhead Terrier or Die-Hard Terrier – in honour of the small rough fur Terriers of George, the Earl of Dumbarton. During the hunting expeditions his dogs made every animal run. Their resolution and daring were so widely known that the dogs were nicknamed “Die-Hards”.

The very first description of the breed appeared in 1815. In the book “Recreation in Natural History” we can read about the rough fur bitch of the Scotties origin, which belonged to the major Bonham – the governor of Surinam. In 1837 Thomas Bell dedicated one of the units of “A History of British Quadrupeds” for the more detail description of the two types of Terriers. The first one was described as ”a tender fur dog with a sharp muzzle, accurate and compact body, usually of a black or brown colour”. The second one was called “the Scottie or rough fur Terrier”. This one was characterised as “with a rough fur, shorter muzzle, stout and short legs. The colour is usually dirty white and of various variations”.

From the description of the first type we can easily recognise the nowadays English Terrier breeds – Fox terrier, Manchester Terrier and others. From the second description we can recognise the features of nowadays rough fur and short-legged Scottish Terrier. In 1839 – 1840 T.Hamilton, the scientist and naturalist, in his two-volume book “Dogs” also described the two types of British Terriers. By the way the Scottie type was called the ancient one and of pureblood.

Though, paying no attention to the formal division of Terriers into two types there were a lot of variations of them. The neighbourhood counties competed for the originality of the bred dogs. For the so wide range of Terriers now, having the original character of those dogs’ ancestors, we must be thankful to the ancient times breeders.

During the first exhibition in Yorkshire in 1860 the Scottie wasn’t presented as a separate breed but as a part of Skye Terriers. Already in 1868 in Birmingham there used to be the debut of the breed. For the very first time the Scottish Terrier was presented as a separate breed in the ring, though there were quite a lot of mix of the various short legged Terriers.

Such cross-purposes caused deserved discontent in-between the real fans of the Scotties. In 1877 they sent several vicious letters to the “The Live Stock Journal” where a very hot discussion arose, but the editors of the journal ended it. They asked to make the description of features typical for the Scottish Terrier.

Captain Gordon Murray made the very first detailed description of the Scottish Terrier. This became the core standard of the breed refined by J.B.Morrison in 1880. And in 1883 the standard was accepted. From that time the breed of the Scottish Terrier started its one life.

In between the very famous ancestors of the breed the Champion Splinter II and mate Bonaccord that belonged to J.Ludlow might be mentioned. These dogs became the main producers of the best lines and families that lead to nowadays Scottish. The son Rambler of Bonaccord and Splinter II gave the very first champion of the black colour Alister and the speckled Dundee. They became the successors of the main male line. Heather Prince and Heather Necessity – the grandchildren of Alister became the most famous its descendants.

A lot of champions of those times became the ancestor of the famous descendants in England and Scotland. The oldest English originators that still give birth to wonderful representatives of the breed used to be and still are – Kennelgarth, Gaywyn and Mason. A little bit later the following names were acknowledges as wonderful originators – Lomondview, Tamzin, Stuane and others. The best representatives of the Scottish Terriers born in Scotland had the prefix “Clamour”, “Ornsay”, “Albourn”.

Exhibitions became more and more popular and one of the leading places always belonged to the Scottish Terrier. The ancestors were responsible for their exterior because right there the Scottish Terrier from the yard hooligan with a rough like a brush fur that didn’t know what does the comb and trimming mean turned into a dog with a really unique exterior.

3. The Way for Two

“Why they are so devoted for people? Why do they adore our community? Why the biggest pleasure for them is to be with us? They give us their love and affection that haven’t got any limits.”
(J.Harriot “Dog Stories”)

The popularity of the Scotties has never been screaming. Staying a little bit in the shadow they have always attracted attention of lots of people from various society orders, age and educational status. In the midst of them there used to be a lot of famous people like – Winston Churchill, Eva Brown, Vladimir Majakovskij, Michael Rumiancev, Georgij Tovstanogov, Zoe Fiodorova and so on.

The breed has avoided the fate of fashionable dogs. The paid favour hasn’t appeared just like the caprice of the fashion. Sergey Obrazcov has very correctly said, “dogs are obtained exclusively because of the spiritual effect”. Right this feeling makes us reject various conveniences for the beloved small naughty dog. No one fashion has withstood the challenges of time but not the Scottie.

Overdone character of a real Scottie with all its best features make people who have ever had the Scottish feel so deep and strong affection to it that it is impossible to be unfaithful to it. Karl Chapek who had the Scottish Terrier all his life devoted the cycle of short stories for theme called “About Dogs”. According to his opinion “the God has created all sorts of animals and at the end created the dog in order to make it the best one. At first he created Pinschers and Terriers, that’s why they are so clever, and when he was ready to create others he was called for dinner…” In general it might be said that the owners of Terriers are distinguished by their joie de vivre. It seems that this feature is hidden in the character of the Scottish Terrier. This dog is able to make smile the biggest pessimist in the world.

From the memories of L.U.Brik about V.Majakovskij: “Humour has never abandoned him. He sent a postcard with a picture of the former Parliament. Against the building he has drawn a big black dog. It resembled the Scottish Terrier that he liked to stroke”. The famous photographer A.Rodchenko, who had very often photographed Majakovskij, remembered: “Volodia was standing by the ice-cream seller and watched very carefully the way he fulfilled his order. Cones full of ice cream were laid one by one on the stall. It appeared that all the portions were dedicated to the dog called Scotick. It ate the cone with a great appetite. “Do you want more?” – asked the generous master and took the dog to his heart.” The photo of this moment appeared to be the best portrait of the poet.

Eva Brown had always staid in the shadow of her famous husband Adolf Hitler. Almost everything is known about him. About her – almost nothing. Nevertheless, from the short memories found in the book “Hitler is Speaking” by Herman Raushing we can say that she was not an ordinary woman and surprisingly different from her husband. “Full of joie de vivre, sportive, always elegant and fashionable dressed, with her affectionate attendants Scottish Terriers. Eva Brown was a passionate smoker and loved to dance very much contrariwise her “master” who strictly denied all these pleasures.”

And the famous Karandash? Thanks to him millions of people who used to be far away from breeding found out and fell in love with the Scottish Terrier called Kliaksa. It became the card of Michael Rumiancev, the artist. It became the symbol of boundless joy, holidays and delight. Karandash and Kliaksa – a picture of a small funny man and a small comic dog has stayed in the hearts of people forever. Appearance of Kliaksa was accidental. “Fate has taken a homeless dog to our house. This was a Scottish Terrier Nicks – remembers Natalie Rumianceva, the daughter of Michael Rumiancev. When Karandash saw the dog he screamed joyfully – that’s what we needed. Nicks was going into the ring, did nothing, just kept walking along its new master. But what an effect this made. The audience was whispering in-between themselves. Maybe this was an ordinary trick of Karandash? In those times people were not spoilt by numerous dogs’ exhibitions and had no idea about the existence of the Scottish Terrier. They knew Doberman, Shepherd, Spitz and Poodle. Tobik changed Nicks. Straight after the war somebody took a small Scottish Terrier and put it on the floor. On the red carpet it looked like a black spot, what in Russian is called “kliaksa”. “Kliaksa! That’s the name”, - decided Karandash. And the following generation of Scottish Terriers were called by this famous stage nick-name.”

Already at the top of glory and carrying a heavy load of success greedy for fame dawned in Karandash. He got acquainted with the joy of dogs’ exhibitions. All his life he thought that his suit must be a little bit untidy and inaccurate… And of course the dog can’t be cut according to the dog’s fashion standard. He was wooed for a long time. “OK – at last he said – we will cut the dog.” And it was cut. All the day he felt like not in his shoes and the dogs were a little bit shy of each other. In the evening they set off to the circus. The audience liked the changes very much. The cut dogs were taken to the exhibition. They received golden medals. They were taken to another one. Success again. Usually trying to escape from the crowd he took the dogs to exhibitions himself. And Kliaksa realised that its golden medal was the pride of the house. When the medal was put on its neck it went into one room and then into another what it didn’t do before and listened to the sayings: ”Kliaksa, what an important person you are today!”

4. From the Circus Arena to the Exhibition Ring or Problems of Breeding in Russia

Sokolnikova brought the first dog of Karandash Nicks from England in 1936. Later in 1939 A.Mazorev imported bitch Rauburs Nasha from Poland. From these two dogs the breeding of Scottish Terriers was started in Russia. During the post-war period their first children prolonged the circus career of Kliaksa. At the same time some “trophy” dogs were taken from Germany, Poland, Czechoslovakia and Hungary to Moscow and Leningrad. All of them were very different but the breeders were full of enthusiasm though having no idea about the underwater streams that might break all their efforts.

The small amount of dogs and because of this caused the many years incest put the existence of the breed under danger. Lots of breeders realised the results of many years’ close relation breeding. Not only the exterior and the breed type was under danger but first of all its health and psyche condition. But they had no choice. Step by step the famous Scottie was turning into a small ugly devil with unstable psyche or into a coward and pitiable creation with the all time its tail between the legs what used to be its symbol of pride and independence. The reputation of the breed was blasted.

Nevertheless, a miracle happened. This might be called the result of a fight between the nature and a man, convention and dogmas of the Soviet Union breeding, which was isolated from the world and had no choice and means. The Scottish Terrier was not only preserved for Russia but was on the top of breeds during the 60-ies and in the middle of the 70-ies. For the first enthusiasts’ altruism, faith, endless love and devotion to the Scottish Terrier must be given the bow and honourable mention. It didn’t disappear, wasn’t lost in the midst of the new fashionable dogs’ crowd that appeared at the end of the 70-ies. It managed to escape the pitiful end of many rare dogs – period of full oblivion like this happened to the Skye Terrier. And now when the biggest troubles are behind and everybody might breathe freely, the indomitable character of real breeders make them go further because not all the victories are won, not all the dreams are fulfilled and we haven’t got a Scottish that will be ideal and nice in all senses.

After all the genetic fights had been forgotten the three main genetic lines were outlined in the breed. Their originators became Mitrofan (master Topchiev), Philca (m. Bessonov) and the imported Black Beauty of Hayhayt from England (m. Dubanosov). Trust in future was strengthened by the arrival of mate Steve from America (m. Kuriatnikov) and a little bit later in the midst of the 80-ies an active import of dogs from Czechoslovakia was started. Trying to escape incest, the bigger amount of dogs and the new blood caused the second rebirth of the breed. The two Czech bitches appeared to be very productive. Anna from Suchdola (m. Leonova) together with the Czech mate Clifford Target (m. Baranchikova, Brehovskij) gave birth to a daughter Marland Nina Richi (m. Leonova). This was the very first dog of the national breeding that received the title of Inter-champion.

The numerous imports of the Czech dogs made the breeding possible with various possibilities and they were used differently. This used to be a sort of exam for the professional preparation of various clubs and sections that emerged during the post-changeover period. The imported dogs were used as the new dresses – here to cut and there to add. The results were unexpected. But the task and dream to make the breed according to the international standards and achieve acknowledgement for the own breed in the foreign countries was still the distant future.

At the end of the 80-ies some information about the state of the breed in Europe was received in Russia. At last it became clear that the chosen way was correct but the way towards the aim wasn’t very easy and it was quite difficult to approach it with the speed of a turtle. Something what could change the settled viewpoint towards the breed was needed. And this had happened.

In 1986 people were able to see the Scotties of a very different type. It was so different from what the ones we used to see like the hedgehog from the porcupine. This was a black mate taken by G.Sushkevich from the Finnish kennel “Beg Pipe”. The son of the Champion of the Northern Countries and Finland – Ives San Lorraine and the Champion of Finland – Beg Pipe Lillian – Beg Pipe You Are The One made the effect of the explosion of a bomb. It totally changed the opinion about the nowadays type of the breed. There is no need to mention all its descendants. At the beginning of the 90-ies they made the basis of the Scottish Terriers. Up to nowadays its blood is used for breeding dogs in the whole country. It is a pity that the dog has gone so early but left a lot of descendants for breeding.

5. Making Reality

While looking backwards it seems that nowadays results are really unbelievable. How far away we could go if we had idea and were able to do what we know and can do now. All the possibilities given to us today by a favour of time and history now are used in the whole world.

The very first thing what masters have done – they made contacts with the breeders abroad. The result of this friendship is the import of very interesting dogs from Finland, Germany, Sweden and Denmark and the invitation of experts to our exhibitions. For the very first time in 1994 Raja Jarvinen, the expert from Finland and the master of kennel “Raja” visited us. Her judgement made shock to our masters as well as she herself was in a shock from our dogs. But the shock soon vanished. After making clever decisions and redoubling efforts the experience was repeated in 1996. The President of Sweden Scottish Terriers’ Club and the owner of the kennel “Raglan” was invited Dan Ericsson. This time it was not a shock but a surprise. Where do we get so many Scottish Terriers of such good condition? Sometimes we are also surprised: when did we manage to do so many things? The result was that almost in all classes the dogs of national breed won the prises. The Best of the Breed was acknowledged Marlene Nina Richi (m. Leonova).

Again Raja. March 1997. The 1st Regional Exhibition of the Scottish Terriers. After successfully judging 97 dogs she gave prises with a pleasure for the winners. In the conditions of a difficult competition with the Polish dogs of Hanna Bakuniak (kennel “Koncept”), Inter-champion and the Champion of Poland Jerrimor Lancelot, the Junior Winner of the World’96 Charles Craft Koncept and the wonderful bitch Flower Power Koncept, the bitch of national breeding Adjaila Chibsten Plus Ultra (m. Popova, Pivovarenkova) won the prise.

Very strict requirements for the import of Scotties appeared. Not only perfect exterior was required but the perspective lineage as well. In 1994 from a non-known kennel “Hopper Hof” in Germany a black mate L Amour Von Hopper Hof (m. Popova) was taken. A lot of sceptic remarks were made for this dog. Though all the sceptics were not right. From the very beginning of the exhibition career Hoffman appeared to be a real show dog. Imposing exterior, good manners and gloss swept the judges along with it in Russia and Europe. 13 CACIB titles – this is the absolute record for the Scottish Terrier in our country. Inter-champion, Champion of Russia, Finland, Estonia, Byelorussia, Latvia – it will be mentioned in the annals like the most high-scoring Scottish Terrier in Russia.

The noble descendants are famous not only of their successful offspring but their famous masters as well. A lot of them had no idea to talk about the import of their Scotties to Russia. Thanks to fate that there is some place for exceptions. The biggest help was given by Raja Jarvinen who sent two wonderful dogs – a bitch Rajaj On E Carrousel ant a mate Rajaj West Side Story (m. Leonova) - representatives of the nowadays type of the Scottish Terriers.

In 1997 three Sweden dogs of which the two belonged to the kennel “Raglan” of Dan Ericsson were brought to Russia. This is Raglan River Side (m. Ocheretianaja), the son of the famous English sire Gaywyn Wenturesome, and Raglan Royal Artist (m. Popova), the son of the World Champion ‘ 96 Cantorn's JohnyWalker and Champion of the Northern Countries Raglan Royal Serenade. From a new kennel “Dandy” for us, the owner of which Christine Hutner agreed to collaborate with us, a mate Dandy Dorian Garden (m. Horunzhaya), who had the blood of the famous English kennel “Stuan” and the Champions of America and England from the American kennel “Sandgreg's” was taken to Russia. In the spring exhibition in Stockholm it managed to get the title of the Best Junior Dog of the exhibition and to win the prise of the Best in Show. Denmark didn’t stay aside as well. From the most prominent kennel “Danskots” the mate Danskots Duke (m. Kudriavcev) was taken. In the autumn of 1997 two bitches from the kennel “Downtown” were taken.

As the result of the active import the line of the best Scandinavian representatives concentrated in Moscow. The breeding of the Scottish Terriers in the Scandinavian countries is very popular in nowadays. Namely the dogs from Sweden, Denmark and Finland win the laurel in the biggest international competitions. The Scandinavian type is the mostly wanted type today. Because of the close collaboration with the best kennels of England, Scotland and America the Northern Countries became the dictating terms of the nowadays type of the Scottish Terrier in Europe.

The Russian origins Scottish Terriers now successfully compete with the most prominent kennels in Europe and in the World Championships. Already now a lot of foreign partners follow the development of the breed in Russia. Who knows maybe the unforgettable day is not so far away when our dogs will win the titles of the Best, will go to the final competition for the Best in Show and will win.

But for all the fans of the breed and for everybody the Scottish will stay the same as it used to be for hundred years – a charming small house guardian, a stranger and wiseacre, with a keen eye watching the heart of its master. Let us be worth of the society of the proud and independent Scottish Terriers, which know how to warm ones spirit not worse than the old good whiskey.

Yana Chorunzhaya,
Journalist, Scottish terrier and gold retrievers kennel „Sansibility“owner,
Magazine „Black & White” editor"