Scottish Terrier Weight & Growth Chart

Complete weight guide with growth charts for male and female Scottish Terriers from puppy to adult.

Male Adult Weight

18–22 lbs

Female Adult Weight

15–19 lbs

Scottish Terrier Weight Overview

The Scottish Terrier weighs 18–22 lbs at maturity. Males (18–22 lbs) are typically heavier than females (15–19 lbs).

Compact and sturdy at 18 to 22 pounds and about 10 inches tall, they are surprisingly heavy for their size due to their dense bone structure.. The growth chart below shows the typical weight progression from puppyhood to adulthood.

Growth Chart

When Does a Scottish Terrier Stop Growing?

Scottish Terriers typically reach their full adult height of 10–11 inches by 12 to 15 months and their full adult weight of 18–22 lbs shortly after. Compact and sturdy at 18 to 22 pounds and about 10 inches tall, they are surprisingly heavy for their size due to their dense bone structure..

Factors that influence growth include genetics, nutrition, and spay/neuter timing. Dogs spayed or neutered very early may grow slightly taller due to delayed growth plate closure.

Is My Scottish Terrier Overweight?

Assessing your Scottish Terrier's body condition (healthy range: 18–22 lbs):

Rib check: Run your hands along the ribcage—you should feel individual ribs under a slight fat layer
Overhead view: A defined waist should be visible between ribs and hips
Side profile: The abdomen should tuck upward behind the last rib

Overweight Scottish Terriers face higher risks of Scottie Cramp, joint problems, and shortened lifespan. Even for a small-sized breed, excess weight significantly impacts joint health and overall wellbeing. Work with your vet to adjust feeding and exercise if needed.

Feeding Recommendation

Daily food for an adult Scottish Terrier: 0.5–0.4 cups of high-quality dry food in two meals, budgeting $41–65/month. Puppies growing toward 18–22 lbs need three to four daily feedings until around six months old. Scotties have a dramatically elevated risk of bladder cancer compared to all other breeds, making routine urinalysis screening critically important.—treats count toward daily calorie intake.

Weight by Age Table

Age	Male (lbs)	Female (lbs)
3 months	5.0–6.0	4.3–5.1
6 months	11.1–13.1	9.4–11.2
9 months	16.1–19.1	13.7–16.2
12 months	20.2–23.8	17.1–20.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Males: 18–22 lbs. Females: 15–19 lbs. Compact and sturdy at 18 to 22 pounds and about 10 inches tall, they are surprisingly heavy for their size due to their dense bone structure.. Consult your vet for a personalized assessment.

The Scottish Terrier reaches full adult size (10–11 inches, 18–22 lbs) by approximately 12–15 months. Moderate exercise needs of 30 to 45 minutes daily, enjoying walks and exploring, though their short legs and long back mean they should avoid excessive jumping.. Growth rate is influenced by genetics, diet, and overall care.

Three quick checks for your Scottish Terrier: (1) Feel the ribs–they should be easily palpable under a thin fat layer. (2) View from above–there should be a visible waist behind the ribs. (3) Side profile–the abdomen should tuck up. Target weight: 18–22 lbs. Their hard, wiry outer coat with dense, soft undercoat coat can make visual assessment harder, so hands-on rib checks are especially important. Consult your vet for a body condition score.

Start with the food label's guidelines for your puppy's current weight and adjust based on body condition. Scottish Terrier puppies should eat 3–4 meals daily until 6 months, then transition to twice daily. Given the breed's predisposition to Scottie Cramp, your vet may recommend specific dietary considerations. Target adult weight is 18–22 lbs (18–22 for males, 15–19 for females).

A Scottish Terrier puppy not gaining weight needs veterinary attention. Expected growth milestones lead to an adult weight of 18–22 lbs (males 18–22, females 15–19). Possible causes: parasites, insufficient calorie density in food, stress, or underlying conditions. Ensure the puppy is eating without competition from littermates or other pets.