Scottish Terrier Health: Bladder Cancer & More

The short answer

The single most important Scottish Terrier health fact is a notably elevated risk of bladder cancer (transitional cell carcinoma), among the highest of any breed. That makes knowing the warning signs, blood in the urine, straining, and frequent or difficult urination, essential, because early detection matters. Beyond that, the breed can have Scottie cramp (a movement disorder), von Willebrand disease (a bleeding disorder), and jaw, joint, and skin issues. This is general information, not veterinary advice: build a plan with your Calgary vet, watch closely for urinary changes, and price pet insurance while your dog is young.

A black Scottish Terrier standing calmly for a veterinarian in a bright Calgary clinic

Scottish Terriers are generally hardy little dogs, but this is one breed where a single health issue stands out enough that every owner should know it in advance. Understanding the bladder-cancer risk, and the handful of other breed-specific conditions, is what lets an owner catch problems early rather than late. This guide walks through each with authoritative sources, then covers the preventive care that matters most in Calgary.

Bladder cancer: the breed's defining risk

This is the health fact that sets the Scottie apart. The breed has one of the highest risks of bladder cancer, specifically transitional cell carcinoma (TCC), of any breed. Research from Purdue University's canine bladder cancer program has reported that Scottish Terriers carry roughly an eighteen-to-twenty-fold higher risk than other breeds. That is not a prediction that any individual dog will get it, but it is a reason for every owner to stay alert.

Know the warning signs and act on them:

Blood in the urine
Straining to urinate, or difficulty urinating
Frequent urination or accidents in a house-trained dog
Recurrent urinary tract infections that keep coming back

Any of these is a prompt vet visit, not something to wait out, and it is worth mentioning the breed's cancer risk so your vet keeps it in mind. Research linked to the Purdue program has also associated exposure to certain lawn and garden herbicides with higher TCC risk in Scotties, so limiting your dog's contact with chemically treated lawns is a reasonable precaution. Talk with your vet about whether periodic urine screening makes sense for your individual dog. Diagnosis and treatment are entirely a veterinary matter; the owner's job is vigilance and early action.

Scottie cramp and bleeding disorders

Two more breed-specific things to know. Scottie cramp is a hereditary movement disorder fairly particular to the breed: an affected dog develops stiffness or a cramping, awkward gait, usually triggered by excitement or hard exercise, that typically eases with rest. It can look alarming but is generally not painful and is not a seizure, and many dogs live normal lives with it. Because other conditions can look similar, any episodes like this deserve a proper veterinary diagnosis rather than a guess at home.

The breed also carries von Willebrand disease, an inherited blood-clotting disorder in which a dog may bleed more than expected from an injury or during surgery. A DNA test exists and good breeders screen for it. The practical takeaway for an adopted Scottie is simple: mention the breed to your vet before any planned surgery so they can take appropriate precautions. Screening for several of these conditions is registered through databases like the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA).

Other concerns and preventive care in Calgary

Young Scotties can experience craniomandibular osteopathy, an abnormal growth of the jaw bones that usually resolves with maturity but needs veterinary management while it is active, and the breed can also have patellar luxation and skin allergies. The American Kennel Club describes a sturdy, spirited breed, and with good care most Scotties are hardy companions well into their teens.

Preventive care comes down to routine vet visits, attention to the urinary warning signs above all, good dental and skin care, and a lean body. Price pet insurance while your dog is young and healthy, before anything becomes pre-existing, since cancer care in particular can be costly. For the grooming side of owning a Scottie, see our grooming and coat care guide, and for the full adoption picture, our Scottish Terrier adoption guide.

Considering a Scottish Terrier?

Adopting an adult through a rescue that has done a vet workup means much of the health history is already known, a real advantage in a breed with specific predispositions. See who is available across Calgary rescues.

See Calgary Scottish Terriers →

Frequently Asked Questions

What health problems are Scottish Terriers prone to?↓

The standout is a notably elevated risk of bladder cancer (transitional cell carcinoma). Beyond that, the breed can have Scottie cramp (a movement disorder), von Willebrand disease (a bleeding disorder), craniomandibular osteopathy (a jaw-bone condition in young dogs), patellar luxation, and skin allergies. Lifespan is around eleven to thirteen years. Reputable breeders screen where tests exist, and adopting an adult through a rescue that has done a vet workup surfaces some concerns early. Build a plan with your Calgary vet, and note the bladder-cancer risk in particular.

Do Scottish Terriers get bladder cancer?↓

This is the breed’s most important health fact. Scottish Terriers have one of the highest risks of bladder cancer, specifically transitional cell carcinoma (TCC), of any breed. Research from Purdue University’s canine bladder cancer program has reported that Scotties carry roughly an eighteen-to-twenty-fold higher risk than other breeds. That does not mean your dog will get it, but it does mean owners should know the warning signs, blood in the urine, straining, frequent or difficult urination, and take them seriously. Any of these signs is a prompt vet visit. Early detection genuinely matters.

Can I reduce my Scottie’s bladder cancer risk?↓

You cannot change the genetics, but research points to a few sensible steps. Studies associated with the Purdue program have linked exposure to certain lawn and garden herbicides with increased TCC risk in Scotties, so limiting your dog’s contact with treated lawns is reasonable. The same research also associated regular vegetable intake with lower risk, though diet changes should be discussed with your vet. Most importantly, know the warning signs and consider, with your vet, whether periodic urine screening makes sense for your individual dog. This is guidance to raise with your veterinarian, not a treatment plan.

What is Scottie cramp?↓

Scottie cramp is a hereditary movement disorder fairly specific to the breed. Affected dogs develop muscle stiffness or a cramping, awkward gait, often triggered by excitement or hard exercise, that typically resolves with rest. It looks alarming but is generally not painful and is not the same as a seizure. It is usually a manageable condition, and many dogs live normal lives with it. If your Scottie shows episodes like this, see your vet for a proper diagnosis, since other conditions can look similar, and management belongs with your veterinarian rather than at home.

How long do Scottish Terriers live?↓

Scottish Terriers typically live around eleven to thirteen years. Keeping one healthy across that span means routine vet care, attention to the breed’s specific risks, above all watching for the bladder-cancer warning signs, and good dental and skin care. Price pet insurance while your dog is young and healthy, before anything becomes pre-existing, since cancer treatment and other breed issues can be costly. Regular check-ups and prompt attention to any change in urination are the most valuable things an owner can do for a Scottie’s long-term health.