Two different questions in one
Whether a Scottish Terrier is good with other dogs depends on which dogs you mean. Inside the home, a Scottie raised with another dog or introduced carefully to a compatible companion usually settles into an orderly partnership, sharing routines and often forming a clear favourite sleeping arrangement. Outside the home, the picture changes. Scottish Terriers were bred with a bold, self-reliant streak, and many adult Scotties, particularly males, are selective about unfamiliar dogs. A bouncy stranger rushing in face to face can be met with stiff posture, hard staring, and a sharp response that surprises owners who only know their dog's relaxed home personality.
Neither behaviour makes the dog badly behaved. It makes him a terrier, and it means his social life needs thoughtful management rather than free-for-all exposure at a busy dog park.
Socialisation shapes the adult dog
A Scottie puppy who meets a wide variety of calm, well-mannered dogs in controlled settings learns that other dogs are background scenery rather than a challenge. Puppy classes with skilled supervision, walks alongside a steady adult dog, and brief, pleasant greetings that end before excitement boils over all build that education. Flooding a young terrier at a crowded park does the opposite, teaching him that encounters are chaotic and that he must handle them himself.
Adult rescue Scotties arrive with unknown histories. Some are beautifully social; others guard toys, food, or their owner. With an adult, assume nothing, introduce gradually, and keep early meetings on parallel walks where both dogs can relax at a distance before anyone suggests a closer greeting.
Adding a second dog to a Scottie home
Compatibility beats convenience. Many households find a Scottie pairs most easily with a dog of the opposite sex and a temperament that is confident without being pushy. Two terrier personalities who both insist on the last word can create ongoing friction over doorways, chews, and the best seat. Feed separately at first, provide duplicate beds and toys, and supervise shared spaces until a pattern of easy coexistence is established over weeks, not a single good afternoon.
Watch the quiet signs. A dog who starts guarding the hallway, hovering over water bowls, or freezing when the other dog approaches a family member is telling you the arrangement needs more space and structure, and possibly guidance from a qualified behaviour professional if tension grows.
Managing encounters out and about
Keep greetings short and side-on, keep the lead loose enough that your dog does not feel trapped, and feel free to decline greetings altogether with a cheerful step aside. A Scottie does not need to meet every dog to be well adjusted. Reward him for noticing another dog and turning back to you, because that choice, repeated daily, builds the calm public behaviour every owner wants. Through KinsLe Messenger, you can keep arrangements with your Scottish Terrier's regular walking companions and their owners in his own hub, making steady, familiar meetups easier to plan than random encounters.