This is a list of domestic animal breeds originating in Scotland. To be considered domesticated, a population of animals must have their behaviour, life cycle, or physiology systemically altered as a result of being under human control for many generations.[1]
Scotland has produced some of the longest-established domestic animal breeds.[citation needed] There are thirty-seven extant animal breeds from Scotland, and three that are extinct. The Soay Sheep has prehistoric origins,[citation needed] and the Galloway breed of beef cattle dates back several hundred years. New breeds have also been developed more recently in Scotland, such as the Scottish Fold cat, which dates from 1961.[2]
The North Ronaldsay Sheep is a most unusual breed, subsisting largely on a diet of seaweed.[3] The Boreray was in 2012 the only sheep breed listed by the Rare Breeds Survival Trust as 'critical', its highest level of concern at that time;[4] in 2022 it was listed as 'at risk', the lower of the two levels of concern of the Trust.[5] Some breeds, such as the Shetland Pony and the Border Collie are well known throughout much of the Western world, whilst others such as the Scots Dumpy chicken are little-known, even at home.[citation needed] Fifteen breeds of dog have Scottish origins, including six terrier breeds.[6] Indeed, the relative isolation of many Scottish islands has led to a preponderance of breeds from these places being represented. Various breeds are now extinct, including the Grice, an archaic and somewhat aggressive pig.[7]
Prior to their demise, the Paisley Terrier contributed to the bloodline of the Yorkshire Terrier and the Scottish Tan Face to the Boreray sheep. Although Galloway Ponies were praised by Gervaise Markham in the 17th century for their "fine shape, easie pace, pure metall and infinit toughness", true to form Samuel Johnson described them as "common hackneys".[50] It shares its origins with the still extant Fell Pony. A model of the Grice, whose habit of attacking lambs cannot have aided its survival, was recreated by a taxidermist in 2006.[7]
^ abcdeInitial grouping of several of the highland terriers (including the Scottie) under the generic name Skye terriers has caused some confusion in the breed’s lineage. There is much disagreement over whether the Skye terriers mentioned in early 16th century records actually descended from forerunners of the Scottie or vice versa. See Choosing a Scottish Terrier" Petplace.com. Retrieved 20 July 2009.
^"Endemic Vertebrates of Shetland"[permanent dead link] nature-shetland.co.uk. Retrieved 20 July 2009. This source suggests that this is "a debatable breed, the Kennel Club variety probably differing significantly from the dogs that were used in Shetland in the past".
^"Watchlist: Boreray"Archived 6 April 2012 at the Wayback Machine Rare Breeds Survival Trust. Retrieved 20 July 2009. This categorisation indicates that fewer than 300 individuals are known to exist.
^"History of the Breed"Archived 22 June 2009 at the Wayback Machine. Hebridean Sheep Society. Retrieved 20 July 2009. The breed is sometimes referred to as "St. Kilda Sheep", although it has no specific connection with the archipelago.
^Bailey, Susan (24 January 2008) "The Evolution Of The Yorkshire Terrier" articlealley.com. Retrieved 21 July 2009. This source suggest the Paisley and Clydesdale were two distinct breeds at one time.
