 Scottish white terriers were recorded as early as during the reign of James VI of Scotland , who reigned between 1567 and 1625 . The king ordered that a dozen terriers be procured from Argyll to be presented to the Kingdom of France as a gift . Sandy- and brindle @-@ coloured dogs were seen as hardier than those of other colours , and white dogs were seen as being weak . At various times during the breed 's existence , it has been considered a white offshoot of both the Scottish Terrier and the Cairn Terrier breeds . 
