Teddy Roosevelt Terrier

Name after President Theodore Roosevelt (1858-1919), the Teddy Roosevelt Terrier is a small to medium-sized American hunting terrier that is essentially a lower-set, shorter-legged and more muscular version of the American Rat Terrier.

The breed was developed in the United States from dogs such as the Manchester Terrier, Bull Terrier, Smooth Fox Terrier, Beagle, Whippet, Italian Greyhound and the extinct White English Terrier that sailed to the United States with English miners and other English working class immigrants.

It is interesting to note that President Roosevelt never owned a Rat Terrier and played no role in developing the Teddy Roosevelt Terrier. The President owned a Black and Tan Feist (Skip), Smooth Fox Terrier (Scamp) and Manchester Terrier (Jack).

During the 1990s, breeders worked to separate the Rat Terrier into two breeds: the long-legged (Type A) and the the short-legged (Type B). In 1999, the Rat Terrier (Type A) and Teddy Roosevelt Terrier (Type B) were accepted as separate breeds by the United Kennel Club (UKC).

Height: 8–15 in (20–38 cm)
Weight: 8-25 lbs (3.6-11.3 kg)
Coat Type: Short, smooth and dense.
Color: White, Black, Red, Tricolor, Black & Tan, Lemon & White, Black & White, Blue & White, Red & White, White & Chocolate, White & Tan.
Life span: 14-16 years

Temperament: Feisty, Fearless, Affectionate, Lively, Agile, Spirited, Reserved, Active, Lovable, Swift.

Health Problems: Susceptible to elbow and hip dysplasia, von Willebrand’s disease (VWD) and hypothyroidism. Some progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) and dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM).

Special Interest:
• Also known as the Type B, Short-legged Rat Terrier, Teddy Roosevelt Rat Terrier, Bench Legged Feist, TRT.
• Have a natural instinct to chase and dig.
• Traditionally used as ratters, utility dogs and hunting dogs.

Classifications:
AKC: FSS
UKC: Terriers

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