Teddy Roosevelt Terrier
15-16 yrs
10-25 lbs
8-15"
United States

Get pet insurance

Teddy Roosevelt Terrier

Home
Dog Breeds
Teddy Roosevelt Terrier

10-25 lbs

8-15"

United States

Teddy Roosevelt Rat Terrier, Bench Legged Feist, Short-legged Rat Terrier, TRT

The Teddy Roosevelt Terrier is a big dog in a little package. He is full of energy and requires a lot of exercise and mental stimulation to keep him from becoming a nuisance. He loves to play games and dig. He can also be a very vocal dog. The Teddy Roosevelt Terrier is the result of breeding the Rat Terrier and the Short-Legged Rat Terrier. Many people believe that President Theodore Roosevelt had a hand in developing the breed, but these claims have not been substantiated. It is a fact that President Roosevelt did own a few of these fun-loving dogs.

                
                Purpose
              
Ratter

                Date of Origin
              
1900s

                Ancestry
              
Manchester Terrier, Bull Terrier, Smooth Fox Terrier, Beagle, Whippet, Italian Greyhound, White English Terrier

Teddy Roosevelt Terrier Health

Average Size

Height: 8-15 inches Weight: 10-25 lbs

Major Concerns

Elbow Dysplasia
Hip Dysplasia
Von Willebrand's Disease
Hypothyroidism

Minor Concerns

Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)
Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM)

Occasional Diagnoses

None

Occasional Tests

OFA
CERF
Full Physical Examination
Genetic Testing
Thyroid Testing

Teddy Roosevelt Terrier Breed History

The Teddy Roosevelt Terrier was developed in the United States from terriers that came over to the United States with English miners and other English working class immigrants. Many people believe that he descends from the Manchester Terrier, Bull Terrier, Smooth Fox Terrier, Beagle, Whippet, and Italian Greyhound. It is also possible that the White English Terrier was also used in the Teddy Roosevelt Terrier’s bloodline. The White English Terrier is now extinct. The Teddy Roosevelt Terrier was initially used as a ratter and was dubbed “Rat Terrier”. Eventually, two types of Rat Terriers were formed. These two types were distinguished by leg length. The shorter legged Rat Terriers were given the name Teddy Roosevelt Terrier because many believe that President Theodore Roosevelt helped develop the breed, although there is no actual evidence that he bred these terriers. It is known that President Roosevelt did own a few of these Short-Legged Rat Terriers or Teddy Roosevelt Terriers. Some enthusiasts of the breed still call him a Teddy Roosevelt Rat Terrier. Many times the Teddy Roosevelt Terrier is still lumped in with the Rat Terrier; however, there are two distinct official breed standards for each breed. The United Kennel Club recognized the Teddy Roosevelt Terrier as a separate breed from the Rat Terrier in 1999. Both breeds are fully recognized by the UKC and able to compete as separate breeds in all UKC sanctioned events. No other registry has yet to recognize the Teddy Roosevelt Terrier, but the American Kennel Club finally begun registering him in the Foundation Stock Service in 2016.

Teddy Roosevelt Terrier Breed Appearance

The Teddy Roosevelt Terrier is a very muscular dog, short legged and high energy. He has a broad head with a slightly domed backskull. His head is shaped like a wedge and is proportional to his body size. His body is boxy and ideally the length of his body is the same as his height; from his breast bone to his buttocks and from the top of his shoulder to the ground. He has triangular shaped ears that are erect and sit on the outside edge of his skull. It is acceptable for his ears to be button, or slightly folded over. Docking his tail is preferred, however, a natural tail carried upward or a natural bob tail is acceptable. He has a black nose and dark brown eyes; however self-colored nose and lighter eyes are acceptable in certain colors. He has a dense, short coat and can be found in a variety of colors and patterns including white, black, red, tri-color, black and tan, lemon and white, black and white, blue and white, red and white, white and chocolate and white and tan.

Eye Color Possibilities

Hazel

Brown

Amber

Nose Color Possibilities

Blue

Black

Brown

Coat Color Possibilities

Black

White

Brown

Red

Blue

Pied

Coat Length

Short Medium Long

Coat Density

Sparse Normal Dense

Coat Texture

Straight Wiry Wavy Curly Corded

Teddy Roosevelt Terrier Breed Maintenance

The Teddy Roosevelt Terrier is a low maintenance dog that only requires grooming once a month unless he is being shown in conformation. Conditioning of his coat for conformation shows requires grooming weekly and bathing every four to six weeks. When brushing the Teddy Roosevelt Terrier a soft slicker brush or a firm bristle brush is necessary to remove any dirt and dead hairs. When bathing him, use a mild shampoo and be sure to dry him thoroughly before letting him go into the backyard. He will try to roll or wallow in the dirt after a bath. Trim his nails as needed, usually every few weeks. Use toenail clippers or even a nail grinder to keep his nails short and neat. He will need to have his teeth brushed as least once a week, however, two to three times a week is better to keep his teeth strong and healthy.

Brushes for Teddy Roosevelt Terrier

Slicker Brush

Nail Clipper

Brushing Frequency

Daily Weekly Monthly

Teddy Roosevelt Terrier Temperament

The Teddy Roosevelt Terrier is a very active, playful terrier with a heart of gold. He loves his family and usually does well with other dogs, although he should be watched around other small pets such as ferrets, hamsters or guinea pigs. He is a relentless hunter and will be tenacious when he is on the scent of vermin around the house or property. The Teddy Roosevelt Terrier requires a lot of exercise, including mental stimulation to keep him happy. He would excel in certain dog sports. He is not the type of dog to be left alone outside in the backyard with little interaction; he will become an intolerable nuisance. To make his own fun, he will dig and find things to occupy his time, such as pulling laundry off the clothesline. Training is important to ensure he knows that he has boundaries when in the house. He can also be trained to be an excellent guard dog for your home.

Activity Level

                  Low
                  Medium
                  High
                
Rec. Walk Mileage Per Week
12 miles

Minutes of Activity Per Day
60 minutes

Similar Maintenance Breeds to Teddy Roosevelt Terrier

Similarly Sized Breeds to Teddy Roosevelt Terrier

Teddy Roosevelt Terrier Food Consumption

Cups Per Day
0.8 cups
Daily Cost
$1.00 - $1.00
Monthly Cost
$25.00 - $30.00

Teddy Roosevelt Terrier Height & Weight

6 Months

                  Height: 7.5 inches
                  Weight: 10.5 lbs
                
                  Height: 7.5 inches
                  Weight: 10.5 lbs
                
12 Months

                  Height: 10.5 inches
                  Weight: 14.0 lbs
                
                  Height: 10.5 inches
                  Weight: 14.0 lbs
                
18 Months

                  Height: 11.5 inches
                  Weight: 17.5 lbs
                
                  Height: 11.5 inches
                  Weight: 17.5 lbs

Written by a Rough Collie lover Holly Ramsey

Published: 11/14/2017, edited: 02/24/2021

Teddy Roosevelt Terrier Owner Experiences

3 Years

People

Health

Grooming

Friendliness

Energy

Trainability

Pastimes

Walking

licking

Sniffing

Omg the ones I've walked are adorable. well some, there other that are rescue and are not so friendly. it depends. If they are, they are gonna take the best out of the walk and be as happy as it can be. although, they don't like to go far from home. If the pup is not friendly, he is gonna try to run all the time, not like been close to you and just try to go back home asap. I almost lost one cause he got tangle I came down to help and he cut lose and start running.

6 years, 4 months ago

Hazel Grace

1 Year

5 People

House & Yard

Health

Grooming

Friendliness

Energy

Trainability

Pastimes

Playdate

Cuddles

She is super loveable and playful. I love her to death

4 years, 3 months ago

Buddy

15 Weeks

2 People

Apartment

Health

Grooming

Friendliness

Energy

Trainability

Pastimes

This breed is new to us. We are experiencing a learning curve for our former pet of 16 yrs was a chihuahua.

3 years, 9 months ago

Book me a walkiee?

Pweeeze!

Book My Walk!