The Teddy Roosevelt Terrier is a low-set, muscular, active, small-to-medium
hunting terrier. The preferred ratio of length of body (prosternum to point of
buttocks) to height (withers to ground) to is 10:7. The head is broad, slightly
domed, wedge-shaped, and proportionate to the size of the body. Ears are
V-shaped, set at the outside edges of the skull, and may be erect or button.
A docked tail is preferred, but a natural bob tail or a natural tail carried in an
upward curve are also acceptable. The Teddy Roosevelt Terrier comes in solid
white, other solid colors with markings, and white with a variety of colored
patches. The Teddy Roosevelt Terrier should be evaluated as a working terrier,
and exaggerations or faults should be penalized in proportion to how much
they interfere with the dog's ability to work. Honorable scars resulting from
field work are not to be penalized.
Characteristics
The Teddy Roosevelt Terrier is an energetic, alert dog whose curiosity and
intelligence make him easy to train. He thrives on human companionship and
will enthusiastically share any activity with his owner. With his strong
protective nature and well-developed pack instincts, the Teddy Roosevelt
Terrier gets along well with children and dogs of similar size. He is a bold,
tenacious hunter with seemingly unlimited energy whose size and endurance
makes him an excellent hunter of rabbits, squirrels and vermin. Teddy
Roosevelt Terriers should not be sparred during conformation judging. This is a
long-lived breed and it is not uncommon for one to live to 15 or 16 years of
age.
Temperament
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History
The Teddy Roosevelt Terrier is an American breed descended from the terriers
brought over by English miners and other working class immigrants. These
versatile terriers probably included crosses between the Smooth Fox Terrier,
the Manchester Terrier, the Beagle, the Whippet, the Italian Greyhound, and
the now extinct white English Terrier. These dogs were used as ratters, and
soon became known as "Rat Terriers." Two types of Rat Terriers evolved,
distinguished primarily by leg length. The short-legged one resulted most likely
from crosses with Dachshunds or Corgis. These short-legged Rat Terriers
developed a devoted following and were named in honor of President Teddy
Roosevelt, who once owned these ratters.
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