Teddy Roosevelt Terrier: temperament, size, care and health

About the Teddy Roosevelt Terrier

The Teddy Roosevelt Terrier is a compact American terrier with a long body, a short, glossy coat, and a lean, athletic build. It comes in two size varieties, miniature and standard, with heights ranging from about 8 to 15 inches overall, and the weight range in the table covers both. Coats are mostly white with solid patches in black, tan, chocolate, or tricolor.

The breed descends from the Rat Terrier-type dogs that American farmers kept for hunting rats and small game, and it still works as a general-purpose farm and hunting dog. Its owners value the stamina, the willingness to learn, and the manageable size.

Temperament and family life

Teddy Roosevelt Terriers are affectionate and enjoy being close to their people. They are lively and usually good with older children who play actively with them, though they are small enough to be hurt by rough handling. They are alert to visitors and bark to announce them, and are generally friendly once introduced.

The prey drive is high, so rodents, squirrels, and sometimes cats are seen as targets. With other dogs they are usually sociable if introduced early. Left alone for long hours, they get bored and may dig, chew, or bark. They are happiest in a home where somebody is around and the dog is included in activities.

Exercise and training

Give the dog an hour of daily exercise, ideally with running or fetch. Agility, flyball, earthdog trials, and lure coursing are good activities. Mental work counts as much as physical activity, so trick training and scent games are helpful.

The breed is smart and wants to please, and it generally learns faster than many terriers. Reward-based training with brief, varied sessions works best. Early socialization builds confidence. Recall is the weak point, since scent or movement can override everything, so a fenced yard and a leash are essential outside safe spaces.

Grooming and shedding

The short coat is easy: a weekly brushing with a rubber curry or soft brush removes dead hair. The dog does shed, with extra loss in spring and fall, and the white hairs show on dark fabric. Baths are needed only when the dog is dirty.

Trim the nails, clean the ears, and brush the teeth, particularly in the smaller dogs, which can build tartar. The thin coat gives little protection in the cold, so a sweater is useful in winter.

Health

The breed is generally healthy, and many live well into their teens. Kneecap luxation, Legg-Calve-Perthes disease, and hip dysplasia are the main orthopedic concerns, and allergies and dental disease occur. Because the breed is recently recognized, breeders and clubs are still building health testing programs, and buyers should ask what screening has been done on both parents.

The above is general information, and a veterinarian should be consulted about any individual Teddy Roosevelt Terrier.

History

The breed is generally traced to the Rat Terrier line in the United States, and it is named in honor of President Theodore Roosevelt. After years of being bred as farm dogs, fanciers set the type apart from the Rat Terrier and wrote a standard for it. The AKC recognized the breed only in recent years, so it is among the newest in the terrier group.

Is the Teddy Roosevelt Terrier right for you?

A Teddy Roosevelt Terrier suits active people who want a trainable, short-coated, small to medium dog for sports or hiking, and who can provide a securely fenced yard. It adapts to indoor living if its exercise is met. It is not a good match for those who want a sedentary pet or who keep small animals.

The Rat Terrier is the closest relative, and the American Hairless Terrier is another American offshoot. For a similar activity level in a different type, look at the Russell Terrier.