Teddy Roosevelt Terrier: Your Complete Guide

The Teddy Roosevelt terrier is an adorable smaller breed with a keen intellect and a lovable and affectionate personality. They are a breed that requires less grooming than most, and due to their agreeable nature, they can prove to be a great breed for first-time owners.

However, they can be shy around new people and may not be the best dogs for certain households.

To better understand the small dog and its wonderful eccentricities, we will be taking a comprehensive look at the Teddy Roosevelt terrier. This will go over its temperament, sociability, health concerns, diet, grooming needs, and much more!

Quick Look at the Teddy Roosevelt Terrier

Below is a quick glance at this special breed in terms of its physical characteristics, lifespan, temperament, and grooming needs.

What Is the History of Teddy Roosevelt Terriers?

The Teddy Roosevelt terrier derives its name from Theodore Roosevelt and his family’s affinity for the squat-legged canines. The breed was widely considered a feist with shorter legs in its early years and was bred with a large variety of similar-sized hunting dogs. While temperament played a part in how they were bred, that was where breeding standards ended.

Because of this, the more stout Teddy did not come about for some time, and regular crossbreeding between the leggier variants of terriers took place. This habit changed around the 1990s when breeders started working towards building off the distinct frames of the various rat terriers.

While the former president gets a lot of attention from this breed, Theodore Roosevelt had almost nothing to do with the breed himself. While he did speak fondly of similar dog breeds, he never actually owned a rat terrier. However, he did own a few feists and wrote highly of them in his letters.

The breed has grown a reputation for their ability as pest exterminators, which has come from an ancestry filled with proficient ratters. They have regularly been used to keep out unwanted guests in farms, cottages, and country homes since their symbiotic relationship with humans began.

The Teddy Roosevelt terrier was officially accepted in 1999 by the United Kennel Club.

What Do Teddy Roosevelt Terriers Look Like?

The breed will always have a spawn of white along the fur, which is a standard of the breed. Outside of its white layer, however, the breed can vary in color broadly. They come in shades of black, blue, brown, cream, fawn, red, silver and white. The coat of a Teddy Roosevelt terrier will either be two colors or three, and patterns differ.

What Size Is a Teddy Roosevelt terrier?

The size of a Teddy Roosevelt terrier is typically smaller, with the breed’s most dense relatives breaking into the medium category. The dog can be as small as eight pounds or as large as twenty-five; their height will be anywhere from eight to fourteen inches. While they are classified as small-to-medium, they are typically compact and muscular.

What Is a Teddy Roosevelt Terriers Coat Type and Length?

Similar to its shape, the coat of the Teddy Roosevelt terrier is short, dense, and straight-haired. They can have some variation in the feel of their fur, with some terriers having a callous outer layer while others have a soft, pleasant coat. Their coat has a clean appearance on average, almost shimmering in certain lighting.

What Is a Teddy Roosevelt Terrier’s Temperament?

If the term friendly could be personified, it would be a Teddy Roosevelt terrier. These muscular mutts are some of the most endearing dogs you could ever hope to meet and are typically exceptionally friendly to just about everyone in their home. They have a fair bit of energy, though they can fit into most households as long as they are given some playtime.

Are Teddy Roosevelt Terriers Good With Kids?

The breed is exceptional with most humans, and children are no different. While a child needs to be respectful and soft with the dog, the breed will rarely have issues with younger family members. They are excellent choices for people looking for a fuzzy friend for their child to bond with and will happily jump at the chance.

Are Teddy Roosevelt Terriers Good With Other Animals?

Unlike some smaller breeds, the Teddy Roosevelt terrier is an amiable breed when it comes to other dogs. They rarely have issues with other dogs, and as long as the other dog is not aggressive, the two should get along just fine. However, cats and smaller pets may have issues as the animal has a keen predatorial spirit and enjoys a good chase.

Cats big enough to be seen as equal will be fine, though birds, rodents, and some lizards may not get along well with the dog.

Are Teddy Roosevelt Terriers Aggressive?

The terrier breed is seldom aggressive; if they are, it is almost always a response to fear or pain. They can be standoffish or skittish around strangers and may bark in response, though snarling and biting are uncommon in the breed. This antisocial trait comes down to individual temperament, and training minimizes aggression quite a bit.

While they may be opposed to strangers by nature, they are also incredibly adaptable dogs.  With early socialization and a fair bit of encouragement, they can become social butterflies given enough time. Prospective owners should not be concerned with the aggression levels of the Teddy Roosevelt terrier.

Do Teddy Roosevelt Terriers Bark?

They bark, though much less than other similar-sized breeds. The bark is typically to warn of newcomers to your home or sounds they perceive as threatening. Despite their size, they are not a yappy breed and can be trained to be more reserved if they bark more than desired. The breed will always be vocal when alarmed, though never excessively.

Are Teddy Roosevelt Terriers Affectionate?

While they have gotten a reputation for being one-person dogs, they are well-loved by fans of the breed for their kind temperament and cuddly nature. They will run around for a while, tire themselves out, and find the nearest lap to nap away the remaining hours. They make great companions and will happily join you for a lazy evening whenever you like.

Are Teddy Roosevelt Terriers Intelligent?

Finding a dim-witted terrier of any kind is challenging, and the Teddy Roosevelt is no exception. The breed is independently capable while proving far more keen than their owners may be aware of. Their intelligence can sometimes be devious, though it pays dividends when it comes time to train them.

Are Teddy Roosevelt Terriers Energetic?

They are very perky throughout the day, though because of their size, owners can have them in apartments, small homes, and other compact living conditions.

That said, they will require vigorous exercise on a daily basis to avoid weight issues, health problems, and destructive tendencies. Thankfully, they do have a limit to their energy, and exercise will keep them calm in the evening.

When you do give them exercise, try to keep the Teddy Roosevelt terrier on a leash or in a fenced-in area, as the nearest squirrel could cause a high-speed chase. If their muscular frame is any indication, this terrier breed loves to roam around and will prove chaotic if forced into a sedentary lifestyle.

Are Teddy Roosevelt Terriers Easy to Train?

The Teddy Roosevelt terrier has the terrier intelligence with less of its characteristic stubbornness. This allows them to have the capability to learn a variety of complex tricks other dogs would struggle with while also having a willingness to listen. They are very trainable and can learn just about anything you would like to teach them outside of long division.

The biggest setback to training them will be their eagerness and energy level, so it may be wise to try calming the dog before a training session. Similarly, the earlier you get them into training, the easier it will be to get them to listen later. They also make great dogs for agility training due to their swift speed, muscular frame, and obedient nature.

Are Teddy Roosevelt Terriers Good Watchdogs?

While they are too small to knock down any would-be intruders, they have a good ear and will alert their owners when they hear or sniff a threat. However, their bark is hardly threatening, and other breeds could fill the position more competently.

While the Teddy Roosevelt terrier has no shortage of great qualities, they are not designed to fulfill a watchdog role. They are protective, however, and can work as small security systems on top of more primary functions such as companionship, pest control, and more.

Are Teddy Roosevelt Terriers Good Service Dogs?

The breed is exceptionally bright and empathetic, though their size and reservation towards strangers may limit their service effectiveness. While they can become useful service dogs, those searching for a canine helper may prefer more heavily recommended, bigger dogs. That isn’t to say that the Teddy Roosevelt terrier is incapable of providing assistance.

Their kind disposition and intuitive nature make them wonderful emotional support dogs for people dealing with psychological issues such as anxiety, PTSD, etc. They also tend to bond with one person quite heavily, making them easily dependable for people who need consistent comfort.

How to Care for a Teddy Roosevelt Terrier?

The Teddy Roosevelt terrier is a ball of energy, though it is a relatively small one. They have a lot of stamina, though they aren’t as intimidating as a greyhound in terms of exercise requirements. They shed regularly, though grooming is much less intensive than most other breeds.

Do You Need to Groom a Teddy Roosevelt Terrier?

Dental hygiene of dogs is too often underutilized in owners and can lead to various tooth and gum issues down the line. To minimize this, try to brush the terrier’s teeth a few times per week. A brush every week or so should be fine for their coats, as it does not need much maintenance.

They can get dirty with the amount of outdoor time they get, so baths may become a fairly regular occurrence. They are easy to clean due to their smaller frame, though whether they are open to the idea of a bath is anyone’s guess.

Try to check around their ears for any dirt buildup that can irritate the dog after they have been outside, and make sure their nails don’t get excessively long. Past that, these little guys are relatively simple to maintain.

Do Teddy Roosevelt Terriers Shed?

They shed more than one would expect after looking at their coat, though it won’t change the color of your wardrobe. Owners looking for a hypoallergenic dog will not find any luck with the Teddy Roosevelt terrier. For those without allergies, a lint roller and the occasional brushing can go a long way to lessen the fur and hair around the house.

What Health Problems Do Teddy Roosevelt Terriers Have?

The Teddy Roosevelt terrier is a pretty healthy breed. They have long lifespans and typically go for years without any health issues. However, they are prone to certain health conditions, which should be understood by folks interested in the breed.

Most breeders will have more information on the medical background of a dog, which should be examined thoroughly prior to adoption.

The most common health problems of the Teddy Roosevelt terrier are:

• Patellar luxation
• Lens luxation
• Hip and elbow dysplasia (less common)
• Allergies

These are less prevalent than they may appear, though they are common enough to be worth noting. As mentioned above, speaking with a breeder about a dog’s medical history and genetic background can give more information about what owners need to look out for.

How Long Do Teddy Roosevelt Terriers Live?

Those in the market for a terrier can expect a long life from their brawny buddies, with an average lifespan of thirteen to sixteen years. This will be affected by exercise, genetic background, lifestyle, and diet. Due to their limited health issues and lengthy lifespan, they are a good choice for people looking for long-term companions.

What Should a Teddy Roosevelt errier Eat?

The Teddy Roosevelt terrier will benefit from a diet of good-quality small-to-medium dog food that is portioned out twice a day. The amount of exercise the dog gets will also determine how much food they require. Dogs going through rigorous agility training may require more food than a dog that is going around the block once or twice a day.

If you are still determining what food to give your terrier, speak with the breeder or a local veterinarian to get an informed, professional opinion.

Is a Teddy Roosevelt Terrier the Right Dog for Me?

This breed is a wonderful family dog that can fit in most homes regardless of size, particularly if the owner has a space to run it around. Teddy terriers need a lot of exercise; a fair bit of attention and training certainly does not hurt. They are fantastic for getting rid of rodents, keeping around for companionship, and much more.

They will not be great for people with excessive allergies, and they may retract from heavy social settings if they are not brought into public spaces at an early age. Due to their limited size, several service positions will be challenging for them to fill.

If you want an intelligent dog with a good temperament that will spend the next fifteen years at your side, the Teddy Roosevelt terrier is a wonderful pick that the entire family will love.

Your cat may feel differently.