Teddy Roosevelt Terrier

Teddy Roosevelt Terrier
Other names Type B, Short-legged Rat Terrier or Bench legged Feist
Origin United States
Classification / standards
AKC FSS
The AKC Foundation Stock Service (FSS) is an optional recording service for purebred dogs that are not yet eligible for AKC registration.
UKC Terriers standard
Domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris)

The Teddy Roosevelt Terrier is a small to medium-sized American hunting terrier. Lower-set with shorter legs, more muscular, and heavier bone density than its cousin the American Rat Terrier. There is much diversity in the history of the Teddy Roosevelt Terrier breed and it shares a common early history with the American Rat Terrier, Fox Paulistinha and Tenterfield Terrier. It is said the Rat Terrier background stems from the terriers or other dogs that were brought over by early English and other working class immigrants. Since the breed was a farm, hunting and utility dog there was little to no planned breeding other than breeding dogs with agreeable traits to each other in order to produce the desired work ethic in the dog. It is assumed that the Feist (dog), Bull Terrier, Smooth Fox Terrier, Manchester Terrier, Whippet, Italian Greyhound, the now extinct English White Terrier, Turnspit dog and or Wry Legged Terrier all share in the Teddy Roosevelt Terrier's ancestry.[1] These early Ratting Terriers were then most likely bred to the Beagle or Beagle cross bred dogs (for increased scenting ability) and other dogs. Maximizing the influences from these various breeds provides the modern Teddy Roosevelt Terrier with a keen sense of awareness and prey drive, an acute sense of smell and a very high intellect. Although they tend to be aloof with strangers they are devoted companion dogs with a strong desire to please and be near their owners side at all times.

The current UKC standard calls for a Teddy Roosevelt Terrier to range in height between 8 and 15 inches with their weight being proportionate to their height. It is not uncommon to see Teddy Roosevelt Terriers weighing as much as 25 lbs or as little as 8-10 lbs.[2]

Breed history

Early American history shows that the Teddy Roosevelt Terrier, like the Rat Terrier, were often referred to as Feist or just plain terrier mixes. In the case of the Teddy Roosevelt Terrier, "bench legged feist".[3][4][5]

Being the breed was primarily a farm and hunting dog it was common to see and hear of crossing Rat Terriers to other breeds. One such early cross was with the Beagle and it is very possible it is this cross that reinforced the bench leg since the Bench Legged Beagle was a common hunting companion.[6]

Separating the long legged phenotype from the short legged phenotype in most cases did not occur and it was very common to see litters born from parents of either or both phenotypes displaying a variety of leg and body length yet all were still considered and labeled merely as Rat Terriers. In wasn't until the middle 1990's that an effort to segregate the types began in earnest but mixing of the two types in some cases still exists today.

Theodore Roosevelt's family, with terrier.

When the types were separated by the Rat Terrier Club of America the short legged variety was named in honor of Theodore Roosevelt, although he never owned Rat Terriers nor was he instrumental in developing the Teddy Roosevelt Terrier. The dog most attributed to being one of the foundations for the Rat Terriers was a black and tan mixed bred feist type dog owned by the Roosevelts. In one of his letters to his children President Roosevelt writes "There is a very cunning little dog named Skip, belonging to John Goff's pack, who has completely adopted me. I think I shall take him home to Archie. He likes to ride on Dr. Lambert's horse, or mine, and though he is not as big as Jack, takes eager part in the fight with every bear and bobcat."[7] Often confused with Skip the black and tan feist, the Roosevelts also had a dog named Scamp. Scamp is the only dog mentioned in Roosevelt's letters as ever hunting rats while in the White House, "Scamp is really an extraordinary ratter and kills a great many rats in the White House, in the cellars and on the lower floor and among the machinery. He is really a very nice little dog." [7] Unfortunately there are no pictures of Scamp nor descriptions other than one which describes him as a Fox Terrier.[8] Another Terrier which often is confused with the Rat Terrier was Roosevelt's dog named Jack. In Mr. Roosevelt's letter dated July 27, 1902 to Mrs. Roswell Field he writes, "It is a real pleasure to send you a photograph of my boy Kermit, with Jack, the Manchester Terrier, who is absolutely a member of the family." Indicating Jack was a Manchester Terrier, not a Rat Terrier.

The first Standard for the breed was developed by the now defunct Teddy Roosevelt Terrier Club of America in 1996.[2] There are currently several registration organizations all of which have their own standard but the most commonly accepted is the United Kennel Club [9] and the United Kennel Club International.[10] Although the UKCI still only recognizes them as a variation of the Rat Terrier.

In 1999 both "Rat Terrier" and “Teddy Roosevelt Terrier" were accepted as a separate breeds by the United Kennel Club.[9]

Currently, the UKC accepts Single Teddy Roosevelt Terrier Registration Applications for dogs from 10 different registries where they are simply designated as "Rat Terriers." .

Appearance

Adult Male showing proper proportions while watching a squirrel

The Teddy Roosevelt Terrier is a low-set, muscular, active, small-to-medium size hunting terrier. The preferred ratio of length of body (prosternum to point of buttocks) to height (withers to ground) is between 10:7 and 10:8. 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.

Adult Male Teddy Roosevelt Terrier

Disqualification: A longer-legged, square-bodied dog, whose proportions vary significantly from the desired ratio lacks breed type, and must be disqualified.

Common characteristics

Like the Rat Terrier, the Teddy Roosevelt Terrier of today is bred for versatility, including hunting instincts, soundness of health, great temperament, and good looks. The Teddy Roosevelt Terrier has a higher than average prey drive and will chase squirrels, rats, stray cats and any other animal they consider prey. They will also dig and follow mole trails leaving a vast array of trenches and holes behind. They make excellent watch dogs and can be very protective and territorial. Teddies share a love for their families and become very attached, craving human interaction and affection. Always by their owner's side, they will become a constant shadow, following their master around throughout the daily routine.

Teddies are very smart and loyal, which makes them easy to train. They are energetic and playful, and their antics can make you laugh daily. However, when it’s time to settle down they are just as content to be in your lap.

Teddies can adapt to pretty much any lifestyle, whether you show in conformation rings, work in agility trials, or just want a great companion for your home or farm. Their small to medium size makes them suitable to apartment living as well. Today, the Teddy Roosevelt Terrier is gaining a solid following and becoming a popular household companion.

Health problems

Less common problems may include allergies, bite problems (malocclusions), hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, and subluxating patella as these are problems that appear in the dog's cousin, the rat terrier.

Ectopia lentis is a congenital condition which also affects this breed. Although not currently well documented in the Teddy Roosevelt Terrier it is being seen in small numbers and populations according to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals but is still seen in higher numbers in the Rat Terrier and other terrier breeds[11][12]

Footnotes

  1. ↑ Moore, Daniel History of the Teddy Roosevelt Terrier
  2. 1 2 Teddy Roosevelt Terrier Breed Standard 1996,1997 Teddy Roosevelt Terrier Club of America
  3. ↑ "The Bear Hunt, a Poem By Abraham Lincoln
  4. ↑ "Feist or Fiction?: The Squirrel Dog of the Southern Mountains" by Donald Davis, Jeffrey Stotkit, The Journal of Popular Culture 26 (1992) , pgs 193–201
  5. ↑ The Bench Legged Fyce by Eugene Field (1895)
  6. ↑ Hunter Trader Trapper 1922 Vol 44 page 79
  7. 1 2 Bishop, Joseph Bucklin, ed. Theodore Roosevelt's Letters to His Children. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1919. Letters from 1898-1911
  8. ↑ Sports Illustrated November 02, 1981 E.M Swift, "The Mutt With A Touch Of Class"
  9. 1 2 http://www.ukcdogs.com/WebSite.nsf/Breeds/TeddyRooseveltTerrier
  10. ↑ http://www.universalkennel.com/Standards/Standard%20Rat%20Terrier.htm
  11. ↑ Sargan DR, J Hered (2007) 98(5): 534-538 Mapping the Mutation Causing Lens Luxation in Several Terrier Breeds
  12. ↑ Orthopedic Foundation for Animals Public Database

References

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