Teddy Roosevelt Terrier

The somewhat rare Teddy Roosevelt Terrier is a short legged version of the more commonly known Rat Terrier. In fact, before being named after U.S. President Teddy Roosevelt this breed was referred to as the “Short Legged” Terrier. Most historians believe the terriers that Roosevelt kept as pets were this short legged variety.

This dog is a descent of the terrier that arrived in America with working class immigrants, such as English miners.

The Teddy Roosevelt Terrier is a working terrier, that can still be considered a tenacious hunter; capable of tracking down rabbits, squirrels and other small vermin. Because of their high intelligence, they are easy to train. All love human companionship and most get along well with children. This dog also enjoys the company of other animals, as long as they are similar in size. They are energetic, alert and curious.

This small muscular dog is low set, standing between 14 and 23 inches. They generally weigh between 12 and 35 pounds. This agile breed presents a smooth and effortless gait. The short, dense coat is seen in a variety of colors, including red, black, blue and tan; all color schemes include splashes of white.

Like other Rat Terriers, this dog can be considered low maintenance regarding grooming, needing only minimal brushing to remove dead hair. Most have docked tails and all have v-shaped ears. This hearty breed can claim a long life, generally living between 15 and 16 years.

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