TEDDY ROOSEVELT TERRIERS
senses and that willing-to-please attitude make this breed excellent for any type of event, but these same characteristics are what make them perfect for most family activities too! They are happy and are ready to tag along on errands, be your com- panion for that long road trip, protect you from that bear on your camping trip, or simply pass out under a blanket on the sofa with you—as long as they are with their owners. When raised with children, Teddies become their fearless protectors during the day and their bed warmers at night. While the Teddy Roosevelt Terrier is an energetic and alert dog, their curiosity, intelligence, and eagerness to please make them very easy to train. They are a soft-hearted breed that needs a “light” hand. They are lively, friendly, and affection- ate dogs with their human partners, but can be reserved with strangers, so early socialization is recommended for eventing/ conformation prospects. Even with a strong protective nature and a well-developed pack instinct, Teddies get along well with cats, other breeds of dogs, and farm animals when raised around them. Teddies are the “un-Terrier” Terrier! They are amazing com- panions, with all the drive you want but are ready to cuddle when you are. Of the many attributes of this breed is a defini- tive on-off switch, an intuitive intelligence, and a “class clown” mentality—they keep their owners giggling! Small enough to tuck under your arm and tenacious enough to leap from tall buildings in a single bound, these cuddly Terriers make a fun and exciting companion for enjoying all of the nuances of life.
ground height of approximately one-third the withers height. They are a slow maturing breed, with females reaching full maturity at 2-3 years of age and males at 3-4 years of age. They should be shown in good, physical working condition. Immature dogs should be evaluated with their potential at maturity when considering depth of chest, density of bone, and muscling. Teddies come in a large variety of colors with four patterns to choose from, but they must also always have some white somewhere on the body. The ears may be carried in any manner as long as they are matching, with the exception of pups under a year of age as their carriage is not yet solidified. Teddy tails may be docked, natural bob or natural tail, without preference. Teddies are natural hunters, originally bred for ratting and farm work, but their skills expand beyond the farm. They have been proven to be amazing truffle hunters, shed finders, blood trackers, and cadaver dogs, all because of their excellent noses and innate tracking abilities. This multi-purpose companion is capable of hunting rodents and ver- min above or below ground, and treeing small game; however, they are not a spanned breed. They have retained their prey drive without being belligerent or obsessively compulsive, but they are not sparred in the show ring. You might think those little chondroplastic legs would hold Ted- dies back, but they don’t. They excel in most any companion event, including Scentwork, Agility, Barn Hunt, Dock Diving, Earthdog, Obedience, Coursing, Rally, and FastCAT. They are also excellent Therapy dogs, instinctively knowing how to make you smile, and exhibiting a sense of compassion for those around them. Those keen
288 | SHOWSIGHT MAGAZINE, NOVEMBER 2021
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