Showsight - November 2021

Teddy Roosevelt Terriers

BY AMERICAN TEDDY ROOSEVELT TERRIER CLUB

T he Teddy Roosevelt Terrier is a chondroplastic, low-set, rectangularly shaped, small hunting Terrier. They are strongly built, with substantial bone for a small breed, making them an easy choice for an eventing or con- formation companion for those who want a “grab-and-go” breed. We haven’t always been known as “Teddy Roosevelt Terriers.” Prior to their separation from their sister breeds, the American Hairless Terrier and the Rat Terrier, in 1999, the “Teddies” were also referred to as Type B Rat Terriers or Bench Legged Feist. Since President Theodore Roosevelt brought so much attention to the “ratting” community as a whole, when it came time to select our “new” name, we were named in homage of this beloved President for his contributions to the canine community.

A properly proportioned, mature Teddy will exude balance, front-to-rear, exhibiting a deep chest, well-developed shoulders, short legs, and a muscular hip. They are longer than tall, with a ratio of 7:10, height-to-length, their height being measured from the highest point of the shoulder blade to the ground, and length being measured from the point of the shoulder to the point of the buttocks. There is no weight requirement for Teddy Roosevelt Ter- riers, but the height requirements are 8 inches at a minimum and 14 inches as the maximum, with the average in the breed of 10-11 inches. Teddies are dense. A 10 inch Teddy can weigh as much as 18-20 pounds if proportioned properly. The bone density should be substantial, but should not be so heavy as to be coarse or too light as to be fine. Teddies should, at maturity, have an elbow-to-

SHOWSIGHT MAGAZINE, NOVEMBER 2021 | 287

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