Coming from the United States and receiving the name of one of the most recognized presidents of the nation, the Teddy Roosevelt Terrier is a puppy with a lot to tell. The Teddy Roosevelt is a very special dog that emerged recently and was recognized in 2019 as an official breed.
Origin of the teddy roosevelt terrier
The origin of the Teddy Roosevelt Terrier breed is undoubtedly American, as can be deduced from its name, established in honor of American President Theodore Roosevelt. This honorable mention to the late president is supposed to have been made not because he had a teddy roosevelt as a companion, but because he shared his life with a mixed-breed, black-and-brown-mantled rat terrier, who was supposedly one of the forerunners of the teddy roosevelt terrier breed.
These dogs arose after numerous crosses between buzzard terriers, common on farms and hunts throughout the American territory, with other breeds such as the beagle, also famous for his skills as a hunting dog. The breed was recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in July 2019, becoming an independent breed and writing its official standard.
Characteristics of the teddy roosevelt terrier
The Teddy Roosevelt Terrier is a small-sized dog, with an average weight ranging between 3, 62 and 11, 34 kilograms and a height at the withers between 20, 32 and 38 centimeters. Their average life expectancy is about 14-16 years.
The body of the Roosevelt Terrier is small but compact, rectangular in shape, with an agile and balanced appearance. Its limbs are short and flexible, presenting good muscles and the front and rear legs being of a similar length. The tail is thick, of length proportional to the body and slightly curved upwards, although some specimens are born with a short tail. What is not acceptable is docking the tail, as this is a cruel and unnecessary practice that disturbs the welfare of the animal.
The head of these dogs is very balanced in size with respect to the body, they have a moderate stop with a nose whose color varies according to the color of the coat. The eyes are oval, with a very expressive look, while the V-shaped ears are triangular and with the tips folded towards the face.
The teddy roosevelt's coat is made up of a short, smooth, dense fur that is somewhat hard to the touch, but not too much. It has a kind of whiskers on the part of the snout, which should not be cut or removed.
Colors of the teddy roosevelt terrier
The colors included in the official standard for the teddy roosevelt terrier are: bicolor or tricolor combinations in which white is usually the color base and there are specks or spots of another color, such as brown or black.
The teddy roosevelt terrier puppy
When we talk about a teddy roosevelt puppy we must bear in mind that the breed itself is characterized by having an active temperament, being usually quite restless dogs. Therefore, we can imagine that this is easily increased in his puppy stage, in which he is even more unruly and playful. However, in the case of the Roosevelt Terrier, the key lies in teaching him to release his energy with appropriate activities, such as games or walks, and thus avoid destructive behaviors and mischief caused by his nervousness.
If we start his training early, instilling basic guidelines when he is still a puppy and helping him with his socialization, we ensure that he will most likely be a friendly and highly intelligent dog when he grows up.
Teddy Roosevelt Terrier Character
The temperament of the teddy roosvelt terrier is characterized by being pleasant and calm They are very loyal dogs that love the company of both people as well as other animals, to which their history as farm dogs has more than accustomed them.
We must bear in mind that these dogs are always alert to any type of stimulus that seems threatening to them. This is because they are very protective animals, which despite their small size, do not hesitate to face whatever it takes as long as theirs are safe. except. They are very good guard dogs, as they guard their territory warning of possible dangers with their barks and vocalizations.
The Teddy Roosevelt is an intelligent animal that learns quickly and efficiently even the most complex things, being a relatively easy breed to teach. In addition, it is highly adaptable, since it is easily done in different environments, whether it is a country house, a farm or an apartment in the city.
Teddy Roosevelt Terrier Care
Teddies are not a breed that requires much attention. For example, his coat is very easy to maintain, because with sporadic brushing and baths restricted to special occasions it will be kept in great condition.
They need to perform a certain amount of physical exercise on a daily basis, since they are very active dogs that if they do not exercise daily they become restless and nervous. It is good to play with them, let them run, jump and, ultimately, release their energy in a positive way. Their agility and ability in agility circuits or similar exercises stand out. In this sense, another of the cares of the teddy roosvelt terrier is that referring to environmental enrichment. Precisely because they are intelligent and active dogs, it is necessary to provide them with several toys, both teethers and mental stimulation.
Regarding its diet, it will suffice to adjust the amounts and frequency of feedings to each specific specimen depending on its age, its level of activity and if it has any special needs due to the presence of vitamin deficiencies or any pathology. Other than that, providing them with quality food and good hydration, the Teddy Roosevelt does not need much more specific attention.
Education of the teddy roosevelt terrier
As we have already mentioned, teddy roosevelt is a really intelligent, bright-minded and fast-learning puppyThis makes his education a Relatively easy, as they don't require a lot of rehearsing or prodding to learn the tricks and patterns.
It is recommended to start with basic training when it is still a puppy, emphasizing aspects such as socialization and relieving itself in a specific place. As he grows, we can introduce more complex and difficult exercises, such as different tricks, into the training.
Throughout the training process it is strongly recommended to use what are known as positive training techniques These techniques are those based on rewarding, not only materially, the appropriate behaviors, without including in any case any type of punishment or aggression.
Teddy Roosevelt Terrier He alth
The teddy roosevelt are not a breed that is characterized by having many he alth problems, however, we are talking here about the most frequent pathologies of this breed so that you know them and be alert to their possible appearance.
One of the most frequent diseases in the teddy roosevelt terrier is hip dysplasia This disease affects the joint he alth of the hip, specifically at its junction with the animal's femur. Periodic check-ups must be done that include X-rays of the area to verify the state of the head of the femur and take measures if necessary, either to prevent or to intervene. In this regard, other joint problems may also appear, such as elbow dysplasia or patellar luxation, less frequent but just as annoying and dangerous for the animal's he alth.
This breed seems to be more sensitive to allergies, whether environmental or to certain substances such as medications or food. They may also have oral problems, such as oral malocclusion, or eye problems, such as cataracts.
To prevent and treat both these diseases and any other, it is recommended to carry out regular veterinary check-ups that include a blood test, tests that allow the general he alth status of the animal to be seen, and to carry out the relevant vaccinations and deworming to keep it protected against pathogenic organisms
Where to adopt a teddy roosevelt terrier?
As we have seen, the teddy roosevelt terrier is an adorable puppy who becomes one of the family as soon as he arrives at our home. If we want one of these dogs to join our family, the first thing we have to do is assess all his particular needs, in addition to those common to any dog. Taking these requirements into account, we will be able to judge whether we will be able to provide him with a permanent home where his needs are met.
If this is the case, we have already made up our minds and are looking for a teddy roosevelt, we recommend resorting to animal associations, shelters and protectors of your area, as it is very likely that you can find a specimen there that is looking for a home.
