Teddy Roosevelt Terrier
About the Teddy Roosevelt Terrier
Temperament
Physical Characteristics
| Size Category | Small (10-25 lbs) |
|---|---|
| Height | 8-15" |
| Weight | 8-25 lbs |
| Coat Type | Smooth |
| Coat Length | Short |
| Colors | |
| Hypoallergenic | No |
Care Requirements
Exercise Needs
Moderate (30-60 min/day)
45 minutes per day recommended
Grooming
Moderate - Weekly
Mental Stimulation
★★★★★Needs plenty of mental challenges
Drooling
★★★★★Living Conditions
Cost of Ownership
| Purchase Price | $1,000-$2,000 |
|---|---|
| Annual Cost | $1,100/year |
Costs vary based on location, breeder, and individual needs. Annual costs include food, veterinary care, grooming, and supplies.
Health Considerations
Like all breeds, Teddy Roosevelt Terriers may be prone to certain health conditions:
Regular veterinary check-ups and proper care can help prevent or manage many health issues.
Best For
- Families with Children
- Apartment Living
- First-Time Owners
- Active Owners
May Not Be Ideal For
- Sedentary Lifestyles
Guides for your Teddy Roosevelt Terrier
The story behind the Teddy Roosevelt Terrier
The breed descends from working terriers brought to North America by British immigrants, including fox terrier and other small terrier stock, which were bred on American farms for hunting rats, squirrels and other vermin and were often kept by hunters and by travelling entertainers. These dogs became known broadly as rat terriers, and within that population shorter-legged, heavier-boned individuals were favoured by some breeders. During the twentieth century American breeders separated this stockier type as a distinct breed, naming it for President Theodore Roosevelt in recognition of his association with hunting terriers, though the claim that he developed the breed is traditional rather than documented. The United Kennel Club recognised the breed in the twentieth century, and it is included in American Kennel Club programmes for developing breeds. It remains uncommon and is kept as a companion, farm dog and earthdog competitor.
Originally bred for: Farm ratter, small-game hunter, vermin control terrier. You can trace how working roles shaped today’s breeds across our dog guides.
Feeding a Teddy Roosevelt Terrier
Two modest servings of a quality small-dog food each day suit this compact ratter. The build is naturally dense, so gain is easy to overlook; feel for the waist regularly and hand out mealtime kibble during the training these dogs crave.
Watch for: No breed-specific food intolerance is recognised. Standard practice applies: change diets gradually and avoid frequent switching. If skin irritation or digestive upset persists, veterinary assessment should come before any owner-designed elimination diet.
Not sure what to put in the bowl? See our picks for the best dog food for small breeds.
Mealtime extras: training treats worth keeping in your pocket. Everything else lives in our dog nutrition and feeding hub.
Living with a Teddy Roosevelt Terrier
Day to day, the basics matter most: how much exercise your dog needs, how often to get out for a walk, and how much sleep is normal.
For play and enrichment, browse our favorite dog toys and interactive toys for rainy days.
Gear that fits the breed makes life easier: a well-sized dog bed, a comfortable no-pull harness.
Raising a puppy? Work through crate training and the teething timeline — or see how old your dog is in human years with our dog age calculator.