The Teddy Roosevelt Terrier was once referred to as the “Type B,” or Short Legged Rat Terrier. Some independent organizations still maintain Type B Rat Terrier registries, and it’s not uncommon to see the terms, Type B Rat Terrier, and Teddy Roosevelt Terrier applied to the same general dog type. Some use the terms interchangeably, but the standard calls for a stockier dog than a Rat Terrier; some maintain that the Type B is just a rat terrier with shorter legs, while the Teddy Roosevelt Terrier is stockier with more muscle and bone (and a beautiful head piece to match).
The United Kennel Club registers them as Teddy Roosevelt Terriers, but as the time of this writing, the UKCI has refused to separate the breeds and finally added a type so that one can now register their dog as a Type B Rat terrier. The AKC now has the breed in its Miscellaneous Class.
Our thanks to Mary Ann Berger May, Diane Vail, Lesa Barnett,Patricia Blankenship, and Teresa Otto who helped us learn about the Teddy Roosevelt Terrier back in 2015 when it was featured as a Purebred of Interest. As always, we welcome more comments to round out our knowledge of this terrific little dog!
Photo by Lesa Barnett
Is it crossed with a corgi? What is the lineage?
From the Teddy Roosevelt Terrier club of America, Ashford:
“The Teddy Roosevelt Terrier was developed in the United States from the various small and medium breed dogs that accompanied early American immigrants. Most were small hunting and terrier types who’s job it was to clear the home and farmsteads of vermin, generally rats and mice. They were owned by families who had little time or money to invest in the luxuries of show dogs and breeders of the day focused on the utilitarian aspects of their dogs. While history didn’t record exactly what other breeds played a role it is believed that the Smooth Fox Terrier, the Manchester Terrier, the Bull Terrier, the Beagle, the Whippet, the Italian Greyhound, and the now extinct white English Terrier, each lent to the creation of the modern day Teddy Roosevelt Terrier.
“Prior to 1999 the Teddy was known as the Type B Rat Terrier, those Rat Terriers that expressed the short-legged gene. In 1999 breed enthusiasts received recognition from UKC to separate the two leg lengths of Rat Terriers into separate breeds. The Teddy Roosevelt Terrier was on its own. In July 2019, the breed was accepted by AKC in Miscellaneous Class.”
Ashford feel free to message me on Facebook. I would love to talk about the teddies and their history. I have had this breed well over 20 years. They are a fabulous breed with a wonderful history and if you haven’t gotten the opportunity to meet one then your missing out.
Barnett Rambling Terriers
Ashford feel free to message me on Facebook. I would love to talk about the teddies and their history. I have had this breed well over 20 years. They are a fabulous breed with a wonderful history and if you haven’t gotten the opportunity to meet one then your missing out.
Inquiring about breeders of teddies in western USA…..love the sturdy look
I am planning a litter in or around April 2022 and am in Southern CA, if you’re interested in waiting!