English miners and working class people from the British Isles brought with them feisty little terriers nicknamed (wait for it) Feists. The name was not for nothing. This big dog in a small package was bold, lively and, well, a mighty mite.

The dogs were eventually crossed with the now extinct English Terrier, Smooth Fox Terriers, and Manchester Terriers. Whippet, Italian Greyhound, and Greyhound introduction came later (all to add speed and stamina), while Beagles were were added to sharpen scent and hunting skill. All these breeds lead to the development of two types of terriers different from each other by the length of their leg. Type A had a leaner build and longer legs, type B was muscular and short legged. The latter (type B) came to be known by some as the Bench Legged Feist, or Short Legged Rat Terrier, but in 1999, its name was changed to the Teddy Roosevelt Terrier.

In 1999, both “Rat Terriers” and “Teddy Roosevelt Terriers” were accepted as a separate breeds by the United Kennel Club, but for now, the AKC doesn’t acknowledge the Teddy. The CKC added the Teddy Roosevelt Terrier around a year ago, but some owners created their own registry, while others have had their Teddies registered as rat terriers. To many Teddy enthusiasts, a rat terrier with short legs is not a Teddy Roosevelt terrier as there are many other differences.  As for why the breed is named after a US president, our understanding is that a dog of the Type B type played a big part in exterminating rats from the Roosevelt White House, its name was eventually changed to Teddy Roosevelt Terrier in honor of the president.

Photo of a Teddy Roosevelt Terrier by Lesa Barnett