Teddy Roosevelt Terrier vs Irish Bull Terrier - Breed Comparison

Teddy Roosevelt Terriers (Teddy, American Teddy) are American hunting terriers related to American Rat Terriers and a host of other working, farm, hunting dogs initially brought by working-class immigrants from England and Europe. Largely due to the working nature of these dogs early the cross breeding was to reinforce useful traits like a superior ability to scent prey. It also bequeathed the breed with superior intelligence. While they take a while to warm up to new people, to their human family they like to be close all the time, and are eager to be with them and please them. Teddy's share their early history with American Rat Terriers, Fox Paulistinha, Tenterfield Terrier and Beagles. They also are related to Feist (dog), and Turnspit dogs, English White Terrier and Wry-legged terrier (all now extinct), as well as Bull, Smooth Fox, Manchester Terriers with Beagles, Italian Greyhound and Whippets in the mix.

Only since 1996 have Teddy Roosevelt Terriers had standards set for the breed. The major difference between Teddys and the related American Rat Terrier is Teddys are closer to the ground (bench-legged), have greater bone density and more muscle. Teddys are medium to small sized. It was in the mid 1990's that the effort began to breed only the shorter legged phenotype into the Teddy lineage and allow the rat Terrier to be the longer legged variety. The UKC (United Kennel Club) and AKC (American Kennel Club) both recognize Teddys, the UKC since 1999.

The Rat Terrier Club of America separated the long legged and short legged varieties, the short legged ones were named in honor of President Theodore Roosevelt. It is rather interesting that President Theodore Roosevelt, while being very fond of his family dogs did not own any Rat Terriers, and did not help develop the breed that bears his name. He mentions dogs in several of his letters, Skip who rode with the president on his horse while hunting and belonged to a friend, Scamp who lived with the Roosevelt's in the White House and hunted and caught rats and their dog Jack.

The Irish Bull Terrier is a variant of the Staffordshire Bull Terrier and is also known as the Irish Staffordshire Bull Terrie.

The dog isn’t particularly well known outside of Ireland and it is also unrecognized by any kennel clubs, although there are some dog organizations which recognize the Irish Staffordshire Bull Terrier and this includes the Dog Registry of America as well as the United National Kennel Club.

Although descended from the Irish Bulldog and the original Staffordshire Pit Terrier, the breed has also been influenced by other dog breeds such as the English White Terrier among others.

Teddy Roosevelt Terriers are hunting terriers that are short legged, well muscled and very active. They have proportionate wide, sightly rounded heads cuneus (wedge) shaped on which the V shaped ears are set on the outside edge. Their ears may be button or erect, and breed standards prefer a docked tail, but it is not necessary. Ideally Teddy's have length/height ratio is 10/7 or 10/8. The Teddy Roosevelt Terriers coats may be solid white, other colors with patches and markings. Their coats are short and rough. Because they are working dogs, what is termed as “honorable” scars from work are not deducted from the dogs points. If the dog is not proportionate to breed standards (for example long legs or square body) it may be disqualified, but exaggerations and faults are marked only is in as much as it interferes with the ability to work. They are very pleasant looking and have a lively manner.

Teddy Roosevelt Terriers are happy when they are the constant companion of their owner(s) and will shadow their master all day. Temperamentally they love to play, do well in obedience training and are territorial and protective and are exceptional watch dogs. Of course, they were bred as hunting dogs and have hunting instincts, a greater than median prey drive and will chase anything they consider prey such as rabbits, squirrels, birds, stray cats, (and if not trained poultry), as a working dog training is really important. With a heightened sense of smell and superior prey drive, Teddy's have been observed to follow and dig along mole trails (adding further damage to what the moles may have already inflicted), as well as ferret out edible mushrooms.

Bred essentially for dog fighting, the Irish Bull Terrier, known also as the Irish Staffie, is a medium sized dog which stands at roughly 43 to 48cm and weighs in at anything from 14kg to 18kg.

The dog is muscular, lean and strong with a strong jaw, deep chest, a broad head, short muzzle with round, brown eyes. The ears are half-erect and he has a long, straight tail. The coat of the dog is short and smooth and in different shades of red, fawn, black and brindle. Sometimes there are white markings.

Temperament:

The Irish Staffie has an aggressive temperament when it comes to fighting other dogs, but he loves being with a human family, being a social dog.

Those who have owned the dog say he is a courageous, confident, strong-willed, affectionate, loyal pet who is playful and loves getting up to mischief. He is intelligent too and can be easily trained and socialized, getting on well with children in the home.

This dog seems to have a constant grin on his face and he just loves life. He loves working hard and playing hard and even though he has a history of fighting, with people he is loving and devoted.

He is boisterous and better suited to a strong-minded, active family as he tends to be stubborn, wanting his own way. He can adapt well to life in the city or the country, but wherever he lives, he will require his owners to give him a good amount of exercise.

Characteristics

1.Children friendliness yes Teddy's love to play and enjoy children. Enjoys spending time with family and interacting with their human family taking part in the everyday routines.

2.Special talents The breed has high prey drive and an very intense sense of smell One of their talents is to be trained to find, by scent, Black Truffles (a type of edible mushroom) found close to the roots of some trees in the Western half of North America.

3.Adaptability Teddy's are very versatile and adaptable.

4.Learning ability breed is smart and learns very well.

Lots of contact from his human family is what your Irish Bull Terrier will want from you. He is a loving, social dog and close human contact as well as lots of good food and exercise is what he will require from you.

With training and socialization he becomes an awesomely obedient pet, getting on well with adults and children in the home. He is such an entertaining, happy dog and once you've had an Irish Bull Terrier you will find your home empty without one.

Health Problems

• Basically very healthy

• Ectopia lentis a congenital problem where the lens of the eye is displaced. Eye disease

• Patellar Luxation or subluxating patella (kneecap dislocation.
• Allergies

• bite problems (malocclusions -teeth that are incorrectly aligned when jaw is closed.),

• Hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, (hip or elbow socket that does not fully cover the ball which increases the risk of displacement.

Looked after well, your Irish Bull Terrier can reach 14, 15 or 16 years of age. Just like with other dogs, he is prone to some common dog illnesses, of which eye illnesses can be one.

Glaucoma:

Production and drainage of fluid is supposed to be balanced in the eye, and Glaucoma comes about when this balance is disrupted. Symptoms include red eye, pain, increased tear production and corneal cloudiness. Your vet may recommend treatment that will decrease inflammation in the eye.

Cataracts:

The lens of the eye is usually clear but sometimes it develops a cloudy cataract which blocks light from reaching the back of the eye. The result is poor vision and even blindness. Cataract surgery is available for dogs and your vet can advise you further.

Caring for Pet

1 Feeding the puppy Puppies should eat a minimum of a cup and max of a cup and three quarters each day. 1-13/4

2.Feeding the adult Adult Teddy Roosevelt Terriers should eat three-fourth to one-and-a-half cups per day.

3.Points for Good Health - fairly healthy The Teddy Roosevelt Terriers displays some common joint issues that are shared by Rat Terriers.

4. Games and Exercises Having descended from hunting/working dogs Teddy Roosevelt's are able to learn and work conformation rings, and agility trials. They like to play and take part in swims, hikes and playing fetch or Frisbee. They take well to obedience training.

Grooming:

An Irish Staffordshire Bull Terrier isn't going to require you spending a lot of money on him in terms of grooming. He is a low maintenance dog and his short, smooth coat will only require a good brush once or twice a week as he isn't a heavy shedder.

Brushing him has several advantages – he loves the attention you’re giving him, its a time to check on fleas and ticks and it is excellent conditioning therapy for his coat. A damp cloth can also be used to wipe him down, and this is far better than bathing him with a shampoo that could aggravate his skin.

Exercise:

Your Irish Bull Terrier is an energetic breed and he certainly won't do well in a home where the family leaves him to his own devices day after day in the back yard.

Social and energetic, your pet will want to join you with your daily walks and he finds a ball irresistible. As a responsible dog owner, you will need to see that he gets a fair quota of exercise otherwise you should rather settle for a less active breed.

Diet:

It goes without saying that such an active dog will require a good diet so ensure he can remain happy and active. Always try and feed your pet the best quality food there is.

If its commercially manufactured food, make sure its high quality and isn’t packed with unwholesome fillers and preservatives. Your vet can always offer sound advice on this aspect.

Some homemade food such as cooked chicken, brown rice and vegetables added to his kibble will do him the world of good and if you can afford it, mix in some raw meat from time to time. Make sure he has access to fresh, cool water.