Teddy Roosevelt Terrier vs Maremma Sheepdog - 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.

Known also as the Cane de Pastore Maremmano-Abruzzese, the Maremma Sheepdog is often referred to as the Maremmano or the Abruzzese Sheepdog.

This is a working dog – a guardian of sheep and an indigenous dog to central Italy. The dog has been used for centuries already to guard sheep.

It was in 1924 that the first standard for the breed was published.

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.

The Maremma Sheepdog is a large dog with a muscular build. Some people who have owned these distinctive-looking dogs say he is like a big bear. He stands at 65 to 73 cm in height, both male and female, and he weighs 35 to 45 kg.

The coat is long, thick and white with a dense undercoat. If you look you’ll see flashes of pale orange or apricot amid the white. There is thicker, longer hair around the neck area.

The nose is black, the eyes brown and the ears medium length and floppy. The long tail is set low and is thickly feathered. You can expect 6 – 10 puppies from these dogs.

Temperament:

The Maremma has always been used to guarding sheep, and today even though he is looked upon as a wonderful, friendly companion dog, he also makes an excellent watch dog, being brave and courageous. He isn’t the kind of dog that you think of as getting wildly excited over something, as he has a dignified aura about him.

He is an independent dog, so training and sociaization will be absolutely imperative as he is strong-willed and likes to do things his way. Once trained and socialized, it is amazing to see such a large dog obeying all your commands such as ‘lie down, come, sit an stay'. He is very intelligent and shouldn’t have any trouble learning these basic commands.

He is calm and gets on well with children as well as other pets in the home. With his role as guardian of sheep, he has learned to be loyal and patient and will make a loyal ad loving family pet he takes his role as guardian very seriously.

He loves hard work, and shepherds have always appreciated the splendid work he does guarding their flocks. As a companion you will also appreciate the many excellent qualities he possesses.

The Maremma Sheepdog isn’t recommended for life in the city where there is a tiny garden. He has always been accustomed to large open spaces and requires a large garden. He won’t tolerate heat well with that thick coat of his and will require a shady spot in your garden to retreat to.

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.

This is a beautiful dog, but large, so don’t make the mistake of wanting a large dog like this for his looks. He will be expensive to feed.

If you have the means to provide a good home for him, he is friendly and good natured, even though he is strong-willed and independent.

Provide him with a good home and you’ll have a most splendid pet and companion.

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.

This ancient dog breed is robust and can reach 11 to 13 years of age when cared for properly. Like any other dogs, he can be prone to certain health problems.

One of these is hip dysplasia. Preventing your dog from becoming overweight can work towards preventing these kinds of musculoskeletal issues. Hip dysplasia occurs when your dog’s hip joints don’t develop properly so that the hips partially dislocate.

It is painful for your dog and it can be debilitating, leading to arthritis too and making it difficult for your pet to get around and to get up from lying down. There are a number of treatment options offered by your vet.

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.

Exercise:

As already suggested, this large dog will need space and he will need to be exercised. Apart from long walks in he countryside or in the park or your neighborhood, he will also need other activities that stimulate him mentally and physically.

Grooming:

The thick, all-weather coat of the Maremma will need a thorough bushing at least twice a week to get rid of all those loose hairs. When you are brushing him, look around for signs of ticks and fleas too and run your hands over him to feel for any unusual lumps.

Diet:

The Maremma is a large-breed dog, so before you get a big dog like this, decide whether you have the financial means to feed him and look after him properly. He is going to cost a lot to feed, so think it through first.

He will need to be fed a high-quality commercial dog food which has been specially formulated for a dog of his size. Keep the food of dogs simple. We’re all tempted to feed our dog treats like things such as chocolates, coffee, nuts, onions, grapes and raisins but these can cause havoc with your dog’s stomach.

Stick to simple, nutritious food. Boiled chicken, brown rice or pasta and vegetables such as potatoes, spinach and carrots can do wonders for your pet when you sometimes mix this into his kibble.

Try and mix some raw meat into his diet occasionally. Make sure he always has access to fresh, cool water.