Teddy Roosevelt Terrier vs Schweizer Laufhund - 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 Schweizer Laufhund is a breed born in Switzerland and sought after by the French and the Italians for their skill at hunting small mammals, especially hare. Mercenaries brought scent hounds from France to Switzerland and cross bred them with the Schweizer Laufhund, thereby influencing and changing the native breed.

In 1882 it was established that within the breed of “Swiss Hound” (Schweizer Laufhund) there were five different varieties. At this time a standard was written for each of these five different types. By 1909 the standards were revisited and revised, eliminating the hound of Thurgovie. Then in 1933 it was decided that one standard would cover all the varieties of the Schweizer Laufhund.

The Schweizer Laufhund was a line used to develop many different scent hounds. They are used almost exclusively as hunting dogs and not as family companion dogs. St. Hubert Jura Hound, the rare ancient variety, is still in the hunting parties of Canada and France. The breed existed before any dog breeding written records were kept. In Switzerland from the middle ages on, the Schweizer Laufhund was the only hunting dog in the country until recent times.

Even though they didn’t have any popularity until the European nobility became enamored of them in the middle ages, it is thought by some that they date back to the Roman Empire. In actuality most of their pre- Swiss history has been lost. We do know that through the years the breed has been influenced by cross breeding with Austrian, German and French scent hounds.

He is not recognized by the larger kennel clubs such as AKC or UKC, but by some rare breed associations. The dogs that remain today in the United States, Canada and Europe are still mainly owned by either active or retired hunters. Despite their great personalities, they are still not numerous among family pets.

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.

A medium sized dog with good endurance and strength. Its head is lean, and its muzzle is long making this a very noble looking breed. Each of the 5 varieties has some of its own characteristics. They all have short, fine hairs on their ears and heads and longer hairs on their legs and back.

Each variety can be identified by its colors as they are unique.

• Bernese – White with a black saddle or black patches and tan on the ears and face.

• Schwyz – A white dog with marking of orange.
• Bruno Jura – Black with tan markings and Tan with black saddle marks.

• Lucernese – Because they have white and black hair mixed across their bodies, they appear to be “blue”.

• St. Hubert Jura – Tan with a black saddle.

The Schweizer Laufhund come in miniature and standard sizes fitting into the same standard. Weight has a lot to do with the gender and height of the individual dog, they are longer than they are tall. As a scent hound, the breed is muscular and sturdy. They carry their long tails in a slight curve with a taper at the end.

Despite the different colors in the different varieties all of the breed have black noses, long droopy ears, and oval, brown eyes. They have a soft, calm and gentle facial expression.

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.

1Children friendliness - they can be very gentle and loving with children. Toddlers might remind them of prey, however.

2.Special talents – they have great stamina.

3.Adaptability – adapts well if he gets enough exercise.

4.Learning ability -their learning ability is high, but they can be very stubborn.

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.

There are a few health issues that the Schweizer Laufhund is prone to. As an ancient breed there is not a lot of genetic evidence of breed health issues but there is more recent reporting.

• Hip Dysplasia – can result in lameness, arthritis and inability to hunt.
• Cataracts – can result in blindness.
• Elbow Dysplasia – can result in lameness, arthritis and inability to hunt.

• PRA (Progressive Retinal Atrophy) – hereditary – can result in blindness.

• Ear Infections – due to long droopy ears. Keep them clean.

• Ectropion and Entropion – eyelid misalignments either inward or outward. Can be corrected with surgery.

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.

. Feeding the puppy – as an active working breed they should be fed a high quality active or working breed kibble formula.

2.Feeding the adult - the adult should be fed the same active or working breed formula, only in an adult formulation.

3.Points for Good Health – stamina

4. Games and Exercises – this active breed does require a lot of daily exercise. Take them on at least one good, quick walk per day and give them a fenced yard to play in. They love hunting training and field trials along with activities like barn hunt. They love to run alongside as you bike or jog.