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Seth and Erika Swenson of Big Grove Farms discuss Teddy Roosevelt Terriers, farm-bred function, breed hallmarks, and preservation breeding.
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Erika Swenson: Big Grove Farms is a one hundred fifty-acre farm located in Newark, Illinois. My husband, Seth, and I own and operate a forty-head artificial insemination boar stud business as well as plant and harvest corn and soybeans. Seth and I both grew up in the agricultural community and have a background in animal husbandry and livestock judging. Seth has been honored to evaluate local, state, and national level swine shows across the country.
Soon after purchasing our farm in 2008, it became apparent that we needed a working, varmint hunting dog that was also good with children. What started as a need for a working terrier to patrol the farm turned into a passion for preserving and breeding healthy, well-bred Teddy Roosevelt Terriers (TRT). Over the years, our main goal has been to produce dogs that maintain their athleticism and prey drive, as well as stay true to the TRT Breed Standard. We are proud of producing AKC Certificate of Merit winners, UKC Champions, Diamond Grand Champions, and two National Best of Breed Specialty winners. Big Grove Farms’ TRTs also have multiple performance titles in Coursing Ability, Nosework, Scent Work, Precision Coursing, Rally Obedience, FIT DOG, and Barn Hunt.
Erika Swenson: Teddies were developed to have a strong prey drive, control pests above and below ground, and also be an easy dog to live with. We believe the hallmarks of a Teddy Roosevelt Terrier include balance with work and family, athleticism, function, and proportion. For example, Teddy movement should be fluid while maintaining their short-legged, deep-chested power.
Erika Swenson: One of the key components of a preservation breeding program is companion pet enthusiasts. We believe there are enough homes to support future litters. Each year, TRTs are gaining more popularity. “A hidden gem in the dog world” is often what we hear people say when referring to Teddies. We hope every puppy we produce helps pet owners see the importance of maintaining the reliability and healthiness of what purebred dogs provide.
Erika Swenson: As fifteen-year preservation breeders, we are not too experienced to learn new things. New technologies such as genetic testing and pedigree databases have made it easier to study and evaluate each pairing with long-term goals in mind. We regularly seek input from others in the dog community as we continue to set type in our young breed.
Erika Swenson: We hope more people are seeing the importance of purebreds, but I have not really noticed a change in the public’s perception.
Erika Swenson: One concern at Big Grove Farms is the demand from clients for a smaller or mini housepet. We are seeing attempts by some breeders to accommodate that trend. As preservation enthusiasts, we will continue to produce Teddy Roosevelt Terriers that are strongly built with substantial bone and muscle, and are hardy enough to exterminate vermin.
Erika Swenson: It is both exciting and a bit overwhelming for Teddies to receive full AKC status January 1, 2026. As we move into AKC, Big Grove Farms will continue to stay our course, breeding to the Standard, and strive to produce multifaceted terriers. We often say, “Let the dogs speak for themselves.” We are proud to have placed Teddies in Conformation, Performance, Companion, and Therapy homes. We believe our Teddies showcase the reliability of a purebred dog, which enables us to continue to predict temperaments, instincts, and structure.
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