Mountain feist dog breed3/18/2024 They are a small to medium-sized dog, measuring between 10″ and 22″ in height and weighing 10 lb to 30lb. The Mountain Feist is quite similar in appearance to the Jack Russell or to the Rat Terrier, but there are some significant differences. Mountain Feist Breed – Appearance and Size There they were well-loved as low-maintenance dogs able to hunt, rat and tree.Īs lifestyles have changed, however, and the need for a perky little dog to accompany you on squirrel hunts has diminished, these dogs have fallen out of favor – a real shame as they have a lot of spirit and make a delightful companion dog too. Regardless of the name, it’s certain that these dogs have spent hundreds of years following along behind small farmers scratching a living from mountainous countryside such as the Ozark or Southern Appalachian Mountains. In fact, it seems that the word Feist comes from an old English word for breaking wind! However, it’s more likely that the word feisty came about as a comparison to the dog. Some say it comes from being feisty – noisy, determined, active and forceful. The origin of the name “Feist” is difficult to pinpoint. It’s likely that somewhere along the line other dogs were added into the mix, for example scent hounds, native Rat Terriers and Greyhounds to add speed.īecause many of these early settlers were largely illiterate, there are few written records pertaining to these dogs, but we know they were around because George Washington mentions them in his diary, and Abraham Lincoln, before the Civil War, wrote a poem that mentions “fice” dogs. These would have accompanied settlers and would have been widely used to guard smallholdings, help the owners with hunting small game, and keep the vermin population down around the farm. These probably included the White English Terrier, Smooth Fox Terrier, Jack Russell Terrier and Manchester Terrier. It is believed that the Feist is descended from the many terrier type dogs that accompanied early migrants from Britain. Mountain Feist Breed – Vital StatsĪlternative Name: American Feist and Mountain Terrier Mountain Feist Breed – History This breed needs a calm, confident and consistent pack leader to bring out their best qualities. The Mountain Feist has a background in hunting small animals so is an active, rough and tough dog who loves to be outside and very busy. It is sometimes also called the American Feist or the Mountain Terrier. There are a few different varieties of Feist, and they all have their own alias, so it’s a good idea to define what we mean.Ī relatively rare dog, the Feist used to be considered a “type” rather than a breed, but with numbers dropping, a campaign to recognize and preserve the breed led to the Treeing Feist being recognized as a breed by the United Kennel Club in 1998, and then the Mountain Feist as a separate breed in 2015. The Mountain Feist is a small to medium-sized working dog. Final Thoughts: Is a Mountain Feist Breed the Right Fit For Your Family?.Frequently Asked Questions about The Mountain Feist Breed.Mountain Feist Breed – Exercise and Training.Mountain Feist Breed – Appearance and Size.The Mountain Feist was recognized by the United Kennel Club on February 1, 2015. Today’s Mountain Feist is the result of generations of breeding for performance and is still primarily used to hunt squirrel, although they are also used to hunt raccoon, rabbits and more. Like the Cur breeds, the Feist breeds were developed in the rural South by breeders who needed low-maintenance dogs to hunt small game and to eliminate vermin, Feist were often the result of crosses between hunting hounds and terriers. The word “feist” is an ancient one referring to a small, often noisy dog. Mainly used as a squirrel dog, the Mountain Feist is also good at hunting raccoons and tracking larger game. Feist are very vocal dogs, communicating with growls, bays and barks.They are very protective around the people they know best. Mountain Feists are curious, intelligent, alert and physically active dogs which are suited for hunting and as companion dogs. They have paws suited for climbing because of their strong hind legs and sharp curved nails. They have long pointy ears that stand upwards and button ears that fold over. They have a variety of colors but are mainly a light brown, black, and white. The Mountain Feist stand about 35 to 45 cm (14 to 18 inches) high.
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