They also serve as excellent companions if provided enough exercise and sensory stimulation. They are notoriously silent when they have found a track. They are energetic and enjoy daily outings where they can exercise their senses and hone their hunting skills. TemperamentOne of the last true hunting dogs, the Mountain Feist is instinctual and reliant on the senses of sight, sound, and scent. Dogs that exhibit any sign of breathing or locomotive difficulty shall be disqualified from the show ring. When extended, the width between the forefeet should be approximately equal to the width between the hindfeet when extended, indicating balance, good reach, and good drive. Good reach of movement in the front allows the forepaw to extend out in line with the nose. From the side, the topline should remain firm and level. As speed increases, the forelimbs and hindlimbs will converge to the centerline of gravity.

From the rear, the back pads should be visible when the rear legs are extended. When viewing movement from the front, the forelegs should remain parallel, with elbows and paws moving neither in nor out. When moving away, the forelegs and rear pasterns should remain parallel to one another. The characteristics of a healthy structure are evident. MovementThe movement should be balanced, springy, lively, tireless, effortless, efficient, and energetic. Large patches or amounts of white indicating homogenous merle genotype/phenotype are undesirable. Any unprovoked aggressive or fearful behavior toward people is incorrect for this breed.Ĭoat Color or Pattern: All coat colors and patterns are equally permissible. They bond strongly with their families and are devoted companions. They are also highly predatory towards small animals and pocket pets, so leaving them in a room together unsupervised is not recommended. Unlike terriers, they get along well with other dogs in their “pack” or family but can become quarrelsome with new dogs. However, they can thrive in agility, flyball, and even small dog weight-pulling events in the right situation. Their high drive, energy, and instincts can make them less than perfect for every family setting, as the combination of boredom and high energy can often develop into problem behaviors. Temperament: One of the last true hunting dogs, the Mountain Feist is instinctual and reliant on the senses of sight, sound, and scent. The feists were used in developing the Teddy Roosevelt Terrier and the Rat Terrier breeds. As a result, several prominent feist strains result from tedious breeding regimes that bred only the best hunting dogs. Unlike many terrier breeds today that haven’t been hunted for generations, the vast majority of feists are produced only for the purpose of hunting. These dogs have been bred throughout the Ozarks and Appalachians for generations, eventually becoming known as Mountain Feists. These little dogs were also great at keeping the homestead free from disease-carrying pests. While hounds and curs were used to hunt and bay large game, such as wild hog, the smaller dogs were used to hunt small game, such as rabbit and squirrel. Accompanied by their dogs, the settlers were able to eke out a way of living, assisted by dogs. Many settled in the area of the Ozarks and Southern Appalachian Mountains. Therefore, there can be many variations within a single feist breed.ĭogs accompanied settlers as they spanned westward from the East and from the South. Dedicated hunters and breeders keep dogs that are true to their original purpose and have little regard for appearances. Within each breed, there are several strains or bloodlines. Today, there are several different types, or breeds, of feist. These little dogs were developed for several purposes, including hunting, pest eradication, and companionship. The word feist is of German origin from the word fice, or fyst, meaning “to stink” or a “foul smell.” How these dogs have come to be known as such is believed to be due to their early name of fisting or fysting curres, which meant “stinking dog.” Hunters in their truest form, these dogs are unspoiled by the gleam of conformation shows or celebrity fads and kept by those who still use them for their original purpose: hunting and companionship. Click here for FULL BREED STANDARD Originsįeists are a family of dogs developed in the Southeastern United States from old-time hunting dogs brought over by German and Irish immigrants.

Feist dog breed personality