Their necks are clean and muscular, seamlessly descending into similarly well-muscled shoulders, which are well laid-back, and a straight top line. Their eyes are round and range from dark brown to amber while their ears, unlike a Treeing Feist, must be erect or tipped but not button. Their skull is slightly longer than their muzzle and split by a well-defined stop, the pair also running parallel in look and the latter being capped by a black or self-colored nose. Their heads are proportionate to their overall body size and are relatively long and somewhat narrow. Because of their general build and sometimes similar coat colors and patterns, they are often confused for Jack Russell Terriers and other breeds of the type but are easy to spot for a seasoned expert thanks to a few key traits. Mountain Feists are small to medium size dogs, standing 12 to 18 inches at the withers are rarely weighing north of 30 pounds. Today, they are still often used for treeing squirrels and are still considered one of the most effective breeds for doing so, but have grown in popularity enough that they are just as often used as companion animals, if not more so. ![]() Although their relative the Treeing Feist was recognized by the United Kennel Club in 1998, the Mountain Feist was not recognized until 2015. The rest of their history is largely unknown, besides the fact that they were likely created by breeding European Terriers with native and imported scent hounds, the results showing in their excessive variety of colors and patterns, along with their two different types of ear structures. What does seem to be widely accepted is that, like the Curs of antiquity, Feists were largely bred to be a utility breed, able to help farmers and ranchers control rodent populations and hunt small game like rabbits and squirrels without creating excess maintenance in a field already overwhelmed with responsibility. This type of reference leads many to believe they were long established even before the first true written accounts, possibly as early as the 17th century. However, great figures throughout time have made notes of these dogs, often referred to in the past as "fice" or "fyce" dogs at the time, including George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, William Faulkner, who all referred to characteristics that have transcended time along with their name. ![]() They may be a smaller breed, but they most certainly have the potential for big personalities and high aspirations if kept as a working dog as well, making them a great, friendly, and reliable breed all-around.įeist-type dogs have long been a staple in the American South, yet there is limited documented history of them, largely because of the widespread illiteracy that existed in the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. But even though they have been tireless in their duty throughout the years, their high-spirited nature has also helped them make a considerable transition into that of companions, as their high adaptability and great overall temperament make them a preferred selection for a wide variety of families. The aim of early breeding efforts was to produce a low-maintenance dog that would be able to hunt, rat, and tree to help farmers and ranchers control the vermin population. Mountain Feists are a historic breed, the descendants of various terriers and scent hounds that were bred in the American South. Often confused for the Treeing Feist, the Mountain Feist is actually considered a separate breed by the United Kennel Club, although the two do possess a considerable amount of shared characteristics in both looks and personality.
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