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His personality sets him apart, as do his unique talents for treeing and hunting. The Mountain Feist may look like many other popular dog breeds we know and love, but there is no mistaking this spirited little hunting dog once you know him. Overview of The Mountain Feist’s Appearance:
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Mountain Feist Coat Color: Black, red, white, tri color, red and white, black and tan, blue and white, red brindle, and spotted Let’s take a look at their basic characteristics below. These dogs look an awful lot like Rat Terriers and Jack Russels, with their square muzzles, compac bodies, pointed ears and diverse coat coloring. Have you seen a Mountain Feist? You likely have but just didn’t realize it. Mountain feist dogs come in a variety of colors and coat patterns. However, in spite of his popularity and a growing fanbase, there is still a lot many people don’t know about the Mountain Feist, like the fact he was not recognized by the United Kennel Club until 2015 and still has yet to be recognized by the American Kennel Club. His compact size makes him the ideal traveling canine, and he enjoys learning new tricks. Mountain Feists are particularly talented treeing dogs, which is why many small game hunters still employ them to this day.Īlong with being an incredible hunter, the Mountain Feist has also made a name for himself as being an affectionate, family-friendly companion. He was also employed to hunt small game like rabbits and squirrels. He was utilized mostly by farmers as a versatile hunting and ratting dog, helping remove rodents from fields, which protected crops and livestock. The American Feist is a scent hound bred for his compact, athletic body, tenacious nature, and incredible nose. For this reason, the Mountain Feist is widely regarded as the original ratting dog, though he was a versatile hunting dog for small game as well. Though official written records of the American Feist have yet to be found confirming this, the Feist dog is described by a number of important historical characters including Arbraham Licon, William Faulkner, and George Washington. It is believed that the Mountain Feist existed in America as early as the 17th century, long before the introduction of the better known Rat Terriers. Where Does The Mountain Feist Come From?įeists were used as ratting terriers, helping to rid areas of vermin. Small and agile, the Mountain Feist is recognized by the American Canine Association, the American Treeing Feist Association, the American Pet Registry, the Dog Registry of America, and the United Kennel Club. High-energy and quite fast, the Mountain Feist is an excellent small game hunter and was invaluable to avid huntsmen in the early south, especially due to his unique ability to climb trees.
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There are three different versions of Feist dogs, including the Mountain Feist, the Pencil-Tail Feist, and the Bench-Legged Feist.
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He gets along well with other dogs, though the Mountain Feist has a strong hunting instinct and prey drive. Mild-mannered, friendly and focused, the Mountain Feist makes a wonderful companion for active families and those with young children. The Mountain Feist hails from the Southern United States and was a staple in our history as a ratting and hunting dog. The Mountain Feist is a versatile working dog who is also commonly known as an American Feist or Mountain Terrier.Īlso known as the Treeing Feist, the American Feist, the American Treeing Feist, and the Mountain Terrier, the Mountain Feist is a one of a kind dog with a unique history.
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