Dogs have different personalities, which usually depends on the breed. When you think of taking care of a dog, it is always advisable to research and learn more about their breed before acquiring one. Admittedly, this is easy to do for well-known dog breeds. However, for some breeds like the Feist Dog breed (also known as Mountain Feists), it is a huge challenge since the breed is not that common.
Consequently, choosing a breed that you know nothing or little about could cause you to adopt a pup that complicates your life. It is possible to acquire a dog that is loyal, energetic and a good companion, but too friendly to intruders. Similarly, you can also make the mistake of picking a dog breed that is a protective watchdog but is too hostile to children.
Ultimately, finding a good dog breed can be a hard task, especially with so many breeds to choose from. With that considered, if you are looking for a breed that can adapt to your active lifestyle, you should consider a Feist Dog. Feist is among the first breeds in America, but one that is less talked about as compared to other canine breeds. Here we look at the interesting Feist Dog Breed Information to enable you to make an informed decision.
What is a Feist Dog Breed?
A Feist dog is a medium-sized pup that is 10 to 18 inches in height and weighs about 20 pounds. Specifically, it is a cross between American Indian dogs and English Terriers. Additionally, this dog breed has short hair and comes in a variety of color combinations, which could be black and white, red and white, blue and white, black and tan, or brindle and black.
Temperament
When it comes to temperament, the Feist breed is loyal and will do anything to please their owners. With a gentle, friendly, and adaptable personality, the dog is trustworthy and a great companion even around children. With that said, it is good to note that the dog breed has tons of energy, making it ideal for people who love spending most of their time outdoors. Interestingly, this breed is known for its unmatched ability to adapt its behavior, which sets it apart from other energetic breeds. Therefore, the breed easily learns when it is time to play around and when to calm down.
The Feist dog breed can be slightly territorial, but generally, they are friendly to new people. This breed is also eager to please and therefore, easy to train. Thus, it can be trained to help in a number of activities in your home. For example, a Feist can help in the yard, in the field, and on the farm. Besides these, the dog breed loves to jog around and play in the park, but are also more than happy to cuddle on the couch. However, keep your Feist busy when you can since boredom can easily develop into problem behaviors.
Sharp Senses
The dog breed has sharp sight, sense of smell, and hearing, which makes it one of the best hunting dog breeds. It also has strong instincts that allow it to sense and alert you on anything that they deem suspicious. As a result, the breed is also a dependable and protective watchdog as it is in-tune with the surroundings. Apart from alerting you of the presence of strangers, Feists are also used for pest control, especially when it comes to dealing with rat problems. Therefore, it would make sense to adopt a Feist Dog if you have a rodent problem, rather than use toxic chemicals.
To summarize, Feist Dogs are energetic and fun companions that would fit any active person looking for a perfect breed to adopt. The dog breed also makes great family pets since they are good with children due to their playful nature. However, with their excitability, Feist dogs can be noisy companions and will probably chase other animals around your home, such as cats. So, if all your current animals and kids are not easily scared, Feist dogs could be an excellent choice for a family pet.
Size of the Feist Dog Breed
Feists are agile and muscular, and they may grow up to 14 to 20 inches in height and weigh around 12 lbs to 30 lbs. However, apart from their stature, Feist dogs do not have much consistency in their looks. Remember, Feist dogs are crosses between American Indian Dogs and English Terriers. The muddled mix gets results from Smooth Fox Terrier, Jack Russell Terrier, as well as White English Terrier and Manchester Terrier, which are now extinct.
Variations (Feist Appearance)
Mountain Feists are known to have short, low-shedding haired coats. The dog’s coats come in different color combinations such as blue and white, black and tan, brindle, and black, as well as red and white. They have a strong tail, well-muscled body, and mesocephalic head, as well as an “effortless” kind of movement. Most Feist owners prefer tail docking to be done.
The dog breed, known as great hunters, is also known to move almost silently. Its ears are the most defining features as they are erect and pointed, though some may be round and upright. With all this said, it is good to mention that the dog breed is identified by its temperament and ability to hunt rather than its appearance due to the complex mix of genes.
Health and Lifespan
Feist dogs are known to live up to 18 years, but the average dog lives for around 13 years. Therefore, before acquiring one, you should be ready to take care of it for that long. The dog breed rarely falls ill as it is known to have healthy immune systems and to be hardy. The relatively long lifespan is due to their minimal health problems. Nevertheless, just like most dog breeds, Feists have some genetic weaknesses that make preventative health care important. Some of the common health problems associated with the Feist breed include:
Allergies
The dog breed can be vulnerable to some allergies, including food, environmental, and pollen allergies. These allergies are known to cause anaphylaxis. Therefore, it is advisable to be keen on checking signs of allergic reactions and note what could have caused the reaction before taking your pet to the vet. With detailed information, it will quite easy for the vet to diagnose the problem.
However, a vet may also decide to carry out some tests to identify the potential allergen. It is advisable to try to make sure that your dog avoids any allergens identified in the results.
Studies have shown that Feists are prone to the same allergies as other members of the canine family. Thus, you should avoid feeding them things like avocado, fish, and chocolate.
Elbow or Hip Dysplasia
Elbow or Hip Dysplasia is a skeletal and developmental disease that affects smaller-sized dogs. The disease involves the bones causing your dog’s joints to grow abnormally. This leads to friction and rubbing within the joint, which makes walking uncomfortable and painful. The condition makes the joints unstable as the cartilage or bone may wear off gradually piece by piece. Usually, this starts while the dog is young, but there some cases of late-onset dysplasia.
Fortunately, the health issue is preventable when detected early as the condition can be corrected through surgery. Once the vet discovers it in time, he or she will decide whether an operation is necessary. The vet may simply prescribe anti-inflammatory medication if the condition is mild.
Patellar Luxation
Patellar luxation is somehow similar to dysplasia as it also a health issue that affects the joint. The condition results when the knee joint forms abnormally, making it move out of place. Luckily, most dogs can live a comfortable life with the condition, but it is still good to consult your vet to determine whether your furry friend may need some extra care.
Just like dysplasia, surgery can be used to treat this condition. It is also recommended to keep an eye on the knees of your pup for any lameness or pain.
Feeding Charts (Diet Requirements)
As mentioned above, Feists are active dogs. Consequently, they need a feeding chart that offers them enough energy for their active lifestyle. It is also important to ensure that you feed your dog with the right type of diet. Usually, dog feeds feature all ingredients and the intended age group for the pet. This makes it easier for you to know what you are feeding your dog and if you are feeding it the right kind of food.
Mountain Feists require about 1 to 1.5 cups of dog feed throughout the day due to their activity level. Luckily, Feists are not known to be fussy eaters, which means that there is no wastage. The most recommended diet for this dog breed is a diet that includes raw feed and bones. Nevertheless, it is advisable to learn about the feeding guidelines if you choose to give raw food. You should also avoid foods that are known to cause discomfort or health issues to dogs, such as grains.
Final Thoughts About the Feist Dog Breed
In conclusion, Feists are a small dog breed that is friendly, loyal, alert, energetic, and highly adaptable. The dog breed is good for kids due to their playful nature. Besides this, the type of breed is also known to have minimal health concerns and a relatively long lifespan. Mountain Feists are also not fussy eaters, which makes them easy and affordable to keep as a pet. We hope the interesting Feist Dog Breed Information that we have provided has answered all the key questions. Finally, if you are a person looking for an active dog, then you should consider adopting this breed now that you have enough information about it.
