Mountain Feist: Your Complete Guide

The joy-filled, jumpy energy of a mountain feist has become well-known throughout the Appalachians, though they have yet to catch on outside of their home turf. The terrier mix is an excellent form of pest control with endless reserves and a sharp intellect that makes it suitable for a handful of tasks. Despite this, the breed is not going to be a universal choice.

The mountain roaming mutt is an incredibly active dog that has lived in rural areas for most of its existence. Because of this, it is unsuitable for sedentary people living in apartments or newer owners unfamiliar with looking after a more high-maintenance pup. If you are curious whether the dog is right for you, follow this complete guide on mountain feists.

Quick Look at the Mountain Feist

Below is a quick glance at this special breed in terms of its physical characteristics, lifespan, temperament, and grooming needs.

What Is the History of Mountain Feists?

The mountain feist has been bouncing around the dense woods of the Appalachian mountains since the 19th century and worked as a very proficient hunting dog for the local population. Due to their size, they would typically go after smaller game like rodents, rabbits, and the occasional birds.

Unfortunately, during the 20th century, they became less and less prominent within the region and almost disappeared entirely. Thankfully, an association formed in 1984 called the Mountain Feist Association (now called the Mountain Treeing Feist Organization) with the express purpose of preserving the helpful breed.

While their days as hunting dogs are essentially over, they are still well-loved for their happy, hoppy personalities and exceptional ability to terrify a home’s rodent population. The breed has yet to attain the popularity of other terriers, though it is still well-known through the southern mountains of the United States.

What Do Mountain Feists Look Like?

Mountain feists are a short-haired breed with large, childlike eyes, a sharp, pointed nose, and forward-folding ears. They are lean across the body with a lightly muscled frame and a short, stout tail. They will typically come in a mixed pattern of black, brown, and white. These markings do not have any breed distinctions, and litters can have many different coat colors and patterns.

What Size Is a Mountain Feist?

The mountain feist is a small to medium dog that sits on the more diminutive side of the scale. Depending on the individual pup, mountain feists will be anywhere from ten to twenty-two inches and weigh anywhere from ten to thirty pounds. Height and weight vary quite a bit, and it may be hard for folks to find a specific size of mountain feist as they are fairly rare at the time of this article.

What Is a Mountain Feists Coat Type and Length?

If you are the type of person who doesn’t like incredible shedding and spending three to four days a week brushing your dog, the mountain feist is a great pick. They have short, straight fur that sticks tight to the body and is fairly easy to look after. While their coat colors will differ massively from one dog to another, their fur length and texture will always be simple and short.

What Is a Mountain Feists Temperament?

The mountain feist looks like the type of dog that will run around for hours because it is a dog that will run around for hours. They are perky, playful, and attentive, with keen senses that are quick to detect any noise, big or small. The terriers are incredibly compassionate with family and can quickly become a household favorite if given proper care.

Are Mountain Feists Good With Kids?

Because of how active and energetic they are, parents must monitor the feist and child socializing until they learn to respect each other’s boundaries. The breed can be overeager to meet new family members, and while they are fit to be a kid’s best friend, it will take some time for the two to get an idea of one another.

For neighborhood kids and your children’s friends, the mountain feist must get introduced to other people early and often to lessen the likelihood of it being apprehensive. They are not known to be aggressive animals, though they may bark the house down if they feel that someone in your home is unwelcome or unwanted, even if only by them.

Are Mountain Feists Good With Other Animals?

Mountain feists have a lot of potential when moving into a house with other canines and similar-sized pets. They have a background in chasing down smaller animals, however, and rodents, guinea pigs, and other vulnerable creatures should not be in the same home as a mountain feist.

Their instinct to chase prey is strong, and even cats will have difficulty getting these dogs to maintain themselves. Because of this, it is strongly recommended that they do not live in households with smaller animals. Other dogs in the house will not be nearly as difficult, but they must be monitored and socialized cautiously until they take to one another.

Are Mountain Feists Aggressive?

Mountain feists should not be considered aggressive, though they can get nippy if they feel cornered or unsure of someone. Because of this, it is crucial to make them feel at home and comfortable so they do not get nervous or apprehensive when company comes over. They are generally one of the more agreeable terriers you will find, especially with training.

Do Mountain Feists Bark?

Any person who has owned a terrier knows the answer, which is a resounding yes. They are not afraid to loudly express their feelings when the doorbell rings, a car drives by, or when a strong gust hits their home. Because of their natural tendency towards barking, it is heavily recommended that they become trained and familiar with your home environment.

Once they settle in, the barking will calm down considerably. They will always have a voice to them, but diligent owners can severely lessen its frequency. That said, they are unsuitable for apartments, townhouses, or homes where loud noises can be an issue for the owner.

Are Mountain Feists Affectionate?

If their barking starts to get on your nerves, the mountain feist has an endearing way of getting back on your good side. The adorable terriers are kind-hearted and fond of their owners and grow deeply connected to their family members. They will be as attentive and affectionate as owners allow, which may be too much for those who want a more independent dog.

For folks looking for an active dog that won’t break a bone when they jump up, the mountain feist is a great, medium-sized lapdog.

Are Mountain Feists Intelligent?

They are hard to get to listen when energetic, which can make them seem absent-minded or a bit slow to catch on. This is a common misunderstanding of the breed, which is sincerely intelligent and capable of many impressive tricks and commands. The key to training a mountain feist is making sure they are tuned in and working with their bouncy behavior.

They are also vigilant, attentive dogs. If you have a rodent problem or critters are getting into your garden, a mountain feist will efficiently track and remove them. They are great learners when they catch onto training and make excellent companions once they get some obedience training.

Are Mountain Feists Energetic?

The breed has a tank of gas that is incredible to observe. The small dog can run around seemingly endlessly and is unsuitable for owners who want a lazy, lounging pooch. They will need daily exercise of one hour or more and should be mentally and physically interacted with to lessen anxious behavior and destructive habits.

Are Mountain Feists Easy to Train?

The breed may find it hard to calm down enough to start training, but they will love it once they understand the concept. They are happy to impress and more than capable of shocking owners with their surprising intellect. While things may start rocky as they struggle to focus, pup parents will soon discover the mountain feist can easily catch on to advanced tricks.

Due to their energy, intelligence, and natural athleticism, the breed makes a strong candidate for agility training. The dog will adore agility training, and it will make them much more calm and content when it is time for the evening to wind down. If you are looking for a dog that can literally jump through hoops, the mountain feist is a solid bet.

Are Mountain Feists Good Watchdogs?

They are very effective watchdogs, and their uniquely tuned senses can inform owners of any disturbances that should be investigated. They will not be scaring off a group of intruders any time soon, but they will let everyone on your block know something sketchy is happening.

This alertness should be honed so they do not bark at everyone passing by. Their natural curiosity and investigative nature can have them staring out the windows for hours and shouting canine obscenities at every passing car.

Are Mountain Feists Good Service Dogs?

While they are not fit for every service task (they will be a poor choice for physical assistance), they are excellent choices for many different roles. Their keen senses, bright minds, and loyal personality make them attentive, capable, and sincerely beneficial to people who need assistance. The most significant barrier will be their playful, energetic nature.

Similarly, they can be suitable for people looking to get emotional support or psychiatric assistance, given the dog has the right personality. An ESA or psychiatric service dog needs to be attentive and emotionally intuitive to perform the role. If you feel that your mountain feist would make a good choice for a psychiatric service animal, there are great courses available.

How to Care for a Mountain Feist?

As we previously discussed, it will be an absolute necessity to make sure your feist gets plenty of exercise and playtime. The terriers live on activities, companionship, and mental stimulation; owners who meet these needs will have an excellent and unforgettable friend. If they do not, they may have a guilty-looking dog and a mess or three in and around the house.

Similarly, the dogs will need a diet that meets their active lifestyle and infrequent grooming. They ask a lot from their family when it comes to exercise, but their grooming needs are incredibly low-maintenance and a relative afterthought.

Do You Need to Groom a Mountain Feist?

You must give them the occasional brushing, but far less than most other breeds. Feists don’t shed much, and their coat requires little maintenance. The fur sticks tight to the body and is not easily matted. They will still need to be bathed occasionally, which is pretty quick, though the dog may not be overly pleased to jump into a tub.

Their claws must be trimmed occasionally to avoid them growing too long. If it sounds like your mountain feist is typing whenever it walks around hard surfaces, it is time to give their nails a clipping. Similarly, brush their teeth often and check their ears to avoid any diseases, irritation, or unwanted buildup.

Do Mountain Feists Shed?

These are not hypoallergenic dogs, and they will shed. Thankfully, it is minimal, and people won’t need to lay plastic on the good couches. With casual brushing, their fur will be barely noticed. Some times of the year may make discarded fur more noticeable, but it will never be enough for any genuine concern.

What Health Problems Do Mountain Feists Have?

The mountain feist is a mixed breed that descends from dogs with genuinely clean bills of health. They will rarely be an animal at high risk for any diseases, though they have certain medical conditions and ailments that are more common than others.

The typical medical problems that a mountain feist will have are:

• Hip Dysplasia
• Elbow Dysplasia
• Dermatitis
• Allergies

These are not causes for concern, and most mixed and purebred dogs are at risk for elbow and hip dysplasia. Routine vet checkups and proper care can minimize the risk of severe ailments and lessen the likelihood of your feist feeling under the weather.

How Long Do Mountain Feists Live?

A mountain feist that has had an active lifestyle, been given a sufficient diet, and received proper and diligent care can be expected to live anywhere between twelve to fourteen years. While this is the average, outliers exist, and smaller dogs tend to have a longer lifespan than their bigger brothers and sisters.

What Should a Mountain Feist Eat?

It will be difficult for owners to have a universal choice when feeding this mixed breed, as their size and shape vary and can triple in weight. Because of this, it is recommended that you ask a local vet or a reputable breeder. If not, try to find high-quality food for small to medium dogs that live an active lifestyle.

Is a Mountain Feist the Right Dog for Me?

The feisty terrier can be a handful for non-veteran dog owners or folks who rest their feet in apartments, townhouses, or other places with nearby neighbors. They are often noisy, overly alert, and tend to get reckless and wild if their energy isn’t expended. This personality can not only get people in hot water with landlords but also result in damaged property.

On the other hand, they are exceptionally bright, incredibly kind, and genuinely exceptional dogs. They make excellent pest control for houses with mice or rats, are deeply committed to their owners, and are capable of a wide variety of commands and tasks. If you want a compact dog that can keep up with your active, rural lifestyle, the feist is a fantastic fit.