

Mountain Feists should not be added to households where there are small animals, like guinea pigs, rabbits, hamsters, mice, etc. This is very important to remember, too, when considering mixing animals in the house. Though they are loving towards their families, they are true hunting dogs, and this is important to remember when they are outside, as they may chase and even kill small animals, like squirrels. Be sure to provide them with plenty of exercise and stimulation, because they will get into trouble if bored. Less aggressive than other terriers, Mountain Feists are incredibly friendly and very loving and loyal to their families. Though their size and appearance have varied a lot over the years, nowadays, they are generally between ten and 22 inches tall, weighing between ten and 30 pounds. Mountain Feists are small- to medium-sized dogs.

They are sometimes nicknamed as a class of "squirrel dogs." Despite their honed hunting skills, they are usually very friendly, playful, loving dogs, and they also play a great role as a family dog, especially in environments where they can exercise that high energy, such as decently sized homes and yards. Today, they are often confused with Mountain Curs, who have similar roles and appearances, but are not quite the same - Mountain Feists being decidedly smaller, for one.Īlthough physical characteristics have become more specific than in the past, Mountain Feists' roles are largely the same - to hunt small animals outside. They were indeed in the country before other ratting terriers, making them pioneers, of sorts, themselves!ĭuring our founding fathers' times, the Mountain Feist may have looked a bit different than they do today, but eventually, the breed became refined with specific traits. They are even rumored to have been owned by, or at least associated with, some of our first presidents: George Washington referred to "feists" in his diary, and Abraham Lincoln referenced them in a poem. They come in every color and combination, including black, white, gray, silver, blue, tan, red, brown, cream, sable, brindle, pied, Isabella, and fawn." They're believed to have been in the country since as early as the 17th and 18th centuries, and though their numbers have been small over the centuries, they possess grown in popularity over the last decade. Over the centuries, they have been bred as low-maintenance dogs to hunt small vermin above-ground. The history of Mountain Feists is really a bit muddied, as the term "feist" can mean any type of small, noisy dog. Mountain Feists can get along well with other dogs of equal or larger size.

be sure not to keep your dog outside too long if it's excessively hot. Also, they are not as aggressive as other terriers.
