Feist

The Feist dog breed is a small hunting dog that arose in the American South at some point in the 18th century. The name of the species probably derives from the obsolete word fice or fyst, which means to break wind. This dog has an uncertain origin, but there are a few different theories for how it was first bred. One theory is that it descended from the Smooth Fox Terrier and the now-extinct English White Terrier. Some of these dogs may then have been crossed with the Greyhound, Whippet, or Beagle. The Feist, in turn, gave rise to new breeds like the Teddy Roosevelt Terrier and the Rat Terrier.

The original purpose of the Feist was to hunt small animals like squirrels or rodents on the ground. Since the Feist is still used for this purpose, it has none of the strict physical standards of a show dog. Apart from its strong and athletic body and wedge-shaped head, there is otherwise little consistency in the ears, tails, and other physical characteristics of this breed. The coat is usually quite short, but the exact combination of white and brown markings can vary from one dog to the next.

Experts of this breed recognize a few different types, including the mountain Feist and treeing Feist. There’s still some debate about what characteristics separate them, but the main difference is that treeing Feists, as the name implies, will try to trap its prey up a tree while barking almost non-stop to alert its owner. The mountain and treeing Feists can be further subdivided into many other different types, depending on the preferences of the breeder. None of the Feists are currently recognized by the American Kennel Club, but the Mountain Feist has been recognized by the United Kennel Club since 2015, and the American Feist was recognized by the UKC on September 1, 2025. Other organizations also recognize certain Feist types.

3 Pros And Cons Of Owning A Feist

Size And Weight

The Feist dog breed has a small, compact, and muscular body. Males and females are similar in size. Typically, they reach a height of between 10 and 18 inches and weigh between 12 and 30 lbs.

Common Health Issues

The Feist dog breed is a good choice for owners who want a healthy and long-lived breed. The average lifespan is about 13 years (and potentially up to 18 years in the right circumstances). But like any dog, it has the tendency to suffer from a few health conditions.

Allergies are perhaps the most common problem owners should be aware of; if your dog appears to have itchy skin, sneezing, coughing, or wheezing, then you should try to isolate and then eliminate the cause of the allergy. Other problems are more serious.

Hip or elbow dysplasia, in which the socket can become partially or fully dislocated, is a developmental disorder that affects small dogs in particular; though uncommon, it can lead to pain, arthritis, and some lameness.

Patellar luxation is a similar condition that affects the kneecap; it, too, can lead to lifelong problems. Cancer is also a leading cause of death in this breed.

One of the best things you can do to prevent health problems from arising in the first place is to always buy from a high-quality breeder; try to avoid backyard breeders and puppy mills. You should also have regular checkups at the vet.

Temperament

The Feist dog breed has a spirited, fearless, and friendly personality. It can form a close and lasting bond with its owner. Since it was originally bred for the rugged rural life, the Feist is probably best suited for farmers or outdoor types. But there’s also no reason why these adaptable dogs can’t grow accustomed to urban and suburban environments, provided you’re able to give them enough exercise. As long as it has enough mental and physical stimulation, the Feist knows how to settle down and relax. But otherwise, it might become anxious and start exhibiting some destructive behavior. It’s also probably not well-suited for homes with smaller pets like cats and rodents.

How To Take Care Of The Feist

Owners should ideally have some experience or knowledge of how to handle some of this dog’s peculiarities and instincts, but this isn’t strictly required. Many aspects of Feist’s care should be relatively straightforward and easy to handle. If you have any other questions or concerns about your dog’s care, then you should talk with your veterinarian.

The Best Dog Food

Depending on your dog’s size, age, and activity level, the Feist dog breed probably needs an average of 1.5 cups of dog food per day, give or take a little bit. While any type of dog food should suffice, owners should make sure it contains enough protein to support a healthy and active lifestyle. It’s also a good idea to divide up food into two meals per day.

Since the Feist can suffer from allergies, try looking for allergy-prevention dog food. If your Feist’s stomach gets upset after eating, or it fusses with its skin, paws, or ears, it may be time to try a new food.

Maintenance And Grooming

The Feist dog breed has a very short, lightly shedding (though not hypoallergenic) coat that should be relatively easy to care for. It will need to be brushed a few times a week to remove loose fur and prevent matting. Owners should also trim their nails, check their ears, and brush their teeth on a regular basis. Bathing should only be done when the coat becomes particularly dirty.

Training

The Feist dog breed is an intelligent dog with an open and agreeable disposition. They can learn a large number of commands and behaviors without too much effort. But owners should be aware that these dogs do have a mind of their own. Teaching it to obey the particular rules of the house may require a bit of time and patience. Verbal encouragement and positive training methods, combined with a firm hand and strong leadership, will work best on this breed. Owners should try to keep training sessions relatively short and interesting. Mix things up with new techniques and commands. If you need some assistance, then you might want to contact a professional trainer in your area.

Exercise

The Feist requires at least 30 to 60 minutes of exercise per day. Walks, jogs, and hikes should work well to dispel its excess energy; mix this in with plenty of games, toys, and even some agility challenges. Since the Feist has a very strong prey drive, it may not be a good idea to let this dog off the leash unless you want it to chase after animals.

Puppies

Before bringing home a new puppy, make sure you have everything you need, including a collar, a leash, a bowl, and a crate if you plan to use one. Follow up with your vet immediately to get your dog properly tested, vaccinated, and spayed or neutered. Feist puppies should begin proper training and socialization as early as possible to become well-behaved adults. Doggie daycare is also a good option if you need to give your dog something to do during the day.

Feists And Children

While Feists should have a natural tenderness toward children, they will learn to behave best if they’re raised as a puppy in a family home. Because this dog can be a little possessive of toys and does not enjoy rough handling, older children who understand how to handle this type of dog should respond best to them.

Dogs Similar To The Feist

The Feist belongs to a group of small hunting and ratting dogs that resemble a terrier.

• Jack Russell Terrier: The Feist looks so similar to the Jack Russell that they’re sometimes mistaken for each other. Both of these small hunting dogs have a predominantly white coat with brown and sometimes black markings. They also share the same fearless personality and energetic lust for fun and adventure.
• Smooth Fox Terrier: Dating back as early as the 18th century, this was the quintessential breed of English fox hunters. It is characterized by long legs, a narrow, V-shaped head, and a flat white coat with black or tan markings.
• Rat Terrier: Originally bred to be an all-around farm dog, the rat terrier would catch rodents, guard the henhouse, and keep watch out for intruders. Today, they are primarily used as a family companion. The smooth and shiny coat has a variety of different pied patterns covering the body.

Famous Feists

Over the centuries, the Feist has been mentioned in the writings of Abraham Lincoln, William Faulkner, and Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings. Theodore Roosevelt also went on hunting trips with a Feist named Skip and helped popularize the entire breed.