7 things to know before bringing home a Mountain Feist puppy
It is also called the Treeing Feist, the American Feist, the American Treeing Feist, and the Mountain Terrier. It's unclear which breeds were used to create the Mountain Feist. Nonetheless, it can't be denied that several distinct terriers and scent hounds had been used in the development of this breed. The Mountain Feist is a classic American dog and a staple of the South. There is still a lot to find out about this very bright, family-oriented hunting dog but the Mountain Feist is not recognized by the American Kennel Club and is therefore not generally known by many novice dog enthusiasts. Here are the things you should know before you bring home a Mountain Feist puppy. Happy reading!
Mountain Feists are originally bred for hunting.
They are originally bred to assist in the hunting of rodents and other small game in rural America. A Mountain Feist’s nature not only makes it a great hunting dog, but it also makes a great pet for any household.
Mountain Feist can be challenging to train.
Because of their intelligence and stubbornness, Mountain Feists are better suited for more experienced owners.
When you first obtain your Mountain Feist, it should be at least seven or eight weeks old. This gives you plenty of time to get started on training.
Dogs of the Mountain Feist breed are intelligent and quick to pick up new skills, but they can become disinterested in training if the lessons aren't maintained a fun and playful.
Short training sessions that are filled with treats and praise are recommended.
If you want to build a strong relationship with your Mountain Feist, it's best to avoid using severe punishments throughout training. Instead, practice patience and consistency.
Praise or reward your Mountain Feist whenever it does something right.
Mountain Feists are small.
The Mountain Feists, while little, are surprisingly powerful and muscular. Their coats can be any one of several different hues, including black, brown, gray, red, white, brindle, and cream.
In terms of height, male and female Mountain Feist alike, average between 12 and 18 inches, and in weight, they average between 12 and 30 pounds.
This breed has a friendly and affectionate personality.
Mountain Feists can be an excellent companion if raised and trained properly. Their demeanor is friendly and affectionate. You may have been surprised to hear that this terrier breed is not such a terrier in disposition.
They are devoted to their families and thrive when around other people. Besides small rodents and wildlife, they get along nicely with everyone and are especially fond of kids.
The Mountain Feist is a high-energy breed that thrives in busy households and makes a great companion for young people because of its sociable demeanor, high levels of playfulness, and interesting antics.
These dogs are low-maintenance compared to other breeds.
These canines were developed specifically to require less care. Because of their short hair, they require less maintenance to appear their best. Once a week, use a slicker brush or bristle brush to brush your dog's coat and remove loose hairs and dirt.
A Mountain Feist will generally take care of its hygiene, although it may need a bath every once in a while if it has been playing in really muddy conditions.
As a pet owner, you'll also need to attend to your dog's dental health, olfactory hygiene, and ear hygiene.
To prevent the buildup of wax, moisture, and debris in its ears, the Mountain Feist needs regular ear checks and cleanings in addition to the occasional bath and brushing. This will prevent ear infections and other issues.
Its teeth should be brushed at least once a day using a high-quality dog toothbrush and dog toothpaste, and its nails should be clipped regularly to prevent them from breaking or splitting during play.
Easy as pie!
Mountain Feist has high energy needs.
Mountain Feists are very active and need to take several long walks every day to burn off all of their excess energy.
Make sure you have the time and energy to provide adequate exercise for your new puppy before bringing it home. This breed has an abundance of pent-up energy that, if not channeled, can lead to destructive boredom and behavior.
A fenced-in backyard is a great alternative to bringing your dog on long walks. Bring your dog hunting to get the exercise they need and indulge in the breed's original purpose.
As a bred working dog, it will also enjoy playing games like fetch or frisbee in the yard, running, and chasing.
These dogs are a very healthy breed.
As a whole, this is a fairly healthy breed of dog. In general, their life expectancy is extremely high. Though these dogs are generally healthy, there are a few things their owners should be aware of just in case.
The Mountain Feist is prone to hip dysplasia, but only in certain cases. Dislocation of the hip occurs because the hip bone did not develop normally.
A Mountain Feist may be more susceptible to ear infections than other dog breeds. If you find your dog scratching its ears, it is important to keep them clean and to take them to the doctor for an examination.
These canines may also be at risk for bloat. Bloat is a disorder in which a dog's stomach becomes distended with gas and twists, medically referred to as gastric dilation-volvulus (GDV).
It's critical to get your dog to the vet ASAP if you think it has bloat, which can be a potentially fatal condition.
The exact cause of bloat in dogs is unknown, however, it often happens after the dog has eaten a substantial meal followed by vigorous exercise. As a result, be mindful to slow down your dog's activity after a meal.
Grooming your Mountain Feist regularly allows you to check for any abnormalities, such as lumps, bumps, cuts, abrasions, sores, or wounds, while also keeping it looking its best.
Finally, make an effort to maintain consistent veterinary checkups. Checkups at the vet are highly recommended once a year for pets under the age of seven. Once every six months is the recommended maintenance interval for senior canines.
These dogs need high-quality dog food formulated for active breeds.
Keeping up with the nutritional needs of such an active breed is a major priority. High-quality dog food specifically made for energetic breeds should provide about 400 calories per day for these pets. If you have a dog of this breed, divide their daily food intake in half to reduce the risk of bloat.
Puppies can only eat a fraction of what an adult can. They need to eat three to four times a day until they are about six months old. If you have questions about how much dog food your dog needs or how often it should be fed, your vet is a great resource to contact.
Mountain Feists, thankfully, tend to be a robust bunch. However, it's still preferable to provide your dog with a diet that has all the nutrients it needs to live a long, healthy, and fulfilling life.
These dogs can do well with children if properly trained.
Dogs like this can perform great with kids if they have the right training. Their disposition is playfulness and warmth. They require a firm trainer to instill the necessary manners in them, and so may not be suitable for households with very young children.
Given their high level of activity, though, they may be better off in a household with older children who are less likely to accidentally hurt the dog.
It is important to teach children how to interact with the family dog respectfully. Always keep an eye on your young children when they're playing with your Mountain Feist.
Socialization with a Mountain Feist, or any dog, requires constant adult supervision.
Mountain Feists can live a very long life.
Because of their extended lifespan, Mountain Feists need specialized attention from their owners.
In the first year that you own a Mountain Feist, you should expect to spend between $1,000 and $1,500 on their food, supplies, training, and vet services. The subsequent years are expected to be substantially cheaper, with costs ranging from $500 to $1,000. Their typical life expectancy is between 10 and 15 years.
Mountain Feist sheds.
Mountain Feists, like so many dogs, do shed. However, because of their short coats, it is not as problematic as other dogs.
As dogs go, Mountain Feists are low-key and simple to care for, but if you're after a hypoallergenic companion, you'll want to search elsewhere.
The Mountain Feists shed constantly, though the process is more laborious in the spring and fall when the weather is at its coolest.
The Mountain Feist may look like many other popular breeds.
The Mountain Feist is an adorable small hunting dog that, at first glance, may be mistaken for any number of well-known breeds. Its remarkable abilities as a tree climber and hunter are matched only by its singular character.
It's proportional, the delicate body is slender yet powerful, allowing it to easily scale trees and dash across fields and thick bushes. The tail is either long or docked and the ears are straight and sharp.
The Mountain Feist may blend in with many different terriers because it is available in a wide range of color combinations. Still, a genuine Mountain Feist will be recognized by its face. The muzzle is square, and so are its pointy ears.
That Mountain Feist’s character is probably the most striking thing about them. Although it comes from the terrier family, the Mountain Feist is a much gentler canine. It seems less dominant and gets along with most people and canine companions.
Mountain Feist enjoys being outside.
Hiking, running, camping, and road trips are just some of this breed’s favorite ways to spend time outside, but he also enjoys just being in nature. Just keep in mind that the Mountain Feist has a strong instinct to hunt and may try to chase after prey that isn't as large as it is.
You should never take your Mountain Feist out for a stroll without a leash and harness to keep him safe from harm. Using games like puzzle toys, frisbee, and retrieve, you can appeal to its natural urges and prevent it from becoming bored and frustrated.
Avoid keeping your Mountain Feist alone for more than five hours at a stretch and provide mental and physical stimulation to help ease these potential concerns.
Even though they are kind and not hostile, they nevertheless need to be exposed to a wide variety of experiences from a young age to flourish and become well-rounded adult dogs.
Mountain Feist needs space.
The Mountain Fiest requires an energetic, dedicated owner and a wide, securely enclosed property.
This canine pal isn't the cuddly type, but rather one who thrives on exploration, games, and physical activity.
Any home with a yard or, failing that, a family with plenty of free time to devote to their Mountain Feist's training, exercise, socializing, and fun, is excellent.
Do you feel the Mountain Feist is the correct dog for you? If this is the case, you deserve some praise. We know that the Mountain Feist will make a fantastic pet and friend, and we want to make sure you get off to a good start with your new family member. When caring for your dog, think about their personality, how much exercise they need, any health problems they might have, how much training they need, and anything else that is important. In light of this, we hope this list is particularly useful for the Mountain Feist and owners of Mountain Feists like yourself. Thanks for checking this out!