Mountain Feists are small, yet muscular dogs who were initially bred to help with hunting vermin and other small game in the rural United States to keep the rodent population under control. While they are still often used for hunting, especially squirrels, their temperament also makes a Mountain Feist a wonderful companion dog or family pet. They are very affectionate and loving to the members of their family and have fun and playful personality.

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However, Mountain Feists can also be a bit challenging to train and do best with more experienced owners. However, with proper training and sufficient exercise to match their higher energy level, a Mountain Feist can do very well in homes with children. Mountain Feists are relatively small, weighing just 12 to 30 pounds. Their coat can be a variety of colors including black, gray, white, brindle, blue, brown, red, or silver.

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Owning a Mountain Feist: 3 Pros and Cons

Mountain Feist Size and Weight

Mountain Feists are a small to medium size dog breed. Males and females are generally between 12 and 18 inches tall and weigh between 12 and 30 pounds. Puppies will gain muscle as they develop into full-grown dogs.

Mountain Feist Common Health Issues

Overall, these dogs are a very healthy breed. They typically enjoy a very long lifespan. However, there are still some potential concerns owners should be aware of if they have one of these dogs.

Some Mountain Feists may develop hip dysplasia. This is a condition where the hip bone doesn’t form correctly and becomes dislocated. It can make walking very painful for dogs, and surgery may be required to correct it.

A Mountain Feist may also be a bit more likely to develop an ear infection than some other breeds. Be sure to keep your dog’s ears clean and contact your veterinarian if you notice your dog scratching at his ears.

Health and Entertainment for your Mountain Feist

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Bloat is another potential concern for these dogs. Also known as gastric dilation-volvulus (GDV), bloat is a condition in which a dog’s stomach is filled with gas and twist. It can be life-threatening, and you should bring your dog in for immediate care if you suspect they have developed bloat. It is not completely clear what causes bloat in dogs, but it commonly occurs after the dog eats a large meal and then exercises. So, take care to limit your dog’s activity following a meal.

As a review, some of the potential health concerns to be on the lookout for with one of these dogs include:

• Hip dysplasia
• Ear infections
• Bloat

Mountain Feist Temperament and Behavior

These dogs are a very active breed. They are known to have a very curious and playful personality. They enjoy playing outdoors and need long walks to make sure they get their energy out. As long as their exercise needs are met, the dog’s behavior should stay under control. Their personality traits can make this breed a wonderful family dog.

However, if the dog isn’t given the exercise he needs, he may get bored and exhibit destructive behaviors. These dogs may also bark or growl more than many other breeds. Due to their higher intelligence and potential stubbornness, they typically do best in a home with an experienced trainer.

How to Take Care of a Mountain Feist

Mountain Feists are a unique dog breed with unique needs. Keep their temperament, exercise requirements, health concerns, training needs, and all other relevant characteristics and information in mind when caring for your dog.

The Best Dog Food for Mountain Feists

As a very active breed, it is important to make sure your dog gets enough food to keep them healthy. These dogs should eat around 400 calories of high-quality dog food formulated for active breeds. Since this breed is also susceptible to bloat, feed them two smaller meals each day rather than one large meal.

Puppies have smaller stomachs than adults. Due to this, it is important that you feed them between three and four meals each day until they are around six months old. Your veterinarian is an excellent resource to consult if you are not sure how much food to feed your dog or how frequently they should eat each day.

Fortunately, Mountain Feists are a rather healthy breed. But it’s still best to find dog food that provides robust nutrition to support a long, active, happy life.

With this in mind, A-Z Animals thinks the best dog food for Mountain Feists is Purina ONE SmartBlend True Instinct Adult Canned Wet Dog Food.

The grain-free wet recipe is easier to digest than kibble, with 30% protein for your Mountain Feist’s non-stop, energetic lifestyle. The real meat offers glucosamine for mobile joints that don’t slow your dog down, while omegas and antioxidants fortify the immune system, skin, and fur.

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• Omega Fatty Acids Help Support His Healthy Skin And Coat

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Mountain Feist Maintenance and Grooming

These dogs were bred to be low-maintenance dogs. They have short hair and do not need much grooming to stay looking their best. This breed does shed a fair amount, but the amount of hair they lose will be minimal because they have such short hair. So, you won’t need to worry too much about finding a pile of black, brown, white, or gray hair all over your furniture or floors. You should use a slicker brush or bristle brush about once each week to brush your dog and remove any loose hairs and dirt from their coat.

For the most part, a Mountain Feist will keep himself pretty clean, but they may require an occasional bath if they get very dirty. You will also need to keep your dog’s nails trimmed, their teeth brushed, and their ears clean.

Mountain Feist Training

Training a Mountain Feist is not always easy. They have a pretty strong prey drive and a very high energy level, which can make training sessions more challenging. Generally, these dogs do best in homes with experienced owners. They do have a high intelligence level, so with the right trainer and training techniques, this breed can learn quickly.

Mountain Feist Exercise

These dogs need a lot of exercise each day. They do best when they get to walk at least 14 miles each week, so don’t bring home a Mountain Feist unless you enjoy going for long walks or hikes each day. In addition to taking your pup for long walks, you can also give your dog playtime in a fenced-in backyard. These dogs were bred to be hunting dogs, and bring your dog hunting with you can also help him or her meet their exercise requirements.

Mountain Feist Puppies

You may find it challenging to find a pure-bred Mountain Feist puppy since the breed is rare. However, a Mountain Feist mix may be easier to find. Some breeds that may be mixed with these dogs include Mountain Curs, Golden Retrievers, Jack Russel Terriers, and Labrador Retrievers.

Before bringing home a new puppy, make sure that you’re ready to commit to giving the dog the exercise it needs. This is a very high energy breed, and without proper exercise dogs can become bored and destructive.

Mountain Feists and Children

If these dogs get proper training, they can do very well with children. They have a very playful and affectionate personality. However, they are a very active breed, so they may do better in a home with older children that won’t be injured accidentally. Always take care to supervise children around a Mountain Feist or any other dog breed.

Dogs similar to Mountain Feist

Jack Russell Terriers, Fox Terriers, and Rat Terriers are three breeds that are similar to these dogs.

• Jack Russell Terriers: Jack Russell Terriers and Mountain Feists can both be very affectionate with the people they trust. Both breeds are also very territorial and can make a good watchdog. Jack Russell Terriers have a higher weight gain potential and the amount of food they eat should be closely regulated to prevent obesity.
• Fox Terrier: Fox Terriers and Mountain Feists are both likely to bark a lot. Both breeds also have a very high pretty drive. A Fox Terrier can make a better dog for homes with children than a Fox Terrier, though.
• Rat Terrier: Rat Terriers and Mountain Feists were both bred by American Farmers to hunt rodents and other small animals. Both breeds are very similar in size with an average weight between 21 and 23 pounds. Rat Terriers can be a better breed for homes with children, though.

Famous Mountain Feists

Follow some of these dogs on Instagram to get your daily fix of this adorable and fun-loving breed:

• Moose and Ellie Mae
• Nitro Awesome Paws
• Dova Dog

Popular Names for Mountain Feist

If you can’t seem to find the right name for your new dog, consider trying one of these popular names below.

• Buddy
• Rocky
• Oscar
• Max
• Jack
• Molly
• Coco
• Sugar
• Gracie
• Bella

Last update on 2022-07-06 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

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