At a glance the quick version
UKC gives an ideal working range of 12-30 lb, depending on height.
Coat and looks how to spot one
short, smooth coat
A sleek coat no longer than about an inch, lying dense and flat. The body is compact, athletic and a little longer than tall, with a blocky head and upright V-shaped ears.23
Personality what they are like
A lively, watchful little hunter that uses its eyes, ears and nose together. It works silently while tracking and gives voice once game is treed, and it is known for being keen and responsive to its handler.23
Daily activity how busy a day looks
Very active and bred for long days chasing squirrels and other small game, so it needs daily exercise and ideally hunting, scent games or other outlets for its energy.12
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
The short, smooth coat needs little more than an occasional brush plus routine nail and ear checks.2
Home where they are happiest
Suits active rural or suburban homes with secure fencing, since its hunting drive makes it quick to chase small animals.1
Company who they like around
Enjoys working closely with its person and thrives on shared activity.2
The story where it all began
Small hunting dogs known as feists developed in the Southern mountains during the 19th century from crosses of terriers and hounds, prized for treeing squirrels for the family table. By the early 1980s they had become scarce, and dedicated clubs formed to preserve them, leading to separate UKC recognition for the Mountain Feist in 2015.12
Fun facts for the dinner table
- 1
The word 'feist' is an old term for a small, lively and often noisy dog.3
- 2
Mountain Feists track game almost silently and only speak up once the quarry is up a tree.2
- 3
Its tail may be left natural or docked, and it is carried upright when the dog is alert.2
- 4
Beyond squirrels it also hunts raccoons, opossums and rabbits and can flush birds.1
Recognised by the official bits
- UKC
- Recognised as a separate breed on 1 February 2015 (previously grouped with the Treeing Feist, recognised 1998).2
- Mountain Feist Breeder's Club
- Breed club founded in 1986; the Mountain Treeing Feist Organization followed in 1992.1
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Mountain Feist. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.
- Brushingevery week
- Bathevery 8 weeks
- Nail trimSooner if you hear clicking on the floorevery 3 weeks
- Ear checkFloppy ears trap moisture, so check and dry themevery week
- Teeth brushingDaily brushing is idealevery day
- ExerciseDaily walks and playevery day
- Flea, tick and worm protectionSchedule as your vet recommendsas your vet recommends
- Vet check-upSenior years usually start around age 10every year
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Where this comes from
Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at support@furrydiary.app and we will fix it.
- Wikipedia: Treeing Feist / Mountain Feist en.wikipedia.orgused for origin, history, clubs, uses
- UKC Mountain Feist breed standard ukcdogs.comused for recognition, size, coat, colours, temperament
- UKC Treeing Feist breed standard ukcdogs.comused for name origin, body shape
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.