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Treeing Feist

History

Treeing Feist is a catchall term used to describe various types of small dogs that are descended from and are proven to have treeing ability. The word feist is an ancient one referring to a small, often noisy, dog. Like the Cur breeds, the Feist breeds were developed in the rural South by breeders who needed low-maintenance dogs to hunt small game and to eliminate vermin. Feists were often the result of crosses between hunting hounds and terriers. Today's Treeing Feist is the result of generations of breeding for performance and it is still primarily used to hunt squirrel, although they are also used to hunt raccoon, rabbits and flushing game birds. Many Treeing Feists are first generation; crossbred offspring of other recognized breeds, while some are from generations of careful and selective breeding. There are many versions as to the origin of this dog and only one thing is certain, feist-type dogs have been been around throughout our country's history. Treeing Feists have excelled on squirrel, coon and various types of big game as well as rabbits and flushing game birds.Today's Treeing Feist is a hunting dog, and like most hunting dogs, the Treeing Feist is not likely to be happy cooped up in a small apartment. They are common animals in the southern United States where hunting is still a way of life and are quite adept at treeing game, especially squirrels and raccoons, and at tracking and flushing other animals, including birds and rabbits. Treeing Feists are also quite good at curing rat or mice problems. While Feists in general are known to be somewhat noisy animals, the Treeing Feist controls its bark while on a hunt. In fact, it is almost silent when tracking or treeing. They, like their ancestors the Black and Tan Terriers, are quite intelligent and learn quickly. They are very versatile and aggressive animals, although some of the aggressiveness has been bred out. If one is to keep a Treeing Feist as a pet as well as a hunting dog, the best option is the Denmark Feist which is not only a good hunter but also is very loyal and can be quite friendly. In general, Feists are loyal dogs that are more suited to hunting than as pets.

General Appearance The Treeing Feist is an agile, active, small tree dog. The body is slightly longer than tall. Regardless of the size of the individual dog, the legs must be long enough to allow the dog to move quickly and with agility in rough terrain. The head is blocky, with a broad skull, a moderate stop, and a strong muzzle. The tail is straight, set on as a natural extension of the topline, and may be natural or docked. The coat is short and smooth. The Treeing Feist should be evaluated as a working dog, and exaggerations or faults should be penalized in proportion to how much they interfere with the dog's ability to work. Scars should neither be penalized nor regarded as proof of a dog's working abilities.

Characteristics

Treeing Feists are used most frequently to hunt squirrel, raccoon, and opossum. They hunt using both sight and scent and are extremely alert dogs. On track, they are virtually silent.

Head

The head is proportionate to the size of the body. When viewed from the side, the muzzle is slightly shorter than the skull and joined by a definite stop. The planes of the skull and muzzle are parallel. SKULL * The skull is flat and broad, tapering slightly toward the muzzle. Cheeks are muscular, but not over-developed. MUZZLE * The muzzle is long and sufficiently broad and deep to balance the skull. Lips are tight. Lip pigment matches nose pigment and eye rims. TEETH * The Treeing Feist has a complete set of evenly spaced, white teeth meeting in a scissors bite. NOSE * Nose color is black or self-colored. EYES * Eyes are brown, ranging from dark to amber. Eye rims match nose pigment. EARS * Ears are set at the outside edges of the skull and may be erect or button, but not pendulous.

Neck The neck is clean, muscular, and of moderate length. The neck gradually widens from the nape and blends smoothly into the shoulders.

Forequarters Shoulders are well laid back. The upper arm is long and forms an apparent 90-degree angle with the shoulder blade. The forelegs are strong, straight, and moderately well boned. The elbows are set close to the body, but able to move freely in action. The pasterns are short, powerful, slightly sloping, and flexible. "Bench legs" are acceptable but not preferred.

Body A properly proportioned Treeing Feist is slightly longer than tall. Chest is moderately wide and deep, with the brisket reaching to the elbow. Ribs are well sprung and extend well back. Back is of moderate length, and level, blending into a muscular, slightly arched loin with slight to moderate tuckup.

Hindquarters The hindquarters are strong and muscular. The bone, angulation, and musculature of the hindquarters are in balance with the forequarters. The stifles are well bent, and the hocks are well let down. When the dog is standing, the short, strong rear pasterns are perpendicular to the ground, and viewed from the rear, parallel to one another.

Feet The feet are round, well arched, and tight. Pads are hard, tough, and well cushioned. Dewclaws may be removed.

Tail The tail is set on at the end of the croup. The natural tail is thick at the base and tapers toward the tip or it may be a natural bob. When the dog is alert, the tail is carried in an upward curve. When relaxed, the tail may be carried straight out behind the dog.

Coat The coat is short, dense, and smooth.

Disqualification* Long or shaggy coat.

Color * Any color or color pattern.

Disqualification * Albinism.

Height and Weight Height ranges between 10 to 18 inches. Weight ranges between 12 and 30 pounds. Treeing Feists are working dogs and should be presented in hard, muscular condition.

Gait * Treeing Feist gait is smooth and effortless, with good reach of forequarters. Rear quarters have strong driving power, with hocks fully extending. Viewed from any position, legs turn neither in nor out, nor do feet cross or interfere with each other. As speed increases, feet tend to converge toward centerline of balance. This breed is capable of great bursts of speed when needed.

Faults Shyness.And Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree.

Note ** Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.

Disqualifications Unilateral or bilateral cryptorchid. Viciousness or extreme shyness. Long or shaggy coat. Albinism.