TREEING FEIST ( aka Mountain Feist )
Terrier Group
History
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.
The Treeing Feist was recognized by
U.K.C. on November 1, 1998.
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.
Disqualifications
Unilateral or bilateral cryptorchid. Viciousness or
extreme shyness. Long or shaggy coat. Albinism. Deafness. Blindness. Overshot
bite. Undershot bite.
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