Treeing Feist

		Treeing Feist
		He is not recognized by the F.C.I.


Origin			U.S.A.
Translation			Francis Vandersteen
This breed is also known as			Feist Fyce Fice American Feist American Treeing

A brief presentation of the Treeing Feist

The Treeing Feist is an agile little dog that has been bred over the centuries to be, as its name suggests, a high-level tree-dog breed, meaning that it is trained to chase prey up a tree until the hunter arrives and arrests or kills the game it is stalking. Because of his refined abilities, he's often called the quintessential squirrel dog, although he's also used for raccoon and possum, and he takes just a second to prove it, darting off at high speed while maintaining a silent approach and alerting his master with loud, repetitive barks once he's managed to pin his target in a tree. Of all the recognized breeds, the Treeing Feist is probably the one with the most flexible standards. Indeed, although there are size and weight limits, they come in just about every color and pattern imaginable, thanks to their great ancestral influence, which many people believe ranges from Hounds to European Terriers to hunting dogs originating in the Americas. It is considered a very adaptable dog, generally fitting into small homes as well as large ones, provided someone exercises it regularly. It's an affectionate breed that forms close bonds with its family, including children, but because of its size and excitable nature, it generally needs some training and socialization to keep it from being too boisterous with children. Probably due to their Terrier heritage, they are a little territorial and, although they get on quite well with other dogs for the most part, they are generally wary of strangers and will emit barks if they are uncomfortable. On the whole, they make excellent companions and perhaps even better hunters and watchdogs.

History of the Treeing Feist

Due to the extent of genetic influence and lack of documentation, there is little evidence to show the exact chronology of the Treeing Feist. Throughout their history, they have been mentioned in various writings by George Washington, Abraham Lincoln and even William Faulkner, indicating that their history is undoubtedly ancient, but whether they originated in the USA or earlier in England, where Terriers were much more common, remains to be significantly proven, but some accounts indicate that they may have existed as early as the 17th century. In any case, when they did eventually appear in larger numbers, it was in the American South, where many farmers used them not only as a tree breed, but also as ratiers to keep the vermin population low and the health and yield of their crops high. In doing so, they became highly valued for their excellent general temperament, work ethic and general adaptability. Even Teddy Roosevelt had dogs that were influenced by Treeing Feist genetics, and today they remain a relatively popular breed, although many appear to be unregistered.

Appearance of the Treeing Feist

The Treeing Feist is a small dog, measuring just 30.5 to 46 centimeters at the withers and weighing up to 14 kilos. Their coat is short, soft and relatively dense, but it's difficult to identify them solely on the basis of pattern or color, as even the breed standard confirms that they can come in any combination. The head is long and relatively slender, with the skull slightly longer than the muzzle, both parallel but separated by a well-defined stop. Its nose is generally black, if not unicolored, and its eyes range from brown to amber, but rarely appear in any other form. Ears are high-set, somewhat triangular and either erect or button-shaped. The neck is clean, muscular and of medium length, with relaxed shoulders and a regular topline. Its forelegs are straight, strong and surprisingly robust for their size, and its elbows are tight but move unhindered close to the rest of the body. Their chest is relatively deep and broad for their body size, giving them surprising barking power, and their belly is only moderately tucked in. Their hindquarters are considerably muscled, especially in the thigh, giving them great pushing power in any direction they choose. The tail can be long and tapered or naturally curled.

Temperament of the Treeing Feist

Although they have high energy, prey drive and activity when outdoors and around potential things to chase, Treeing Feist are relatively easy-going inside the house and are perfectly content to lounge around with the family if that's the group activity. They are known to be affectionate and playful, with some of the smaller dogs even taking on the role of lapdog if allowed. They generally behave well with children, but must be carefully trained and socialized to minimize any potential problems. Training itself is not particularly difficult, but it does require firmness and consistency from the outset, otherwise the dog may take advantage and try to be the alpha or, worse still, develop small dog syndrome. Because of their high energy levels, they need regular exercise, but because of their size, they fall somewhere in the middle of most breeds in terms of needs. However, if they don't get regular exercise, they are very likely to become bored or frustrated, and therefore destructive. So offer them daily walks or runs, as well as a little mental stimulation to keep them happy. They are relatively friendly with other dogs, but are often wary of strangers and tend to make a lot of noise if they are frightened or sense a potential threat. For some, this can be a source of annoyance, but for others it simply makes them a good watchdog as well as a hunter or companion. If trained to react in a specific way to strangers from the outset, they can usually adapt quite easily. Because of their size and general adaptability, they adapt pretty much equally well to any type of living situation or home environment, provided they receive adequate attention and exercise.

Needs and activities of the Treeing Feist

The Treeing Feist is considered a medium- to high-energy dog and therefore needs a good dose of daily exercise to perform at their best and stay healthy. Because of their size, they don't need as much exercise as a larger dog with the same drive, but they still need around 60 minutes of activity a day, ideally between walks and runs on leash, romping in the dog park or yard, and games that will also stimulate them mentally. Their hunting instinct can sometimes become a source of trouble, whether on or off leash, so the earlier the training, the better.

Maintenance of the Treeing Feist

Treeing Feists are considered low-maintenance dogs, as they have been bred to be. They shed only moderately and need brushing only once or twice a week to keep their coats clean and healthy. They don't usually need bathing, unless they're in something particularly dirty or foul-smelling, and they look after themselves very well. Otherwise, their nails should be checked and trimmed if necessary to avoid problems with cracks or breaks, and their teeth should be brushed weekly to help them maintain good oral health. By doing so, you'll avoid costly expenses; many owners choose to have their dog's teeth cleaned by the vet on an annual basis.