Docking should be between the second and third joint of the tail. The tail is set on at the end of the croup. Removal of rear dewclaws preferred, but not mandatory. The two middle toes are slightly longer than the other toes. The feet are small, compact and slightly oval in shape. When the dog is standing, the short, strong rear pasterns are perpendicular to the ground, and viewed from the rear, parallel to one another. The stifles are well bent, and the hocks are well let down. The bone, angulation, and musculature of the hindquarters are in balance with the forequarters.

The hindquarters are strong and muscular. Back is of moderate length, and level, blending into a muscular, slightly arched loin with slight to moderate tuck-up. Ribs are well sprung and extend well back. Chest is moderately wide and deep, with the brisket reaching to the elbow. The pasterns are short, powerful, slightly sloping, and flexible.Ī properly proportioned Mountain Feist is slightly longer than tall. The elbows are set close to the body, but able to move freely in action. The forelegs are strong, straight, and moderately well boned. The upper arm is long and forms an apparent 90-degree angle with the shoulder blade. The neck gradually widens from the nape and blends smoothly into the shoulders. The neck is clean, muscular, and of moderate length. Note: Ear carriage may not stabilize until a dog is mature therefore, dogs under one year of age should not be penalized for variations in ear carriage.ĭisqualification: Cropped ears. Eye rims match nose pigment.Įars are v-shaped, set at the outside edges of the skull. NOSEĮyes are brown, ranging from dark to amber. The Mountain Feist has a complete set of strong, white, evenly-spaced teeth meeting in a scissors bite.ĭisqualifications: Undershot bite. Lip pigment matches nose pigment and eye rims. The muzzle is long and sufficiently broad and deep to balance the skull. Cheeks are muscular, but not over-developed. The skull is flat and broad, tapering slightly toward the muzzle. The planes of the skull and muzzle are parallel. When viewed from the side, the muzzle is slightly shorter than the skull and joined by a definite stop. The head is proportionate to the size of the body. On track, they are virtually silent.ĭisqualification: Viciousness or extreme shyness. Mountain Feist hunt using sight, sound and scent, and are extremely alert dogs. The coat is short and smooth.ĭisqualification: Unilateral or bilateral cryptorchid. The tail is straight, set on as a natural extension of the topline, and may be natural or docked. The head is blocky, with a broad skull, a moderate stop, and a strong muzzle. 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 Mountain Feist is an agile, active, small tree dog. The Mountain Feist was recognized by the United Kennel Club on February 1, 2015. Todays Mountain Feist is the result of generations of breeding for performance and is still primarily used to hunt squirrel, although they are also used to hunt raccoon, rabbits and more. 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, Feist were often the result of crosses between hunting hounds and terriers. The word 'feist' is an ancient one referring to a small, often noisy dog.

Honorable scars resulting from field work are not to be penalized. The Mountain Feist should be evaluated as a working dog, and exaggerations or faults should be penalized in proportion to how much they interfere with the dogs ability to work. The goals and purposes of this breed standard include: to furnish guidelines for breeders who wish to maintain the quality of their breed and to improve it to advance this breed to a state of similarity throughout the world and to act as a guide for judges.īreeders and judges have the responsibility to avoid any conditions or exaggerations that are detrimental to the health, welfare, essence and soundness of this breed, and must take the responsibility to see that these are not perpetuated.Īny departure from the following should be considered a fault, and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog and on the dogs ability to perform its traditional work. Toggle Search Search UKC Website Go ▼ Show Menu ▼

Feist dog breed info