There are many adorable dog breeds in the world today, and each has its own unique features and personality. One such dog breed is the loveable little feist . Not only do feist dogs have adorable features, but they have a tremendous amount of personality packed into their small bodies. In fact, the word “feisty” actually originates from these lively little dogs! Feist dogs are renowned for their exceptional hunting skills, agility, and spunky personalities. So, are you ready to fall in love with some of the cutest types of feist dogs out there? Then let’s dive in!
What Is A Feist Dog?
Although they certainly are “feisty” dogs, the feist dog breed is a unique little hunting dog descended from terriers that came to the United States with European immigrants. U.S. President George Washington even wrote about feists in his journal back in the 1700s! These spunky and spirited dogs likely came from a mix of Manchester terriers, smooth fox terriers, and English white terriers (which are now extinct). Some may also have a greyhound , beagle, or other hound breeds in their ancestry as well.
The canine archnemesis of rats and squirrels, feists were bred and trained to catch and kill small animals and protect homes and farms from vermin. With an endless energy supply, a feist dog can chase prey animals for many miles. They often trap them in trees while they wait for their owners to catch up.
Since feist dogs were primarily bred for their hunting skills and companionable nature — rather than their appearance — there are many different types of feist dogs, and there isn’t always a great deal of consistency in their appearance. However, whatever color or shape a feist dog is, these beloved canine companions are nothing but cuteness on four legs!
1. Mountain Feist Dog
The ancestors of the mountain feist dog came from the Ozark Mountains and the southern Appalachian Mountains in the southeastern United States. Families in these mountainous areas have taken pride in the lineage of their feist dogs for several generations. Mountain feist dogs are excellent at hunting raccoons, squirrels, rabbits, and birds. In fact, President Abraham Lincoln included a feist dog in his 1863 poem, “ The Bear Hunt .” In his poem, Lincoln describes a “short-legged fice” (feist) with “grinning teeth” who is “brim full of spunk and wrath.” It sounds like a pretty good depiction of the mountain feist dog to me!
Mountain feist dogs are usually between 12 to 18 inches tall and weigh 12 to 30 pounds. As puppies, they have small and skinny bodies, but as they grow, they put on quite a bit of muscle. Their short-haired coats are smooth and come in a wide variety of different colors. Many dogs sport two or three different colors. They have straight, strong backs, muscular hind legs, and pointy ears. Although it’s easy to confuse them with Jack Russell terriers, mountain feist dogs have softer fur coats, longer legs, and shorter tails. Like most feist dog breeds, mountain feists are very active and have playful and curious personalities. As long as they get enough exercise, these highly intelligent dogs can make great family pets.
The ancestors of the mountain feist dog came from the Ozark Mountains and the southern Appalachian Mountains in the southeastern United States.
The loveable bench-legged feist gets its name from its adorably short legs. It is a small to medium-sized dog that typically grows 10 to 22 inches tall and weighs around 10 to 30 pounds. These dogs have compact bodies, muscular builds, and a whole lot of energy. Their V-shaped ears are set on the outer edges of their skull, and breeders often dock their tails. Bench-legged feists come in a variety of different colors and patterns. They are often solid white or another solid color with various colored markings and patches.
These adorable little short-legged dogs are playful and versatile. Although they are bred for hunting, bench-legged feist dogs do not struggle with a strong prey drive. Because of this, they can make great companion animals. When they are properly socialized, bench-legged feists can get along with young children, dogs, and even cats! Bench-legged feists are very intelligent and high-spirited dogs. They seem to never run out of energy and need a lot of exercise and playtime. These dogs are extremely loyal and loving companions and enjoy being with their families as much as possible. Today many people call bench-legged feist dogs “Teddy Roosevelt terriers.”
3. Charlie Feist
The charming Charlie feist dog is one of the few feists that can directly trace its roots back to the United Kingdom. In the 1800s, European immigrants brought these adorable canine companions over to the United States as beloved travel buddies. Charlie feist dogs have captivating and heartwarming personalities that match their adorable appearance. They are friendly, loyal, and absolutely love being with people. In fact, Charlie feists do not make very good guard dogs because they are so good-natured that they see everyone as a potential friend!
If you’re looking for a feist pup with a jolly attitude and gentle nature, then the Charlie Feist is the perfect fit. They are energetic and do require exercise, but not nearly as much as other feist dogs need. In fact, Charlie feists are quite adaptable. They can live in large apartments as well as homes with lots of land. They only need around 20 to 30 minutes of daily exercise to stay happy and healthy — although they certainly do love to play and thrive in homes with a fenced-in backyard. Charlie feists are also one of the most healthy members of the feist family. They typically live to be around 15 years old!
4. Barger Stock Feist
Originating in Tennessee, the Barger stock feist typically grows 15 to 18 inches tall and weighs 20 to 35 pounds. Barger stock feists are usually white, brown, tan, and black, but may have various markings and colored patches as well. These cute dogs have short-haired coats, long legs, and pointed noses. Their ears can point straight up, or they may have button ears (ears that stick up halfway, and then fold over at the top). Most dogs have naturally short or bobtailed tails, but many breeders also dock their tails.
Barger stock feist dogs are not only cute, but they are also wonderful companions for hunters. These delightful pups are extremely intelligent, trainable, and eager to please. They are commonly used for small game hunting, such as treeing squirrels and raccoons. In fact, they are often called “treeing feists” instead of Barger stock feists. Barger stock feists require a lot of attention and exercise. However, they are also very loyal and love nothing more than to be with their humans.
5. Thornburg Feist
Thornburg feist dogs are excellent hunters as well as wonderful family pets.
The best feist dog for family life is probably the Thornburg feist. The Thornburg feist is a bundle of energy wrapped in a cuddly furball of sweetness! Although these dogs were originally bred for hunting, today they are often family dogs and can be found constantly pinned to their owner’s side. These dogs come in a wide variety of colors. However, they are usually white with brown or black patches and have short, smooth coats. Thornburg feist dogs still need plenty of exercise, but not nearly as much as other types of feist dogs. In fact, Thornburg feists are very adaptable, and with the right amount of attention and exercise, they do great in both city and rural environments.
Thornburg feist dogs have unshakeable loyalty and love for their families. They thrive on attention and affection, and they are great with children. They are not quite as stubborn as many other types of feist dogs, although they are just as intelligent. Thornburg feists are quick to learn, curious, and love exploring the world.
6. Denmark Feist
Although its name may make it sound foreign, the Denmark feist is actually descended from a long line of American dogs! In 1917, the Slade family in Virginia began training these playful pups to track down wild game like squirrels, bobcats, and even boars. Although the dogs were smaller in size, they were fearless, strong, and incredibly smart. Over time the family selectively bred the dogs as skilled treeing dogs, and in 1984 Dennis Willis and Mark Slade introduced the Denmark feist as a new breed. The dog is named after these two men (“Den” and “Mark).
The Denmark feist is a type of treeing feist with a small body packed full of courage and intelligence. These dogs grow around 15 to 18 inches tall and weigh 25 to 35 pounds. They have short rough coats and are usually light brown, golden, red, chocolate, or brown and white. Denmark feists have short drop ears and often are born with bobtails. These adorable dogs are energetic and require lots of exercise and mental stimulation, but they are also loyal and love to play.
7. Gray’s Mountain Feist
Wildlife biologist and conservationist Marcus Gray began breeding his own line of feist dogs in 2005, which are now known as Gray’s mountain feists. Even more than other feist breeds, Gray’s mountain feists are very specifically bred for hunting. These cute feist pups do not do well as stay-at-home family dogs and are not made to sit around all day. They need plenty of physical and mental stimulation to keep them from getting bored. A Grays mountain feist needs an owner who can provide it with lots of exercise and mental challenges.
As a hunting dog, Gray’s mountain feists are some of the very best! These cute pups are experts when it comes to chasing squirrels. They have a particularly strong prey drive — even more so than the other cute types of feist dogs.
8. Kemmer Feist
Kemmer feist dogs are very active and need lots of playtime.
The Kemmer feist is another Tennessee local, originally bred by Robert Kemmer. Kemmer used the mountain feist along with the mountain cur and fox terrier to create this new feist dog breed. Kemmer feist dogs were selectively bred for their hunting abilities — especially their strong scenting skills. They are usually 12 to 18 inches tall and weigh between 14 to 30 pounds. Kemmer feists look a lot like rat terriers, with adorably floppy, triangular ears and long muzzles. Their short-haired coats are usually tricolor or bi-color, with white, black, brown, cream, or a yellowish color.
Kemmer feists are both amazing hunting dogs as well as excellent companions for the entire family. These adorable dogs are loyal and very loving, and one of their all-time favorite activities is spending time with their families. Kemmer feists are still quite active, but they’re generally calmer than a lot of other terrier breeds. They are extremely smart, social, and usually friendly with strangers. However, leaving a Kemmer feist dog alone for too long is not good, as they are active dogs and like having something to do — especially if it involves play.
9. Mullins Feist
A descendant of the mountain feist dog, the Mullins feist was bred by Jodi Mullins in 1970. Mullins’ goal was to breed the very best squirrel dog ever — and the Mullins feist dogs certainly make the cut! Even without training, Mullins face dogs have a natural instinct to chase down squirrels, and can commonly be found at the base of a tree barking up at the squirrels. These cute feist pups absolutely adore the great outdoors. They love to be out and about exploring new terrain, enjoy walks and hikes, and seem to always be on the move. Mullins feist dogs bound through life with an endless supply of enthusiasm and are perfect four-legged companions for anyone who loves outdoor adventures.
Unlike many of their brindle-coated feist relations, Mullins feist dogs stand out from the crowd with bright yellow coats that are accented with black or white accents. These dogs grow 14 to 18 inches tall and typically have button or folded-over ears and long tails. However, breeders and owners often dock their tails for hunting and working. Their immense joy for life and the outdoors makes Mullins feist dogs some of the cutest feist dogs out there!
10. Hunter’s Creek Feist
If you’re looking for an all-American feist dog that is both cute and hardworking, then the Hunter’s Creek feist is your pup! With their high energy and expert hunting skills, these dynamic dogs are both animated and hardworking. They were originally bred by Irish and German immigrants in the Southern United States, and even today retain an incredible desire to work. Hunter’s Creek feists are the perfect companions for hunters and active families. However, Hunter’s Creek feists have an unwavering drive to catch prey, so they should always be supervised so they do not hurt smaller animals like cats, rabbits, or squirrels.
When they get bored, Hunter’s Creek feists can be destructive and noisy, so they need a home where they can put their boundless energy and incredible work ethic to good use. In addition to being expert hunters, Hunter’s Creek feist dogs are incredibly loyal and become deeply attached to their owners. They are very intelligent and full of curiosity, which makes them a joy to work with. Hunter’s Creek dogs are easy to train and excel in all kinds of canine sports, which can be a great outlet for all that energy and athletic expertise.
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