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Terrier

Treeing Feist

A walker's guide to the Treeing Feist: how much exercise they need, what to expect on and off the lead, and what to ask the owner before the first walk.

Small, 5 to 14 kgHigh energySquirrel dogPrey driveSmall but fastRare in UK
Exercise a day60 min plus
Energy4 of 5
Walk styleQuick, alert, darting
With other dogsUsually fine, can be feisty

Overview

Feists are small hunting dogs from the rural south of the United States, kept for generations to hunt squirrels by sight, scent and sound. The Treeing Feist is the version bred to locate the squirrel and bark at the tree until the hunter catches up. They are lean, short-coated and quick, usually somewhere between a terrier and a small hound in build.

They are almost unknown in the UK. If you take one on, expect an alert, busy little dog that bonds hard to its people and treats every tree as a possibility.

Exercise and walking needs

Around an hour and a quarter a day keeps most Feists settled, split across two outings. They can run far more than their size suggests and enjoy a brisk pace.

Short bursts of play, a flirt pole in a secure garden or a scatter of treats in long grass all help. A tired Feist is a quiet Feist, and that matters in a flat.

Daily minimum75 minutes
Ideal2 walks a day
Off-lead timeSecure areas only

On the walk

  • Trees: The dog will stop dead and stare upwards at the first rustle. Expect barking at the base of the trunk. Walk on with a cheerful cue rather than a tug.
  • Recall: Fast and single-minded once a squirrel is spotted. Use a long line anywhere with mature trees and keep off-lead time to fenced fields.
  • Lead: Light on the lead but prone to darting sideways. A harness protects the neck and gives you a handle on a small dog that changes direction quickly.
  • Other dogs: Most are sociable, with the usual terrier readiness to stand their ground if pushed. Watch play with much larger dogs, as the Feist will not back down.

Tips for professional walkers

  1. Keep a close eye in parks with squirrels and pigeons; the chase instinct is instant.
  2. A coat on cold wet days is sensible for such a thin-coated dog.
  3. Check the dog is not slipping its collar; a thin neck and a quick spin can do it.
Every dog is an individual. Treat this as a starting point and go with what the owner tells you about their dog. Anything to do with health belongs with the owner and their vet.

What to ask the owner

  • Does the dog have a known history with squirrels, cats or small pets, and how strong is the chase?
  • How does it cope with being left, and does it bark when it gets excited on walks?
  • Is there a secure field the owner already uses where off-lead running is allowed?
Treeing CurAn American hunting cur bred to find and tree gameMountain FeistA smallDenmark FeistA small American squirrel dog of the feist typeRat TerrierAn American farm terrier that is lighter and more trainable than many British terriers