Denmark Feist
Also called DenMark Feist, DenMark Treeing Feist
From Chatham area of Virginia, United States; developed from a Slade family line and formalised in 1984 by Mark Slade and Dennis Willis.1
At a glance the quick version
Wikipedia gives 25-35 lb for the breed without splitting by sex.
Coat and looks how to spot one
short, slightly rough
A sturdy, muscular little hunting dog with a broad muzzle, semi-erect ears and a naturally short or docked tail, wearing a short, somewhat rough coat.1
Personality what they are like
A keen, energetic hunting companion that works quietly, following game on the ground or chasing it up a tree for the hunter.12
Daily activity how busy a day looks
High; bred for active hunting of squirrels and larger game, so it needs plenty of outdoor exercise and work.1
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
The short coat needs little more than an occasional brush.1
The story where it all began
The line traces back to one dog that the Slade family of Chatham, Virginia, acquired in 1917 and kept breeding for its hunting skill. Mark Slade and Dennis Willis established the Denmark Feist as a breed in 1984, and a breed association followed in 1986.1
Fun facts for the dinner table
- 1
The founding dog was reportedly traded from a travelling salesman for three opossum hides, a big raccoon and a wagon wheel.1
- 2
The whole breed descends from that single foundation dog.1
- 3
Feists in general are known as quiet hunters, without the heavy barking of some terriers.2
- 4
The word feist comes from an old term, and it gave English the adjective feisty.2
Recognised by the official bits
- DenMark Treeing Feist Association
- Breed association founded in 1986; not recognised by the major kennel clubs.1
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Denmark Feist. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.
- Brushingevery week
- Bathevery 8 weeks
- Nail trimSooner if you hear clicking on the floorevery 3 weeks
- Ear checkFloppy ears trap moisture, so check and dry themevery week
- Teeth brushingDaily brushing is idealevery day
- ExerciseDaily walks and playevery day
- Flea, tick and worm protectionSchedule as your vet recommendsas your vet recommends
- Vet check-upSenior years usually start around age 10every year
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Where this comes from
Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at [email protected] and we will fix it.
- Wikipedia: Denmark Feist en.wikipedia.orgused for origin, history, size, coat, colours, uses, fun facts
- Wikipedia: Feist (dog) en.wikipedia.orgused for general feist traits, word origin
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.