At a glance the quick version
UKC: 12 to 30 lb working weight, depending on height.
Coat and looks how to spot one
short, dense, smooth
A neat, close coat on a small, agile hunting dog; a long or shaggy coat is not allowed by the UKC standard.2
Personality what they are like
A bright, busy little hunter that uses both nose and eyes and moves quietly on a trail, then barks steadily once game is up a tree. At home it tends to be relaxed, loving and fun, with a terrier's watchful streak toward strangers.23
Daily activity how busy a day looks
Medium to high; around an hour a day of walks, runs and games keeps it happy.3
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
Easy care: brush once or twice a week, bathe only when dirty, and keep nails and teeth tended. Sheds moderately.3
Company who they like around
Forms strong family bonds and does well with children when raised and trained with them.3
The story where it all began
Feists were developed in the rural American South by crossing hunting hounds with terriers to get small dogs for squirrels and vermin. The type grew scarce in the 20th century until enthusiasts began preservation efforts in the 1980s, and the UKC recognised the Treeing Feist in 1998.21
Fun facts for the dinner table
- 1
The everyday word feisty, meaning spirited or scrappy, comes from the name of these dogs.4
- 2
George Washington mentioned a feist-type dog in his diary in 1770, and Abraham Lincoln wrote about one in his poem The Bear Hunt.4
- 3
Theodore Roosevelt hunted with a feist named Skip that belonged to his son Archie.4
- 4
On the track they are almost silent, which helps them sneak up on squirrels.2
Recognised by the official bits
- UKC
- Terrier Group; recognised 1 Nov 19982
- National Kennel Club (US)
- Registers feists4
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Treeing 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: Treeing Feist en.wikipedia.orgused for names, origin, size, history
- UKC Treeing Feist breed standard ukcdogs.comused for recognition, size, coat, colours, temperament, history
- Wag!: Treeing Feist wagwalking.comused for lifespan, exercise, grooming, social needs
- Wikipedia: Feist (dog) en.wikipedia.orgused for etymology and historical facts
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.