Mountain Feist vs Border Terrier - Breed Comparison

Mountain Feist vs Border Terrier - Breed ComparisonBorder Terrier is originated from United Kingdom but Mountain Feist is originated from United States. Border Terrier may grow 16 cm / 6 inches shorter than Mountain Feist. Border Terrier may weigh 47 kg / 103 pounds lesser than Mountain Feist. Border Terrier may live 3 years less than Mountain Feist. Both Border Terrier and Mountain Feist has same litter size. Border Terrier requires Moderate Maintenance. But Mountain Feist requires Low Maintenance

Basic Information

Group:
Terrier dog
Miscellaneous dogs
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United Kingdom
United States
Height Male:
33 - 40 cm
12 - 16 inches
26 - 56 cm
10 - 23 inches
Height Female:
28 - 36 cm
11 - 15 inches
23 - 55 cm
9 - 22 inches
Weight Male:
5 - 7 kg
11 - 16 pounds
24 - 54 kg
52 - 120 pounds
Weight Female:
5 - 7 kg
11 - 16 pounds
22 - 52 kg
48 - 115 pounds
Life Span:
12 - 15 Years
12 - 18 Years
Litter Size:
2 - 8
5 - 8
Size:
Small
Medium
Other Names:
Russian Bear Schnauzer, Munich Schnauzer, Munchener, Riesenschnauzer
Treeing Feist • American Treeing Feist • American Feist • Mountain Terrier
Colors Available:
Tan and black, red or dark grey. Sometimes Grizzle - dark tipped hairs and overlay of color
black, white, blue, Brown
Coat:
Short, dense and springy
smooth, short
Shedding:
Minimal
Moderate
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Responsive, Social, Territorial
Alert, Energetic, Friendly, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Protective, Responsive, Social, Stubborn
Grooming:
Moderate Maintenance
Low Maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Moderate
Hypoallergenic:
Yes
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

History

border terrierAs a working dog, the Border Terrier comes from the border country between England and Scotland. To be more specific, the dog originates from the rough hill country in the areas on both sides of the border between England and Scotland – an area known as 'The Border Country'. The breed was developed by the farmers, using the Terriers to help contain the fox population.

It is believed that they are related to other kinds of terriers which also came from this region such as the Bedlington- and Dandie Dinmont Terriers. The first Border Terrier was registered in 1913 with the British Kennel Club. Later, the Border Terrier Club was also formed. A club for these dogs was also registered in the United States in 1930.

mountain feistIn the Southern portion of North America, the Mountain Feist was developed. It is the Ozarks and Southern Appalachia that the Mountain Fiest calls his ancestral home. The breed dates back centuries and looks very much like a Jack Russell or rat terrier. George Washington, Abraham Lincoln and William Faulkner all featured the breed in their writings. For Washington it was his diary, Lincoln the poem “The Bear Hunt” and Faulkner “Go Down Moses”. These dogs, much like the Curs, were an important part of the early pioneer days in America.

The name Feist means a noisy, small dog in ancient languages. The Feist was developed in the South, the rural areas, in order to hunt and eliminate vermin and small prey animals. The breed was originally a cross between British terriers and hounds from Native Americans. Many others think the feist is not a breed but a type, a working dog which can vary individual to individual.

The Mountain Feist of today has been bred for hunting performance over generations of time. They hunt racoons, squirrel and rabbits among others. They can track even larger game. Other varieties of the feist include the Bench Legged Feist and the Pencil-tail Feist. This is an energetic working dog, curious, intelligent and alert. It is a loud, barky dog that needs to learn a “no bark” command or it may drive you crazy. The breed make good hunting dogs, watch dogs and companions.

The breed was recognized by the United Kennel Club (UKC) in 2015, but not by the AKC or American Kennel Club. Other breed organizations include the National Cur & Feist Breeder’s Association, The National Feist Breeder’s Association, The American Treeing Feist Association, and the Shadowtails Outdoors Group.

Description

border terrier puppy - descriptionThe Border Terrier is a small to medium sized dog, weighing roughly between 5- and 7kg and standing at anything between 28 and 40cm in height. With his dark brown eyes and keen, alert expression, and with ears dropping forward, people describe the head as being like that of an otter. He is a courageous worker and a loyal companion but some people may not take kindly to him wanting to dig under-, or climb over barriers to get out to follow a scent or to go exploring.

The Border Terrier is a rough coated dogs of medium size with narrow build. The dog’s height is slightly greater than the dog’s length. The coat can be tan and black or dark grey. Sometimes the coat is described as grizzle - dark tipped hairs which give an overlay of color to the tan or red coat. You can also possibly find some white on the muzzle or chest. He has a double coat, with the outer coat being short, dense and wiry. The tail is of medium length and the ears drop forward toward their cheeks.

mountain feist puppy - descriptionThe Mountain Feist is a medium sized dog with pointy ears that are long and fold over. With their sharp nails that are curved they can climb. Their hind legs are strong to support that activity as well. They have small, dark eyes, a black nose and a muzzle that is medium length and a round skull. The neck is strong, and they have a pretty deep chest. The Mountain Feist tail is bushy, high and erect. There coats come in a variety of colors including blue, black, white, red and brown with the brown being the most common.

There is a lot of variation of make up and type within the breed itself. Until the last decade or so the breed was fairly isolated among squirrel hunters and there was little cross breeding with other dogs. On the other hand, dogs in the regions where the Mountain Feist was isolated were crossed with them to give them the tree climbing ability, change their size, sharpen their senses or one particular sense and change their appearance.

This is why in different regions you will find Mountain Feist with attributes of the Curs, or the Elkhounds, the Terriers, Spitz or Coonhounds. This accounts for the various types of Mountain Feist Dogs.

Characteristics

border terrier dog - characteristicsA Border Terrier is a dog that has to be part of the family. You can’t just stick him in your back yard as he will just pine away with unhappiness. Boredom and loneliness will cause him to bark and he has a loud bark. He’ll become destructive – characteristics that aren’t his fault because he didn’t ask to be bought and just stuck away.

Train and socialize your Border Terrier so that he becomes the great dog he is intended to be. He gets on well will children who have been taught to be kind to animals and he will get along with other pets in the home. The Border Terrier is an affectionate, sensitive dog and once trained he is willing to obey your commands.

The Border Terrier isn’t the greatest guard dog but is best known for his loving, devoted and loyal nature. He loves his food, and if you feed him well, provide him with a warm, dry place to sleep and provide him with lots of attention and exercise, you’ll have the most devoted and loving friend for life.

Children friendliness

mountain feist dog - characteristicsYes, they very much enjoy playing with children.

Special talents

Tree climbing and stamina.

Adaptability

They need space and land on which to run every day. If you are in an apartment, make sure you have access to a dog park.

Learning ability

They are very intelligent and learn quickly. They love to please but can also be stubborn.

Health Problems

border terrier puppies - health problemsBorder Terriers are a healthy breed and with good food and plenty of love and attention, they can reach 14 years of age. It is to be noted with this dog breed that he doesn’t show signs of pain or sickness easily so you want to watch him closely.

Canine Epileptoid Cramping Syndrome - This is a disease which can be evident from 7 months of age already. The disease was once known as Spike's Disease, and its an hereditary disease of Border Terrier dogs. The cause of the disease is unknown but it is similar to canine epilepsy. It is thought that a contributing factor can be gluten, so a gluten-free diet will be recommended.

Heart defects can also affect Border Terriers, one of which is pulmonic stenosis. This is a narrowing of the valve which separates the right chamber of the heart from the lungs. It can ultimately lead to arrhythmia to congestive heart failure. He’ll have difficulty with breathing, suffer from abdominal distension and won’t be able to exercise properly.

mountain feist puppies - health problemsLike most breeds that are isolated, the Mountain Feist does not have a lot of known genetic health issues. They are generally healthy and known to live as many as eighteen years. Perhaps the biggest threat to their lives is the hunting accident, harming joints or paws in hunting situations or being attacked by a larger animal. There are no real genetic threat. Of course, with any dog that has folded ears there is always the possibility of infection or allergies. Keep their ears clean. The other possible concern is hip dysplasia in such an active dog. This can lead to lameness or arthritis. Obesity is another concern that could also lead to hip dysplasia.

Caring The Pet

Grooming

border terrier dogs - caringBecause the topcoat of the Border Terrier is dense and harsh with a thick undercoat, he will require moderate grooming. He doesn’t shed too much. Brush your Border Terrier twice a week to remove dead hair and keep your dog’s coat healthy. As part of his grooming, keep his nails clipped as well as his teeth checked and brushed at least twice a week. Make use of specialized dog toothpaste and brush.

Diet

The Border Terrier can quickly put on weight so it is important to feed him according to the instructions on the packaging if you’re going to be feeding him with commercially manufactured dog food. Make sure its a quality brand and one which caters for his energy requirements.Dogs are individuals, and they don’t all eat the same amount. As a responsible dog owner, it is up to you to monitor your pet and understand his unique requirements.

Feeding the puppy

mountain feist dogs - caringThese are very active pups who need a high protein, high quality dry food. Feed a cup to a cup and half broken down into three meals daily. Do not overfeed your puppy.

Feeding the adult

Feed the adult about two cups a day broken into two meals. Again, you are looking for a high quality, high protein dry food. Do not overfeed and watch for obesity.

Games and Exercises

This is a very active breed – a hunting dog with a lot of stamina, strength and energy. They need plenty of exercise as the terrier side of them is just a little hyper. They need at least two walks per day, and they are not great apartment dogs. They need both mental and physical stimulation. This little dog can keep going at a good rate for a long time.

Comparison with other breeds

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  5. Mountain Feist vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  6. Mountain Feist vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  7. Mountain Feist vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  8. Mountain Feist vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  9. Mountain Feist vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  10. Mountain Feist vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  11. Mountain Feist vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  12. Mountain Feist vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  13. Mountain Feist vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  14. Mountain Feist vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  15. Mountain Feist vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  16. Mountain Feist vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  17. Mountain Feist vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  18. Mountain Feist vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  19. Mountain Feist vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
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  23. Mountain Feist vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
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  25. Mountain Feist vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  26. Border Terrier vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  27. Border Terrier vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  28. Border Terrier vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  29. Border Terrier vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  30. Border Terrier vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. Border Terrier vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  32. Border Terrier vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  33. Border Terrier vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  34. Border Terrier vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  35. Border Terrier vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  36. Border Terrier vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  37. Border Terrier vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  38. Border Terrier vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  39. Border Terrier vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  40. Border Terrier vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  41. Border Terrier vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  42. Border Terrier vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  43. Border Terrier vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  44. Border Terrier vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  45. Border Terrier vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  46. Border Terrier vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  47. Border Terrier vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  48. Border Terrier vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  49. Border Terrier vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  50. Border Terrier vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison