Mountain Feist vs Bedlington Terrier - Breed Comparison

Mountain Feist vs Bedlington Terrier - Breed ComparisonBedlington Terrier is originated from United Kingdom but Mountain Feist is originated from United States. Bedlington Terrier may grow 12 cm / 4 inches shorter than Mountain Feist. Bedlington Terrier may weigh 43 kg / 94 pounds lesser than Mountain Feist. Bedlington Terrier may live 4 years less than Mountain Feist. Both Bedlington Terrier and Mountain Feist has almost same litter size. Both Bedlington Terrier and Mountain Feist requires Low Maintenance.

Basic Information

Group:
Terrier dog
Miscellaneous dogs
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United Kingdom
United States
Height Male:
41 - 44 cm
16 - 18 inches
26 - 56 cm
10 - 23 inches
Height Female:
38 - 42 cm
14 - 17 inches
23 - 55 cm
9 - 22 inches
Weight Male:
6 - 11 kg
13 - 25 pounds
24 - 54 kg
52 - 120 pounds
Weight Female:
6 - 11 kg
13 - 25 pounds
22 - 52 kg
48 - 115 pounds
Life Span:
12 - 14 Years
12 - 18 Years
Litter Size:
3 - 6
5 - 8
Size:
Medium
Medium
Other Names:
Rothbury Terrier, Rodbery Terrier, Rothbury's Lamb
Treeing Feist • American Treeing Feist • American Feist • Mountain Terrier
Colors Available:
Blue, Liver, Sandy, Tan
black, white, blue, Brown
Coat:
medium, thick and linty
smooth, short
Shedding:
Minimal
Moderate
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social
Alert, Energetic, Friendly, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Protective, Responsive, Social, Stubborn
Grooming:
Low Maintenance
Low Maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Moderate
Hypoallergenic:
Yes
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

History

bedlington terrierOriginally known as Rodbury Terriers or Rothbury’s Lambs, and renowned for looking like a lamb, the Bedlington Terrier was bred in the village of Bedlington in Northumberland. They’ve had other names too and were also known as ‘gypsy dogs’ and this is because gypsies used them to hunt.

The Bedlington Terrier Club was established in 1875 and the National Bedlington Terrier Club was formed in England in 1877. The breed has links with the Dandie Dinmont Terrier, the Kerry Blue Terrier and the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier. When you look at the slightly arched back, it could also be related to the Whippet. They have been crossed with Whippets to get that speed, and feisty character.

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

Lamb-Like in Looks but the Heart of a Lion

bedlington terrier puppy - descriptionDon’t let their lamb-like appearance fool you – the Bedlington Terrier is a plucky dog who has some amazing speeds when it comes to swimming and running. This is an intelligent dog too and every bit a Terrier in spirit. Their tenacity has seen them being used in dog fighting as well.

The Look

The Bedlington Terrier stands at about 41cm in height and weighs between 8 – 10kg. Muscular, with a deep chest, graceful and lithe, not only does he look like a lamb but the dog’s expression is gentle too with bright deep-set eyes. When it comes to his coat, the dogs have blue, sandy or liver color coats and the coat has tan markings in some areas.

The coat is shaggy and is made up of hard- and soft hair that will need to be regularly trimmed. Known as a hypoallergenic breed, the coat is also described as thick and linty. The ears are floppy with rounded tips, and are thin and velvety in texture with a small silky tassel at the tip. The longish tail is set low and tapers down to a point.

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

bedlington terrier dog - characteristicsYou can’t miss the Bedlington Terrier – he has a striking resemblance to a lamb. The curly coat is interesting too – a mix of hard- and soft hair. He is friendly, loyal and devoted to his human family and is known to be a brave, courageous, feisty dog with the inclination to bark more. Socialization and training can change this though. He gets on well with children and other pets in the home. He isn’t aggressive but if taunted, he can put up a good fight.

This is a dog that can adapt to his surroundings so he slots in well to both city- and country living. Wherever he lives, he will need adequate exercise.

The present-day Bedlington Terrier, inducted by the American Kennel Club in 1967, is not a lamb by any means, and by choosing to have him as your pet, you’ll be amazed at his wonderful qualities that make him such in ideal companion.

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

bedlington terrier puppies - health problemsBedlington Terriers are a healthy breed, but just like other dogs, they are prone to some common dog illnesses. You can always ensure that your Bedlington reaches his 12 – 14 years of age lifespan by ensuring his vaccines are kept up to date, that he is fed excellent food and fresh water, he is exercised and that he is loved and cherished. Also, if you’re looking to buy a Bedlington, find a reputable breeder.

Some common health issues to look out for in your Bedlington Terrier include -

Hip dysplasia
Different eye diseases
Hypothyroidism
Copper storage hepatopathy or Liver Disease – this is a disease which can be inherited and where large amounts of copper accumulate in the tissues of the liver. The result is inflammation and cell damage and this can lead to liver failure and even death. Abdominal swelling, jaundice and weight loss are symptoms to watch for with this disease.

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

Exercise and Training

bedlington terrier dogs - caringThe Bedlington Terrier is a lively, cheerful companion at home and is somewhat more relaxed than other terrier breeds. Affectionate and loyal, he just loves to spend time with his human family. He’ll love to be your companion on a walk and he gets delighted when you’re ready to play ball games with him. He makes a great friend for children too, and even though he makes a good watchdog, he will welcome any visitors you have. When trained and socialized he becomes an obedient, well behaved member of the family.

Grooming

The Bedlington coat sheds a little but the rough coat will need to be trimmed regularly and the coat brushed twice a week to ensure no tangling and to remove loose hairs. Also, regular cleaning of teeth and ears can help ensure that harmful bacteria doesn’t build up, ensuring the overall health of your dog.

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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  26. Mountain Feist vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  27. Mountain Feist vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  28. Mountain Feist vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  29. Mountain Feist vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  30. Mountain Feist vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. Mountain Feist vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  32. Mountain Feist vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  33. Mountain Feist vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  34. Mountain Feist vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  35. Mountain Feist vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  36. Mountain Feist vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  37. Mountain Feist vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  38. Mountain Feist vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  39. Mountain Feist vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  40. Mountain Feist vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  41. Mountain Feist vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  42. Mountain Feist vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  43. Mountain Feist vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  44. Mountain Feist vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  45. Mountain Feist vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  46. Mountain Feist vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  47. Mountain Feist vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  48. Mountain Feist vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  49. Mountain Feist vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  50. Mountain Feist vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison