When you first hear about the breed called the Denmark Feist, you probably imagine it is, somehow, related to Denmark (the country). Actually, the word Denmark is a combination of the names of its creators, Dennis Willis and Mark Slade, which developed the breed in the rural region of the southern United States.
But what is a feist? A feist, also called a fyce, is a hunting dog of medium size, generally below the height of 18 inches (45 centimeters) and weighing less than 30 pounds (14 kilograms).
Feists have some common characteristics: a short coat, an athletic body, long legs and a pointed nose. They can be distinguished by their way of hunting and by their size, rather than by their appearance.
They usually chase squirrels, but, they can also hunt rabbits and other rodents. They are ruthless to small vermin and can even do some herding work.
Feist dogs are similar to the Smooth Fox Terrier and the Jack Russell Terrier breeds. They are working dogs that have the appearance and the temperament of terriers, except for the fact that they can be calmer than most of the terriers.
One would think this type of dogs is not so old, but its history lengths over a couple of centuries. References include a poem by Abraham Lincoln, the diary of George Washington, but also the writings of William Faulkner and Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings.
The Denmark Feist breed is also known as the Denmark Treeing Feist, because, when they see a squirrel, they circle the tree and do not cease to bark. Once the squirrel leaves the tree, they chase it, usually not to catch it, but to alert the owners to shoot it. Apart from squirrels, they can also hunt raccoons, bobcats and even wild boar.
The dogs of this breed are very agile and alert, being not only good hunters, but also protective guard dogs. Although tough and fearless, they can also prove to be good companion pets that you can easily train. They are intelligent dogs that need to be stimulated and challenged. They are very loyal and affectionate to their families and well mannered with strangers. Being used to hunt in packs, they, usually, get along well with other dogs.
They are active dogs that would prefer living in a larger space than the one of an apartment. They love frequent walks in the woods or jogging with their masters. Daily walks are a must for maintaining them healthy and energetic. Until now, no breed related health problems have been reported.
These dogs have a short, dense coat that can be colored in solid yellow, solid red or it can be red colored with white spots. This short coat, usually, requires low maintenance. An occasional brush will do just fine and bathing should be done only when needed.
The Denmark Feist is a relatively new and rather unknown breed, which means the information about it is very scarce and that there are still many things to learn about these beautiful dogs.
