Feist vs American Foxhound - Breed Comparison | Petzlover

Feist vs American Foxhound - Breed ComparisonBoth American Foxhound and Feist are originated from United States. American Foxhound may grow 8 cm / 4 inches higher than Feist. American Foxhound may weigh 17 kg / 38 pounds more than Feist. American Foxhound may live 6 years less than Feist. American Foxhound may have more litter size than Feist. Both American Foxhound and Feist requires Low Maintenance.

Basic Information

Group:
Hound dog
Terrier dog
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United States
United States
Height Male:
53 - 64 cm
20 - 26 inches
46 - 56 cm
18 - 23 inches
Height Female:
49 - 60 cm
19 - 24 inches
46 - 56 cm
18 - 23 inches
Weight Male:
25 - 32 kg
55 - 71 pounds
10 - 15 kg
22 - 34 pounds
Weight Female:
21 - 30 kg
46 - 67 pounds
10 - 15 kg
22 - 34 pounds
Life Span:
10 - 12 Years
12 - 18 Years
Litter Size:
1 - 12
1 - 4
Size:
Large
Small
Other Names:
Foxhound
Rat Terrier, Ratting Terrier, Treeing Feist
Colors Available:
red, tricolor, black and tan, blue
Bi-colored, fawn, brindle , white, black, black and white, tan and white, red and white
Coat:
short, hard
Short and smooth
Shedding:
Seasonal
Minimal
Temperament:
Alert, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loyal, Outgoing, Sweet
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Grooming:
Low Maintenance
Low Maintenance
Trainability:
Hard
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
No
Yes

History

american foxhoundAs a cousin of the English Foxhound, the American Foxhound is a scent hound and bred for hunting. Robert Brooke brought the first hunting dogs to the colonies in 1650. These dogs were the starting point for several American hound breeds including the American Foxhound.

For almost 300 years the Brooke family owned and bred dogs from this bloodline.

At the same time that Brooke was hunting with and breeding his hounds, George Washington was given French Foxhounds. These were crossed with the Brooke’s dogs to create the American Foxhound. This breed is said to have been originally bred in Virginia and Maryland.

They are the state dog of Virginia. After Red Foxes were imported or migrated, Irish Foxhounds were brought to American and added into the line, increasing the stamina and speed that today’s dog’s still display.

The American Foxhound was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1886. Today’s American Foxhound presents in many different lines but are all considered the same breed even though some ay look very different. These strains include the Trigg, Walker, Penn-Marydel, Goodman, July and Calhoun.

feistThe Feist is a small dog from the United States, coming from Terrier dogs which were brought over to the States. It is believed that these Terriers included crosses between several terriers – the Manchester Terriers, Smooth Fox Terrier and English White Terrier – dogs used as ratters and known for their skills in killing rats.

The Feist isn’t a new type of dog and in fact there are records of the dog which go back centuries. George Washington even referred to them in 1770 already, and the breed was popularized by President Teddy Roosevelt, who hunted with his Feist.

Description

american foxhound puppy - descriptionGiven the variety of bloodlines and strains mentioned above, there can be many differences in the American Foxhounds. Because of this most American Foxhounds bred to show are Walkers as they most closely fit the AKC Breed Standard.

In general, the American Foxhound has long, straight legs and is taller than the English Foxhound. They have a narrow chest and domed skull with a long muzzle.

They have low, wide set eyes that should be dark – brown or hazel, never blue. They have feet like a fox and laid-back shoulders with a curved tail. Athletic and muscled, the American Foxhound is bred to run. They are one of the rarest breeds in the United States.

feist puppy - descriptionStanding at about 46cm to 56cm in height and weighing in the region of 10 to 15kg, the Feist is a short haired dog that doesn’t shed much and he is not hypoallergenic.

The coat of the dog is available in a variety of colors but they are essentially a bi-colored dog such as red and white, tan and white, black and white, while solid colors are fawn, white, light brown, black and brindle too.

Perhaps because of so many genes being involved with this dog, it is more easily identified because of its hunting abilities. He is a sturdy dog with a medium length tail which he holds up. Some Feist owners prefer the look of a docked tail and then docking is between the second and third joint of the tail. The Feist has erect or semi-erect ears.

Temperament:

Intelligent and alert, the Feist is a dog that will respond well to training. As with any other dog, training and socialization will be important for him so that he is obedient. He is energetic, curious and alert and above all he wants the attention of his human family.

Characteristics

american foxhound dog - characteristicsWith a reputation as a docile, sweet dog, the American Foxhound is great with kids and animals. They are gentle and often very shy with strangers. They are strong willed and stubborn especially when training them, so they are not a good first dog. They need an owner who has handled dogs before and knows how to be the pack leader without being angry or mean.

The American Foxhound is a scent hound and once he is on the scent it is close to impossible to distract him from it. They have a tendency to ignore commands when they are in this state. A strong owner/leader is needed for this reason. Don’t let him off leash in an unfenced area.

feist dog - characteristicsLoving to be around his human family and being a devoted and loyal canine friend, the Feist is also an intelligent, energetic dog who is fairly easy to train.

Bright and alert he makes a good watchdog too, but is amicable enough to get on well with other pets in the home as well as with children.

He can be stubborn so training and socialization will be important for him. As it is, he likes a firm, strong owner and in exchange for good care, he will become your devoted, loyal friend.

Health Problems

american foxhound puppies - health problemsThe American Foxhound, like most hunting dogs does not carry a lot of genetic disorders. But they can easily become overweight and this can cause major problems. Dysplasia of any type had been mostly unknown in this breed, but due to obesity it is cropping up on occasion. Breeders have not, and do not usually screed for any genetic diseases.

The most devastating health issue the American Foxhound faces is thrombocytopathy. We will go into more detail on this in the Care for Pet section. This is a disease of the blood system, namely the platelets.

feist puppies - health problemsA Feist is a robust dog who doesn’t have any particular health issues, and with good care he can reach 18 years of age if looked after well. Hip Dysplasia is such a common dog illness that it always bears mentioning.

Hip Dysplasia:

This is a ball and socket joint problem where the joint doesn’t function smoothly and the grinding of the bone leads to pain and arthritis for your pet. You'll notice he battles to play games anymore and he also battles to get up after lying down. You need to know that this disease isn’t reserved for old dogs but can start while your dog is still a puppy and that it can lead to lameness.

Allergies:

Look out for allergies in your dog as they can cause a host of problems which can include his skin, his breathing and problems with digestion. Typical symptoms of a dog with allergies include sneezing,scratching and very distressing for a dog, itchy and red skin which can eventually ooze.

As a responsible dog owner it is imperative when you detect problems with your dog, to get him to the vet immediately.

Caring The Pet

Feeding

american foxhound dogs - caringWhether feeding a pup, or an adult American Foxhound, you need to be sure the food is high quality and that you don’t overfeed. The Foxhound is happy to eat as much as you give him. They like to eat. Make sure you measure and don’t free feed. Control what they are eating.

For a puppy feed twice, a day – 2 to 3 cups of high quality puppy food. When he becomes an adult feed him once a day with 2 cups of adult food.

Health issues

As mentioned previously, the American English Foxhound, like most of the hound breeds is a very healthy dog. They do not have many genetic health issues. They do have a risk for thrombocytopathy. This risk is slight, but all owners of American English Foxhounds should be aware of it.

Thrombocytopathy

This disease is a circulatory system disease with poorly or non-functioning platelets. Platelets are designed to assist in the control of bleeding and without functioning ones the dog can bleed excessively from just a minor cut or bleed internally from a minor injury. The disease can be treated but you have to notice it first. Depending on how severe the disease is, the treatment will vary. Some dogs will have to be given platelets.

Exercise and games

This is a high energy breed that is very active and needs a lot of exercise. They are not good for the first-time owner as they are stubborn and hard to train. They need room to run and get frustrated and out of sorts if they don’t have it. They can live in the suburbs but only with a large fenced yard, an even larger dog park and regular walks. This dog needs a lot of exercise. The simplest thing to do is take him hunting.

Grooming:

feist dogs - caringGrooming your Feist dog isn’t going to be costly or difficult at all, as with his short, smooth coat he will essentially only require a brush twice a week.

It’s good to get into the habit of brushing him as not only does it keep his coat sleek and shiny, he loves you paying him attention.

All dog owners need to know that grooming goes beyond just brushing the coat. You want to also check his nails that they are short, check in and around his ears and brush his teeth with special dog toothpaste and toothbrush.

Diet:

Give your Feist the very best dog food there is. Home-made is always good but if you feed him commercially manufactured food, make sure its a quality one. Some raw meat added in every now and again is important for his health. Ensure fresh, cool water is available to him around the clock.

Exercise:

Your Feist is an energetic dog that has been accustomed to hunting and running down small prey. He is an outdoor dog, thriving on fun and games. Take him on your walks, your hikes or when you go cycling or swimming. He wants to be right there with you involved in everything. While he can slot into life in the city or the countryside, he isn’t an indoor dog and it certainly won’t be good for him if you keep him cooped up in a tiny garden and pretty much forget about him.

Comparison with other breeds

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