Kuri vs Feist - Breed Comparison | Petzlover

Feist is originated from United States but Kuri is originated from French Polynesia. Feist may grow 10 cm / 4 inches higher than Kuri. Both Feist and Kuri are of same weight. Feist may live 4 years more than Kuri. Feist may have less litter size than Kuri. Both Feist and Kuri requires Low Maintenance.

Basic Information

Group:
Terrier dog
Miscellaneous dogs
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United States
French Polynesia
Height Male:
46 - 56 cm
18 - 23 inches
25 - 46 cm
9 - 19 inches
Height Female:
46 - 56 cm
18 - 23 inches
25 - 46 cm
9 - 19 inches
Weight Male:
10 - 15 kg
22 - 34 pounds
13 - 15 kg
28 - 34 pounds
Weight Female:
10 - 15 kg
22 - 34 pounds
13 - 15 kg
28 - 34 pounds
Life Span:
12 - 18 Years
10 - 14 Years
Litter Size:
1 - 4
5 - 8
Size:
Small
Medium
Other Names:
Rat Terrier, Ratting Terrier, Treeing Feist
Peroor New Zealand Native Dog, Guri
Colors Available:
Bi-colored, fawn, brindle , white, black, black and white, tan and white, red and white
White, brown, tan, cream, black - solids and different patterns
Coat:
Short and smooth
Medium length, rough
Shedding:
Minimal
Minimal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Grooming:
Low Maintenance
Low Maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

History

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.

Kurī, also known as Guri or Peroor New Zealand Native Dog, is the Maori name for this dog which was introduced to New Zealand by the Maoris when they migrated from East Polynesia around 1280 AD.

They were in fact Polynesian dogs which died out in New Zealand. The Māoris would use the dog as a food source and the skins would be used to make some form of clothing. The bones were used to make items such as necklaces and fish hooks.

Not surprising then that the dog became extinct in New Zealand, with the last known Kuri specimens being found in the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa.

Description

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.

The Kuri is extinct now but it was a small to medium sized dog with a thick set neck. He stood between 25 and 46cm and weighed about 13 to 15 kilograms.

He had thick medium-length rough textured hair, small head, erect ears, short legs and a bushy tail. The color of their weatherproof coats varied and some were black, some white or cream and some were a mix of colors and patterns.

An interesting feature about them is that they didn’t bark but instead they howled. They were good at hunting birds.

Temperament:

The Kuri wasn’t considered the brightest breed, but he would have benefited from some training and socialization as this just makes a dog a better pet in every sense – more obedient and better behaved in all situations.

Some Kuris were friendly and able to bond with their human owners, while others were independent and somewhat aloof. Their size would have allowed them to be kept in the city or the country as they weren’t particularly energetic dogs, not requiring much ground to run around in.

Characteristics

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.

It appears as though some Kuris were kept as pets and that they were able to develop loving relationships with their owners.

We don’t know too much about the extinct Kuri, but scientists are now studying and analyzing the hairs of the dog to find out more about it, and specifically why the Maori dog disappeared some time in the 19th century without a trace.

They will also be analyzing Kuri bones salvaged by archaeologists and which were found on rubbish heaps. These bones can be tested to see whether the diet of the Kuri changed much between the days of Maori settlements and the arrival of the European settlers.

Health Problems

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.

Dental Disease:

Some Kuri dogs scavenged while others were pets and ate well. The lifestyle they led would have determined their health. In those days they would have suffered with dental disease, common in adult dogs. Left untreated, dental disease can lead to dental tartar buildup with gum inflammation and tooth loss.

Dental disease can also lead to other organ diseases. These days brushing your dog’s teeth with canine toothpaste and toothbrush can help to ward off dental disease.

Ear infections:

Those Kuris that weren’t pets, tried to survive scavenging, and their homeless situation could well have led to ear infections – caused from a wax- and dirt buildup within the ear. He would have been frantic trying to scratch his ears. In modern times, if your dog showed signs of an ear infection, you would need to get him to the vet.

Caring The Pet

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.

Grooming:

The Kuri will have required regular grooming which means a brushing down twice a week. Brushing would have been useful to prevent loose hairs from shedding with the dog. He would have had to have his ears and eyes checked too to avoid infections. Brushing him would have given his owner the chance to check him over for fleas and ticks too.

Exercise:

As the Kuri wasn’t an overly energetic dog, a walk a day would have kept him content and fit.

Diet:

The Kuri was a dog that essentially formed part of someone else’s diet. Those that managed to escape being a meal for someone no doubt had to scavenge for food. Because they were used to help people catch birds, they themselves were used to catching birds for themselves.

As a small to medium sized dog, if you were to keep such a dog as a pet you would have given him a cup or two of dried kibble a day and tried to vary his diet by including some home-cooked food and raw meat.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Kuri vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  2. Kuri vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  3. Kuri vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  4. Kuri vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  5. Kuri vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  6. Kuri vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  7. Kuri vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  8. Kuri vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  9. Kuri vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  10. Kuri vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  11. Kuri vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  12. Kuri vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  13. Kuri vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  14. Kuri vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  15. Kuri vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  16. Kuri vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  17. Kuri vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  18. Kuri vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  19. Kuri vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  20. Kuri vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  21. Kuri vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  22. Kuri vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  23. Kuri vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  24. Kuri vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  25. Kuri 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