Mountain Feist vs Japanese Spitz - Breed Comparison

Mountain Feist vs Japanese Spitz - Breed ComparisonJapanese Spitz is originated from Japan but Mountain Feist is originated from United States. Japanese Spitz may grow 22 cm / 8 inches shorter than Mountain Feist. Japanese Spitz may weigh 44 kg / 97 pounds lesser than Mountain Feist. Both Japanese Spitz and Mountain Feist has almost same life span. Both Japanese Spitz and Mountain Feist has almost same litter size. Both Japanese Spitz and Mountain Feist requires Low Maintenance.

Basic Information

Group:
Companion dog
Miscellaneous dogs
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Japan
United States
Height Male:
25 - 34 cm
9 - 14 inches
26 - 56 cm
10 - 23 inches
Height Female:
25 - 34 cm
9 - 14 inches
23 - 55 cm
9 - 22 inches
Weight Male:
5 - 10 kg
11 - 23 pounds
24 - 54 kg
52 - 120 pounds
Weight Female:
5 - 10 kg
11 - 23 pounds
22 - 52 kg
48 - 115 pounds
Life Span:
10 - 16 Years
12 - 18 Years
Litter Size:
1 - 6
5 - 8
Size:
Small
Medium
Other Names:
Nihon Supittsu
Treeing Feist • American Treeing Feist • American Feist • Mountain Terrier
Colors Available:
White
black, white, blue, Brown
Coat:
Longish and fluffy
smooth, short
Shedding:
Moderate
Moderate
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Sweet, Territorial
Alert, Energetic, Friendly, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Protective, Responsive, Social, Stubborn
Grooming:
Low Maintenance
Low Maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Moderate
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

History

japanese spitzSpitz dogs include quite a few dog breeds and these dogs all have similar characteristics – pointed, erect ears, slanted type eyes with thick fur.

The Japanese Spitz was developed by Japanese breeders at the time of the 1920s, and bringing in quite a number of dog breeds to do so. The breeders started with the white German Spitz dogs but later other white Spitz breeds were imported and crossed into this developing breed.

The final standard for the breed after World War 11 was accepted by the Japan Kennel Club. The dog became recognized by other kennel clubs of the world.

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

japanese spitz puppy - descriptionThe Japanese Spitz is a small to medium sized dog, being somewhat larger than the Pomeranian. The dog stands at 25 – 38cm, both male and female and weighs anything between 5 to 10kg.

The double coat of the dog is thick and white and the puppies look like large snowball.s He has a pointed muzzle with erect ears and a tail that curls up over the back.

Temperament:

The pure-bred Japanese Spitz, just like other Spitz dogs are smart, inquisitive dogs who show loyalty to their owners, getting on well with children in the home and making a good family pet.

They can be quite stubborn, so training and socialization becomes important if you want him to be obedient. Training is easy as he is an intelligent, bright little dog.

They’re able to adapt to life in the city or in the country, but if you live in the city, you will need to meet his exercise needs.

He can tolerate cold weather quite well but as a companion dog, he prefers being indoors with his human family.

Even though they are small dogs, they are protective and make good watchdogs. They were bred to be companion dogs and they take this role seriously, being loyal, entertaining, fun, friendly and loving with their human family.

It is why they are becoming such a popular breed as they have an amicable nature, getting on well with other pets as well as children.

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

japanese spitz dog - characteristicsYour Japanese Spitz is going to make you a superb companion and you want to ensure that you are well prepared for him when he arrives. He is feisty, charming, social, bright, alert, active, loyal and loving and you want to be sure that he has everything laid on as a 4-legged family member.

He isn't a high maintenance dog, he isn't demanding and if you love and care for him, you'll find that he fills a vacancy in your life that you'll never want to be without again.

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

japanese spitz puppies - health problemsLife expectancy for the Japanese Spitz is about 10–16 years. They are a healthy breed with few genetic problems. Nothing is set in stone though, and your healthy dog can fall prey to some of the many common dog illnesses there are.

They're so sweet, you're tempted to feed him treats all the time, but obesity is a common Japanese Spitz health issue and obesity can lead to many problems with the heart, kidney, diabetes and even joint pain.

Also, eye problems such as ingrown eyelashes and a lower eyelid that rolls inward are problems that are known to trouble these Spitz type dogs. It leads to terrible irritation and damage to the eye. It's definitely time to see the vet to avoid infections and injury.

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:

japanese spitz dogs - caringThe Japanese Spitz is an active dog and he will require at least one walk a day to keep him happy. He is full of beans and wants to go with you on all your outings.

Diet:

The diet of your Japanese Spitz is basic to his good health. If you feed him low quality foods deplete of vitamins and minerals, you'll end up with a sick dog who is always at the vet. Puppies need 4 small meals a day while an adult dog can have 1 or 2 meals a day.

He can benefit from the top quality commercially manufactured foods and sometimes you can add in some cooked chicken, rice and vegetables into his dry kibble. Add in a little bit of raw meat too from time to time and ensure that he can always reach his bowl of fresh, cool water.

Grooming:

The beautiful white fur of your Japanese Spitz will need to be brushed at least twice a week to keep it free from loose hair and to keep the fur bright and vibrant.

Check his nails and avoid them getting too long as they can hook on things and cause injury. Check his ears inside and out, keeping them clean and free of debris. Very importantly, keep his teeth clean as dental disease can play havoc with a dog's health.

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. Japanese Spitz vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  6. Japanese Spitz vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  7. Japanese Spitz vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  8. Japanese Spitz vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  9. Japanese Spitz vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  10. Japanese Spitz vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  11. Japanese Spitz vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  12. Japanese Spitz vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  13. Japanese Spitz vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  14. Japanese Spitz vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
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  16. Japanese Spitz vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  17. Japanese Spitz vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  18. Japanese Spitz vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
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  22. Japanese Spitz vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  23. Japanese Spitz vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  24. Japanese Spitz vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  25. Japanese Spitz vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  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