Mountain Feist vs Akita - Breed Comparison | Petzlover

Mountain Feist vs Akita - Breed ComparisonAkita is originated from Japan but Mountain Feist is originated from United States. Akita may grow 14 cm / 6 inches higher than Mountain Feist. Both Akita and Mountain Feist are of same weight. Akita may live 3 years less than Mountain Feist. Both Akita and Mountain Feist has same litter size. Both Akita and Mountain Feist requires Low Maintenance.

Basic Information

Group:
Working dog
Miscellaneous dogs
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Japan
United States
Height Male:
64 - 70 cm
25 - 28 inches
26 - 56 cm
10 - 23 inches
Height Female:
58 - 64 cm
22 - 26 inches
23 - 55 cm
9 - 22 inches
Weight Male:
34 - 54 kg
74 - 120 pounds
24 - 54 kg
52 - 120 pounds
Weight Female:
34 - 50 kg
74 - 111 pounds
22 - 52 kg
48 - 115 pounds
Life Span:
11 - 15 Years
12 - 18 Years
Litter Size:
7 - 8
5 - 8
Size:
Large
Medium
Other Names:
Akita-Inu, Japanese Akita
Treeing Feist • American Treeing Feist • American Feist • Mountain Terrier
Colors Available:
Brindle, Fawn, White, Red Fawn, Red, Pinto and Sesame
black, white, blue, Brown
Coat:
Harsh and Rough, Dense, Water-Repellent, Short and Thick
smooth, short
Shedding:
Constant
Moderate
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Courageous, Friendly, Independent, Loyal, Protective, Responsive
Alert, Energetic, Friendly, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Protective, Responsive, Social, Stubborn
Grooming:
Low Maintenance
Low Maintenance
Trainability:
Moderate
Moderate
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
No
Yes

History

akitaAkita is a very old breed. The first information originates back in the 1600s. Akita was a royalty guard and a hunting dog. They were popular because of their bravery. Akita even attacked bears. Helen Keller brought the first Akita to America. She admired the breed because of the famous Hachiko, a dog that was known for his loyalty. Today, Akita is a popular dog in the whole world. They are lovely family pets, and if train properly they will be adorable part of any family.

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

akita puppy - descriptionAkita’s average weight is 34-54kg, while their height is 58-66cm. Females are smaller than males. Lifespan variates from dog to dog but an average lifespan of Akita is 11-15 years. However, if you take care of your dog with a proper diet and regular vet checks they can live longer than average. Litter Size of Akita is 7-8 puppies, but again, litter size variates because of dog’s genetics. Other Names for Akita are Akita-Inu and Japanese Akita.

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

akita dog - characteristics Akita is a very elegant breed. They are very strong and fast, so they had been excellent guards. They sometimes can be stubborn, but they are very loyal to the family. Akita has tendencies to be aggressive to other dogs. Because of their dominant character, they can be especially aggressive towards the same sex. They are the best for one-dog houses. With family, they are very loving and gentle. The best way to train Akita is by positive training with awards. The old-fashioned way like punishing is not recommendable. Constant and firm training is important, so if you are first time owner, it might be a big challenge. If you are first time owner, consider advising with a trainer who knows the breed.

Akita loves to be around family and to be included in family activities. They do not need a lot of activity, but daily routines of one-hour walks or jogging would be ideal for Akita. Visiting parks for dogs is not a good idea because of aggressive attitude towards other animals. If Akita does not have activities they can get bored, and you do not want bored Akita. When bored they start barking, digging, chewing, and sometimes even aggressive. Overall, they are very loving and gentle dogs who love to be around family and enjoy activities. But, they also need proper care and attention which require time and patience.

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

akita puppies - health problemsAkita is a very healthy breed in general. Nevertheless, almost as every breed, Akita can develop health issues. Hip dysplasia, hypothyroidism, Progressive retinal atrophy are some of the issues Akita might have. Although, if you give your puppy Akita necessary vitamins, with a healthy diet and regular vet checks, it will a very happy and healthy dog. It is also important to know the genetics of your dog, so carefully choosing a puppy is very important.

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

Feeding Akita

akita dogs - caringIt is always important to adjust feeding to size, activity age and built. Dogs who are bigger and have more activity will need more food. For an average Akita 3-5 cups of dry high-quality food, divided into 2 meals will be enough. They also love to eat vegetables like carrots, broccoli, and fruits like apples, oranges, watermelon, etc.

Feeding Akita puppy

Akita puppy should have more meals per day plus additional calcium and vitamins. 3-5 meals per day would be an ideal for a puppy. It is a perfect way to develop your puppy into a healthy adult dog.

Grooming Akita

Grooming Akita is not the worst, but it will require some work. They have a double coat, but they are shedding a lot. Occasional vacuuming will be a new habit that every Akita owner needs. They shed 2-3 times per year, so it is not very bad. When it not shedding, everyday brushing would be a perfect way to groom your Akita.

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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  30. Mountain Feist vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
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  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