Himalayan Sheepdog vs Feist - Breed Comparison | Petzlover

Himalayan Sheepdog vs Feist - Breed ComparisonFeist is originated from United States but Himalayan Sheepdog is originated from India. Feist may grow 15 cm / 5 inches shorter than Himalayan Sheepdog. Feist may weigh 30 kg / 66 pounds lesser than Himalayan Sheepdog. Feist may live 4 years more than Himalayan Sheepdog. Feist may have less litter size than Himalayan Sheepdog. Feist requires Low Maintenance. But Himalayan Sheepdog requires High Maintenance

Basic Information

Group:
Terrier dog
Working dog
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United States
India
Height Male:
46 - 56 cm
18 - 23 inches
61 - 71 cm
24 - 28 inches
Height Female:
46 - 56 cm
18 - 23 inches
58 - 69 cm
22 - 28 inches
Weight Male:
10 - 15 kg
22 - 34 pounds
40 - 45 kg
88 - 100 pounds
Weight Female:
10 - 15 kg
22 - 34 pounds
38 - 43 kg
83 - 95 pounds
Life Span:
12 - 18 Years
9 - 14 Years
Litter Size:
1 - 4
6 - 10
Size:
Small
Large
Other Names:
Rat Terrier, Ratting Terrier, Treeing Feist
Bhotia • Bhotiya • Bhote Kukkur • Gaddi • Gaddi Leopardhund • Himachal Pradesh • Himalayan Guard Dog • Himalayan Mastiff Guard Dog • Himalayan Chamba Gaddi • HSD
Colors Available:
Bi-colored, fawn, brindle , white, black, black and white, tan and white, red and white
Black, fawn, light brown, beige
Coat:
Short and smooth
rough dense long
Shedding:
Minimal
Seasonal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Affectionate, Courageous, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Loyal, Playful, Stubborn, Territorial
Grooming:
Low Maintenance
High Maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Hard
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
No

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.

himalayan sheepdogThe Himalayan Sheepdog comes from Nepal originally and was bred as a guardian for livestock. The exact location where the breed comes from is not documented well but it is thought that they come from North India and Nepal and they are rare outside of that area. They are a mountain dog – close in ancestry to the Himalayan Mastiff, and the Kinnaur Sheepdog of Tibet (Himalaya). All these Himalayan mountain dogs were all called “Gaddi dogs”. The term was used for all the large dogs no matter what their breeds actually were.

The Himalayan Sheepdog is called by various names depending on where they were from. They are called Gaddi Leopardhund in Himachai Pradesh, In Nepal they are known as Bhote Kukkur or Bhotiya. Then there are Chamba Gaddi dogs. They are an ancient breed that existed before documentation on breeds was kept.

They acted as both guardians and herders. They guarded the mountain men’s encampments as well as the livestock. They were also used at times to hunt large animals. Today they are found only within Nepal and India. These Himalayan Sheepdogs are on the verge of extinction in India. There are no breeding programs and their isolation has caused the dilution of the gene pool. It is not recognized by any clubs including the UKC and the AKC.

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.

himalayan sheepdog puppy - descriptionThe breed is a large dog, very athletic and strong. The Himalayan Sheepdog is muscular with a deep chest, strong neck and strong shoulders. It has a medium tail that is thick and busy, curled high over its back. It is a daunting dog that can be very intimidating. They have well padded and large paws. With a broad head and wide forehead, they have a strong, wide muzzle. Their ears are high on the head and hang from the sides. They have almond shaped medium eyes that are deep set with a black nose.

They are a very active and swift dogs. By their nature they are constantly in motion, patrolling their territory and guarding their flock and people. Their devotion to their people and their courage is the stuff of legends. Their coat is double with a large ruff around their necks that resembles a mane. The inner coat is dense and short while the outer coat is longer but dense as well.

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.

Children friendliness

himalayan sheepdog dog - characteristicsYes with enough proper socialization

Special talents

Protection and loyalty

Adaptability

They are not especially adaptable and need a large yard. They are not good in an apartment.

Learning ability

Intelligent but stubborn and independent making them able to learn if they want to.

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.

himalayan sheepdog puppies - health problemsThis is a pretty healthy breed with very few health issues. They have the usual large dog issues.

  • Hip Dysplasia – can cause lameness and/or arthritis
  • Elbow Dysplasia – can cause lameness and/or arthritis
  • Arthritis – can cause extreme pain and lameness
  • Patellar luxation – kneecap issues that are painful and can cause lameness
  • Obesity – they have a tendency to overeat and are not that active
  • Glaucoma – can cause blindness

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.

Feeding the puppy

himalayan sheepdog dogs - caringFeed the puppy 2-3 times a day with a total of two cups of a quality dog food for large breed dogs.

Feeding the adult

Feed the adult dog twice a day with 3 to 4 cups of a high quality dry dog food for large breed dogs.

Points for Good Health

They are very strong and athletic.

Games and Exercises

The Himalayan Sheepdog needs exercise but not to be overworked. They should be taken on long walks at least once a day. They might play fetch or run in a yard, but they don’t like too much exercise.

Comparison with other breeds

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  29. Himalayan Sheepdog vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  30. Himalayan Sheepdog vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. Himalayan Sheepdog vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  32. Himalayan Sheepdog vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
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  34. Himalayan Sheepdog vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  35. Himalayan Sheepdog vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  36. Himalayan Sheepdog vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  37. Himalayan Sheepdog vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  38. Himalayan Sheepdog vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  39. Himalayan Sheepdog vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  40. Himalayan Sheepdog vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  41. Himalayan Sheepdog vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  42. Himalayan Sheepdog vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  43. Himalayan Sheepdog vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  44. Himalayan Sheepdog vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  45. Himalayan Sheepdog vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  46. Himalayan Sheepdog vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  47. Himalayan Sheepdog vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  48. Himalayan Sheepdog vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  49. Himalayan Sheepdog vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  50. Himalayan Sheepdog vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison