Has anyone heard of a Feist? Help me find the right dog for my parents

[Sillymoose]

Here’s the situation. My Dad is recently retired. He is now primarily a stay-at-home husband and spends most of his days painting the house while my Mom is at work (Teacher). They have two cats and have been a cat family for about 5 years since our last Lab passed away. My Dad is now itching for a dog and is completely enamored with the Feist dog. I had never heard of them until he mentioned them. Apparently they are squirrel hunters and are similar to rat terriers??

Here’s the problem. My Mom is not a dog person. We always had dogs growing up and while she loved our dogs and would not mind having one again, she is not eager to deal with the mess and hassle of a dog. She doesn’t want a dog that is going to be difficult to house train, super high energy, chase cats, or bark excessively. I’m concerned that a Feist is going to have all those qualities. Am I right? Does anyone have any experiences with this type of dog?

Also does anyone have any good suggestions of other breeds for my parents? My parents are active, they go to the gym and walk to the park every day, and my Dad would like a dog that will motivate him to exercise more. Plus they have a large fenced yard.

Requirements: A breed that will not call into question my Dads masculinity, lol. He’s always had Dobermans and Labs and while my Mom would love a Schnauzer, he’s more into the sporting type dogs. A dog that can be trusted with cats, and has energy but does not require a marathon run everyday. No large breeds or droolers (My brother has a Great Dane and a Mastiff and my Mom says, NEVER!). Mostly they’re looking for a easy dog that they can enjoy in their retirement that will keep them active and be a companion for my Dad. Does a dog like this exist?

[shayaalliard]

We did have a feist litter once. Very jack russel ish. Probably not a good fit. I’d look to greyhounds- quiet, clean, couch dogs and smart. Giant schnauzer might be manly enough as well. Oddly, standard poodle fits very well and is actually a hunting dog, not a foofy toy.

Really, really, I’d look to adopt an adult or senior, pure or mixed breed. Already housetrained, cat tested, not barky, etc can all be determined for sure. With a puppy you never really know.

[Luseride]

Will probably chase the cats, lots of energy and they get into stuff. The prey instinct is pretty high which is why they make such good squirrel dogs.

How about a beagle? Hounds are really good at laying around but will also go for walks and enjoy their people. A fenced yard is a must with them but you have that.

[Bluey]

Feist is just another name for a rat terrier.
I have one and they are very nice dogs.
In your shoes, I would stay out of it.
Let them decide what they want or don’t want.

Unless they really want you to help them and insist you help them.
In such very personal decisions they will have to live with, I vote for staying out of it, whatever they do, it can get contentious.

[Sillymoose]

I have stayed out of it for a while but my mom has asked me to help her gather some info. Its a topic that keeps being brought up between them and I think my Mom is finally ready to start talking it out. She just wants to be prepared so that she can keep the discussion as productive as possible. My Dad can be rather stubborn when it comes to things like this :lol:. Anyway, I really don’t think he’s done his research on this dog.

A Greyhound is a great idea. One of my favorite breeds. My only apprehension with them is that they cannot be off leash and I worry about them chasing my parents cats (the cats are indoor/outdoor). I know Poodles are sporty and great dogs but my Dad would never go for it. To give you an idea, my cousins breed Pit Bulls and I know exactly how they would respond if they found out my Dad got a poodle :rolleyes:. A Beagle is out of the question. We had one when I was young, and lets just say my mom and the dog did NOT get along.

I’m excited to see that people have had experiences with these dogs. And it sounds like my suspicions were on track. I’m having a really hard time seeing a dog like this working with my parents situation.

[Casey09]

Ideas only (please research):

Corgi
One of the small terriers (if low prey drive and socialized to cats - Cairn, Norfolk or Norwich, etc.)
Keeschond
Pug (watch health/breathing concerns)

[2tempe]

I have some friends who have had good luck w/ an airdale - even though both working, he grew from puppyhood into a nice dog. I do hear that they can be high energy and they are a terrier, so there is a prey drive there. But my friends have a cat as well.
But I have to agree w/ poster number 2 above re an adult dog in need of a new home. Your parents have a setting and lifestyle that will appeal to many of rescue groups, both the breed type rescues and “general” rescues. Maybe find a lab mix, a dobie, a golden. They aren’t always big, may be trained. Perhaps the idea of rescuing a dog in need will make your mother’s heartstrings get pulled a bit…One that’s been in a foster situation will likely be a known quantity w/ cats. Strongly recommend that dad take whatever dog to an obedience class or two. It will verify training strengths or weaknesses (for mom’s benefit) , and it does help build a solid bond with the dog.

[Bluey]

Rat terriers come in different types.
There are small ones, mid sized ones, Decker or larger ones.
There are feist, the old Roosevelt short legged ones, most others are normal length leg.

They tend to be quieter than Jack Russels, that are rat terriers on crack when it comes to being hyper, although some of those are also more normal in the vigorous department.

My dog was the runt of the litter and so is smaller than her parents.
She is also a five minute hyper dog, then settles and really sleeps most of the day.
She goes with me and after doing her stuff for ten minutes, gets back on the four wheeler and naps until I am ready to go back to the house and there she, again, naps the day away.
She rarely barks and then it is a low grumble warning that she hears something, not many continuous barks.

In the 1950’s and 60’s, the farmer here had one of the feist, shorter legged type and he was a wonderful companion for him.

I think that, no matter what dog they get, they are going to have to adjust to it, for one or another reason.

At least rat terriers are short haired and rather clean dogs, that would be good if the house cleaner is not so happy with a dog.
Chasing cats is about training, but yes, some breeds will be harder to train.

I would let your father get the dog he wants, then he has to train it, so it is the dog he wanted and so it stays off his wife’s hair.

Which dog to get is such a personal choice, I would let them do the choosing.
A medium sized mix dog from shelters could be a good compromise.

A friend went to our shelter and picked up this adolescent, that we think was part pit bull, part ACD and you know, that made a wonderful dog for the family for many years.
At least give that a try.

[equisusan]

I have a rat terrier as well. She is about 12lbs. She looks similar to a Jack Russell but her personality is completely different. She is not hyper or aggressive and she doesn’t dig. P.S. She doesn’t chase rats or mice either. LOL

She chased cats when she first encountered them but now sleeps with one. Her motivations in life are food and sleep. She is one of the sweetest dogs I’ve ever had.

Her only problem is allergies and she is a little barky but that’s probably my fault.

[Nezzy]

I have 3 AHT’s. American Hairless Terrier. They are literally, a Hairless Rat Terrier. Decaffinated. And no shedding. Mine do wear fleece jammies in the winter, and t-shirt jammies other times of the year. ( i learned to sew for my dogs-it is an easy pattern). Best breed ever. ( i raised JRT’s but they are too dog-aggressive for me). I will only get AHT’s from now on.

[Kryswyn]

LOL Nezzy, I don’t think OP’s dad is going to be walking a dog in jammies.

OP, you say your Mom is open to a schnauzer? A mini schnauzer is a wonderful dog, and not at all girly. A puppy that is raised around adult cats should quickly learn to respect them.

[Bluey]

I have seen plenty of show trainers at shows with schnauzers, nothing frilly about them.
Since it is DH who wants the dog, let it be the kind he wants.

[SarahandSam]

A Feist is basically a rat terrier mix so what they look like can vary widely, but they are all pretty high energy and high prey drive. Meupatdoes has two small mixed-breed dogs that I’m pretty convinced are feists, especially after one of them climbed a tree. They’re snuggly and cute, but have absolutely boundless energy.

I’ve actually met quite a few very low-key and mellow older pit bulls, so that might be a possibility if he’s open to the breed. Lab or golden seems like always a safe bet, pretty mellow and endearing but still having enough energy for lots of walks and exercise. Spaniels could also be a good choice–any of the varieties of springer, maybe. And I’m always partial to dachshunds.

But I definitely vote for an older mixed-breed–plenty out there that you already know their personality!

[Nezzy]

[QUOTE=Kryswyn;7435176]
LOL Nezzy, I don’t think OP’s dad is going to be walking a dog in jammies.

OP, you say your Mom is open to a schnauzer? A mini schnauzer is a wonderful dog, and not at all girly. A puppy that is raised around adult cats should quickly learn to respect them.[/QUOTE]

Why wouldn’t he walk a dog in jammies? Real men love their dogs and do what they need to.

[Anne_FS]

I’d think any breed called “Feist” would definitely be a handful and probably not what you’re looking for unless you find an atypical one.

[wendy]

A nice springer or field spaniel? a very sporty breed, easier size for older folks to manage vs. most sporting dogs, relatively easy to train to behave off leash, needs exercise but not insane levels of it, and should be easy to convince to leave cats alone (doubt this would be easy with a squirrel dog).

She doesn’t want a dog that is going to be difficult to house train, super high energy, chase cats, or bark excessively.

all of the mini schnauzers I’ve ever met were terrible barkers, as in non-stop.

[alto]

[QUOTE=Sillymoose;7434366]
Mostly they’re looking for a easy dog that they can enjoy in their retirement that will keep them active and be a companion for my Dad. Does a dog like this exist?[/QUOTE]

A collie from a reputable breeder - that will match them with a suitable temperament dog/pup & be there as a support person :yes:

If they want smaller, a working line Sheltie - I suspect these are not so easy to find in the crowd of crazy mini-shelties, but met one just the other day that reminded me of how wonderful these dogs can be :love-struck:

[S1969]

[QUOTE=wendy;7435752]
A nice springer or field spaniel? a very sporty breed, easier size for older folks to manage vs. most sporting dogs, relatively easy to train to behave off leash, needs exercise but not insane levels of it, and should be easy to convince to leave cats alone (doubt this would be easy with a squirrel dog).

all of the mini schnauzers I’ve ever met were terrible barkers, as in non-stop.[/QUOTE]

I’d recommend the schnauzer over the springer any day - my experience has been the complete opposite, plus springers tend to be a little higher maintenance with regard to coat and drop ears.

Field spaniels are great but not very popular, plus the same issues with ears and coat (which is wonderful for many people, but not others; my friend had a springer and her ears were so gross…always problematic with wax and infection, plus they get in the food bowl too. Yuck.)

I might also recommend an older shelter dog. A kid-free home is perfect for many of them.

[Anne_FS]

[QUOTE=wendy;7435752]
A nice springer or field spaniel?

…
all of the mini schnauzers I’ve ever met were terrible barkers, as in non-stop.[/QUOTE]

Oooh, or an English Cocker Spaniel. Love those and they would fit the bill.

Agree with wendy about the schnauzers…not a fan. Although for me it’s more the disgusting soggy whiskers they all seem to have.

[Bluey]

Hey, people, the fellow in question already has a kind of dog he likes and it is not a bigger, hairier breed:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feist_(dog)

What he seems to want is a slick, medium to small sized one that will be a good companion and for that, those kinds of terrier and their mixes that keep those characteristics is what he likes.

I would let him choose the dog he wants, not try to convince him that any other is better for him in his situation.