Squirrel_Hunter_Gray
Rattie
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| 04/28/2008 1:36 PM |
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Hello Everyone:
I am new to the forum but wanted to introduce myself. My name is Marc Gray. My fiance, Beth Kintz, and I have Treeing Feist squirrel dogs. We are not a BIG kennel by any means and thus far have had 1 litter a year and do not plan to have another one until after I graduate from Grad School in 2009.
We do have 3 females available right now but I thought I would tell folks a little about the breed.
The Treeing (also known as Mountain) Feist was developed in the southern Appalachian Mountains as a small game dog. They are believed by some to be the progenitor of the Rat Terrier featured in this forum. The breed standard is up to 30 pounds. More specific standards can be found on our website (see below).
Feist dogs are primarily used to hunt squirrels but also rabbits, coon, and game birds.
From what I understand, the temperament of the two breeds is extremely similar. Our dogs make great companions and house dogs.
Feist dogs are recognized by the United Kennel Club, National Kennel Club and others.
You can find out more about us and our dogs by visiting the website listed below:
http://squackerjack.tripod.com/
Thank you for reading and I look forward to participating in the forum.
-Marc Gray |
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Emg
Terrier Terror
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| 04/28/2008 5:58 PM |
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They are cuties! Wish I could get one...they're about the same size as my Sam. 
Question: When you hunt with them, do you have them on a lead, or do you take them off it? Cause I'd think they'd take off if they weren't leashed, or do you just have them very well trained?
Also, just curious, did these dogs come first, or did the rat terrier? |
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Sara, Sam's mommy |
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michelle
Bratty Ratty
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| 04/28/2008 6:20 PM |
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I went to your website. They are cuties. I noticed youalso have a JRT. Very similar as well? |
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michelle, mom to Sydney (JRT), Sonic (Rattie) and Proud mom to Army son, Jordan
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Emg
Terrier Terror
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| 04/28/2008 6:32 PM |
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Posted By michelle on 04/28/2008 6:20 PM
I went to your website. They are cuties. I noticed youalso have a JRT. Very similar as well?
Don't Jask Russel Terriers have a more rounded face and shorter muzzle?
Just watched one of the videos, Marc. Those guys sure can climb, huh?
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Sara, Sam's mommy |
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michelle
Bratty Ratty
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| 04/28/2008 6:38 PM |
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Posted By Emg on 04/28/2008 6:32 PM
Posted By michelle on 04/28/2008 6:20 PM
I went to your website. They are cuties. I noticed youalso have a JRT. Very similar as well?
Don't Jask Russel Terriers have a more rounded face and shorter muzzle?
Just watched one of the videos, Marc. Those guys sure can climb, huh?
I meant with their spirit and energy. I know their physical structures are a bit different
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michelle, mom to Sydney (JRT), Sonic (Rattie) and Proud mom to Army son, Jordan
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Emg
Terrier Terror
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| 04/28/2008 6:51 PM |
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oops, sorry. 
I've heard JRTs are actually even more energetic than ratties, and that they're pretty much nut cases. But that's only what I've heard. |
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Sara, Sam's mommy |
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michelle
Bratty Ratty
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| 04/28/2008 7:02 PM |
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Posted By Emg on 04/28/2008 6:51 PM
oops, sorry. 
I've heard JRTs are actually even more energetic than ratties, and that they're pretty much nut cases. But that's only what I've heard.
No problem. JRT are nut cases. We have on. Little Miss Sydney.
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michelle, mom to Sydney (JRT), Sonic (Rattie) and Proud mom to Army son, Jordan
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GothGirl
Terrier Terror
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| 04/28/2008 7:14 PM |
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I just checked out your website. Your dogs are beautiful. |
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~*~ Mikki: Prince & Ozzy's Mama ~*~ |
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Squirrel_Hunter_Gray
Rattie
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| 04/28/2008 10:30 PM |
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Thank you all for your kind comments.
There are written accounts of feist dogs in America long before (centuries) the accepted history of the newer imported terriers that became RT began (1890's). I am not here to say "Nah nah nah, my dogs were here first!" I know that RT's and our Feist dogs have common ancestors, but took somewhat different paths. Interbreeding is common today among hunting RT's and Feist. Throughout their history, feist dogs have been referred to as "fyce", "fice" or "feist".
The JRT we have, Cricket is a typical JRT. They are more high strung and susceptible to what I call "neurotic habits", "turboing" to expend excess energy or compulsive behaviors. Given enough exercise, they are fine. They do not have the "dual personality" that our feist or your RT's have. Our dogs are content to lay at your feet but are ready to go all day long! Cricket is a gritty little dog whose hunting style compliments our feist dogs. She is a squirrel/rabbit/coon dog in training. She is just not as "tree minded" as our feist because they are bred to be that way.
We hunt our dogs off leash. Basically, we "cast" them in a particular direction and they run WIDE circles looking for game and check back in every 5-15 minutes. Once they locate, say a squirrel, they will bark "treed" until we get there. If the squirrel moves through the tree tops (timbers out) the dog will reposition and cut off its path and "tree" again. They are effective at blocking the squirrel's movements as more often than not the squirrel becomes transfixed on the dog. Yes, these are WILD squirrels that are wary and a challenge to hunt...We are not harvesting tame park squirrels. 
They DO like to climb trees! Our litter started to climb easy ones at 6 weeks! Not too high though...
Feist dogs REALLY love their people and hunt for you just as much as they do for themselves. They are very willing to come back. We can simply call them and tell them to "load up" and they will meet us back at the vehicle.
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Squirrel_Hunter_Gray
Rattie
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| 05/03/2008 7:46 PM |
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For those of you that might be interested, below are two organizations dedicated to feist dogs...
The first is a Breed Association, the second is a Hunt Registry.
Feist Websites:
http://www.americanfeistbreeders.com/
http://www.americantreeingfeist.com/
-Marc |
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Emg
Terrier Terror
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| 05/03/2008 8:09 PM |
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| Thanks! |
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Sara, Sam's mommy |
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Squirrel_Hunter_Gray
Rattie
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| 05/13/2008 4:00 PM |
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| We still have 3 females as of right now. Hope to get some new pictures up on the computer ASAP! |
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Mitzy's Mom
Alpha Feist
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| 05/15/2008 3:09 PM |
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| Very interesting, they are quite similar to ratties. I noticed in the pictures that some have tails and some don't - do you dock the tails on Treeing Feist Squirrel dogs? |
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Mary Beth, mom to Mitzy, Mayfly, Skipper, Skeeter and Loco
RBR Foster Mom
www.ratbonerescues.com |
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Squirrel_Hunter_Gray
Rattie
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| 05/24/2008 11:30 PM |
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Posted By Mitzy's Mom on 05/15/2008 3:09 PM
Very interesting, they are quite similar to ratties. I noticed in the pictures that some have tails and some
don't - do you dock the tails on Treeing Feist Squirrel dogs?
The tails of feist dogs may be naturally long, naturally bobbed or docked. We prefer to have the dogs the way they arrived. Jody and Trigger's tails were docked by the breeder we got them from.
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Emg
Terrier Terror
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| 05/25/2008 7:00 PM |
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| Don't dogs with naturally bobbed tails usually have spinal issues? Or is that only in certain breeds? |
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Sara, Sam's mommy |
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winnihoohoo
Rat-A-Tat-Tat
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| 05/25/2008 7:19 PM |
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My Winchester is an NBT, and he does not have any spinal issues that I know of, and he is 4 years old...
Posted By Emg on 05/25/2008 7:00 PM
Don't dogs with naturally bobbed tails usually have spinal issues? Or is that only in certain breeds?
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braeli_bryson
Ratastic
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| 07/02/2008 12:37 PM |
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Posted By Squirrel_Hunter_Gray on 04/28/2008 10:30 PM
Thank you all for your kind comments.
I know that RT's and our Feist dogs have common ancestors, but took somewhat different paths. Interbreeding is common today among hunting RT's and Feist. Throughout their history, feist dogs have been referred to as "fyce", "fice" or "feist".
Your dogs are awesome... remind me very much of "Decker" RTs... good 25-40lbs of muscle... same structure/look.
didnt our Rts come to be with Teddy Roosevelt.... they were simply called Feist Terriers prior. There was a competition of "rat killings" held to determine what hunter can kill of the rat infestation in the White house. A Feist killed 300 rats in an hour... was then used but Roosevelt to "clean up" the WH... he named them Rat Terriers... and Type Bs later named after him Teddy Roosevelt Terriers.
well if you ask me... we have teh same dog...lol yours is bigger than mine... your climbs trees... mine sofas and laps!!!! but you put a bird, squirell, chipmunk, etcv in my yard and that baby better run fast!
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bryson: pearl tri color.
braeli: chocolate tri color.
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