Feist vs English White Terrier - Breed Comparison

Feist is originated from United States but English White Terrier is originated from United Kingdom. Feist may grow 10 cm / 4 inches higher than English White Terrier. Feist may weigh 6 kg / 14 pounds more than English White Terrier. Feist may live 10 years more than English White Terrier. Feist may have less litter size than English White Terrier. Feist requires Low maintenance. But English White Terrier requires Moderate maintenance

History

feist - historyThe 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.

The English White Terrier was developed in the 1860’s by a group of breeders from the Sealyham terriers, the Jack Russell terrier, and the Fox Terrier. These breeders were looking for a white terrier that could be more successful in the show ring than the current prick-eared English terrier. They named their new breed, the English White Terrier or the Old English terrier. In later years in the United States, the English White Terrier was mixed again with the Rat Terrier and the Old English Bulldog to create both the Boston terrier and the Bull terrier.

Although the breed did not last long it did have a prestigious ancestry that could be traced back centuries in England among ancient terriers. The word terrier was in use in England in 1440, showing that the dogs were well known at that time. Most historians agree that the dogs were even older than the 1400’s. It is believed that terriers who “went to ground” after prey, existed as far back as the time of Christ in England.

Most of these ancestors of the English White Terrier were not white. White terriers came onto the scene around the 1700’s.The first picture of white terriers appeared in 1790 when Sawre Gilpin, a British artist, painted “A Huntsman with Hounds Foxhunting” and the terriers in the painting were white with brown marks. Others began to show the same kind of terriers in their artwork – white coated. Before this it is believed that breeders killed the white terriers at birth because they were often deaf and inferior to the other terriers. In the early part of the 19th century, the white terrier began to be completely white with no markings. The Kennel Club recognized them in 1874 as the White English Terrier.

The breed faced many genetic issues, deafness and the Kennel Clubs felt there was no difference between the current White English terrier and the English White terrier despite the difference in their ears. The new English White Terrier had dropped ears instead of Prick-ears. They considered them to be the same breed and not even different types. They were the smallest of all terriers and considered to be a good pet but not a show dog or a working dog. Because of this it was not very popular, and it actually had been bred to be a show dog and not a working dog. The English White Terrier was not recognized by any Kennel Club and within 30 years it was extinct.

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.

The English White Terrier had a pure white coat with no markings of any kind. His coat was short, hard, and glossy and his body was firm, muscular and hard. The breed was small – almost a toy. They had a body like the Manchester Terrier. They had long legs and large feet. The tail was medium size and straight out from the body.

The English White Terrier had a very refined head with a fairly long muzzle. Their bite was even, and their eyes were brown, amber or black. Their ears dropped – unlike the pricked ears of the White English Terrier.

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.

The English White Terrier was affectionate and devoted to his family. It was the softest tempered of all terriers and made an excellent pet. Some of the English White Terriers were animal aggressive while others were not. Training was difficult because of the wide-spread deafness in the breed. IT loved to be cuddled and held. They were also tenacious and game for any type of fight or hunt despite their size and deficiencies.

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.

The breed was considered to be unhealthy for the most part and became extinct because of this. Many complained that the breed was inbred and had a weak constitution because of it. Deafness was prevalent throughout the breed. This deafness occurs in many white animals, but the English White Terrier had the highest rates among all white dogs.

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

It was best to feed the English White Terrier 1-2 cups of dry meal per day served in 2 meals.

Health issues

As mention previously, the English White Terrier was congenitally deaf and had a weak constitution.

Exercise and games

This little dog with all its problems was still a very energetic dog and needed considerable exercise. Owners had to develop exercises and games to keep the English White Terrier occupied as with any terrier. If they didn’t have a job or something to occupy their minds and bodies, they were destructive.

Basic Information

Group:
Terrier dog
Terrier dog
Origin:
United States
United Kingdom
Height Male:
46 - 56 cm
18 - 23 inches
44 - 46 cm
17 - 19 inches
Height Female:
46 - 56 cm
18 - 23 inches
42 - 44 cm
16 - 18 inches
Weight Male:
10 - 15 kg
22 - 34 pounds
6 - 9 kg
13 - 20 pounds
Weight Female:
10 - 15 kg
22 - 34 pounds
5 - 8 kg
11 - 18 pounds
Life Span:
12 - 18 Years
5 - 8 Years
Litter Size:
1 - 4
5 - 9
Size:
Small dog
Small dog
Other Names:
Rat Terrier, Ratting Terrier, Treeing Feist
Old White English Terrier, White English Terrier Old English Terrier British White Terrier. Old White Terrier
Colors Available:
Bi-colored, fawn, brindle , white, black, black and white, tan and white, red and white
brown, white with brindle, black or other markings
Coat:
Short and smooth
Close, hard, short, and glossy
Shedding:
Minimal
Moderate
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Affectionate, Aggressive, Docile, Friendly, Gentle, Lively, Loving
Grooming:
Low maintenance
Moderate maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Moderate
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Jack Russell Terrier vs Feist - Breed Comparison
  2. Miniature Schnauzer vs Feist - Breed Comparison
  3. Rat Terrier vs Feist - Breed Comparison
  4. Scottish Terrier vs Feist - Breed Comparison
  5. Patterdale Terrier vs Feist - Breed Comparison
  6. Norwich Terrier vs Feist - Breed Comparison
  7. Norfolk Terrier vs Feist - Breed Comparison
  8. Parson Russell Terrier vs Feist - Breed Comparison
  9. Russell Terrier vs Feist - Breed Comparison
  10. Feist vs Boston Terrier - Breed Comparison
  11. Feist vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  12. Feist vs Cairn Terrier - Breed Comparison
  13. Feist vs Border Terrier - Breed Comparison
  14. Feist vs Australian Terrier - Breed Comparison
  15. Feist vs American Hairless Terrier - Breed Comparison
  16. Feist vs Bull Terrier Miniature - Breed Comparison
  17. Feist vs English White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  18. Feist vs Dandie Dinmont Terrier - Breed Comparison
  19. Feist vs Cesky Terrier - Breed Comparison
  20. Feist vs Chilean Fox Terrier - Breed Comparison
  21. Feist vs Black and Tan Terrier - Breed Comparison
  22. Feist vs Cairland Terrier - Breed Comparison
  23. Manchester Terrier vs Feist - Breed Comparison
  24. Miniature Fox Terrier vs Feist - Breed Comparison
  25. Glen of Imaal Terrier vs Feist - Breed Comparison
  26. Jack Russell Terrier vs English White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  27. Miniature Schnauzer vs English White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  28. Rat Terrier vs English White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  29. Scottish Terrier vs English White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  30. Patterdale Terrier vs English White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. Norwich Terrier vs English White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  32. Norfolk Terrier vs English White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  33. English White Terrier vs Boston Terrier - Breed Comparison
  34. English White Terrier vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  35. English White Terrier vs Cairn Terrier - Breed Comparison
  36. English White Terrier vs Border Terrier - Breed Comparison
  37. English White Terrier vs Australian Terrier - Breed Comparison
  38. English White Terrier vs American Hairless Terrier - Breed Comparison
  39. English White Terrier vs Bull Terrier Miniature - Breed Comparison
  40. English White Terrier vs Dandie Dinmont Terrier - Breed Comparison
  41. English White Terrier vs Cesky Terrier - Breed Comparison
  42. English White Terrier vs Chilean Fox Terrier - Breed Comparison
  43. English White Terrier vs Black and Tan Terrier - Breed Comparison
  44. English White Terrier vs Cairland Terrier - Breed Comparison
  45. Parson Russell Terrier vs English White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  46. Russell Terrier vs English White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  47. Manchester Terrier vs English White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  48. Miniature Fox Terrier vs English White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  49. Glen of Imaal Terrier vs English White Terrier - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds