Everything You Need to Know About Squirrel Dogs Breeds

Squirrel dog breeds are known for their unique ability to track and tree squirrels, a skill that's been honed over centuries of selective breeding.

These breeds are often small to medium in size, with the Fox Terrier being one of the smallest, weighing in at around 15 pounds.

Their short coats require minimal grooming, making them a low-maintenance choice for many owners.

Their keen sense of smell and agility make them well-suited for this type of work.

Squirrel dog breeds are known for their hunting prowess and unique characteristics.

The Plott Hound is a popular breed used for squirrel hunting, originating from Germany in the 18th century.

These dogs are highly energetic and require regular exercise to maintain their physical and mental health.

The Plott Hound's strong prey drive and keen sense of smell make them well-suited for hunting small game.

Squirrel dogs can be trained to retrieve game, but they often have a strong instinct to chase and catch their quarry themselves.

Some breeds, like the Plott Hound, are more independent and stubborn than others, requiring patient and consistent training.

The Jack Russell Terrier is a feisty breed often used for squirrel hunting due to their small size and big personality.

Their short coats require minimal grooming, but they do need regular exercise to keep them happy and healthy.

Squirrel dogs can be a great addition to active families who enjoy the outdoors and hunting.

Feists are small to medium size dogs, weighing between 10-35 pounds. They come in a variety of colors, including red & white, red brindle, black, black & tan, blue & white, and black, tan & white.

Their size and coat can vary depending on the specific Feist variety. For example, Wally, a Feist mentioned in the article, is a medium-sized dog with a short coat.

Here are the six different color variations of the Feist breed:

The Feist breed is a unique and fascinating dog type. They come in a range of sizes, typically weighing between 10-35 pounds.

Feists are medium to small-sized dogs, with Wally, a specific example, weighing 38 pounds. Their coat can be either short-haired or...

In general, Feists have six different color variations, including red & white, red brindle, black, black & tan, blue & white, and black, tan & white.

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Feist dogs are naturally inclined to be wary of smaller pets due to their hunting instincts. They may not get along with cats and guinea pigs unless they were raised together from puppyhood.

I've seen it firsthand - introducing a Feist dog to a new pet requires careful supervision to ensure a smooth interaction. It's best to keep a close eye on their behavior and body language to prevent any potential conflicts.

Feist dogs generally don't get along with smaller pets, especially if they're not familiar with each other. This is why it's essential to socialize them properly from an early age.

Supervising interactions between Feist dogs and smaller pets is crucial to prevent any harm or stress. I strongly recommend keeping a close eye on their behavior, especially if they're not used to being around each other.

Feists are smart dogs and fairly easy to train, making them a great choice for hunting and other activities.

With short training sessions that end on a positive note, Feists can learn basic obedience commands like "sit-stay" and "leave it". They'll also pick up on non-verbal cues, like setting the direction to hunt on foot, making the handler look like an expert dog trainer.

Feists are bred to be consistent, reliable, and enjoyable squirrel dogs, with a natural instinct to chase and tree squirrels by sight. They'll even come back to check in periodically, like a boomerang, and meet you back at the truck if they lose track of you.

A good squirrel dog will bark at a stranger while running back to their handler, and can even help you find your way if you leash them and tell them to "load up". They'll also bark at a snake in the trail and locate squirrels with ease.

If you're new to hunting with a squirrel dog, be prepared for a whole new aspect of squirrel hunting. Your dog will instinctively bark at the squirrel from the opposite side of the tree, helping you get a shot.

Some tips for training your Feist include:

Remember, training a Feist is more like talking to a small child than barking commands and orders. With patience and consistency, you can develop a strong bond with your squirrel dog and enjoy many successful hunting trips together.

Feist dogs need a job to be fulfilled and not display problem behaviors, which means they require physical and mental exercise.

They need at least one hour of physical exercise per day, but two hours are better, which can be broken up into morning and late afternoon walks or bike rides.

Feist dogs are active in the mornings and late afternoons, and they also need plenty of sleep at night and naps throughout the day to feel active and full of energy again.

House breaking and chewing on everything can be a challenge with a Feist puppy, but starting with a puppy is the best way to bond with a dog.

They are high prey-drive dogs and need to be exercised daily, which can be challenging if you live in a subdivision or apartment.

Feist dogs need a job to be fulfilled, which can be anything that engages them on different levels and drains their physical and mental energy.

They require at least one hour of physical exercise per day, but two hours are even better.

Feist dogs are most active in the mornings and late afternoons, which is when they need to go for walks or bike rides.

They need plenty of sleep at night and naps throughout the day to feel active and full of energy again.

Feist dogs are intelligent and need mental stimulation, which can be provided through food puzzles or games.

They also need structured walks and not just being stuck in a yard, which can lead to problem behaviors if their needs aren't met.

Buying a puppy can be a daunting task, especially if you're new to the world of squirrel dogs. Puppies are cute and do cute things, but they can also be a big headache.

Housebreaking and chewing on everything but the kitchen sink are just the start. Both cur and feist breeds are high prey-drive dogs, requiring daily exercise which can be challenging if you live in a subdivision or apartment.

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You'll want to find an experienced breeder with a track record of turning out healthy, well-socialized pups from an established line of proven tree dogs. Mark Morrison of Canton, Miss, recommends reaching out to long-standing members of the tree dog community to avoid puppy-millers.

A quality tree dog puppy can still be had in the $300 to $500 range, making it a great bargain. Be wary of breeders that pursue quantity over quality.

If you visit the breeder and are confronted with a litter of frolicking puppies, look for ones that show interest in a squirrel hide or tail, especially when presented up the side of a tree. Watch for pups that will put their nose to the ground and appear to be tracking.

A puppy that appears extremely shy or skittish is probably best avoided.

Feists are average shedders, with a short and smooth coat that requires only a few brushings per week.

They do well with a regular grooming routine, but it's essential to keep up with their shedding to prevent hair from getting everywhere.

Shaking out their dog blankets once or twice a week can help keep hair under control, and vacuuming 2-3 times per week will take care of the rest.

I've found that Feists shed less than some other breeds, like Pekingese mixes, but more than Goldendoodles.

Overall, with a little regular maintenance, you can keep your Feist's shedding under control and enjoy their loving companionship.

The Mountain Cur and Feist are just as crazy for squirrels, but they track their prey by scent only.

Mountain Curs are known for their strong prey drive and ability to track squirrels, making them a great breed for squirrel hunting.

The Cajun Squirrel Dog is a mix of Feists and Mountain Curs, weighing between 20-35 lb and having a short coat that's either red, yellow, white and red or brindle.

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This breed has a natural treeing ability, making it a great choice for squirrel hunting.

Any dog will chase and tree a squirrel by sight, but breeds like the Mountain Cur, Mountain Feist, and Treeing Cur have been carefully bred and improved for generations to be consistent and reliable squirrel dogs.

These breeds pick up on non-verbal cues, like setting the direction to hunt on foot, making the handler look like an expert dog trainer.

The Mountain Feist, in particular, is a great breed for squirrel hunting, as they will bark at strangers and snakes, and can even help you find your way if you leash them and tell them to "load up".