feist
Southern tree dog
A feist is a small, scrappy dog of mixed breed, typically used for hunting squirrels and other small game in the rural American South.
The word suggests a dog that's energetic and spirited despite its size—quick, yappy, and eager to chase.
The related adjective feisty, meaning spirited or quarrelsome, derives from this scrappy little hunter.
That feist treed three squirrels before noon.
Small vermin-hunting dog
- curContemptible beast or person
- treeingChasing up limbs
- AmericanFrom the U.S.
- nativeOriginating from a place
companion · hunting-dog · Southern · Appalachian · Ozark · homestead · ratting
Full of vim
- spunkyCourageous and lively
- scrappyAggressively spirited despite odds
- pluckyCourageous despite disadvantage
- tenaciousStubbornly determined to continue
bold · energetic · vivacious · peppy · animated · lively · frisky · exuberant
Chasing up limbs
- squirrelBushy-tailed tree rodent
- rattingInforming against associates
- verminHarmful small animals
- quarryPit for extracting rock
chase · bay · trail · scent · flush · pursuit · game · woodsmanship
Limited in size
- compactTightly packed together
- diminutiveVery small, or nickname form
- petiteSmall and delicate
- pint-sizedVery small in size
wee · little · miniature · lightweight · short-legged · pocket-sized · undersized · bantam
Warning or watchfulness
- vigilantKeenly aware of danger
- watchfulCarefully attentive, observant
- barkingCanine vocal outburst
- territorialDefensive about owned space
protective · wary · keen · sharp-eyed · attentive · guarding · warning · suspicious
terrier
Small vermin-hunting dog
native · companion · hunting-dog · Southern · Appalachian · Ozark · homestead · ratting
spirited
Full of vim
- spunkyCourageous and lively
- scrappyAggressively spirited despite odds
- pluckyCourageous despite disadvantage
tenacious · bold · energetic · vivacious · peppy · animated · lively · frisky · exuberant · zippy
treeing
Chasing up limbs
quarry · chase · bay · trail · scent · flush · pursuit · game · woodsmanship · tenacity
small
Limited in size
- compactTightly packed together
- diminutiveVery small, or nickname form
- petiteSmall and delicate
pint-sized · wee · little · miniature · lightweight · short-legged · pocket-sized · undersized · bantam · sturdy
alert
Warning or watchfulness
territorial · protective · wary · keen · sharp-eyed · attentive · guarding · warning · suspicious · observant