During the chase they will wade through streams, leap over logs, and dash across roads to get to their 'prey'. When they have 'treed' a squirrel, they will chase the squirrel until it leaves their sight. They 'tree' squirrels, keeping them in the tree by barking loudly and circling the tree, in the same manner that a coonhound trees raccoons.
During the hunt these dogs are quiet until they sight a squirrel.
It is considered to be an specialist to hunt squirrels. The Buckley Mountain Feist dog is bred for hunting small game like rabbits, squirrels and all other rodents. The coat is short and closely fitted to the body.
Most common colors for this dog are light brown, black, and white. The dog comes in many different colors due to inconsistency in its breeding.