Coyote's getting too close

[MarkLeininger]

Re: Coyote\'s getting too close

OK, I'm going to buy one donkey per person on this thread who suggested it. And if at least one of those donkeys doesn't kick the stuffing out of these coyotes, I'm going to load the donkeys all in a horse trailer and deliver one to each of your doorsteps so you can figure out what to do with it.

I'm going to research this some more. We have all kinds of other critters as pets, no reason we shouldn't get a donkey.
thanks

 

[BigAl]

Re: Coyote\'s getting too close

Good luck and it will work . I would look around for a Donkey Rescue Site in your state . I bet there is one .You should be able to find them for free or very little "cost wise" . You don't need a big one .They eat more ! My nieghbor's donkey's are the small ones .
Big Al

 

[Maxfli]

Re: Coyote\'s getting too close

Mark,

Our old address was 39W349, 39 Miles west of State street in the Chicago. West of Elgin, in the country, but not very far. There were Coyote's everywhere. Several people lost pets. Now we moved and were 55 miles west, really out there and there seem to be fewer around. Move west!! I always thought I could fend off just about anything with my son's old paintball gun, High pressure Nitro tank, electronic speed loader, the thing would shoot 2 or 3 balls per second for quite a range. They would probably return on you though.

 

[PBinWA]

Re: Coyote\'s getting too close

There are dog breeds that can take care of Coyotes and those that can't. Your hunting dog may be able to stand up to coyotes (for some reason mine can) but in general it is not what they were bread to do. Dobies, and German Shepherds are a little small for the bigger Coyotes. You need a BIG dog - over 100 lbs is recommended.

If you want a good outdoor Coyote tough dog then consider one of these if you have kids:

Great Pyrenesse

Or one of these if you want a more aggressive Guard Dog.

Akbash Dog

In general, get a big male (or two) if you want to take an aggressive stance against the Coyotes the males will be more likely to go looking for trouble. A female will stay closer to home and be more protective. Of course, these are generalizations.

I think a pack of dogs is always fun to have around but then again I like dogs more than I like people and maybe even more than tractors. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

Unfortunately, finding the right dog can be a lot of work.

 

[DaveNay]

Re: Coyote\'s getting too close

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( There are dog breeds that can take care of Coyotes and those that can't. Your hunting dog may be able to stand up to coyotes (for some reason mine can) but in general it is not what they were bread to do. Dobies, and German Shepherds are a little small for the bigger Coyotes. You need a BIG dog - over 100 lbs is recommended.)</font>

If a dog is really what you are looking for, then a Kuvasz is a very good candidate for guarding your property and all of its residents.

Dave

 

[bczoom]

Re: Coyote\'s getting too close

Dave,

Nice looking dog! Their "buying" page doesn't work but do I assume correctly that these are pretty expensive?

As I mentioned in the other Coyote thread, I'm going to be looking for a dog soon.
I read through the web site and they post cautions with this breed and children on this page

Personally, I don't feel that coyotes are so rampant in my area as to qualify my selection of a dog as a being protector and defender first. I need a good family dog first but something that would stand and fight to protect my kids if the need arises.

Brian

 

[DaveNay]

Re: Coyote\'s getting too close

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Nice looking dog! Their "buying" page doesn't work but do I assume correctly that these are pretty expensive?)</font>

Yes, they are easily in the thousand dollar range for a purebred, and much higher for show quality. They are one of the most beautiful dogs I have ever seen in person though. The warning about children is of course accurate, but I don't believe any more dangerous that the many more common large breeds of dog that are out there.

Dave

 

[stevenf]

Re: Coyote\'s getting too close

MarkL, Come pick up one of mine for a while I've got 2 donkeys, 3 mules, and a mammoth jack. Frankly the youngest mare mule is my best hunter where the other guys will wait a little longer until the wild dogs or coyotes get close before they go into action she'll put her head down and go on the hunt. She can see a dog or coyote from over 1/2 mile away coming thru the brush and by the time it crosses the fence line shes standing there ready to stomp a mud hole and kick it dry. The only problem is she doesn't care for any dogs much although she has learned to put up with our shop dogs and the ranch guard dog but it is a fragile relationship she has with them as they feel threatened by her being anywhere close and then they do the bark and growl thing which in turn turns on her OhYeah well if I catch ya I'm going to kill ya thing. We tried a Great Pyrenees and he was OK the only problem is you have to raise them with what they are supposed to protect and wouldn't go on the hunt unless the herd was threatened where the donkeys and mules just plain don't like dogs and anything that looks like a dog so they rid themselves of this by giving chase and if they catch them wave bye bye. Although I do find that I like to keep my shooting hand in good working order while I'm there if your not there its nice to know someone is minding the hen house. For your purposes a single full size donkey is the best bet as they are healthier and require no or very little maintenance and are hardier than a minature and far cheaper. Be careful with the adopt a burro bunch I'm not saying its bad just read the fine print, vet bills and the adoption agency having unlimited rights to come check on you and the animal anytime they want scared me off they require 2 vet checkups a year I think which just that cost alone pays for a donkey of your very own with no one to tell you what you can and can't do with it. If you do decide to get a donkey get one that is youngish maybe a year or so old and make good friends early as with any equine they can be a pain if they aren't able to be handled. Also be prepared to fence out anything that you'd prefer for it not to eat because your honey's petunias hanging from its lips will have her in attack mode. My neighbors around the ranch have all had government hunters on their ranches the last 2 years shooting, trapping and poisoning coyotes and we've not seen one set more than a couple of paws on the ranch without one of the asses knowing about it and running them off they haven't killed one that I've found for a couple of years as the coyotes have figured out where not to go play at. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Steve

 

[Freds]

Re: Coyote\'s getting too close

If I had to choose between a Hungarian Kuvasz and a Grt Pyr, the Grt Pyr would win out without thinking. While their lifespan may not be as long, they are much more amiable. They seem to adapt more readily to changes, including what they are supposed to be guarding and are great with kids... when supervised like any dog should be.
I've boarded both and dealing with a HK is like dealing with a Chow or a cat for that matter. Very independent and hard to read. Nice dogs with a purpose, but "elusive".
I don't know if I could own a donkey or a goat for that matter. I like to interact with my animals. Just cause I have the room doesn't mean I want one. I may have to deal with coyotes in my area shortly, they're here, and if I have to finish fencing in the back field or put up an invisible fence... it will be a Grt Pyr that is my property guardian. Those dogs just aren't happy unless they are standing in a field looking around. I can't say enough good things about that breed.

 

[stevenf]

Re: Coyote\'s getting too close

Freds, I,m down in Texas and big dogs and heat don't go well together our Great Pyrenees only lasted about 7 years but he was a brute he weighed in about 180 and it was all mean when and he needed to be. Up where you guys are at I'd expect to get closer to 10 years out of them about 8 productive years because the first is spent training and the last is spent dying. I know that sounds ugly but I love dogs and when we lose one its like a family member passing we take our shop dogs everywhere mines 1/2 blue healer, 1/4 anatolian shepard and a 1/4 great pyrenees she is a beautiful dog but not much size only 70lbs or so my honey's is a full blooded rott and the ranch guard is a 1/2 doberman 1/2 german shepard. All this said you need to go visit some donkeys if you get them young they are self sufficient, gentle, fun to have around both of our little guys have a great sense of humor, their life expectancy is something like 30 years, they can graze on almost anything and derive sufficient nutrional value to need no grain or other store bought food, they cost about $100 to buy a young nothing special donkey preferably a jenny and last but not least they are already out in the field protecting your fence lines from erant dogs and coyotes and they are there full time where a dog stands a good chance in most families of being brought inside in inclement weather at least if not most of the time so the coyotes are free to come play until fido is let out to do his job if you can peel him or her away from the wood stove. Again I love dogs but that donkey has got to be sounding pretty good about now especially when the intial cost of the animal for a good line of pyrenees is around $500. + food, vet bills, and a very short life span compared to the donkey. Besides that way you can say Jackass and not get the look from your honey of course she can also say it looking straight at you as mine often does and then counters with Oh I was thinking about Melvin(he's the mammoth jack). /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Steve