Possible moving to the country + coyotes

[Steve Arnold]

I live at the very edge of a small town; the cornfields are just beyond the next street. At night, I can often hear coyotes in the distance. No one in this little subdivision have fenced their yards; we like it open like this. My dogs are strictly indoor dogs and never go out unattended. There are regular sightings in the neighborhood of creatures like deer, coon, skunk (no sightings on that one, but you don't need to see them to know they're around) and so the only dog in this neighborhood who is ever left outside alone could probably eat two coyotes for breakfast and still want more.

A number of years ago, a couple I know here had a beautiful little dog (I don't remember the breed) but the gentleman was an auctioneer and realtor, and this dog almost never left his side. (I know, you don't really expect to find a dog at a real estate closing, but Buddy was there when I sold my condo almost eighteen years ago.) He was one of the friendliest, most mild mannered and well behaved dogs I have ever known. The couple who owned him had a cabin out in the country in addition to their house in town, and one day a group of coyotes came around, and being the friendly soul he was, Buddy approached them with out fear and was killed quite quickly. The woman was unable to save him.

This was the only time I have ever seen a death notice in a newspaper for a dog, but so many people in town knew him that it really wasn't all that surprising.

So yes, here in rural Iowa its definitely something to watch out for.

[Sowa]

The coyotes here are like 65 lbs, I think some places they're a bit smaller. They're probably breeding with large dogs or something.

[kaycountrygal]

I'll add my two cents about coyotes. Yes, we have them in central NC. Often at night I can hear them and then I hear Annie barking. As far as I can tell though, Annie does not leave our yard at night; I hope she doesnt. I am so glad I have my pet goats fenced in; it would be difficult for a coyote to get to them. There is no way ever that I would let my two little girls outside without me. I've never seen a coyote but many people around here have. My neighbor asked me if I had a cat (Luke died) and I told him No, why? He said... if I did, I should keep it inside or coyotes would get it. Scary imo.

[Bonny]

The coyotes here are like 65 lbs, I think some places they're a bit smaller. They're probably breeding with large dogs or something.

They do cross with stray dogs. I have seen a pair of coyotes the size of German Shepherds.

Our cattle get really upset when they come around during calving time. The cows will moo & it is not a normal moo. It raises the hair on the back of your neck. Our horse will prance around in the paddock & nicker. All the animals on the farm warn us when they are around.

The coyotes are hunted around here. They do damage to livestock. My neighbor lost some of his lambs to coyotes one spring & had to lock the whole flock up in the barn.

[IRescue452]

There's an occasional coyote around my rural apartment but Autumn never goes outside alone. I only let her go potty in an open area at night where I can see something approach before it gets to her. I think just keeping an eye on your dogs is a better plan than getting a big dog to be a coyote scare tactic. Keeping prey animals from setting up shop around your home would probably help to keep coyotes from targeting your place too. I know the millions of rabbits around my apartment bring the predators in. You may also consider fencing a smaller yard area for the dogs to be out alone at times without worry.