Toronto Folks CoyDogs and Coyotes in the city Some of you who live in Toronto, might be aware that a Coywolf was shot in the streets of I think Riverdale just last week. Two things I heard; areas are the Don Valley and down by that creek that runs to the Lake. Must be old timers I can see it - I can't remember it's name but it is near Pottery Road I believe. Also Cherry Beach there have been sightings. Now apart from our Yorkies vulnerability, Coyotes and Coy Dogs can have mange. It is very infectious. Here is a link to an article Coyotes As we approach warmer weather heads up,eyes open on walks; etc. |
I watched that show with passion as well. We walk (during the day only) along a path near our home where there are also coyotes. I am very cautious walking there even though the path is along a baseball/soccer field and can't believe how many ppl take their small dogs down into the raveen along the creek without their leashes on. NOT ME. :eek: |
I'll add that you don't just have to watch out for your dogs' safety. Leashed or not, they can, will and do attack and try to drag small dogs away... But also in Canada, (though I cannot recall where off the top of my head) a young lady was attacked and killed by a pack of coyotes. I watched a show, where experts pretty much agreed that they targeted stalked and attacked her like she was a prey animal. |
Quote:
There is a gorgeous hiking and camping trail there. Also experts say I've read that the coyotes don't have huge packs like wolves do; how-ever there is definitely a pack of at least 7 coyotes in Centennial Park where I walk my big boy. Razzle my small one, I walk in a totally different area. And I now feel like I should be armed! The article says a whistle which I usually have strung around my neck, and an umbrella. I don't like walking my big boy and my small one together. My big boy is very very protective of me and our pack. If a coyote pack thinks Razzle is fair game, and attacks I am left with a heart rendering decision. I am also hampered to defend, as I will need to pick up a wiggling very defensive 6lb dog up to try to keep him safe! It is as I have said before, one thing a big and small dog owner needs to think about. The one time in the country no less; on a country very quiet road, I walked Magic and Razzle together, along with my friend who had 3 Yorkies on lead, two running on ahead. We got "attacked" by a Rottie Mix. If Magic had not been there we would have been in serious dippey do. But if that Rottie had decided to actually attack Magic, I would have been severely hampered to defend. Magic through his bark and his aggressive posturing, stopped the Rottie in it's pursuit of the two off lead Yorkies. Thankfully those Yorkies obeyed their owner's recall command. But she was not available to assist me and my dogs in any way. Her job was to keep her 5 Yorkies safe. while I have a Guard and Protect breed, and if I might say so, one very excellent at both; I would never arbitrarily put him into a situation to have to do either! And just so you know, some BRT owners think I am soft/wimpey. Isn't that why you got a Guard and Protect Breed? Well no acutally not. It is because they are super intelligent, make great obedience dogs, have such a loyal heart, and bond so very deeply with their owners. All they truly want to do is be around you. You want to cycle okay with me. You want to swim that is okay with me. You want to hike sure. You want to lounge on the coach...Move over! I am there for you. Kind of like Big Yorkies:D:D It is why I walk them separately, and swim them separately. Hiking I usually do with my husband and we are one on one with the dogs. That is to say one has the big boy, one has Razzle. The Razzle walker knows that if there is a situation that boy is picked up and gotten out of there. |
I understand your dilemma. It's scary to think what to do if another dog goes after your little dog, while you're walking both. I had the same issue when I had Horse, an 85 lb pit bull and his pet rat Tiny, a 3 lb chihuahua. Horse would not walk without Tiny, and Tiny would not walk without Horse. So every day there was that worry, what if today is the day one of these punks decided to test Horse and let one of their dogs loose on him? What if today is the day that some stray decides to go after Tiny? It never happened, but the thought was always there. I have been looking at livestock guardian breeds, because I expect I shall need something to keep the weasels out of the rabbits, the foxes out of the chickens and the coyotes/stray dogs out of the goats. But I have a confession.. I don't think I have it in me to BE a LSG owner, since they're supposed to stay out there with the livestock, and I like having my dogs in the house, lol. But the same thing would go, since you imprint your LSG on all your animals, especially your other dogs, since you don't want your LSG getting upset when your housedogs take a sniff at the rabbits and deciding to eat the house dog... and at 120 plus lbs, Pixie at barely 4 lbs is only a nibble, lol. I actually saw my very first BRT in person. VERY nice, VERY personable dog. VERY VERY large, lol. The lady had gotten hers from Russia, actually and she told me that they are little dogs in a big dog body. |
I know in some ways it is silly for me to worry like this. Afterall the big boys are just doing what they were bred and if trained (trained to do). But I would be heartbroken if Magic got injured protecting me or our pack. Especially if I could do nothing to protect him. I want to be able to protect to. It can be a confusing situation. As a dog owner, you invest love, time and caring into your dog... big or small. For a LSG, yes they do need to live out with the livestock to be of best use in guarding them. Which breed are you thinking of? |
The breed I have fallen the most in love with is somewhat related to your breed, the Caucasian Ovcharka. I saw my first one over 20 years ago, an Armenian guy had him as a delivery yard dog, and I asked him what breed this dog was, and that was what he told me. I just remember how majestic this dog was, and as great as my dog skills were, even when he stopped trying to attack me, stopped barking at me, he never stopped being suspicious of me. I am guessing the guy had his family send the dog to him, since his ears were cropped, and not a good crop, more a chop the ear off kind of crop. I have had a soft spot in my heart for that breed since I found out it was a real breed, and not one the guy made up, lol. The Anatolian/Kangal/Akbash type of dog also has some appeal to me. Not as much as the Ovcharka though, lol. |
All times are GMT -8. The time now is 11:08 PM. |
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.9
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Copyright ©2003 - 2018 YorkieTalk.com
Privacy Policy - Terms of Use