[B]Do you ever worry about...[/B]

[SWHouston]

I'm lucky I guess, the Potty Area (back yard) here (via Doggy Door) has a very heavy canopy overhead. Just impossible for a predator to "swoop" in and have a line of exit. Besides Sneakers and Becca being larger Yorkies, the Hawk they killed had to "navigate" the foliage as it approached, and that's probably what alerted Becca to grab it. She doesn't care much about Squirrels, but Birds are first on her list of territorial violators.

[Princes mom]

Yes, I do worry, but Ian is never outside without a leash, unless he's on the deck with me or hubby.

[cummins]

When we go to Fl for the winter months she is only allowed outside with me and I have her on a very short leash we have hawks close to us.

[yorkiedorky]

Originally Posted by BLADE

Yes this is a major concern for me. I live in an area where there is a large colony of either buzzards or vultures. I don't know what they are but their wingspan is about as wide as my windshield. I walk with a golf club and they have been known to swoop lower when Kimbo is out. He stays right next to me on his lead. They're beautiful birds and I would never want to hurt one BUT if you see me on CNN one day for hitting a bird with a golf club, it's because he came after my baby. Mama means business.

I don't blame you. If anything or anyone came after my baby and tried to harm him, it's on!

[Princes mom]

I thought this was interesting... How Big a Dog Can Hawks Pick UP??

[SWHouston]

I just read the Link posted...

Given the size of the predators which we have in this area, I think the numbers given are somewhat of an exaggeration.

There also is an issue of how much experience an animal has with dealing with that sort of thing. Their alertness, repeated instances of confrontation, and knowledge of their ability to kill, has a very positive impact on their general ability and attitude to survive. It's been my experience, though there are instincts through breeding, it takes some experience for them to hone those skills.

It gives me a great deal of comfort, knowing if something swoops down on my guys, that predator is going to pay dearly, and has.