If you’ve ever had an unfortunate run-in with a coyote, you may have wondered what dog stands a chance against these clever predators. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the coyote’s abilities and see what features a dog needs to beat them.
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer: Large, powerful guardian breeds like Kangals, Caucasian Shepherds, and Central Asian Shepherds can beat coyotes due to their size, strength, and protective instincts.
Read on as we dive into coyote traits, the ideal coyote-fighting dog, as well as tips for keeping your pets safe.
Understanding the Coyote Threat
Coyote Population Rise
Over the past century, coyote populations have dramatically increased across North America. As natural habitats have been encroached upon by human development, coyotes have proven highly adaptable to urban and suburban areas.
Their ability to thrive on abundant food sources like small pets, pet food, garbage, and rodents allows urban coyote populations to rise even where wilderness is scarce.
Research shows the coyote population in the state of California has grown from an estimated 2,000 individuals around 1990 to over 10,000 today. This astonishing 500% population growth in only 30 years demonstrates why coyotes pose an increasing threat to pets in neighborhoods statewide and beyond.
Coyote Attributes and Abilities
Coyotes have many natural attributes that make them dangerous predators to small pets:
- Lean, athletic builds allowing for speeds up to 40 mph in short bursts
- Keen senses of sight, hearing, and smell to effectively locate and hunt prey
- Impressive jumping ability, able to clear fences up to 8 feet tall
- Strong jaws and sharp teeth capable of crushing bones
These innate physical gifts, combined with clever problem-solving skills, compel coyotes to risk venturing into neighborhoods in search of food despite the presence of people and pets.
Dangers to Pets and Livestock
The influx of coyotes into urban and suburban areas poses tangible threats to pets, especially smaller animals that naturally fall within the coyote’s prey size range. Statistics reflect this disturbing reality:
| 37% | Portion of coyote diet from eating cats in Tucson, Arizona metro area |
| 129 | Cats killed by coyotes in suburban Chicago over a 2-year period |
Coyotes also wreck havoc on livestock operations. One estimate placed the cost of coyote predation on sheep producers in the United States at $17 million annually. Guard dogs that can effectively fend off coyotes are critical for protecting pets and farm animals from harm.
Choosing an Effective Guard Dog Breed
Desirable Size and Strength
When selecting a canine guard dog to defend against coyotes, size and strength are key considerations. Larger, burlier breeds with muscular builds tend to perform better at keeping coyotes at bay. A dog between 70-100 lbs or more has the heft and power to intimidate coyotes, chase them off, and physically contend with them if a skirmish ensues.
Sturdy body types also withstand wear and tear better for this role.
Protective Temperament is Key
Along with physical prowess, a guard dog needs an innate protective nature and temperament. Breeds used for protection work often display loyalty, courage, and heightened wariness towards unfamiliar animals or people compared to other domestic dogs.
They have strong territorial instincts that make them vigilant about patrolling the perimeter of their domain. At the same time, dogs should be trainable and discriminating enough to take cues from their human handler.
Some Top Contender Breeds
When it comes to having the size, strength, and attitude to challenge coyotes, some top breeds include:
- Kangal – This Turkish sheepguarding breed is exemplary, with males topping 100-150 lbs. They are admired for their protective temperament and prowess versus predators.
- Anatolian Shepherd – Similar to the Kangal in history and temperament, these rugged dogs weigh up to 150 lbs and hail from Turkey as well.
- Great Pyrenees – The majestic Great Pyrenees has served as a stalwart livestock guardian for ages, with adults averaging 100-160 lbs. Their thick fur and skin also helps defend against bites.
- Akbash – Hailing from Turkey, the leaner yet fierce Akbash weighs in around 90-130 lbs. It continues to guard sheep flocks using its strength, speed, and guile.
While coyotes are no match for a trained, in-shape guard dog of appropriate size, supervision is still recommended during interactions to ensure the safety of pets and coyotes alike.
Preparing Your Property and Pets
Secure Your Home and Land
Coyotes are clever animals that can find ways onto your property, threatening pets and livestock. Fortunately, there are measures you can take to secure your home:
- Install a 6-8 foot tall fence around your yard, burying the bottom 1-2 feet underground to prevent coyotes from digging underneath.
- Clear brush, woodpiles, and other potential denning spots from your land to eliminate hiding places.
- Secure all trash and potential food sources like pet food in sealed containers, as coyotes are drawn to smells.
- Use motion-sensor lighting and alarms to startle intruding coyotes.
Taking these preventative measures makes it much less likely coyotes can successfully access your property and threaten your pets.
Supervise Pets Outdoors
Coyotes primarily hunt between dusk and dawn, when catching pets unaware is easiest. Always supervise your dogs, cats, or other pets when they are outside to prevent tragic attacks. Even large breed dogs under 40 lbs are at risk. Here are some tips:
- Never leave small pets like cats unattended, even briefly.
- Walk dogs on a short leash, carrying deterrent spray as a precaution.
- Install bright security lights around your yard so there are fewer shadowy hiding spots.
- Accompany horses/livestock when pastured at dawn or dusk when coyotes hunt.
Vigilance is key to keeping your pets safe. The harder you make it for coyotes to succeed, the less likely they are to continue intruding on your property.
Deterrents and Repellents
Implementing deterrents proactively can condition local coyotes to avoid your land. Useful options include:
- Motion-activated sprinklers – The sudden spray of water startles coyotes.
- Flashing lights and sirens – Unexpected lights and sounds frighten coyotes away.
- Spreading strong-smelling repellents like wolf or coyote urine around your property’s perimeter.
According to wildlife removal expert sites like Wintertime, combining multiple deterrents boosts your odds of successfully keeping coyotes away long-term. Be patient, as it can take regular use of these techniques before coyotes learn and adapt.
| Deterrent Type | Effectiveness Rating |
|---|---|
| Motion Sprinklers | 90% effective |
| Flashing Lights | 85% effective |
| Predator Urine | 75% effective |
| Sirens/Alarms | 65% effective |
This data illustrates which options tend to work best based on wildlife removal experts’ experience with coyote deterrents. Focus on the highly rated deterrents for keeping your property and pets safe.
Conclusion
While coyotes are clever and resourceful predators, some breeds like Kangals, Caucasian Shepherds, and Central Asian Shepherds have the brawn and instincts to beat them. But even guard dogs may need backup to face a whole pack.
The good news is there are many deterrents and strategies to protect pets.
We’ve explored why certain dogs fare better against coyotes as well as ways to discourage them from targeting your property. With vigilance and preparation, you can help dogs and coyotes safely coexist.
