What is a Coyote? And why do we need protection from them? Coyotes, also known as the American Jackal, Prairie wolf, and Brush wolf, are a canine or dog-like species native to North America. They are reportedly responsible for killing more than 300,000 livestock annually in the USA.
In this death toll, cattle, sheep, goats, and calves are included, which pose as the most vulnerable prey. Livestock predation often involves smaller and unconfined animals, and ranchers resort to lethal control to protect their livestock, marking coyotes as one of the leading causes of livestock losses.
These coyotes rarely attack humans, with only 142 reported accidents and 159 in the U.S and Canada. However, these Coyotes are wild animals that may view smaller pets as prey. Hence, keeping your pets and livestock away from coyotes will protect them from various illnesses and loss of precious lives.
Best Dog Breeds To Protect Against Coyotes
Here are some dog breeds that can not only protect but also kill coyotes if needed. Honestly, if these pups were featured in Teen Wolf, Scott wouldn’t have to worry about driving away the Werecoyote “The Desert Wolf,” and Malia would have had a bigger, better family of canines:
1. Rhodesian Ridgeback
This large and cool guy hails from Southern Rhodesia, present-day Zimbabwe, which is a region in Southern Africa and was developed in the 17th century by combining the native Khoi Khoi dog with the European breeds brought in by the colonials, including terriers and greyhounds. The Rhodesian Ridgeback is an incredible guard dog and protector. Its muscular body and beautiful wheaten coats give this dog a majestic presence.
This dog is also known as the African lion hound because of their history of helping to hunt lions in the Savannah. These dogs are exceptionally equipped and talented at tracking down prey and can also hold quarry at bay, which makes them good livestock guardian dogs and also wonderful home protectors.
The Rhodesian ridgeback is an agile sprinter and is capable of reaching a speed of 30 to 40 miles per hour in short bursts. Making the Rhodesian Ridgeback appropriate for guarding and scaring coyotes away. They also have a deep and loud bark, which can deter the coyote attacks effectively.
According to PDSA, the Rhodesian Ridgebacks may scare away and repel coyotes due to their size, strength, stamina, and protective nature. However, they cannot fully safeguard you or your livestock against coyotes. Hence, it is necessary to provide them with training to guard against coyotes.
Be careful about your pets and small dogs, and make sure to protect them by preventing and avoiding direct encounters with predators like wolves and coyotes, who can transmit diseases to your precious furry companions. However, these hunting dogs are independent, courageous, fierce, and loyal, which makes them a good all-around guard dog. Hence, you don’t need to worry too much about them.
2. Great Pyrenees
The Great Pyrenees is another breed that has the heritage of being an ultimate protector and has been used as a livestock guardian since at least 1200 CE. The Great Pyrenees can repel attackers, especially coyotes, as they weigh 85 to 115 pounds.
This adorable and fluffy dog has a thick coat and large imposing size, and a deep booming bark that can deter coyotes easily. This pup is the vigilant protector and remains alert at all times, be it night or day, and stands guard if they perceive a threat, like a coyote or a predator, nearby.
AKC explains that the Great Pyrenees is a large breed and has a strong sense of loyalty to its family. Another unique quality of this livestock guardian dog is that it can independently stand guard and watch over the herd without the presence of its owner. Hence, even if these livestock guardian dogs are often kept outside or in a barn, unlike house dogs, it will not affect them in a bad way, because of their aloof and independent nature.
The great pyrenees is a strong dog that was originally bred for protecting livestock in the Pyrenees Mountains from large predators like wolves and bears. Hence, the Great Pyrenees is an ideal guard dog to not only keep coyotes at bay but also hunt and kill them if needed. They have a PSI bite force of 500-650 and have strong jaws that can easily take down a coyote or even a wolf.
3. Anatolian Shepherd
Purina vouches for the Anatolian Shepherd that hails from the Anatolian region of Turkey and was developed from a line of shepherds, the Coban Kopegi or Shepherd’s dog, to protect and guard livestock. The Anatolian Shepherd is famous for its ability to defend against predators like coyotes because of their muscular physique and rugged nature.
Anatolian Shepherds face minimal shedding because they have a thick double-layered coat that is coarse and weather resistant, and have a minimal odor, making them suitable for living around livestock.
These dogs have an independent and aloof temperament and commanding attitudes. They make an excellent choice for a watchdog, aren’t cuddly like a velcro dog, but are extremely loyal and possessive about what’s theirs. They are also territorial, due to which they instinctively protect their homes and family members from perceived threats like coyotes or other animals in the wild.
You should consider adopting an Anatolian shepherd if you live in the countryside or in a place that has more predators and coyotes around. Because these dogs are massive and powerful, intelligent and fierce guard dogs, and can easily face and kill coyotes if needed because they have a bite force of 200-400 PSI.
4. Akbash
The Akbash is another Turkish dog breed hailing from western Anatolia, the word “Akbaş” means white head in turkish, and this slightly long and tall white dog, with a curled up long tail and a wedge shaped head along with pendant ears is a reliable protector and livestock guardian dog with an interesting long history of safeguarding livestock.
This dog is strong, agile, and naturally protective with a calm and composed demeanour. These dogs are massive and can cover large areas, and are always vigilant and alert, looking out for predators like the coyotes. They have an intimidating presence, which makes them formidable defenders.
Akbash dogs have natural protective instincts to guard against threats like coyotes, and also easily blend in with the herd because of their white coat, and then surprise the predators out of nowhere, scaring them away efficiently.
The Akbash is a large dog with immense power and a bold nature who can easily take down a coyote if needed as well. This dog has a PSI bite force of 200-400, which is lower than other dogs but still significant.
5. Boxer
According to Pawlicy Advisor, this medium to large dog was developed in Germany for hunting savage game like bears and wild boars. It is a short-haired dog breed of mastiff-type, and it might be an expressive, emotional, and sensitive guy at home, but it is a fearless protector with a brave attitude outside.
The boxer might not get into a wrestling match with a coyote, but has great speed and can easily chase coyotes, which makes them scared.
Boxers have a barbaric history of being used for bullbaiting and hunting. Hence, these dogs are capable of protecting your home and family. If you live on a ranch or a farm in the countryside, this muscular boxer can be an incredibly helpful dog who can deter predators and keep your turf safe from coyotes or wolves. However, these Guardian dogs need proper training and care to be effective in their protection role.
6. Saint Bernard
This massive mountain dog hailing from the Swiss and Italian Alps is a dignified and strong breed that helps in rescuing people from white death (avalanche). Mountaineers and monks rely on this mighty dog to take them to safety. Hence, the presence of this powerful defender, and a large dog, can deter coyotes from approaching an area.
VCA Hospitals says the Saint Bernard is a loyal breed that works great with children, is an active livestock guardian breed, often linked to the Alpine Mastiff. These dogs are both formidable and friendly.
Their deep bark and large stature make them powerful dogs that can not only scare most coyotes and other predators away. But also keep your family and kids safe. These dogs are fearless and bold, which is why they don’t hesitate to protect their turf when they sense a threat.
These dogs are exceptional as livestock guardian dogs and have all the attributes for coyote protection, like alertness, vigilance, bravery, speed, strength, size, and agility; however, they lack aggression, which is necessary for guard dogs to deter threats and face wild animals. Hence, if you are thinking about adopting a Saint Bernard as a guard dog, then this large breed will be the best friend to your children and a playful pet.
These dogs are fun-loving and friendly, but have a bite force of 200-450 PSI. Hence, they can impose much harm on other predators and coyotes if needed. But you should also take precautions to protect your dog from direct encounters with wild animals and coyotes.
7. Tosa Inu
This Japanese dog, the Tosa Inu, has a violent history for dog fighting and is still used legally for this sport in Japan. These dogs are also called the “Sumo Wrestlers of the dog world. This dog originated in Tosa, Shikoku (present day Kōchi) as a fighting dog and is a rare and dangerous breed whose ownership is restricted in some countries because of its aggressiveness and behavior. But these large dog with strong, muscular builds makes great guard dogs and livestock guardians.
The Tosa Inu will not keep coyotes away, but they will also hunt them if needed. If you are looking for a dog that can fully defend you against coyotes, then the Tosa Inu is a perfect fit. They have a bite force of 556 PSI, are naturally protective of their territory and family, and will tear down their enemies, aka the wild animals, to shreds in a one-on-one fight. These dogs are unforgivable when facing predators and do whatever they can to keep their owners safe.
However if you live on a open farm or ranch and have lots of livstock to protect, make sure to build a strong fence, and keep your dogs who are smaller and gentle in temperament in a safe and secure location because coyotes are vicious predators that can hurt smaller prey like chickens, goats, sheeps, small dogs and calves.
Conclusion
On an ending note some of the other dogs that become great deterrents and protectors against coyotes are the Kuvasz, with a bite force of 600 PSI these dogs are protective of their family and loyal, requiring socialization to avoid aggression but take down coyotes if things get serious and the Maremma Sheepdogs who are known for their protective instincts and devotion to livestock.
Some breeds that are not ideal for protecting against coyotes are the golden retriever and small dogs which can defend themselves easily. If you have other pets or other breeds of dogs on your property, make sure they receive training for protection against coyotes and other animals.
Many coyotes are hunted and taken down every year for hurting livestock on ranches and farms, and many Humans tend to believe killing them is the solution for this huge problem. However, ecologists and nature preservers disagree with them because killing these coyotes will only harm the natural balance of the ecosystem. It is better to deter these animals away and protect yourself rather than hunting them down mercilessly, Peaceful co-existence should be prioritized to protect the environment.
