Tiny toy dogs and hawks - are you aware of any serious problems in this regard?

[Stinky The Clown]

We had two people from a rescue over today. The little dog seemed to get on great with our two. Even Little, who is our wrapped tight alpha bitch, tolerated her and then even laid next to her. Big shared her toys.

They were here to inspect our house. Everything was hunky dory with them except for one point. One of the rescue ladies noticed the trees on and adjacent to our property, and the presence of hawks. We have at least one resident pair, maybe two. They generally hunt a vacant wooded parcel behind our house, across the brook, and in the fully wooded backyard of one of our next door neighbors.

The concern was a hawk taking the dog, who is maybe ten or twelve pounds, tops.

Have any of you ever heard where this is a problem?

I have no doubt such little dogs get snatched. I have no doubt that a hawk is capable of it. But how common an issue is it? Our hawks have a *lot* of prey here as they are the local apex predators and, beneath them, there's not much to mess with the rodent population. Maybe a few black snakes, and that's about it. Well, there are the neighborhood cats, too, all of which are still here, perfectly safe from being snatched - so far.

The rescue ladies seem to be advising that we build a run for the little dog. I'm not opposed if that the problem is real, but all things being equal, I'd rather not bother.

Comments? Thoughts?

[Coyote_Bandit]

1. There's a hawk's nest in my neighbor's BIG tree

Red hawks. It has been occupied every year for the last 8 years at least. Both of my two small doggies (12-15 pounds) have survived the hawks just fine. As have all the other neighborhood pets. My dogs are outside right now and have been most of the day. I'm really not worried about the hawks snatching them - and I've certainly got no intention of building them a run just because the hawks fancy the neighbors tree. If I were working with a rescue group that required that of me to adopt a dog then I'd tell them to get lost. There are lots of animals in need of good homes - and lots of sources to get them. I'd find another source for adopting a needy animal.

Check with local vets. One of my dogs came from a local vet. Although my vet works with several local rescue groups she also places animals. A few weeks ago when I was there she had 5 animals available for adoption in her practice - one of which came with free veterinary care for the remainder of its life. Some of the animals she places are the pets of clients (or family members) who have died - and she has their medical history. Some of the animals she places have had the misfortune of being left tied to her door to be discovered and "rescued" by her clinic.

Read your newspaper classifieds - ours inevitably lists lots of animals available for adoption for free. Depending on who is trying to place the animal you might even be able to find out more information about it than those that are being placed by the rescue groups.

Let your friends and family know you are looking for a new animal. I once got a 3 day old orphaned pup that had to be bottle fed because her mother dug out of the yard only to be struck and killed by a car. More recently I got a purebred pup that was sired by a champion showdog. His breeder wouldn't place him because he had relatively minor kidney damage - from chewing on something he ought not have chewed on as a young teething pup. Before coming to me he had had an ultrasound, DNA testing and consults with several vets - and a veterinary teaching hospital - regarding both the source of his health problems and his long-term prognosis. While his diet is restricted he has otherwise lived a normal doggie life and is now well into his senior years.

There are lots of animals in need of good homes and they can be rescued without ever having to deal with a "rescue" group. Oftentimes they can be obtained for less money. If you're lucky they sometimes come with some or all of their future vet expenses paid.

Just my opinion. I'm not trashing rescue groups here I'm just pointing out that there really are lots of animals that need good homes and many can be "rescued" from places other than rescue groups.

[Stinky The Clown]

4. That's kinda my view, too. Yes, it absolutley *could* happen, but is it common or rare?

West coast pets get eaten by coyotes

Mountain pets get lost to bears or mountain lions.

Gulf coast dogs get crocodiled

Birds of prey are everywhere.

Yes, it happens. But how often? Seems to me it is so infrequent it actually still makes the news - sometimes the national news.

[Sparkly]

2. Well, *I* say we should just build the little kennel.

We have a great place for it just next to our side door, so she could go outside in various weather and be fine. If she had to go out while I was in the middle of --oh, say boiling eggs in somebody's prized copper pot, I could let her out there quickly without leaving the eggs to ruin the pot... (just sayin'). She could run around in any weather, and without us worrying.

She is just the sweeeeetest little dog and I want her! I'll put pink pom-poms all around the kennel, and make a pink canopy top trimmed in lace. Okay, Stinky? You build it, I'll decorate! Then I'll give her hairdos with little bows, and Sparkly Fairy Princess dresses.

Seriously, I don't see what the problem is with having a little fenced area out there, made in such a way that we can move it around, like a doggy playpen sort of. Stinky and Stinky Jr. are concerned that it'd be "an eyesore." However, there's been no compunctions about leaving other things out there, such as old tires, a broken fish tank, skanky looking little trees glommed onto the siding, a boat with bright blue tarp catching wet leaves, and of course, the infamous broken down truck that sat out there for years...

Maybe we should take this to the lounge and put it to a vote.

Then if they vote "yes" to the dogrun, we put up the dogrun. If they vote "no" to the dogrun, we put up the dogrun. Mkay?

[Stinky The Clown]

3. Alert

Personal attack

:)

[CC]

5. Not sure how much it happens in

Maryland but it does happen. Have a friend with Yorkies and they never ever go outside without a leash and a person on one end of the leash unless they are in their kennel. Their people don't even trust a covered kennel enough to let them out alone for even a few minutes. They only go in so they can run around with out a leash while their people watch over them.

I would think of it this way, what if something happened? How would you feel? Is it worth taking the risk just because you might not like the way a kennel looks? Also when it comes to smaller dogs they can be more at risk to other critters, in MD raccoons can be mean and dangerous. Had one try to take on my shepherd and it wasn't rabid. (Shepherd won, raccoon got tested because it bit and scratched shepherd pretty bad.)

Have to add, having had a Shih Tzu when growing up, those dogs can climb like a cat if they want to. They can be pretty good at defending themselves though. Fun dogs, lovable dogs and smart dogs. Sometimes too smart for their own good. Missy used to run and jump as we walked in the door confident that we would open our arms and catch her for hugs. They can jump high, she was usually about head high. We learned fast to set whatever down and walk in empty handed. Once she got her hugs we could bring in whatever.

[MadMaddie]

6. Stinky The Clown I am in WA state and we have a lot of Hawks

here. We hear about these stories all the time and it's either Coyotes or Hawks. It does happen and sadly not an Urban Legend.

My suggestion if you are going to get small dogs put a run or a caged area that is covered on all three sides.

We have seen a Hawk pick up a 10-13 pound Salmon here like it was nothing.

Hope you get them.(Clarification I hope you get the doggies)

MadMaddie

[BrklynLiberal]

7. A small run would not be the worst thing to have in the yard.

You can attach it to the garage,perhaps...or laundry room..so the dog/s can go in and out at will.

http://www.seefido.com/html/dog_kennel_runs_pen_fence_.htm


http://www.seefido.com/html/building_a_dog_run.htm

http://ezinearticles.com/?Build-a-Dog-Run-in-Your-Backyard&id=1211497

http://www.fencespecialists.com/blog/backyard-ideas/building-a-dog-run/

[Holly_Hobby]

8. I saw a hawk eyeing neighbor's Toy Fox Terrier

The hawk was sitting on top the fence with it's back to me when I came out my side door. He was quietly observing the neighbor's dog. He turned around and gave me a really scary look, like he was trying to intimidate me. He certainly wasn't afraid of me at all. I opened my door and called out my dogs and they scared him away. I saw him a few more times within a month or so, then never again.

I would not leave a small dog outside alone here.

[phylny]

9. When our now 12 pound Cavalier King Charles Spaniel was

a tiny puppy (she was about 4 pounds at the time) we were out in the backyard in the Hudson Valley of New York, and a hawk swooped down on her, and then veered away (I assume because of my presence). So, it happens, although I can't see a hawk grabbing a 10- or 12-pound dog.

[Withywindle]

10. Yes, it can happen.

Your little dog is about the same size as an average cat, and they do fall prey to hawks from time to time.


I don't think it's *hugely* common, but it can happen. (Here in the midwest, coyotes are a MUCH bigger worry now.)

I don't think you really need to build a sheltered run as long as you commit to always being outside with the little guy and being vigilant.

[Stinky The Clown]

11. We'll be building her a kennel

On Friday, I was able to keep an eye on activity in the yard. The trees are essentially leafless, so it was easier to spot raptors. Over the course of the day, quite a number of them were in evidence. At one point, I saw three hawks at the same time, but can not say that is all there are.

Over the course of the day I saw the hawks, a vulture, and a very large owl. They land on the same four or five branches overlooking the clear area of the yard. They probably patrol the wooded areas, too, but I didn't notice them. The hawks appeared to be in the 3 lb range, but the owl was considerably larger.

There is feast of prey for them in the wooded area. We also have a small barn/shed in the back that is over run with field mice. Then there are squirrels and rabbits galore, small snakes, frogs, etc. Seems like the dog is too much weight and too much work to carry, but the threat is still there.

We were given a brand new 8' x 8' kennel, so we'll build that. If it works for us, we've been asked to donate $50 to the animal rescue in return.

[Warpy]

12. I don't know about dogs, friends let their Mexican rat dogs out here

but I got a little nervous for my cats when I saw a hawk in a tree eyeing them and licking its beak. My cats have been indoor critters since then.

There are other things that dine on small pets out here, though, coyotes being the worst of the lot. Most people don't let small dogs out at night unless they go with them.