Coydogs. Are they real creatures, or just the stuff of urban legend? As the name implies, a coydog would be a cross between a coyote and a dog. But according to Chrissie Henner, a biologist at the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife,
they're an urban legend. She says that
"there has never been any physical evidence of a half-dog, half-coyote animal." Not that it would be impossible for the two species to mate and produce an offspring, just very unlikely. Though Henner also points out that the mating cycles of the two species differ:
"Coyotes go in to heat between January and March and have pups in May or June, while dogs have their pups in winter." So if animal experts such as Henner are correct that there's no physical evidence of the existence of coydogs, then what exactly is the
Sundance Coydogs site selling? Are these coyotes, or dogs that look coyote-like, or real coydogs?
Comments
The dogs at Sundance are studied very carefully for temperment and are handled by humans from day one. They are very careful about who buys their dogs and keep in touch with the owners. They also would take back a dog at any time that does not work out for the buyer.
Coyotes in the wild come into heat once per year. A low content coydog may have two heat cycles per year but the higher content coydogs only have one cycle per year.
If you interested in a rare breed dog, this is the only place to buy one that truly does guarantee that you can return the dog.
Since this discussion is so interesting and there are such varied opinions I would love to know what all of you think about the American Indian Dog and all the claims by their breeders?
~Seij
Dogs, just type in American Indian Dog Hoax
here.
You'll find some info about it.
The people on the Indian Dog Hoax site are far more accurate than any of the breeders of American Indian dogs.
Many people have been duped by this con man and when they find out the truth he tries to ruin their reputations by posting things about them on his website.
There is an Indian Dog site in the Netherlands called American Indian Dogs/Europe run by a woman named Wendy Schrivers. She is perpetrating the same hoax in Europe. Although most of her dogs have the original look of the Sibe, she has also added coydogs to her lines but denies it.
What isn't fair, among other things about all of this, is that you don't know you are buying a coy or wolf mix from these people and it is illegal to own them in many places.
They tell you that if the dog doesn't work out, you can return them but try doing that. They require you spay/neuter your pet but then they don't want them after that. They are of no use if they can't make money from breeding them.
Another thing the buyer needs to know is that they are not taken to vets and the first thing you need to do with your puppy is get it to a vet and get it wormed and get the puppy shots. They are often illegally shipped before they are 8 weeks old, too young to be weaned.
There is also a woman in Michigan who sells Native American Indian Dogs. I will give her credit for one thing. If you ask her a lot of questions, you are more likely to get an answer closer to the truth than you will from LaFlamme.
One more thing before I quit ranting. Don't believe the breed standard for the American Indian Dog. The female is supposed to be 35 or less and the male 45 or less. A lot of them weigh closer to 70 pounds and the females often weigh in about 55 pounds. So, if you are looking for a small dog, this isn't the way to go.
1. I've lived in Texas almost all my lives and commonly observed coyotes behaviour. I have seen what appeared to be domestic dogs, or cross breeds in their packs.
2. I have had wolf/shepard cross breeds most of my life and find them to be be wonderful protectors. yes, they are pack animals, very much so. That's why they make great family protectors. I've never experienced any problem with any of them, and never had any problem calling them off of whoever they were chewing up at the time.
3. I found Mr. Muntz's remarks to be in an offensive and arrogant vein myself. Possibly he should move down here where he would learn some civility and not a small degree of humility. Perhaps he will spend a little time expounding on my sentence constructs, mis-spellings, and so forth and give you people some peace 😊
~Seij
Her mother was a husky who ran away in the Sandia Mountains of New Mexico (where I used to live) while she was in heat. Apparently her father was a coydog, which avoids the whole "coyotes breed only at certain times" argument, which as a former New Mexican I can say is baloney, too--there's a reason coyotes are so successful, and flexible breeding is one of them.
I have heard and seen coyote packs killing dogs. My family labrador (a male) was killed by coyotes. Perhaps a female in heat has distractions to offer that may keep her alive.
I don't approve of encouraging a casual attitude toward any kind of exotic and won't be persuaded on it. This is how I feel about any kind of pet, but it applies doubly for those we have no right to expect to behave like their domesticated relatives.
By the way, I have family from here in the South going back to before the Revolution, Clay, and I've rarely stepped out of my home state.
(((My dog has mostly German Shepards colors but many traits of a coyotee, fur, ears tail even his teeth are bigger and sharper then any german shepard pup anyone has seen. He howls like a coyotee does. He is extremly smart and well behaved. My vet didn't seem to think I was crazy when i told her what he was.)))
It sounds like you love him. I've heard of coyote dogs being a bit on the skittish side in comparison to other types of dog. Is this true in your case? Also, is there anything special your vet recommended you do for your pet? Any special meds or living arrangements or anything? I'd just like to know so I'd be able to tell as much to someone who needs the info.
Anyway, be well.
My second Chow-Coyote mix came from Las Vegas. His mother was a pet Coyote, and his father was a Chow. He looks nothing like a Coyote, possibly because the males tend to take the characteristics of the father (I don't know this for a fact, it's merely speculation.) He has more of a Chow type face and is black in color. His tongue is purple spotted. He doesn't have a viscious bone in his body. While he will bark at strangers, it's only to atract their attention because they are someone who hasn't had the good sense to pet him yet. I am currently in the market for another Coyote-Chow mix (male un-neutered) because the young one is somewhat lonely. He could use a playmate. If anyone knows where I might find such a dog, I would greatly appreciate any info you might have.
~Seij
I don't know where you can find that mix but I know where you can find a coy/sibe mix and they have many right now of all ages. Sundance Ranch in Oregon. Their dogs have wonderful temperaments.
I will definitely have one of theirs one day.
Mick
I respect your opinion BUT
I think you misunderstand all of this. We are not saying don't own one. We are saying beware because you don't know what you will get with these dogs. Too many end up in rescue and too many are put down. I personally have two of them. I am a very caring owner and have had dogs for over 30 years. But I wasn't prepared for an aggressive dog, one that bites the other and generally makes life miserable for the other dog. And I am not the only one. I know at the very lest ten people who have these dogs and most of them have issues from chasing cars to biting their owners. I agree you need to have a strong alpha personality to have an aggresive dog, especially a large one but it isn't easy. And it is not always safe. I am thankful to still have mine since he bit someone and they didn't report it. But it has taken a lot of work and a lot of training to get through this. Still, life is very strained because you have to be on guard every minute. And the problem with these dogs is that you are more likely to get an aggressive one than you would with a lab or golden or poodle for that matter. I am not saying those dogs can't be trouble because I personnally know of a small child whose face was ripped wide open by a poodle. I think they are nasty little dogs yet I wouldn't tell someone not to buy one. We are just saying the percentage of AID's and Naid's that turn out to be aggressive is very high. And you need to be fully aware of what you are getting into before you take on the challenge. Respectfully, Mick
Chow chows, however, are a nightmare. They're mean, and they do it on purpose.
None of this is to be taken as a rule. Dogs differ in personality as much as people. Different breeds do have different tendencies, though, and one should be aware of them.
so i showed up here and elsewhere to check it all out.
good reading! thanks all!
however, i remain equally unconvinced that coydogs are a nonesuch due to the differing estrus periods [mating seasons] for the different species.
i say this scheduling difference implies an _incentive_ for the creation of coydogs.
what are coyotes gonna do all those months when their ladyfriends arent in the mood and worse smell wrong?
just a thought.
imput from people who know something much appreciated.
jay sheckley and her weird lil dog romeo
http://www.coydog.us
Go about living I suppose. Remember, the males can only breed once a year too.
~Seij
love jay and romeo
my guy _did_ come from the shelter, was a stray found stumbling around rather well with one broken foot. nobody knew where he came from, which is likely common enough. he's said to be part chihuahua, which in coyote is pronounced "snack", no? the shelter refuses to speculate what else.
i was stopped in the street and told he's surely part coyote- but probly less than half.howzabout none?
the guy said a coydog probly mated with a chihuahua.
romeo _is_ pretty strange-looking. exotic. when i first saw him even though i wanted a dog so much i wasnt sure i wanted him. everyone else says he's cute but at first i felt put off in an odd way. i didnt take to his look at all. then they put him in my arms, and boy he liked it there! hate to say this but he sorta hypnotised me. :D the broken foot was the clincher.
romeo looks a LOT like a fox, he really has a somewhat coydog look pelt i admit. he hasnt got that cold expression. does that matter?
he may well be a Pomchi. his toes look normal to me but i havent accessed the online toe data yet. he is fast, with a bizarre gait. his forepaws happen to be 2-3 dogshoe sizes bigger than his back feet. he's either completely mellow or crazed, often somewhat devious. he burrows and hides things. he's _quiet_. the trainer says he's a "thinky" dog and therefore a good match for me.... hmmm...
ive looked at pictures and read all this. i really appreciate your input, rather feel we are undeserving of your expert attention.
yet continually people say, what IS that?
i really dont know what he is but i am hooked on him.
romeo doesnt care what you call him unless it's late for dinner.
he resembles a pygmy fox. [?]
he could be a dog!
thanks again,
jay and her weird lil animal romeo
though very brown-eyed, he _does_ look like that, the snout the stance the smile even. thankyou!
this is fun.
jay, his coy mistress
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mr mutz writes< I don't imagine a coydog would be likely to end up as someone's pet unless picked up as a "stray" and taken to be a nondescript mutt...which...wouldn't be entirely inaccurate.>>
my guy _did_ come from the shelter, was a stray found stumbling around rather well with one broken foot. nobody knew where he came from, which is likely common enough. he's said to be part chihuahua, which in coyote is pronounced "snack", no? the shelter refuses to speculate what else.
i was stopped in the street and told he's surely part coyote- but probly less than half.howzabout none?
the guy said a coydog probly mated with a chihuahua.
romeo _is_ pretty strange-looking. exotic. when i first saw him even though i wanted a dog so much i wasnt sure i wanted him. everyone else says he's cute but at first i felt put off in an odd way. i didnt take to his look at all. then they put him in my arms, and boy he liked it there! hate to say this but he sorta hypnotised me. :D the broken foot was the clincher.
romeo looks a LOT like a fox, he really has a somewhat coydog look pelt i admit. he hasnt got that cold expression. does that matter?
he may well be a Pomchi. his toes look normal to me but i havent accessed the online toe data yet. he is fast, with a bizarre gait. his forepaws happen to be 2-3 dogshoe sizes bigger than his back feet. he's either completely mellow or crazed, often somewhat devious. he burrows and hides things. he's _quiet_. the trainer says he's a "thinky" dog and therefore a good match for me.... hmmm...
ive looked at pictures and read all this. i really appreciate your input, rather feel we are undeserving of your expert attention.
yet continually people say, what IS that?
i really dont know what he is but i am hooked on him.
romeo doesnt care what you call him unless it's late for dinner.
he resembles a pygmy fox. [?]
he could be a dog!
thanks again,
jay and her weird lil animal romeo
Yes, that is correct. A domestic dog can breed any time of year, but both male and females of wild candids only breed once a year.
~Seij
Is there anyway of knowing if my dog is actually a Coydog. Who ever has one let me know if these would be characteristics along the line of a Coydog: looks exactly like a fox, large pointed ears, tail looks like those of the sundance huskies, larger and sharper teeth than dogs his size, unbelievably agile, can easily clear my futon when he jumps which is annoying when I try to catch him, trots or somewhat skips when he walks, very friendly or very submissive around some people though he loves biting my hand and our other dog, he is VERY attached to me. Also when I first got him he couldn't bark until about 7 months he always made more of a howling/whining noise and still does so when he wants something and especially when he sights other animals, mostly dogs. If anyone wants to give me their opinion or tell me how I could find out if he is a Coydog that'd be great, this coydog thing is pretty interesting.
Sundance Ranch. She most probably would know..
But sometimes it's hard to tell in a photo.
Wouldn't hurt to ask.
~Seij
There is one distinct characteristic that will tell you if have a coydog. Please write to me directly and email me a picture if you can. I have never heard it described in any of these websites.
My address is .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
As far as I know there is no genetic test to determine whether your animal is a hybred. You could, however, contact a vet to see if such a test exists. But as someone who has owned hybreds and been around Coydogs, I'd say the behaviors indicate wome sort of mix. My wolf hybred, for example, didn't learn to bark until I got a dog who exhibited this very unwolf behavior. The yipping and yowling is very Coyote-like as well. On the other hand, Coyotes are not casual breeders so if Chilly is a hybred the chances are the breeding was engineered by a humans. Dogs that breed with Coyotes on their own tend to be wild and stay wild. At any rate, it sounds like you have a great animal.
~Seij
http://www.usfreeads.com/513627-cls.html
Or email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) for more pictures!
Would love to see what Buck looked like.