[joffficer]

I'm looking into moving into southern/central VT.... near Rutland. We have a couple dogs, and I'd like to be able to let them run. Of course, providing we have enough land. One dog is an English setter, and the other a mini-duchsund (sp?). I'm not to worried about the setter, but what about the little one?

What kind of animals might be an issue? Any larger animals (i.e. bears) that are a problem?

[square peg]

Domestics and wild animals don't mix very well. Dogs tend to be curious and social types and when they see a new friend in the yard they'll either want to play with it, bark at it or chase it. I'd be concerned about skunks and porcupines just as much as any others. They can't outrun a dog and the results of their defensive mechanisms, though not lethal, are most unpleasant to deal with. Good luck with your move!

[arctichomesteader]

Watch out for coyotes. Bears, fishercats and others can cause trouble too...

[quickdraw]

Originally Posted by joffficer

I'm looking into moving into southern/central VT.... near Rutland. We have a couple dogs, and I'd like to be able to let them run. Of course, providing we have enough land. One dog is an English setter, and the other a mini-duchsund (sp?). I'm not to worried about the setter, but what about the little one?

What kind of animals might be an issue? Any larger animals (i.e. bears) that are a problem?

a mini dachsund should be strictly an indoor dog in rural vermont, unless you are standing right next to him...in daylight hours. I don't know how small mini dachsunds are, but I think even a hawk would get him.

[joffficer]

She's only 12lbs... I do worry about hawks even in NJ! lol. Luckily she's lazy and doesn't wander. The setter on the other hand likes to run. I'm not sure how he'd act if he came up on something like a bear, though.

We plan to keep them inside most of the time. Plus a shotgun handy (mainly for the noise to scare anything off). Do the larger animals tend to stay away from houses, though?

[OhBeeHave]

Originally Posted by quickdraw

a mini dachsund should be strictly an indoor dog in rural vermont, unless you are standing right next to him...in daylight hours. I don't know how small mini dachsunds are, but I think even a hawk would get him.

I second this.

My Jack Russell was outside (invisible fence to stay within a set area) while I went in and out to get a bbq dinner set up. I came outside and noticed a hawk perched low following the dogs movement. Had I stayed inside a moment longer, I would have seen the dog being carried away.

[OhBeeHave]

Originally Posted by joffficer

She's only 12lbs... I do worry about hawks even in NJ! lol. Luckily she's lazy and doesn't wander. The setter on the other hand likes to run. I'm not sure how he'd act if he came up on something like a bear, though.

We plan to keep them inside most of the time. Plus a shotgun handy (mainly for the noise to scare anything off). Do the larger animals tend to stay away from houses, though?

This is my 2nd home. When we are there, the animals tend to sound like they are off a bit. I keep an exterior light on during the hours we are up until bed time for those evening doggie potty runs. I have noticed when we are away for any length, and trash is left in the outside pail (thank you child who did not empty the pail) the garbage gets raided. Smaller things tend to disrupt the can and go through the contents at the house. Big things tend to drag off the contents.

[jackmccullough]

There are a couple of concerns. In addition to the aforementioned bears, hawks, and fishers (they're not cats), we have foxes in our neighborhood. I suspect a fox could make short work of my wife's toy poodle if it were so inclined.

Another concern you may not be conscious of is deer. A deer isn't going to attack your dogs, but if your dogs are caught running deer that's capital punishment for the dog.

[RunawayJim]

Originally Posted by jackmccullough

Another concern you may not be conscious of is deer. A deer isn't going to attack your dogs, but if your dogs are caught running deer that's capital punishment for the dog.

A dog will be killed if it's caught chasing deer? Is that the law or just angry hunters?

[vter]

Law. As far as I know..unless its changed.