Went out this morning

[demontang]

An akita would be a good dog for it if you train it well. They where breed for hunting and are big enough to hold there own if they have to. I don't know if I would tie my dog up just in case a yote manage to get mixed up with my dog I wouldn't want him at a disadvantage. I have my dog stay pretty close unless its real open and I can see anything that might come in.

[jdb]

check out coyotegods.com those guys use airdales for coyotes in almost a cult like following.

[docsven]

This could be a whole other thread, but what breed do you think would make the best coyote dog.  Airedales and Akitas are both pretty brave (I knew a guy that used Airedales to hunt bear) and I've heard that Akitas just won't stop.  Maybe a Rhodesian Ridgeback?

[Big10gauge]

There's a guy on PM that uses a Mountain Cur by the name of Bubba, He post's some good stories about using his dog hunting coyotes.

[demontang]

I think a mix of what ever would work, All you really need is a smart well trained dog that could hold is own against a coyote for a short time if needed. German shepherds are great all around dogs and they seem to be very loyal and easy to train. I think if you mixed a shepherd with a akita you would have a great yote dog.

[tlbradford]

The breed depends on whether you want a dog that is a decoy to lure coyotes close to you, or do you want a dog that will run down and kill the coyote?

Small, fast, and aggressive dogs make the best decoy dogs.  Small size does not intimidate a coyote, speed to not get caught when having a coyote chase them, and aggressive to goad a coyote into chasing them.  I should add the ability to follow commands immediately.  Think heelers and jack russells.

Hound hunters want bigger, aggressive dogs that can run fast and far, and have a decent nose.  Many use the same type of dogs that hunt bear and cougar.  Two of the best I have seen was a mean Irish Setter, and a greyhound/redbone mutt.

[demontang]

Theres not to many dogs that can out run a coyote for speed. I think the biggest think is having a smart dog that know when its in trouble to run back to you.

[docsven]

So maybe a whippet in heat?  I think a healer or cattle dog is a good candidate.  I think you run a risk trying to not tear up the pelt while keeping the dog from getting hurt or shot, two dog team sounds like a safer bet. Problem is they don't tree like a cat or bear.  I have seen videos that make the point that coyotes are not smart, they are just reactive.  They react to instinct, and you have to play on their instincts to eat or defend their territory, or self preserve.  I think if you have a dog trained to bring them to where you want them, and then have an efficient way to kill them, without losing the dog-all the better.

[tlbradford]

Theres not to many dogs that can out run a coyote for speed. I think the biggest think is having a smart dog that know when its in trouble to run back to you.

That is why you don't let a decoy dog too far from you.

They react to instinct, and you have to play on their instincts to eat or defend their territory, or self preserve. 

You neiled it on the head with that statement.  The most effective time to use a decoy dog is during the denning season.

[FrankDown]

One of the funniest dog attacks (if you can call it that) was a german shepherd and a jack russell.  The shepherd chased the russell around trying to eat it but couldnt catch it.  The russell kept changing course and running in circles until the shepherd got tired and sjust stoof there with its tongue hanging out.  You could tell that the spepherd was extremely POd about not getting the russell.  Of course if he could have caught it he'd have killed it most likely easily.

Hunting coyotes though how many times do you run into calling three or more coyotes in at the same time.  Even two really, two is more common than three but one usually.

[atomicjoe23]

As mentioned earlier it would depend on what you want to do with the dog. . .

. . .Varmint Al uses his black lab Bart as a spotter. . .Bart is on a short leash right next to Al and he uses Bart's superior sense of smell, hearing, and eyesight to let him know a yote is coming in long before he would normally know. . .

As far as a dog that could hold it's own. . .an Akita shouldn't have a problem and a Rhodesian Ridgeback DEFINITELY wouldn't. . .the RR's were bred to hunt lion's in Africa. . .my Dad is a vet and I've seen them before. . .they are pretty big, very well built, very thick (but short) fur. . .also very docile with people and are intelligent/obedient/loyal as well. . .if I was gonna pick an all around dog to use for say bear, cougar, coons, and yote's I don't think you could go wrong with a RR. . .

[Machias]

Curs make great decoy dogs.  They are tough and smart enough to figure out what your asking them to do.

[CastleRocker]

My son has been using his chocolate lab for several years now, mostly for a spotter like Varmint Al, but it's done some "accidental" decoy work too.  It works great as a spotter.  I've borrowed it, and had it heeled while calling before and when it starts growling....you better be looking where he is... because there is a coyote coming!  Sometimes, I don't know how it sees them, heck I can't hardly find them with binoculars!  All I know is it works very well, especially when calling by yourself.  A dog will always see and hear things that we cannot.  All you really need is a dog that will obey the basic commands; come, sit, stay, and heel. 

[FrankDown]

Its funny how they know things like that.  It seems supernatural sometimes, or maybe they see or smell things we dont notice that are closer than we thought.

[demontang]

I know my dog was putting his nose to good work and was very alert of what was around us, I know he has great hearing too.