North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

[Deb Schneider <debs913@gmail.com>]

What we really need is someone to invent a weather proof, varmint chasing
robot.  One that is armed with lasers would be cool.


On Sun, Mar 2, 2014 at 4:33 PM, Deb Schneider <debs913@gmail.com> wrote:

> I don't think it's a matter of a breed at all.  Just about any dog is
> going to alert bark at deer.  Whether that is enough to chase off the deer
> or not depends on the deer.  Larger dogs will be more intimidating.
>
> All dogs need training for good manners.  Most dogs dig, many will eat
> ripe and unripe fruit (and this may make some of them sick.  Dogs will also
> pull up newly planted trees (had a Malamute that "retrieved" one for me
> once). Dogs need shelter, water, and food and dog food may draw rats and
> other small vermin.  Dogs will need to be fenced in the orchard, tying them
> out is pretty cruel.
>
> Some dogs may actually manage to pull down a deer.  This might get the dog
> injured, so I'd be prepared for vet bills as well.
>
> Dogs generally do not want to sit out alone, they are pack creatures and
> love their people.  Bored and lonely dogs get into mischief, bark, dig,
> chew.  Getting two dogs might alleviate this, or you might get two bored
> barking dogs that fight with each other.
>
> It would probably be cheaper in the long run and kinder to build a really
> tall fence around your orchard and/or periodically cull the deer.
>
>
> On Sun, Mar 2, 2014 at 3:54 PM, Elizabeth Hilborn 
> <ehilborn@mebtel.net>wrote:
>
>> Both of my mixed breed dogs eat both mature and immature pomes off the
>> trees. I keep them out of the orchard as the fruit starts gaining some
>> size.
>>
>> Betsy
>>
>> On 2/23/2014 10:53 AM, Lori Rizzo wrote:
>> > If you want a varmit dog, think of the sighthounds - whippets will keep
>> the
>> > squirrels and rabbits and possums out - and they can catch them! -
>> however,
>> > they aren't much on deer, though they may give chase.  However, they
>> have
>> > to also be house dogs and don't tolerate really cold temps - and it's
>> best
>> > to have 2 of them.  gOTOH, they don't require much training, are very
>> calm
>> > as adults, and are extremely personable to people and children.  They
>> also
>> > don't bark much (some not at all), and are extremely clean dogs.  But no
>> > breeder will sell you one if it is only an outside dog or you don't
>> have a
>> > good fence - you do have to train them to come, since they are fast
>> dogs.
>> >
>> > Your other choice is a terrier or beagle.  However, beagles bark and
>> dig.
>> > Rat terriers or Jack Russels are great varmit dogs - but they do bark
>> > sometimes and are not always great around kids - you do have to train
>> them.
>> >
>> > Problem with the herding and livestock guard dogs is they don't really
>> go
>> > after small game, though they are easy keepers.  Also, they can be
>> > territorial and taking care of their coats requires quite a bit of time.
>> >   But they can be left outside - i.e., are o.k. with just being barn
>> dogs.
>> >   Some people get Australian Shepherds, but they are very territorial
>> and
>> > barky towards strangers and other outside animals.
>> >
>> >
>>
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>
>