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Pitbulls have a lot of controversy around them. They have a reputation for being tough, strong, and intimidating. At the same time, they are also known to be loving and friendly pets. Coyotes, on the other hand, are known to be dangerous wild animals that will attack if given the chance.
Recent coyote attacks on Pitbulls have sparked a debate on social media about which of the two species is stronger.
So, who would win in an encounter between a pit bull and a coyote? Can a Pitbull Kill a Coyote? A Pitbull Can Kill a Coyote, and Pitbulls typically win in encounters with coyotes because they’re larger in size and their bite is more powerful. They also have more stamina which can help them hold their own if they are attacked. Still, you should do your best to ensure your dog is safe from coyotes
Keep reading to learn more about the differences between Pitbulls and coyotes and how to prevent an encounter between the two to keep your pitbull safe
Pitbull VS Coyote – What You Should Know
Pitbulls are one of the most popular dog breeds in America. They were named like that because they were originally bred to fight bulls in pits.
They are known for their strong muscular build and aggressive nature. Yet, Pitbulls can still be loving pets if they’re well-trained and socialized early on in their lives.
They are not naturally aggressive to humans which makes them excellent companions. However, they can be territorial and protective of their owners. This may cause them to attack other pets or humans if they feel that there is a danger or threat towards their owner or someone else in their household.
Coyotes, on the other hand, are wild animals that can be found throughout North America. They are not as common as pitbulls in urban areas and they are rarely kept as pets.
They have a reputation for being opportunistic predators that will stalk and attack both pets and humans when given the chance.
What Is the Difference Between Pitbulls and Coyotes?
Dogs and coyotes belong to the dog family, yet there are many differences between pitbulls and coyotes when it comes to physical appearance as well as behavior.
So, let’s break down these differences in more detail:
Weight and Size
Pitbulls are larger in size with a more muscular build, while coyotes have a more slender build with pointier noses to sniff out their prey.
On average, Pitbulls weigh anywhere from 35 to 60 lbs., with males being heavier. They also stand between 18 and 21 inches when it comes to their height.
Coyotes, on the other hand, weigh between 20 and 46 lbs. and stand to 24 inches tall.
Jaw Strength and Teeth
They are quite similar when it comes to their teeth as they both have four canine teeth, two upper and two lower, which they use to grab onto their prey.
These canine teeth are not as sharp as those of a cat, so instead, the premolars behind them do most of the work in holding down meat from larger prey.
The bigger difference is found in the strength of their jaws.
A Pitbull’s jaw is much stronger than a coyote’s jaw as it can clench with enough force to stop a full-grown prey from running away. A Coyote’s jaw, however, is designed for hunting smaller prey as it does not have as much force as a pitbull’s jaw.
Bite Force
Since the pitbull’s jaw is much stronger than a coyote’s, its bite is almost twice as strong as a coyote and possibly the strongest bite of any domestic animal.
A pitbull’s bite force can measure up to 235 PSI, while coyotes have a force of only 135 PSI.
Speed and Agility
Coyotes are much faster and more agile than Pitbulls because of their slender build. They can move at a speed of 43 miles per hour. This gives them the upper hand in a fight as they can quickly dodge any attacks or run away.
Pitbulls, on the other hand, have a speed of 25 to 30 miles per hour. Although their bite is stronger, pitbulls might have a hard time even landing a bite as they would be slower to react.
This comparison will change wildly if you replace the coyote with a stronger predator like the grey wolf, and you can check out our post on can a pitbull kill a wolf here for this comparison.
Are Pitbulls More Aggressive Than Coyotes?
Pitbulls and coyotes are both naturally territorial creatures. They can become aggressive if they feel their territory is threatened or invaded by other animals or humans. However, coyotes are more likely to initiate an attack when threatened.
It’s much easier to domesticate a pitbull and keep it as a pet. You just need to make sure to properly socialize and train the dog early on in its life so it will become less aggressive. Coyotes, on the other hand, are not suitable for domestic life and they much prefer living in the wild.
To show how aggressive coyotes are, check out the video below where the smaller coyote launched against the large pitbull:
Can Pitbulls Kill Coyotes?
Pitbulls might be able to kill coyotes. They are strong enough to hold their own and even win against coyotes in an encounter because of their larger size and powerful bites.
However, coyotes are still faster so they might be able to harm pitbulls, especially if coyotes are the ones that initiated the attack.
So, it’s highly recommended to avoid pitting pitbulls against coyotes as they can still get injured.
How to Prevent Your Pitbull from Encountering a Coyote?
If you’re keeping a pitbull as a pet, you need to prevent it from encountering wild animals such as coyotes. Even though Pitbulls are strong in a fight, wild coyotes are fast and more likely to aggressively attack first.
So, here are some tips you can follow to help keep your pitbull safe from coyotes:
- Avoid feeding coyotes or any other wild animals near your property. That is because if you establish your property as a source of food, more coyotes will continue to return and run into your pitbull.
- Avoid throwing away food, especially meat or meat by-products, in the trash outside your house as their scent is extremely appealing to coyotes and will draw them near your property more often to scavenge for food.
- Keep your property free from overgrown shrubs or fallen branches, as this would create an ideal hiding place for coyotes. They are less likely to attack in an environment where there is nowhere for them to hide.
- Never leave your pitbull unsupervised in the backyard if you live in a high-risk area and never take it on walks without a leash as this will make it an easier target for coyote attacks.
- It’s recommended to build a high fence around your property if you live in a high-risk area. Coyotes are known to be excellent climbers, so the fence needs to be at least 8 feet high. The fence also needs to extend at least 12 inches underground to prevent the coyote from entering from below.
- If you’re taking your pitbull on a walk, make sure to do it in the morning. That is because coyote attacks are more likely to happen when it’s dark. If you’re walking your pitbull at night, it’s best to stick to well-lit streets or paths and carry a flashlight with you at all times.
- If you encounter a coyote while you’re walking your pitbull, do not run as this will only cause it to chase you and they are much faster than you and your pitbull. If the coyote doesn’t seem to notice you, you need to walk away from it very quietly and do not turn your back to it.
- If the coyote does notice you and seems like it’s about to attack, then you need to make yourself look as large and intimidating as possible in order to scare it away. You can try shouting aggressively, waving your arms, and stomping your feet.
- Make sure to always report coyote encounters or sightings to your local authorities. It’s very important to keep track of sightings where the coyotes are traveling and monitor them to help other dog owners remain safe.
Related Questions
Can Pitbulls Kill Other Dogs?
Pitbulls can kill other dogs but only if they were provoked. They are not particularly aggressive unless they feel a threat toward their territory. Since they have a muscular build with a strong jaw and a powerful bite, they can easily injure smaller breeds of dogs and even kill them
Can Pitbulls Kill Wolves?
Pitbulls cannot kill wolves. Although they are very strong and have been known to be able to hold their own when it comes to fighting wild predators, they would not win against actual wolves due to the difference in size and weight between them.
How to Socialize a Pitbull?
To socialize a pitbull, you need to let it interact with a wide variety of environments, smells, sounds, animals, and people. You also need to teach it basic commands such as sit, stay, come, and down. It’s very important to socialize your dog early in age to prevent them from becoming aggressive.
Do Coyotes Lure Dogs?
Coyotes do not lure dogs. They are more likely to approach a dog if it looks like an easy meal and initiate an attack but there is no evidence that the coyote purposely lured the dog in. Dogs that are attacked by coyotes are likely ones that were unsupervised or roaming free.
Are Coyotes Scared Off by Barking Dogs?
Coyotes are not scared off by barking dogs. In most cases, the barking noise will draw the coyote’s attention to the dog and cause it to become aggressive and attack. It will mostly depend on the individual coyote’s temperament, whether or not the dog is close by, and how frequently the dog barks.
What Dog Breed Can Kill a Coyote?
Most large dog breeds can kill a coyote. Some of these breeds include Pitbulls, Greyhounds, Shepherds, Kangals, Black Russian Terriers, Komodors, Neopolitan Mastiffs, and American Bulldog. That’s why these breeds are often utilized by hunters to take down coyotes.
Do Coyotes Eat Other Animals?
Coyotes do eat other animals. They’re omnivores which means they eat both meat and plants. They will mostly prey on animals that are smaller in size than them. These animals include rodents, rabbits, fawns, and sometimes small pets if they were left unattended.
