Dogs and Pigeons!?!

[Anwyn]

Are dogs very dangerous to pigeons? I know cats are but mine died recently so thats nota problem but I have quite a large dog, would that be a problem? She's well trained and obedient, she's a retriever not a hunting dog so she shouldn't really have a strong instinct. She was fine with our cat, she even liked him, and she completely ignores the budgie. But will she be a threat to the pigeons?

[dano7]

Dogs and pigeons may or may not work together. Success depends on individuals--you the dog and the pigeon. If the dog is mellow then the odds are much better. You would have to be there every minute for the first few hours and have a protected place for the bird when you are gone. If the dog ever gets a mouth on the bird you need to run a full course of antibiotics even if there is no serious injury--dog saliva is highly toxic to a bird.

[Trees Gray]

I would not leave them alone together, and make sure that the coop is safe from dogs also.

It is the pigeons who will be upset at first once you introduce them. Once they get USED to the dog, everything will calm down.

My son brought a darling Jack Russel over who was used to pigeons. She ran into the backyard in leaps and bounds to chase the squirrels out of the tree, happily wagging her tail in content, not paying much attention to my birds in the coop. My pigeons, however, were quite surprised, but after the dog proceeded to do this over and over, the birds calmed down...looking at each other like"is she ever going to quit, ho hum...that dog needs a life...

Treesa

[Karen 210773]

Hi I too have a large dog, his name is Merlin and he is german sheppard. He is great with my birds, and I have cockatiels in the house which I let out and archy (one of the tiels) has got onto him before now and Mel just sits there and looks at me and pull's the scooby face.... Mel has been brought up with birds around, I just introduced them slowly and never left them alone I go out of the room and carry on with housework etc. but only when total trust was gained. However, Mel does like to chase ones in the garden, he has never and dont' think he will ever hurt one, its not aggressive chase just jumps about play, he is only 2 years old and still in play mode I do think that all dogs do have it in them if they wanted too. Suppose the answer is you have to learn the personality of your dog. - Karen

[Anwyn]

Thanks, she's mellow so hopefully she'll be alright. I'm still a little anxious cause she hangs around de balcany, where the pigeons will be quite a lot! And when introduced to something new she tends to get a little over excited. But if i keep them out of her reach hopefully she'll soon calm down.

Hey, a friend once told dogs can beallergic to pigeons. Is that true?

[Karen 210773]

Hi Sorry that's something I can't comment on I have never heard of the word, and I have never heard of a dog becoming harmful to any bird. So I doubt it very much. Sure someone else might comment on this? - Karen

[Karen 210773]

LOL just realised you mean allergic, lol just saw beallergic didn't know what you meant. I assume anything can become allergic, just like us humans, some of us have allergic reactions to birds, nuts, stings etc., won't be no different for dogs. More likely to be the feather dust from the birds if anything other than the pigeons themselves. - Karen (I'm sure but dont' know for a fact, but think you will have more of an idea if your dog was wheezing, eye's watering and/or rash if there was any allergic reaction). Get professional advise from a vet should be become concerned.

[surfergurl24]

I have 2 dogs a german shepard,and a mutt.I think that your dog if it is calm then will be fine with the pigeon just you might not want to leave then alone together,but you have to see if the pigeon and the dog get along but if the pigeons scared just do your best to keep it away from the dog.

Shannah