Dogs vs Muntjacs

Anyone got any experience of this? I've spotted a few recently when we've been in the woods, and have managed to avoid any confrontations, though the other day Bailey chased a couple into the undergrowth. When they saw the dogs they squealed and ran, and Bailey came back unscathed. Are muntjacs vicious? Do they carry any diseases? I'm just wondering what would happen if they actually came face to face. I wonder if my dogs would have a go, or maybe if the deer stood their ground the dogs might run away?

i didnt even know we had muntjacs in england so you learn something every day lol as far as i know they will just run and hide but i would amagin if young were near by there may be a chance they may kickout and injur a dog
but wpuld be funny to see the reaction when the deer barks back lol

i didnt even know what they were blonde moment it would be interesting to see what would happen if they did come face to face. im sure someone with more experience than me will pop along shortly.

Warren wrote:i didnt even know we had muntjacs in england

Just been reading about this, apparently they originally escaped from safari parks

Darcy-may wrote:i didnt even know what they were blonde moment

You're totally excused, from what I have read they are only in the southern half of the country. I didn't even realise that myself, I have always seen them around and thought they were more common, so I apologise for not explaining better!

Warren wrote:wpuld be funny to see the reaction when the deer barks back lol

Yes they are known as "the barking deer"! That would be so funny, I'm tempted to let it happen just to see

They would most likely just run away long before confortation. I don't think there's any in Ireland.

I don't think my fella would chase them anyway. But I'd probably stop him if he did.

We have quite a lot of them around us in woods in various places. When I take Rocky to a local field there are some there. We did come almost face to face with one a couple of weeks ago. The silly creature just stood in the middle of the path looking at me and Rocky, he was on his lead though so not able to give chase. It then just very calmly walked off into the woods again.

canthavethat wrote:

Darcy-may wrote:i didnt even know what they were blonde moment

You're totally excused, from what I have read they are only in the southern half of the country. I didn't even realise that myself, I have always seen them around and thought they were more common, so I apologise for not explaining better!

They're so tiny that I don't think they'd do any damage, they certainly wouldn't hang around to bite! I suppose if a dog cornered one it might kick, but that's about it.

There are loads in the Midlands - you often see them run across the road.

Awwwwww...........

canthavethat wrote:Anyone got any experience of this? I've spotted a few recently when we've been in the woods, and have managed to avoid any confrontations, though the other day Bailey chased a couple into the undergrowth. When they saw the dogs they squealed and ran, and Bailey came back unscathed. Are muntjacs vicious? Do they carry any diseases? I'm just wondering what would happen if they actually came face to face. I wonder if my dogs would have a go, or maybe if the deer stood their ground the dogs might run away?

You have next to nothing to worry about! Your dog would be more likely to catch something from a cat than a muntjac. They're quite well known for their lack of serious illness or parasites in the species, which makes it hard to control the populations.

Although they do have tusks, unlike most other deer, they only really use them to defend their young and during rutting. Yes, they can be feisty little animals, but they are also prey animals. They'll weigh in more in the 'flight' section of fight or flight.

As long as you don't let your boy pester a doe and her fawn(s), it should be fine. But that goes for any animal.

Caryll wrote:Awwwwww...........

funny memphis is doing the same as the second picture lunch

Eleanor wrote:

canthavethat wrote:Anyone got any experience of this? I've spotted a few recently when we've been in the woods, and have managed to avoid any confrontations, though the other day Bailey chased a couple into the undergrowth. When they saw the dogs they squealed and ran, and Bailey came back unscathed. Are muntjacs vicious? Do they carry any diseases? I'm just wondering what would happen if they actually came face to face. I wonder if my dogs would have a go, or maybe if the deer stood their ground the dogs might run away?

You have next to nothing to worry about! Your dog would be more likely to catch something from a cat than a muntjac. They're quite well known for their lack of serious illness or parasites in the species, which makes it hard to control the populations.

Although they do have tusks, unlike most other deer, they only really use them to defend their young and during rutting. Yes, they can be feisty little animals, but they are also prey animals. They'll weigh in more in the 'flight' section of fight or flight.

As long as you don't let your boy pester a doe and her fawn(s), it should be fine. But that goes for any animal.

Reassuring, thanks. I'm sure they will come face to face with one eventually, I'm curious to see what the dogs will do

No problem! Just be aware that dogs are predators, so you should monitor them closely to make sure that they don't start behaving in a predatory way towards the deer if they see them.

Never heard of them before and didn't have to go to Wiki , now I know what they are , where thay come from , their health record and where to find them

I know that the adults can be feisty but as they aren't massive i don't think they would do much damage

Yes, the adults will defend themselves, but only if they can't run away. But as Ella says, they're so small that any medium & above sized dog would have nothing to worry about.

We also have loads around here. They dont herd like other dear so are sometimes harder to spot. One thing about them though is they move like greased lightning and incredibly fast for there size. Im not sure many dogs would get that close to one tbh unless itwas ill. Id be more concernd about native deer stags in autumn who will defend territory in the rutting season

We have muntjac in the field behind our garden, when i first saw them i thoughy my dog had got out cos shes same colour they can be firey if they have young, plus they have little horns

We have a small herd of Roe Deer where we walk and can get quite close. They are much bigger than the Muntjac and, I believe, can deliver a very nasty kick if cornered. However the chance of a dog getting close enough to a healthy animal to be in danger is very remote as they are veeery swift and agile. Bacchus has made a token effort at a chase a couple of times but no way he could get close with his wee short legs.

Wow , we dont have them up north! We do have a vicious cousin called an old dear

I had no idea a Muntjac was even an animal

Our walks over here might involve a bush turkey or two but nothing as exciting as deer so I am no help at all! Thanks to all for the nature lesson though