Big things come in small packages too. It is not the size of the dog in the fight. It is the size of the fight in the dog. I had a smaller dog that I would put up against any large dog or mulitiple coyotes. Of course he was half dingo. My girlfriends father was a sheep herder who dealt with coyotes on a daily basis here in Idaho. Those heelers would stand their ground to the end. The great perinese can stand up to a whole bunch of those little song dogs also. I wouldn't underestimate a coyote against your normal house pet though. I have seen labs and retrivers with their bellies chewed out. It depends on the situation and the dog. Yes, them coyotes are shy, but can get crazy too. I have seen them yank calfs right out of the hefer as they are being born. As far as human attacks. Keep hunting and don't worry.