Choosing a fence
The Best Fence for Dogs (From Someone Who Digs the Holes)
· 4 min read · D2K crew
Height, gaps, diggers and jumpers. What actually keeps a dog in the yard, and how to avoid the two mistakes we see most.
Match height to the dog, not the yard
A beagle and a shepherd need different fences. For most medium and large dogs, a 4' fence is the floor and 5' to 6' is safer for an athletic jumper. Small dogs are usually fine at 4' as long as the gaps are tight.
Mind the bottom, not just the top
Diggers get out under a fence far more often than jumpers get over it. On chain link we can add a bottom rail or tension wire to lock the bottom edge down; on privacy fence we keep the ground gap tight and follow grade.
- Bottom rail keeps chain link from being pushed up
- Tension wire is the lower-cost alternative
- Follow grade instead of stepping to avoid triangle gaps
Gates are where escapes happen
Self-closing hinges and a latch a dog can't nose open are worth every dollar. We also recommend a second gate wide enough for a mower so the main gate isn't propped open all summer.
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