Garden Fence...How high?

[BassaiDai]

Hi All,

At last, after a lot of research and deliberation I have decided to add to our family and get a dog.

I really like the idea of a cockapoo as they are good family dogs, only moult a little, if any. And they look so cute too.

However before I get a dog, I need to put a fence up in the garden. The current one is only a low wire one with lots of holes in it. So... how high does it need to be?
As its a large garden it won't be cheap and each foot of height will make a huge difference to the overall cost of it.

I am aware that you can get different sizes of cockerpoo, and internet research states the the tallest one can be 15 inches, but can't find any information on how high they can jump...

I am sure I will be back with numerous questions, before we finally take our new friend home, but after lurking on here for months I know that between you all, there aren't many questions you can't answer.

Thanks in advance,
BassaDai

When I say "good family dogs", I mean, good temperament with children, easy to train, loyal, etc.

Just before anyone thinks I am just getting one because they are cute....

If moulting is a big thing for you, research your puppy very, very carefully. And think very hard about what you will do if your dog moults. I've never met one that doesn't tbh.

A first cross mating of any breed is famously unpredictable. Every puppy in the litter will likely be very different from each other as they mature.

Cockers can really jump. I've seen a working cocker easily clear a 5 bar gate from a pretty much standing start, so I expect a cocker x to be able to to exactly the same.

I would go for a 6 ft fence all around. Then there's no doubt. If that isn't affordable (think hard about the cost of dog ownership! They're not cheap to run. At all.) maybe fence off a dog safe section instead.

I was going to suggest the same as daisydot about the 6' fence and only fencing off part of the garden. All of our dogs (collies) have at some point been able to clear 5'. If you can't afford to do the fence, you will have to work like crazy on recall. A lot depends on where you live; the neighbourhood, the neighbours, the roads, the open access... Training should be great fun and an up and up spiral. If it's not, it's the owner who's doing something wrong!

It's nervewracking bringing home a dog for the first time, and however much you prepare, it will probably be a learning curve of some sort. I love having dogs in my life even though our house is more of a kennel!

Hi Daisy,
Thanks for your reply.

Re what I will do if the dog moults? Well I'll either clean/hoover more often or learn to live with it.

In my mind if the dog moults that will be part and parcel of having the dog, but it would be a huge bonus if it didn't IYSWIM.

6ft...That's what I thought I would need. Great idea to section an area off, on first thoughts I don't think that will work very well given the lay out of the garden, but I will continue to think about it, and see if I have a brainwave.

Re the cost, yes I appreciate that the costs of having a dog need to be considered. I have enquired with the local vet about the costs of the initial stuff such as micro-chipping, spaying, vaccinations etc. And then the ongoing yearly costs. Tbh it was much less than I anticipated. Food, equipment, insurance and so on...and those are just the expected things. Don't take into account unexpected things such as accidents/illnesses, or emergencies requiring kennels.

So with all that in mind I just wanted to be sure that the fence would be high enough to keep the dog in, without adding unnecessary cost and having it higher/more expensive than needed.

I appreciate all your points, its good to be questioned by a dog owner in order to make sure I am realistic about getting a dog.

BassaiDai

Thanks for your comments too ETET.

I couldn't consider getting a dog and not doing the fence first. I have elderly neighbours on both sides, that an overexcited puppy/dog could easily knock to the ground. I would be gutted if they became injured due to my selfishness.

Apart from the neighbours themselves, I don't think that their gardens have a secure fence on the far side. 2 doors down have a dog that frequently comes into our garden and barks at us so crossly as though it's his land. So that could easily lead to a fight. And who knows where a dog could end up. At the end of the day, if it's my dog, it is my responsibility to make sure the garden is enclosed.

Wouldn't trust recall as a containment measure in this scenario. I could easily be distracted by the children and not see the dog get out. I don't want to be nagging the children each time they go through it to shut the door in case the dog gets out. I am a windows and door open kind of person if the weather is any way mild. The children are in and out all the time playing. Can't see that being a feasible way of solving dodgy fence for our family. Ultimately the garden needs to be secure. If I can't afford to do it, then I can't afford to get a dog. Yet. I will save and save until I can.

I have booked two handymen/gardeners to come and do a quote. I will bring up the concept of only doing part of the garden to see if they can come up with something that is better than my first thoughts on it.

Fingers crossed that the emergency tax I am due will cover the cost of fence if not dog etc too.

Thank you for your comments, its reassuring to hear that despite the excitement once the decision is made, that my concerns and nerves are normal. I just want to be sure that we as a family can give a dog a decent home/life.

I am sure I will be back with more questions and musings.

Hi Jajas,
Tbh I automatically thought of a wooden panel type fence. But my neighbours gardener today suggested a wire one. Not sure that would be strong enough, or that a dog couldn't climb up using the wire as footholds pawholds.I am open to suggestions.

It is a long (approx 175-200ft)rectangular garden. 1st third is flower bed, garage, lawn.
2nd third is trampoline, play equipment, wild flowers, weeds
3rd third is just a tip at the moment. Needs clearing, nothing will grow properly apart from weeds as there are tall pine trees with a conservation order in the 2nd &3rd third. (still following?lol)

So to section a part off it would be logical to do the 3rd third but it just seems too far away from the house, as though we were shoving the dog away.

I should add, only one side of the garden needs to have the fence replaced, the other side is in good condition, and high.

OP, you are being very sensible in thinking about these issues now rather than after the dog has arrived, and you have been haring after it through your neighbours' compost bins and washing lines! If you can afford to have solid 6' fencing the peace of mind will be brilliant. It means you can relax when woof is in the garden and not have to worry at all. Also, from a security POV tis good to have a more secure garden, and can also be helpful for DC (depending on ages etc). As Daisy has said, even quite small dogs have a surprising amount of "bounce".

Good luck.

Yup, MIL has a working type cocker and he can do a standing jump onto the worktops with no effort whatsoever.

I wouldn't have wire fencing tbh, the dog would be visible to all and sundry and would make it more of an easy target for stealing. Your neighbours might not steal it but what if one if them has some work done by a handyman who likes the look of your pooch? I just think solid panels would be safer and also because of what you mentioned, dog climbing it.

Just to make you all feel afraid. Very afraid.

I have 6ft wooden fencing all around my garden.

I have a cairn terrier.

He regularly scales it - he does a jump/scrabble thing and then jumps down from the top of the fence.

He's already had his hip pinned once, which stopped him for a while but it started again about a month ago, so I guess he's feeling better

My cocker cross can jump 4 feet from a standing start, and can easily clear 5 feet with a run up. I have a 6 foot fence all around my garden. It's solid panelling, and tbh if it wasn't he'd spend all of his time roofing at everything he could see.

Our fencing is 7/8 ft chain link all around and hedges planted on our side of them to screen the ghastliness from view.

I've found that not many gundog type dogs actively try and escape from any garden unless there is something enticing them to go. Dogs CAN haul themselves over surprisingly tall obstacles, but mostly the need to escape is caused by an instinct to follow - scent hounds and terriers are bred to track vermin of all kind, so have a strong inbuilt 'need' to follow scent, clear obstacles and chase.

Mine were also easily contained in my last house by mostly a 6 foot fence, but didn't try and get over a small area of 4 ft fencing/wall that we had.

Oh, and OP - don't get the bit of garden furthest away from the house made dog safe. You'll regret it! Having to troop down to the end of the garden whenever the dog wants a wee, or to mooch about will be very annoying. Especially in the pouring rain or the middle of the night. Doubly so if it gets a runny bum or something. If I'm reading your post right, the top half won't be secure so you won't be able to leave the dog to make his own way down there.