What fence height does my dog need?
· 6 min read
When choosing the right fence height for your dog, it is not enough to look only at body size. A small, highly motivated jumper may use a fence very differently from a large, calm dog. Prey drive, climbing behaviour, experience with fences and whether your dog tries to get underneath a fence are just as important. A safe assessment therefore always starts with the individual dog.
Fence height: Guidelines rather than guarantees
There is no single height that reliably keeps every dog within an area. As practical guidance, fence guides mention different ranges. One guide suggests around 80 to 100 cm for small dogs, 120 to 150 cm for medium sized dogs, 150 to 180 cm for large dogs and 180 cm or more for athletic dogs or dogs that are especially likely to jump. Another guide suggests around 100 cm for small dogs, 120 to 140 cm for medium sized dogs and 160 to 180 cm or more for large dogs and jumpers. Sources: gartenzaun.org and hanse-zauntechnik.de
These figures are practical values from fence guides, not a Swiss standard and not a safety guarantee. Your dog's actual behaviour matters more than a size category.
If your dog has already shown that they can jump high obstacles, that experience should carry more weight than a general recommendation based on body size.
Is your dog a jumper?
A jumper tries to get over the top boundary. Signs can include:
- Your dog deliberately jumps over obstacles in everyday life.
- They take a run up towards a fence.
- They watch movement outside and become visibly more aroused.
- They have already learned that jumping over boundaries works.
For these dogs, height is not the only important factor. Also look at what is immediately beside the fence. A raised surface, object or slope can change the effective boundary.
The fence guide from Gartenzaun.org recommends 180 cm or more for athletic dogs and dogs that are likely to jump, and bases the height on size and temperament rather than breed alone. Source: gartenzaun.org
When renting an unfamiliar area, you should therefore not rely only on the stated fence height. Compare it with what you know about your dog.
Climbers need a different assessment
Some dogs do not try to jump over a fence but use it like a ladder. A fence with many horizontal or easy to grip structures can be more problematic for such a dog than a smooth boundary.
The dog fence guide from Gartenzaun.org explicitly states that some dogs climb mesh or horizontal elements and recommends a construction that is as smooth as possible without footholds for known climbers. Source: gartenzaun.org
Pay attention to the material as well as the height. Observe your dog especially closely during the first few minutes around a new fence. Do they walk curiously along the boundary, or do they start systematically testing weak points?
Diggers do not look upwards
A high fence is of little use if your dog can get underneath it. Areas where there is already a gap between fence and ground, where the surface is soft or where the land slopes away are particularly important.
One fence guide therefore lists ground closure and protection against digging underneath as separate safety criteria in addition to fence height. It also identifies the gap underneath a gate as a typical weak point. Source: gartenzaun.org
For you as the user of a rented area, this means you do not have to assess the fence construction like a specialist company. But you can check whether there is any visible opening that your dog could fit through.
Why a double gate is helpful
The gate is a sensitive point: When you enter or leave, the area is briefly open. This is exactly where a two gate safety system helps.
The principle is simple: You first enter an enclosed intermediate area. The outer gate is closed. Only then do you open the gate to the actual off lead area. When leaving, the process works in reverse.
A double gate is particularly useful if your dog:
- quickly moves forward when doors open
- becomes excited when seeing other dogs
- finds waiting difficult
- enters the area together with several dogs
- has a strong prey drive
Even a double gate does not replace attention. Always check that the other gate is genuinely closed before opening one.
On DogOasis, providers can state how high their fencing is and whether a double gate is available. On dogoasis.ch/suche, you can filter by fence height. Whether an area has a double gate is stated on its page.
Visual screening can also matter
For some dogs, escaping is not the biggest issue. What they can see through the fence is more important. People, unfamiliar dogs, bicycles or other movement can cause a dog to run along the fence, bark or become highly aroused.
Visual screening can reduce these visual stimuli. The fence guide from Gartenzaun.org also explains that an opaque boundary can help with visually triggered barking, while noting that the construction needs to be planned accordingly. Source: gartenzaun.org
For a reactive dog, a field with visual screening may therefore be more important than extra space. You can read more under Reactive dog: Off lead time with less encounter stress.
Checklist before removing the lead
Even if you have already selected the field online, it is worth taking a short walk along the boundary before the first off lead session.
- Keep your dog on the lead at first.
- Check that all gates are closed.
- Look for visible gaps under the fence.
- Check for damaged or bent sections.
- Inspect transitions between fence and gate especially carefully.
- Look for objects directly beside the fence that could make it easier to get over.
- Observe what is moving outside the area.
- Only then decide whether the fencing suits your dog.
You can find a more detailed selection guide under Rent a dog field in Switzerland: 7 points to check.
What should you do if your dog still escapes?
If your dog gets over a boundary, try not to make the situation more intense by running after them frantically. Use a familiar recall cue, move away from the direction of escape if appropriate and try to orient your dog back towards you. You can find a systematic recall training approach under Train your dog's recall: Make coming back worthwhile.
If your dog has disappeared or there is danger from traffic, wildlife or other circumstances, inform the relevant local authorities depending on the situation.
After an escape, do not simply try the same fencing again. You now know that your dog found a specific weak point. First clarify how it can be secured or choose a more suitable area.
If prey drive is a particular issue, Dog with a strong prey drive: How off lead time can work is also useful.
Ultimately, the right fence height depends less on the labels small, medium or large than on the individual dog. If you are looking for a fenced area, you can filter by fence height at dogoasis.ch/suche and choose an environment that suits your dog.
As of: September 2026