We’re fencing in our back yard for our 8 month old golden retriever. Our budget is tight but our golden needs a place to run. There’s about a $600.00 difference between the 5 ft and a 4 foot high fence. My husband keeps insisting 4 ft is high enough. I say pay the extra and go with the 5 ft. and play it safe. But with the money difference he says 4 ft will be fine. Opinions please.
2006-10-02 13:39:53 · 25 answers · asked by drey1214 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
There may be a big pricing difference....but what good is paying for a 4-foot fence that won't accomplish its goal? That would be tantamount to X amount of dollars totally wasted, in many cases. Ask your husband how he'd feel about that.
Just one instance of getting out and getting hit by a car is likely to cost you at LEAST that $600 in veterinary care. It makes more sense to me to pay it toward a fence that can help prevent that from happening. Theft is also of concern....a 4-ft fence would not deter someone who thought they could make a quick buck by selling a purebred dog at a flea market across the state line. (Happens all the time.) Replacing him if he gets killed or stolen is likely to cost at least that much, too...by the time you figure in all of the basic healthcare costs you would incur with a new puppy/dog.
If he were a poodle or Cocker Spaniel, 4 feet would probably be adequate. A golden ret. can clear that height in a heartbeat, however. Believe it or not, I've even known several who could clear....and I do mean CLEAR, without touching it....a 5-foot fence.
I would actually consider 6 feet a minimum for that breed. Just pray he's not a climber or a digger!!!! LOL
Invisible fencing works well, too. Goldens are smart, and can easily be trained to it. The problem is, it won't keep other dogs OUT. They can come in and expose your dog to many different types of parasites, as well as pick fights if they are so inclined. A conventional fence is much better as far as that goes. Again...the goal is to keep your dog as SAFE, healthy, and happy as possible....for as long as nature intends him to live and be a member of your family. :-)
2006-10-02 14:30:16 · answer #1 · answered by A Veterinarian 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
4 Ft Fence
2016-12-16 12:05:32 · answer #2 · answered by krolick 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had a goldie before when I was a kid. They can jump over a 4 ft. like they are walking over a log. Go for the 5 ft. In the end you will be glad you did, because if you don't you'll have to go back and replace the 4ft. for the 5ft. I even had a dog (german shepherd) that would climb fences. We could never figure it out until one day we saw him climbing over the fence. Darn funny, but not so funny too. We had to run a electrified wire around top of fence.:(
2006-10-02 16:49:11 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
My daughter has 2 golden retrievers. We used to keep them while they went on vaction. Those dogs always managed to climb out of or dig out from under any fence. With a 4' fence, they can probably jump it.
2006-10-02 15:02:35 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
4 Foot Fence
2016-10-02 06:19:19 · answer #5 · answered by rasley 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
For a young adult retriever 4 feet is not enough.
Even if they 'can not' clear it, they can scramble over it- and get hurt in the process.
5 is better. Myself I wouldn't go under 6 feet, because retrievers can be athletic, energetic dogs, and I've seen one too many with a torn up underbelly from going over fences that are too low...
2006-10-02 13:44:41 · answer #6 · answered by Dr. Max 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can run a single strand electrical wire along the top of a 4 foot fence. They will quickly learn to stay off the fence. Get a small solar powered unit to run it.
I suggest this all the time even if the dog is not trying to get out because a dog standing against the wire will stretch the fence all out of shape if you don't.
I promice you a Golden can clear a five foot fence just as easilly as it can a four foot fence.
Source
Gundog kennel owner
pic of dog house/airing yard
http://www.hunt101.com/img/438579.jpg
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2006-10-02 13:48:28 · answer #7 · answered by tom l 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
it depends on the dogs attitude. My neighbors dog lives in my back yard, and it is a small 20lb. dog. Although I have a full grown Lab and she would not dare to leave the back yard. I also have A Pitt Bull that can scale a 8 ft fence. And a min pin that just digs under. It all depends on your dog. Jus tpicture this. If a cat, or something your dog really wanted was on the other side, would he try to get over it? If you stood on the otherside and called him would he try to jump over? If you answered yes, then go bigger!!! good luck
2006-10-02 13:47:12 · answer #8 · answered by sr22racing 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it depends on your dog. I actually had a 8 month pitbull mix and he actually jumped over the fence.. like with ease. jumped/climbed. so actually, I'm not even sure if 5 feet is enough... maybe it's just my dog though. I definately think you should get 5 feet though. Golden Retrievers are much taller animals...
2006-10-02 13:42:37 · answer #9 · answered by kpmajesty 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My terriers can jump our 4 foot fence. A Golden could clear it without a problem. You have to decide which is more important: saving the money, or saving the dog from running off (and possibly getting injured, stolen, or killed).
2006-10-02 13:54:40 · answer #10 · answered by Fetch 11 Humane Society 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋