So, you need a dog containment system but you're not sure about the right one? We've put together this quick guide to take some of the guesswork out of choosing the right dog containment fence for your dog and your property.
When choosing a fence system, there are a few things you need to consider:
- Your dog's weight
- Your dog's temperament
- The size of additional dogs you need to contain
- The size of the area you need to cover
- Your existing fencing
- Sheet metal on your property
All containment fence brands (DogWatch, Dogtra, PetSafe, and SportDOG) have the same set-up (transmitter, wire and receiver collar), the key is to find the system with the right features for your situation. With those things in mind, let's take a look at each system!
- Dog Weight | 2kg - 100kg+ Dogs
- Dog Temperament | Timid to Stubborn Dogs
- Maximum Coverage | Up To 100 Acres
- Above Or Below Ground | Both
- Suitable Near Sheet Metal | Yes
- UV-Protected Wire | Yes
We've put this fence first because it's the best containment fence in the World. The DogWatch Hidden Fence 1200FMD is the most versatile, reliable and durable fencing system designed for all dogs on all types of properties. It's the only system that features dual surge protection (internal & external) and the only system that does not encounter interference from sheet metal. Whether you need to create a small boundary along your driveway or create a boundary around a 100-acre farm, the DogWatch system does it all!
- Dog Weight | 7kg - 100kg
- Dog Temperament | Mild To Stubborn
- Maximum Coverage | Up To 40 Acres
- Above Or Below Ground | Both
- Suitable Near Sheet Metal | No
- UV-Protected Wire | Yes
Unlike other fencing systems that require replaceable batteries, the Dogtra E-Fence 3500 has a rechargeable receiver collar that saves you the ongoing cost of batteries. The Dogtra E-Fence receiver collar (and additional receiver collars) is slightly larger in size. We only recommend this system for dogs above 7kg. The Dogtra E-Fence 3500 covers up to 40 acres making it a suitable system for suburban properties and acreages.
- Dog Weight | 5kg - 100kg Dogs
- Dog Temperament | Mild to Stubborn Dogs
- Maximum Coverage | Up To 100 Acres
- Above Or Below Ground | Both
- Suitable Near Sheet Metal | No
- UV-Protected Wire | No
The SportDOG SDF-100C-22 is great for larger working dogs above 5kg on properties over 1 acre. It comes with 300m of wire in the kit. The waterproof receiver collar has 7 static stimulation levels designed for dogs with a mild to stubborn temperament. The heavy-duty transmitter features lightning surge protection and has the power to cover up to 100 acres.
- Dog Weight | 15kg - 100kg+ Dogs
- Dog Temperament | Mild to Stubborn Dogs
- Maximum Coverage | Up To 100 Acres
- Above Or Below Ground | Both
- Suitable Near Sheet Metal | No
- UV-Protected Wire | No
The SportDOG Contain + Train combines the capabilities of the SportDOG SDF-100A dog fence and the SportDOG SD-425E remote trainer into one easy-to-use system. Due to the size of the collar module and strength of the stimulation levels, we only recommend this system for dogs above 15kg with a stubborn temperament. The SportDOG SDF-100A covers up to 100 acres with additional boundary wire and can contain an unlimited number of pets providing they are wearing additional receiver collars.
The SD-425E remote trainer included with the system is the perfect short-range communication tool for pet dogs and working dogs above 15kg. Whether you're in a single-dog situation or multiple-dog situation, the SD-425E remote trainer has the signal range and correction strength to rectify disobedient behaviour and reinforce training commands.
- Dog Weight | 4kg - 30kg Dogs
- Dog Temperament | Mild Pet Dogs
- Maximum Coverage | Up To 10 Acres
- Above Or Below Ground | Both
- Suitable Near Sheet Metal | No
- UV-Protected Wire | No
The PetSafe Deluxe Adjustable Dog Fence is a budget-friendly dog containment fence great for use on suburban properties and small acreages. The system can cover up to 10 acres with additional wire and the receiver collar is suitable for dogs above 4kg.
- Dog Weight | 15kg+ Dogs
- Dog Temperament |Stubborn Working Dogs
- Maximum Coverage | Up To 10 Acres
- Above Or Below Ground | Both
- Suitable Near Sheet Metal | No
- UV-Protected Wire | No
An electric dog fence designed with larger stubborn breeds in mind. The PetSafe Stubborn Dog Fence has a larger waterproof collar with a training mode and 4 levels of heavier correction. The same transmitter as the standard version and will cover a 10-acre property. Best suited for larger dogs from 15kg that are stubborn or a working breed. Although this system can cover up to 10 acres, if you're thinking of covering more than an acre, we recommend purchasing the SportDOG SDF-100C.
- Dog Weight | 5kg - 30kg Dogs
- Dog Temperament | Mild to Medium Pet Dogs
- Maximum Coverage | Up To 3/4 Of An Acre
- Suitable Near Sheet Metal | No
Additional Receiver Collars
What if I have dogs of different sizes and temperaments? Do I need to install different containment systems?
No, you don't! If you need different types of collars to fit different-sized dogs, the only thing you'll need to consider is that the additional receiver collar is compatible with your existing/chosen fencing system:
- All PetSafe receiver collars (except Stay + Play) are compatible with any PetSafe fencing system and *some* SportDOG models.
- The SportDOG Rechargeable Collar is only with the SportDOG SDF-100C system. The SportDOG Contain + Train Collar is compatible with the SportDOG Contain + Train and the PetSafe Systems.
- All DogWatch receiver collars are only compatible with any DogWatch fencing system.
- All Dogtra receiver collars are only compatible with any Dogtra fencing system.
