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When it comes to buying or renting a home, a fenced-in garden is the holy grail for dog owners. If you aren’t lucky enough to already have a fence in place at your home, don’t worry—it’s easy to add one yourself! From puppy playpens to heavy-duty outdoor fencing, a cheap dog fence could be the perfect solution to keep your dog safely contained.
The internet is full of options for dog fences, from portable puppy playpens to permanent in-ground systems, but finding the right one at the right price can be a challenge. Fortunately for you, we’re here to help narrow down the choices. Read on to learn what to look for when you’re shopping and discover our top picks for affordable dog fences available online.
How to Choose the Right Dog Fence
When you start shopping around for dog fences, you may find that many of them look the same. When you get into the details, however, you’ll realize that there are key features that set one model apart from another and those are the details you need to pay attention to.
Here are some things to look for when you start shopping:
- High-quality materials. The entire point of a dog fence is to keep your dog contained, so if you choose one made from flimsy materials your dog won’t have any trouble escaping.
- Wall height. The height of your fence needs to be appropriate for your dog’s size. Larger dogs will inevitably require taller fences while small dogs and puppies can be safely contained by smaller ones.
- Space and shape. For short periods of time, a small fence or playpen may be adequate but if you plan to keep your dog outside for any length of time, he’ll need space to do his business separately from the play area.
- Safety and stability. Safety is always your number-one priority for your dog, so choose a fence that firmly anchors to the ground or has an interlocking design that keeps it from falling over.
Choosing the right dog fence is a matter of determining your needs and choosing a fence that is appropriate for your dog. Before you have a look at our carefully selected options, take a moment to consider another popular type of dog fencing—invisible dog fences.
A Word About Invisible Dog Fences
An above-ground fence creates a physical barrier to contain your dog. As long as the fence is sturdy enough and with high enough walls, it will keep your dog where you want him. Invisible dog fences serve a slightly different purpose. They enable you to create an invisible boundary that relies on a special wireless collar to discourage your dog from crossing that boundary.
So, which option is better for your dog? Here are a few points to consider:
- Physical, above-ground fences keep your dog contained but can also keep out wild animals
- Invisible fences require a special collar that uses sound, vibration or a shock to discourage your dog from crossing the barrier
- Dogs need to be trained to respect an invisible fence, while an above-ground fence creates an obvious barrier
- Some dogs are not fazed by the consequences of crossing an invisible fence line
Invisible fences certainly have their benefits, but if you’re looking for a reliable solution to keep your dog where you want him, a physical barrier may be the best option. Invisible fencing is also generally more expensive and requires a higher degree of installation.
The Top 8 Options for an Affordable Dog Fence
You could easily spend several hundred pounds on a custom fence for your garden, but that might be more than you really need. We’ve compiled a list of the best cheap dog fences that get the job done without emptying your wallet. Almost all of the options listed below are under £100.
1. Best Heavy Duty Dog Fence
Made from heavy-duty metal panels and stakes, the Yaheetech exercise pen is safe to use both indoors and out. It’s durable and weather-resistant for use in the back garden, as well as being easy to fold flat and store while not in use.
This version comes with eight, 60cm-high panels—but you can also opt for the 16 or 24-panel versions if you have some extra space (and cash) to spare.
Buy Now on Amazon2. Best Basic Dog Exercise Pen
If you’re looking for an affordable dog fence you can throw up quickly and pack away when you’re done, this is a perfect choice. A classic exercise pen, the Amazon Basics comes in five heights from 61-121cm and creates a 1.5m squared play area. Easy to set up without any tools in various configurations, this pen also comes with stakes for outdoor use.
Buy Now on Amazon3. Best Easy Setup Dog Fence
Thanks to its concertina style, this dog fence is easy to put up and collapse back down in 15-seconds flat! With its lightweight galvanised steel construction it can be used indoors or outdoors and for extra security the door is hinged with a bolt-action lock.
Buy Now on Amazon
4. Best Affordable Freestanding Dog Fence
This freestanding wooden fence is perfect for blocking off doorways, stairs and other areas where your dog isn’t allowed. Made from high quality pine, its three panels fold into a Z-shape that stands securely on its own. Keep in mind that this fence doesn’t come with wall-mounting fixtures, so it is best for dogs who respect boundaries—as an escape artist may be able to knock it over.
Buy Now on Amazon5. Best Bargain Playpen
This versatile, portable playpen is a great choice for indoor and outdoor use at only £23.99! It’s easy to set up and fold down, but safe and secure when assembled. It has a step-through door so you can go in and out to hang with your pooch, and can be set up in a variety of shapes to suit the area you need it for.
Buy Now on Amazon6. Best Affordable Garden Fencing for Pets
If you’re looking for something unobtrusive but more permanent than the previous options, this sturdy wire garden fence is an affordable option.
This pet-friendly border installs in a jiffy to keep your dog in—and other animals out of—the garden. It’s made from strong plastic and can be used as temporary fencing or a more long-lasting solution.
It’s easy enough to install, but you’ll need some stakes or posts as well as zip ties or a staple gun.
Buy Now on AmazonInvisible Dog Fences
When it comes to affordability, physical fences are generally the most cost-effective and the easiest to use. However, if you have your heart set on a wireless fence, take a look at these options below.
7. PetSafe Basic Inground Fence
This in-ground invisible fence covers 1/3 acre, giving your dog plenty of space to run around. Unlike other systems, this one is simple to install in a just a couple of hours.
This containment system comes with a waterproof rechargeable receiver collar for dogs 5lb and up, with a neck size of 6-28in. It works with an unlimited number of pets, as long as they have a compatible receiver collar, which you can purchase separately.
Buy Now on Amazon8. GPS Wireless Dog Fence System
A much cheaper option is this wireless system that runs on GPS. You can set the radius for your dogs play area from 20 to 500 metres with a total range of 78 hectares.
With no set up needed, all you need to do is take the collar and base unit with you (make sure it’s charged up) and you can set the boundary for your dog to stop him getting lost in the wilderness. Perfect for trips to the beach, camping and long hikes, as well as your back garden.
The collar itself is waterproof and dust-proof, so it maintains function in all types of environments and runs on built-in rechargeable batteries so you don’t need to worry about finding replacements.
Buy Now on AmazonFurther Reading
Outdoor dog fencing keeps your dog in the garden and away from hazards like busy streets and wild animals. But how do you keep him safe indoors?
Dog gates are the perfect solution to keep your dog our of areas you don’t want him snooping in, like upstairs, the garage or the kitchen. But if you want something with a higher degree of security, consider an indoor dog pen to keep your dog confined when you can’t supervise him yourself.
No matter which option you choose, be sure to pick one that offers the appropriate amount of space and durability for your dog’s size and temperament.
Check out our guides to the best dog gates and the best indoor dog pens for ideas.
