Last Updated on October, 2024
Found a break on your electric fence wire?
Looking to replace it instead of buying a whole new system?
Excellent choice…
Replacing the broken wire is simple and straightforward, however, you need to get the best one to ensure longevity as most wires available aren’t what they claim to be.
Below, there are 5 of the best wires for your electric fence system. All of them were put through their paces and things such as build materials, coverage and most importantly price were taken into consideration.
We’ve done the hard part, it’s only a matter of you picking the one that fits you.
Table of Contents
- Top 5 Picks for the Best Dog Fence Wire
- 1. Maximum Performance Dog Fence Wire (Editor’s Choice)
- 2. PetSafe Boundary Wire for Electric Dog and Cat Containment Fences (#2nd Best Choice)
- 3. SportDOG Brand Wire & Flag Kit for In-Ground Fence Systems (#3rd Best Choice)
- 4. Windogz Dog Fence Wire for Electric Dog Fence
- 5. DOGTEK 500ft Boundary Wire for Electronic Dog Fence System
- Pro Tips for Dog Owners: Buyer’s Guide for the Best Wires
- What is an Underground Dog Fence Wire?
- FAQs
- Final Thoughts
Top 5 Picks for the Best Dog Fence Wire
I have reviewed our top 5 choices for the finest dog fence wires money can buy. The capabilities of each product are mentioned to give you a clear picture and ease your burden of endless searches.
1. Maximum Performance Dog Fence Wire (Editor’s Choice)
Well, it’s called the eXtreme Dog Fence Max Wire for a reason. If you want extreme reliability with maximum performance, you found the one for you.
This heavy-duty wire truly lives up to its name in price and wiring length as well.
If you are looking for affordability, this might go over budget. Nevertheless, it is the perfect boundary wire for large yards as the thickest wire on the market.
Additionally, with a selection of wiring lengths ranging from 500 to 2000 ft you can cover more than two acres of land!
The fence wire is 14 gauge with high-density polyethylene, full 60 Mil coating. This industrial grade wire fence is the thickest wire available in the market and is compatible with most underground dog fence system brands and can be used above ground although it is burial grade.
Pros
Cons
2. PetSafe Boundary Wire for Electric Dog and Cat Containment Fences (#2nd Best Choice)
PetSafe Boundary Wire is one of the best you can buy for your dog containment fence.
This in-ground wire has multiple options for wire gauges and lengths.
As a part of the company, the Invisible Fence brand, it is a trusted choice for many dog owners. I will tell you why.
Firstly, as I have mentioned, they have multiple options, not just for the wire but also setup.
Depending on your terrain and yard size, you can choose a 20-gauge solid copper wire or 16-gauge.
This is one of the few brands that cater to small yards.
They have two wire lengths, 150 feet and the standard 500 ft ,which can cover lands less than ⅓ of an acre.
As a heavy-duty wire, any layout arrangement is possible with PetSafe. One of these arrangements is attaching the wire to an existing dog fence.
For example, if you have a lovely picket fence on one side of your yard, you can attach the wire along the picket while keeping the rest of the wire underground.
Pros
Cons
3. SportDOG Brand Wire & Flag Kit for In-Ground Fence Systems (#3rd Best Choice)
The SportDOG In-Ground Fence System is also an excellent choice for invisible fence wiring.
Although their price is slightly above some of their competitors, their kit is inclusive of flags, wire connectors, and splice capsules which makes it a great steal!
As most of the SportDog products are targeted at the hunting dog industry, their invisible fence wires have superior quality in terms of being extraordinarily weather-proof and durable.
The wiring available for this fence system is a 20 gauge wire that is 500 feet long which can cover ⅓.
Although there aren’t many sizing options, you will be provided with 50 boundary flags, two wire nuts, and two splice capsules.
Pros
Cons
4. Windogz Dog Fence Wire for Electric Dog Fence
The Windogz dog fence wire is known for its excellent compatibility with any underground dog fence brand.
Furthermore, unlike the first three options, you can choose the grade of the wire according to your affordability and the terrain of land.
THREE grades are available for the Windogz dog fence wire; standard, pro, and high.
The standard fencing system is a 20 gauge solid core copper wire that is burial grade with a .025 polyethylene jacket.
The gauge differs for the pro and high grades being 14 and 16, respectively.
If you want wiring that covers 1 acre of land, this is an excellent selection as the wire length comes in 1000 ft besides the typical 500 ft length.
Pros
Cons
5. DOGTEK 500ft Boundary Wire for Electronic Dog Fence System
Dogtek also has a 500 ft burial grade wire for electronic dog fence systems, so it can cover ⅓ of an acre.
This is a 20 gauge wire with a polyethylene jacket that is static and oxidation resistant.
However, some users have complained the coating needs to be thicker.
Therefore, it is advisable to be mindful of the type of land you bury it in.
Pros
Cons
Pro Tips for Dog Owners: Buyer’s Guide for the Best Wires
Congratulations, you now know some of the best wires the invisible fence market has to offer. But are you still on the fence about which product to buy or distressed by some of the technical lingo?
It’s not every day you hear about copper wires and gauges. This is also why it can be easy to get scammed into buying low-grade wires.
To buy the finest dog fence wires with ease, read the buyer’s guide below to get awesome tips that you can actually apply for any other product as well.
Gauge Wire Length and Material
One of the most imperative deciding factors when buying professionally installed systems is the length of the wire and the gauge type. The wire gauge depends on thickness.
The thicker gauge wires are 14 and 16, perfectly suitable for large yards and harsh weather. The 20 gauge wire is the thinnest. These wires are more suitable for houses with medium or small yards.
Make sure to purchase a professional grade wire with a quality polyethylene coating to prevent breakage, especially for the 18 and 20 gauge ones.
Durability
A durable wire inside and out is worth every penny spent for a dog fence. Two important factors to take note of are the wire type and material.
There are two wire types; professional and manufacturer grade wires.
A manufacturer grade wire is relatively cheaper and less durable than a professional one.
Furthermore, the inside can be made of a solid core copper wire or stainless steel.
Many people get scammed during wire fence purchases as they are given a cheaper stainless steel solid core, reducing the durability and signal transmission.
Avoid an electric dog fence wire made of stainless steel or a stranded wire.
Installation Time/Process
How long will it take to install the wire?
This is a tricky subject to navigate as there is no definitive period. The bigger your yard, the longer the installation process will be.
Nevertheless, if you want to shorten your installation time, it is beneficial to buy an underground dog fence kit or wiring from a reputable brand that sells all the equipment.
Getting all your fencing system products from one manufacturer is beneficial to prevent incompatibility.
Compatibility
As mentioned before, getting all your products from one brand is good, but what do you do if the affordability is compromised?
Firstly, checking the list of brands that are compatible with your dog fence wire can save you tons of money, not just at the moment but also in the future.
For instance, what if you move into a house with a bigger plot of land and want to keep your existing wire fence system, but the wire is too short? If the wire is compatible, you do not need to buy a new fence system.
Having a highly compatible wire (of the same gauge and grade) goes a long way to ease the process of getting additional wiring that can cover your whole home.
It is best to get the entire wire and wire nuts from the same brand, as this will make installation easier irrespective of the collar or transmitter brand.
Quality vs Cost
Quality and cost are the most significant predicaments every shopper faces!
Although you should never go over budget, it is wise to remember underground dog fences are a one-time purchase. Here are a few notes to keep in mind next time you purchase:
- A more durable wire can last a long time
- A direct burial grade wire is a must; avoid wires designed for above ground dog fences
- Key features to look for are UV resistant, oxidation resistant, and waterproof
- A solid core copper wire is better than a stranded wire for an underground fence
- Provides high signal strength even in harsh weather
- Cable flexibility should be high to prevent breakage
Here’s our complete guide on how to choose the best fence wire.
What is an Underground Dog Fence Wire?
With a broad selection on the market, many pet owners buy fence wires without understanding their true purpose.
If you are planning to install an underground dog fence system for your canine, the wiring should be burial grade. They are usually made with professional grade polyethylene coating to protect against water exposure and UV rays.
These boundary wires are part of the invisible fence kit that comes with transmitters and a dog collar. They send signals to the transmitter that, in turn, sends a radio signal to the dog collar when your pet closes into the boundary wire location.
A fence wire that comes with flags is the best for dog training. However, during training, you do not need to place the flags above the exact location of the wiring.
Scattering them towards the edges of the fence or around areas like the pool for two weeks is enough for your pet to get an idea of the boundaries.
Wire burial layouts
There are numerous arrangements for an in-ground wire fence.
The one we have discussed before is attaching a part of the underground wire to an existing fence.
The most typical arrangement is burying the whole wire around the borders of your yard.
But… wait!!
What if I told you there are multiple ways to bury the wire to suit your needs and improve signal strength?
Firstly, bury it only a short distance because the collar will not receive any signals even if you bought the best wire.
Check the recommended burial depth according to the brand you purchase, but some do mention at least 3 inches.
Once you know the depth, make a layout of the area you want to cover. If you keep your dog mostly in your backyard and there is no space for your pet to escape to the front, wiring just the back will suffice.
Another layout you can try is separating the front and back fences with the wire. You can leave space along the area separating the front and backyard to achieve this.
However, you might need a long wire for this arrangement, depending on the size of your yard, along with a longer training period for your pet to get accustomed to the separation.
Related articles:
FAQs
Final Thoughts
You have made it till the end, great! I hope this article gave you all the information you need to buy the best invisible fence wire for your yard. It can be challenging to secure your pet at home.
The right fence wire can keep your dog within boundaries and aid in training them to be on their best behavior with minimal supervision. Sometimes, the best dog fence wire can be the most eXtreme option.
If you have a large yard and want maximum performance out of your wire, buy a product that delivers like the eXtreme Dog Fence Max Wire.
Do make sure to follow the buyer’s guide and remember the keynotes (durability, wire gauge, UV/water resistance, quality) to get the best electric dog fence that meets your needs.
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