Last Updated on January, 2025
Wire fencing for dogs is a CHEAP and EFFECTIVE way to keep your dog confined to YOUR space.
When choosing a wire for your dog fence, there are certain things you need to consider, such as the GAUGE of the wire. You need to understand WHAT makes a GOOD dog fence wire, and we have FOUR great options.
These wire fences are not too hard to INSTALL. What is important is that you PICK the RIGHT type of wire that will ensure the BEST durability and RESULTS!
Fencing wire that can easily be DAMAGED is of NO USE. Hence you NEED to know, How to pick the BEST dog fence wire for your fencing needs.
Quick Summary
Durability and proper mesh are important considerations when choosing a wire for a dog fence to prevent damage and ensure longevity.
The recommended gauge for dog fence wire is 12.5, but it is important to consider the size and behavior of your specific dog when choosing the thickness.
Galvanized wire is the most durable and rust-resistant option for dog fencing.
Table of Contents
What Makes a Good Dog Fence Wire?
When searching for a GOOD dog fence wire, there are certain things you HAVE to consider.
Here is a list to make things easier.
Durability
You have to pick a wire that isn’t going to be EASILY DAMAGED. Dogs tend to break free (like any animal) and will claw at that fence. If the wire you use isn’t DURABLE, the fence WILL break down.
You want your fence to be a ONE-TIME investment. However, you can only ensure that if you keep DURABILITY in mind.
Easy to Work With
You want to choose a wire that is EASY to work with. When building a fence for your dog, the best type of wire will be FLEXIBLE and EASIER to work with.
This is especially true if you are working on fencing a layout with a challenging configuration.
Proper Mesh
The wire should have a proper MESH (you don’t want something with too big holes.) This is especially important if you have a small dog. Picking a wire such as chicken fence wire will ensure the mesh works to conceal your pooch in the space.
Rust
Rust is the killer of fencing wire. If your wire starts to rust, it will begin to break down. You want to ensure that the wire you pick is GALVANIZED and that rust doesn’t work to decompose your fence.
Gauge
Gauge is what defines the thickness of the wire. The thicker the gauge, the more durable the wire (low gauge wire being the thickest.) Hence, depending on your breed of dog, you should pick a stronger gauge, preventing the wire from being broken down from wear and tear.
4 Best Types of Dog Fence Wire
Here is our list of picks for the BEST types of wire to use for dog fencing.
1. Welded Wire
Welded wire is one of the CHEAPEST options in the market. However, you HAVE to ensure that the wire is GALVANIZED.
You may have to pay a little bit more for galvanized welded wire; however, the galvanized finish will stop it from rusting.
The welded wire mesh isn’t as small as other wiring options; however, it isn’t so large to enable your dog to stick their heads through and get stuck.
Welded wire is HARD, which makes it very DURABLE. Unless your dog EATS METAL, the fence will not be that easy to break. (Our BEST overall pick at #1)
Though the wire isn’t the easiest to mend into shape, it does have a good amount of flexibility and can be used on tough fence configurations. (You can bend the wire around tight corners and easily cut them with a set of pliers.)
Welded wire being super cheap, is one of the more AFFORDABLE options and offers good value for money (a roll costs about $18.)
You can choose a gauge based on need. We do not recommend a welded wire with too thin of a gauge. When choosing welded wire for a dog fence, you HAVE to use a wire with a thicker gauge (guage12.5 wire being most recommended – 0.099 inches).
2. Hog Fence Wire
Hog fence wire has a THICK gauge, making it one of the more DURABLE options. This is a HEAVY-DUTY wire usually used to confine hogs and cattle.
Though not the easiest wire to bend around tight corners, the strength of this wire is appealing.
You will need more than a thin gauge wire if you have a large dog; it would be best if you used something with a thicker gauge, such as Hog Fence Wire.
There are GALVANIZED options (which is what we recommend). Gauge options though limited, Hog Fence wire comes at 12.5 gauge (thickness.)
This gauge is considered the BEST gauge for fencing, making Hog Fence wire our MOST DURABLE pick.
Hog fence wire isn’t expensive; a roll will set you back around $20.
3. Chicken Fence Wire
This has to be the most COMMON type of fencing wire. There are a variety of gauges to choose from (19 to 22 gauge.)
Though it doesn’t come in as thick of a gauge as Hog Fence wire, chicken fence wire is easy to set up and mend.
Most suitable for small and medium-sized dogs, chicken fence wire has a good mesh of smaller holes.
Chicken fence wire is easy to cut with a set of pliers; however, there are better options if you want to build a heavy-duty fence.
Chicken wire fence could work very well if you’re going to build a basic fence for your NOT SO AGGRESSIVE dog.
This has to be the most COMMON type of fencing wire. There are a variety of gauges to choose from (19 to 22 gauge.)
Though it doesn’t come in as thick of a gauge as Hog Fence wire, chicken fence wire is easy to set up and mend.
Most suitable for small and medium-sized dogs, chicken fence wire has a good mesh of smaller holes.
Chicken fence wire is easy to cut with a set of pliers; however, there are better options if you want to build a heavy-duty fence. Chicken wire fence could work very well if you’re going to build a basic fence for your NOT SO AGGRESSIVE dog.
That being said, Chicken Fence Wire is NOT our list’s most durable fencing option. (Priced at around $10 a roll, it is best for non-aggressive dogs)
4. Electric Wire
Though not the most humane option on our list, electric wire does serve as a good wiring option for your fencing needs.
Electric wiring options allow you to electrify the fence. DON’T worry; the charge set on these wires is not intended to harm any animal seriously.
With this wire option, you don’t have to worry about the gauge (thickness).
All you have to do is install the electric wire, usually on the top of an existing short fence, to keep your dog from jumping over.
Though electric wire doesn’t function the same way as the other wire options we have listed, it does prove as a practical option for dog fencing.
Using electric wire as a fencing option will cost you about $3.90 per linear foot. (NOT the cheapest option on our list.)
Related article: Cheapest Way to Fence a Yard for Dogs
What Gauge of Wire is Best for Dog Fencing?
12.5 gauge wire is considered the BEST gauge for dog fencing. Though there are thicker options of wire in the market, too low gauge wire (gauge one being the thickest) is too difficult to mend into place.
When picking a wire for a dog fence, GAUGE not only defines the fence’s STRENGTH but will also dictate how EASY it is to install. Thick gauge wire, though stronger, will need a special set of pliers to CUT.
We DO NOT recommend using a gauge one wire (THICKEST) or a gauge 30 (too thin). When picking the gauge of the wire, you want to find the balance between STRENGTH and FLEXIBILITY.
How to Choose the Right Dog Fence Wire?
Deciding on the right pick of wire for your dog fence will depend on your breed of dog. For smaller dogs, you won’t need a thick gauge fence (chicken wire being more than sufficient.)
However, if you have a larger and MORE aggressive dog (like a Pitbull), you will NEED a thicker gauge wire.
Another factor that should be considered is the length of the fence. If you are looking to fence off a large area, you HAVE to use a THICKER gauge; otherwise, your fence may start to fall apart over time.
When building a fence, you DON’T want to use a wire that will require constant repairing. Hence, even if you have a small dog, if you prefer, you can use a thicker gauge of wire, 12.5 gauge being the MOST RECOMMENDED.
At the end of the day, you must pick a wire that suits YOUR needs. Consider the factors we highlighted at the TOP of this article (durability, easy to work with, proper mesh, rust, and gauge.)
ALWAYS opt for GALVANIZED wire, which is considered more DURABLE (rust won’t easily break down your fence.)
Related article: 5 Best Invisible Dog Fence Wire
Conclusion
When building a fence for your dog, you must use the correct type of wire to ensure the fence’s longevity. (A fence is supposed to be a ONE-TIME investment.)
Remember, GALVANIZED wire, regardless of type, will significantly improve the quality of your fence. Take into consideration all the factors we highlighted in this article, and you should be able to find the best PICK based on YOUR NEED.
12.5 gauge wire being the MOST RECOMMENDED gauge, you can opt for a thinner or thicker gauge of wire based on how AGGRESSIVE your dog may be.
So go ahead, take your PICK! You now KNOW how to go about picking the BEST wire option for your dog fencing needs!
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