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(Last Updated On: )For those that want to contain their dogs within a certain area, an underground electric dog fence will provide just that. There is no need to install bulky fencing around your home as these wires are invisible when underground.
The best electric dog fence is the Second Generation Extreme Dog Fence, which uses thick 14 gauge wires for durability and is able to cover up to 25 acres of land.
For those that do not want to dig underground many of the best wireless dog fence alternatives provide excellent reliability and features. Of course, they do come with an inflated price tag and the worry of dependability with regards to wireless connectivity.
Table of Contents
Best Invisible Dog Fence
| Electric Dog Fence | Range | Wire Thickness |
|---|---|---|
| Extreme Dog Fence | Up To 25 Acres | 14 Gauge |
| PetSafe Basic | Up To 5 Acres | 20 Gauge |
| SportDOG System | Up To 100 Acres | 20 Gauge |
| Sit Boo-Boo Advanced | Up To 20 Acres | 20 Gauge |
| Barklo Invisible | Up To 5 Acres | 26 Gauge |
The main drawback of using an electric dog fence that is not wireless is the fact you will need to dig up certain areas of your yard. This is required to pull the wires underground around the containment area you wish to keep the dog inside. Most electric dog fence packages only come with a small amount of wiring but are capable of covering up to 100 acres, therefore you may need to purchase additional wire.
Components of an electric dog fence include wires, collar, fence chargers, fence batteries, and various other hardware. Installation is very basic and even a basic DIY’er will be able to safely install this type of hidden dog fence.
An underground dog fence is the preferred option for those that want reliability and do not mind digging their yard for the wires. Below is a list of the best electric dog fences that are invisible due to the wires being underground.
Extreme Dog Fence Complete Package
The Extreme Dog Fence is manufactured in the USA and this is quite uncommon among competing dog fence brands. Many people feel good about the fact that when they make their purchase, they are supporting American jobs.
Not only is it manufactured in the US, when you call their support number, you get a real live person. It’s a great thing that their customer service is available 7 days a week since so many people choose to install their fence on the weekends.
Reliability is a key issue with many of the wireless alternatives and there are many things that can cause a wireless fence to fail. With the Extreme wired dog fence, none of these factors would have any effect on the fence whatsoever.
Features of the Extreme Dog Fence include:
- Comfortable and lightweight collar for static correction
- Covers up to 25 acres of land
- 100% waterproof and submersible
- 7 different level of correction
- 14 gauge wire
- UV resistant
- 10 years warranty
From the lightweight (1.1 ounce) collar to the thick electric dog fence wire, this kit offers high quality in every aspect. Overall, it is the best electric dog fence and by far the most popular with the 25-acre range and the impressive 10-year warranty.
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PetSafe Basic In-Ground Fence For Dogs
PetSafe is a brand that produces a range of both wireless and in-ground electric dog fences and this is one of their budget models. The fence is able to cover 1/3 of an acre of land but with additional wire and flags, it can be increased to 10 acres.
In terms of the features of this PetSafe in-ground dog fence, they include:
- Suitable for dogs over 8 LBS
- Fits neck sizes from 6 to 28 inches
- 4 adjustable levels of correction
- Up to 10-acre containment
- Waterproof receiver collar
- Includes a surge protector
- Add an unlimited number of dogs
Overall, the PetSafe electric dog fence provides excellent value for money and is one of the cheapest available. However, the low price doesn’t mean its low of features because there are many to play around with and you also have the ability to add an unlimited amount of dogs.
Check it OutSportDOG Brand In-Ground Fence System
Features of the SportDOG in-ground electric dog fence include:
- 100 flags covering 1.3 acres
- Capable of covering 100 acres of land
- Wall-mounted fence transmitter
- Comes with 1,000 feet of 20 gauge wire
- 4 different levels of static correction
- Ability to expand the containment area to 100 acres
- Expandable for multiple dogs
- Built-in safety features
Overall, it is an excellent electric dog fence that provides a range of features from correction settings to safety functionality that provide protection during lightning, wire break alarm, and even anti-linger features. It is a good all-rounder that will not leave you disappointed and offers excellent value for money.
Check it OutSit Boo-Boo Advanced Hidden Dog Fence
Features of the Sit Boo-Boo hidden dog fence include:
- IP 67 waterproof rating
- Long battery life
- 20 gauge solid copper wire
- 20-acre containment
- 3 different correction methods
- Low range frequency
As with the SportDOG alternative, Sit Boo-Boo also offers an option to purchase their additional remote trainer. This will double up as an electric dog training collar for obedience training as well as being suitable for use with your hidden dog fence. Overall, it is the best electric dog fence for the money with a range of features and high quality components. Upgrading the wire to a thicker gauge would be a good upgrade for this package.
Check it OutBarklo Invisible Electric Dog Fence
Barklo is another brand that offers a large variety of fences and this is their budget option that has been updated this year. The package comes with all the components you find with the premium alternatives and includes a 1-year warranty.
Features of the Barklo Invisible Dog Fence include:
- 0.55 acres of containment that is expandable to 5 acres
- Suitable for all dogs under 16 LBS (apart from toy breeds)
- Adjustable neck circumferences from 5 to 21 inches
- 650 feet wiring
- Up to 10-acre containment
- Durable and waterproof receiver
Overall, it is a great alternative to the PetSafe above and is suitable for a wider variety of dog breeds. Barklo provides detailed instructions and takes pride that the installation of this electric dog fence is fairly straight forward.
Check it OutElectric Dog Fences Buying Guide
Electric dog fences are often called either a hidden or invisible dog fence due to the fact that the wires are buried underground. This does mean there is an element of manual installation but once that is done, you will have many years of reliable containment of your dogs. Now that we have given you our recommendation, let’s explore the different factors to consider when purchasing an electric dog fence. Here are some questions to ask yourself before purchasing.
How Much Land Do You Have to Contain?
Do you have an acre or less, or do you live on a big, rural property? When selecting the right dog fence, be certain that the transmitter that comes with it is powerful enough to contain the amount of land that you intend to enclose.
The majority of electric dog fence kits only come with a small amount of wiring that will cover an acre or two if you are lucky. However, you can purchase plenty of wiring that is suitable for an electric dog fence to increase the containment area.
What Breed of Dog(s) Do You Have?
Why does this make a difference, you may be wondering? Because different breeds of dogs have different temperaments. A dog with a mild temperament isn’t an issue. However, if you have a very strong-willed dog, he or she may need a stronger collar.
There are stronger collars out there that will work better for stronger-willed dogs. For example, Extreme offers a Hyper System, which is designed to contain larger dogs with a more stubborn temperament.
Do You Need a Rechargeable Collar?
Some dog fences have rechargeable collars, others don’t. It is a matter of opinion of which is better. It costs money to buy batteries, but if you forget to charge a rechargeable collar, it won’t do you any good. The Extreme runs on disposable proprietary batteries.
How Many Dogs Do You Have?
Some electric dog fences have a limit on the number of dogs that you can have on the system. The Extreme Dog Fence will support an unlimited number of dogs. Before purchasing, be sure that the fence is able to support multiple dogs if needed.
How Thick is the Wire That Comes with the Kit?
As mentioned earlier, you get what you pay for. If you get a budget kit, is likely to come with a very thin 20 gauge wire. This ups the likelihood that you are going to have a wire break down the road. If your kit comes with 14 gauge wire, it will likely cost more. However the years of longevity it gives you will be worth it.
Conclusion
Perhaps you already have a traditional fence. Even if you do, your dog may be trying to dig under or jump over it. When you have an electric dog fence, you don’t have to worry about this. We hope this buyer’s guide has given you some good advice on what to think about when you purchase an electric dog fence. Making a smart decision on your investment is easy if you take all of these aspects into consideration.
Ian is an avid outdoorsman and dog lover. He lives in Central Florida with his wife Heather, and their 2 dogs – Panda (Purebread Rough Collie X English Golden Retriever) & Kuma (Blue Merl Purebread Rough Collie)
