Finding a portable dog fence for large dog breeds can be a tricky thing. You will need to consider size, space, durability, stability, and portability when making your purchase decision.
If you choose a portable dog fence that is too small, your dog is going to be anxious and uncomfortable while in it. Choose too big and you lose the portability of it all. If you choose to flimsy or light, your dog may push right through it which makes it ineffective and unsafe for your pet.
In this guide, I hope to help you narrow down your choices and make the best decision when purchasing a portable dog fence for your larger pup.
Quick Comparison: Best Portable Dog Fence
Image | Product | |
|---|---|---|
#1 - BestPet Playpen Dog Fence | ||
#2 - Midwest Foldable Metal Exercise Pen | ||
#3 - Playpen Hogh Panels for Dogs | ||
#4 - New World Foldable Exercise Pen | ||
|
#5 - Allmax Metal Pet Fence |
Below you'll find more detailed reviews on each of the products we looked at and more insight into why we chose the portable dog fence systems we did in this article.
If you believe we missed one, please let us know in the comment section below this post.
Things to Look for in a Portable Dog Fence for Large Dogs
Below are the criteria we used when looking for a portable dog crate for our lab and golden retriever.
Size and Space
The very first thing to consider when purchasing a portable dog fence is size and space.
The whole idea of a portable dog fence is to give your dog enough room to stretch their legs and move around while still keeping them contained and safe in any environment you happen to be in. If containment were the only consideration, a dog crate would make a better option.
When considering what size portable dog fence to get, be sure to leave enough room for your dog to move around comfortably.
A good rule of thumb for minimum size is 2x your dog’s size. Measure your dog from the tip of the nose to the base of the tail and multiply that by two. Your portable dog fence should surround an area at least that size (width and length).
Any smaller than this, and your dog will most likely hold their bladder to avoid laying in their own waste. As you can imagine, that makes the whole playpen scenario less fun for fido.
When it comes to fence height, be sure to purchase a fence that is at least an inch above eye level to your dog.
Anything at or below eye level will not discourage your pup from attempting the jump. Taller is always better when possible but keep in mind we still need to be portable.
Durability and Stability
The next benchmark on our list is making sure the fence will hold up. It will have to hold up to the stress of use from a larger dog but also from time and the elements if used outdoors.
Probably the number one factor in this is the material used to make the portable dog fence.
The two most common materials...
Metal Dog Fences
Portable dog fences made of metal are usually steel and come in easy to assemble panels.
The Good - The benefit of this type of fence includes the dog being unable to chew through the fence or easily break them. Metal dog fences are usually very durable and can last a lifetime with a proper rust resistant finish on them.
The Bad - Metal dog fences seem to come in two varieties… super strong but also heavy and harder to lug around or poorly made, light metal that is easy to carry around be not as durable.
Plastic Dog Fence
Portable dog fences made of plastic also come in easy to assemble panels but are usually pre-connected and fold up.
The Good - Plastic dog fences are usually quite stable and lightweight making them great for portability.
The Bad - Plastic is a prime target for dog chewing, it gets brittle in the cold, and is often light enough to be pushed around easily by your dog which kind of defeats the purpose of the fence.
Dog Bed Material
While often overlooked and indeed sometimes unnecessary, if you do decide to put a dog bed in your portable dog fence area, be sure to choose a dog bed that is chew resistant to avoid messes if fido gets bored.
There are also heated dog bed options if you are in cooler climates or have an older dog who needs a bit more comfort on those old joints.
Our Top Portable Dog Fence Choices
The best portable dog fence for a large dog is one that fits your home and your lifestyle. You should look for one that is strong, durable, and long-lasting before you make your choice.
Using the criteria from above, we selected the top 5 best portable dog fences for larger dogs.
BestPet Pet Playpen Dog Fence
The BestPet Playpen Dog Fence contains durable metals that are thick and sturdy. The playpen has a front entrance door to get you and your dog in and out without trouble. It is large and high enough for most tall dogs with plenty of room for them to move around.
The playpen can change sizes or shapes without the use of tools. The shape of a rectangle, octagon, and square can come out of the squares with locking joints to ensure even the most energetic dog stays contained. The pen is good for indoor and outdoor and is perfect for camping.
The playpen easily collapses for storage and transport without needing to pull up pegs or reassemble pieces. The all-metal frame will hold your dog securely without damage to the dog or your vehicles. It also requires no tools to assemble.
What We Like
- Construction and Quality is top notch. thick and sturdy metal.
- The Playpen folds up to fit easily in most cars, trucks, and vans.
- The Playpen has a solid safety latch to secure your pet.
What We Don’t Like
- It’s a bit heavy. Still portable but it’s no lightweight
- On the spendy side but well worth it in my opinion
Midwest Foldable Metal Exercise Pen
The Midwest foldable metal exercise pen comes with eight 24 inches wide metal panels and is available in size from 24 inches tall to 48 inches tall.
The fencing system comes with a double secure latch door to let yourself or your dog in and out. The fence is easy to set up and take down with a maximum enclosure rate of sixteen square feet.
Every fence has eight ground anchoring rods that work outside. Each fence has eight corner stabilizers, and four thumb snaps to lock them together. The fence is a durable black pen coated in a protective coating that prevents rust and is resistant to a dog that loves to chew. The fence comes with an optional top for dogs that jump.
The fence connects to a crate to create a space for sleeping and a place for exercising. The fence is easy to set up, requires no tools for assembly, and comes with a one –year manufacturer's warranty in case of problems.
What We Like
- The Midwest Foldable fence has eight anchoring stakes to create whatever shape you need.
- The fence has a durable coating that protects the fence from rust.
- The fence requires no tools to set it up.
- Easy to store and transport.
- Wire mesh and sun screen tops available.
What We Don’t Like
- The fence can have some sharp edges.
- No indoor anchors lets it move around when inside
- A bit flimsy indoors without the stakes to hold it down
Playpen Hogh Panels for Dogs
The Playpen Hogh Panels for Dogs are eight panels that are twenty-four inches wide and up to thirty inches tall. The dog pen is easy to set up in a corner or a circle wherever you are, and it folds conveniently down for storage.
The pen is durable and coated in a black electro-coat finish to protect the dog. It has multiple grounding anchors and corner stabilizers to hold the panel in place and upright. The fence has a step-through access door to let you and your dog in and out easily with multiple ways to set up the panels for your needs.
The panels fold up for easy storage and transport. The pen is lightweight and durable. It also comes with a 1-year warranty in case there are problems.
What We Like
- The pen has a black satin finish to help prevent rusting.
- The Playpen Hogh folds in for easy storage and transportation.
- The pen is lightweight.
What We Don’t Like
- The metal is very thin.
- Too light, dogs over 50lbs could push it around easily
- Construction quality not as good as the Midwest
New World Pet Products Foldable Metal Exercise Pen & Pet Playpen
The New World Pet Products Foldable Metal Exercise Pen & Pet Playpen accommodates small dogs up to extra large dogs. It has eight connecting panels that are twenty-four inches wide and up to forty-eight inches tall. The squares create a sixteen square feet pen for all types of dogs.
The playpen is a portable playpen that works well inside the home and outside the home. The pen has a black rust-proof finish that will protect the fence if it is in the elements. The playpen comes with ground stakes for outside use.
The New World Pet Playpen comes with four ground stakes and four secure locks that can snap in with a thumb. The playpen can connect to a metal dog crate to create a home and living space for your dog. The pen works for other non-climbing pets other than dogs, such as turtles and rabbits.
The playpen requires no tools for setting up as they fold out. They are convenient for travel and is easy to store with the being able to fold flat between uses. The playpen works well with additional toys and tools your dog might need.
What We Like
- The Playpen has a rust-proof coating.
- The New World Dog Playpen uses no tools for set up.
- The Playpen folds up between uses.
- Optional wire and sun screen top available.
What We Don't Like
- The metal is very thin.
- Too light, dogs over 50lbs could push it around easily
- Construction quality not as good as the Midwest but very similar to the Playpen Houg Panels
Allmax Metal Pet Fence
The Allmax Metal Pet Fence is a top-quality pet fence. It is metal construction that is rust-resistant with a black powder coat finish. The pet fence can set and fold flat easily into almost any shape you choose.
The pet fence is portable with stakes that pull up easily. The portability makes the pet fence easy to take camping, to the park or family homes. The squares are small to prevent dogs from getting caught.
The Allmax Metal Pet Fence anchors have loops at the top to make set up and takedown easy. They slide easily into dirt ground or cracks between cement. The gate at the front of the pet fence has a latch that is easy to open and secure as you need.
What We Like
- The Allmax Metal Pet Fence is very durable but still lightweight.
- The Pet Fence has a good finish and is rust-resistant.
- The Pet Fence folds up small and is portable.
What We Don’t Like
- Odd size panels and lack of other options.
- On the spendier side
- Several shipping issues have been reported.
Final Thoughts
When it comes to finding the right portable pet fence, you need to look for one that is sturdy enough to withstand an energetic pet, durable enough to withstand the elements, light enough to be portable, and priced right for the everyday guys like myself!
It also needs to be easy to set up and takedown without help. Of all the products listed above, our choice for the best portable dog fence is BestPet Pet Playpen Dog Fence.
All the portable pet fences listed above meet our basic requirements and would make a fine addition to our pet’s travel supplies, but if I’m looking for the absolute best product at the best price, it has to be the BestPet Pet Playpen Portable Dog Fence.
