Chain Link Fences for Dogs in Lubbock: Height, Gauge, and Finish

Your dog doesn’t care what your fence looks like. He cares whether he can get over it, under it, or through it.

Here’s the short answer: for most dogs, a 5 ft chain link fence with 11-gauge fabric, a bottom tension wire, and posts set in concrete does the job. Go to 6 ft if your dog is a jumper. Pick black vinyl-coated if you want it to look nicer next to the house.

Now the longer version.

How Tall Should a Chain Link Fence Be for a Dog?

We install chain link in three heights:

• 4 ft works for smaller dogs that aren’t jumpers.
• 5 ft holds in most dogs. This is where most people should start.
• 6 ft is for jumpers and climbers, or anytime you want the extra height.

If your dog has already cleared your current fence once, go taller. He’s already shown you what he can do.

What Gauge Chain Link Is Best for Dogs?

Gauge is the thickness of the wire, and it works backward: the lower the number, the thicker the wire.

Our residential chain link uses 11-gauge fabric with a 2-inch mesh. Commercial jobs, like equipment yards and job sites, get heavier 9-gauge fabric. When we come out to measure, tell us about your dog and we’ll talk through what makes sense for your yard.

The Details That Keep Dogs In

The fabric gets all the attention, but the bottom of the fence and the gate are where you want to pay attention.

• Bottom tension wire. A tension wire runs along the bottom of the fabric and keeps it pulled tight. Without it, the bottom of a chain link fence can bow out over time and leave gaps for a dog to push through. We include it on every chain link fence we build.
• Posts set in concrete. We set our chain link posts in concrete, so the fence stays tight and straight.
• A top rail runs along the top of the fence and keeps the fabric straight from post to post.
• The right gates. Walk gates for everyday use, and double drive gates if you need to get a mower, trailer, or vehicle into the yard. Both are matched to your fence height and finish.

One honest note: chain link won’t stop a dog that’s determined to dig. If you have a digger, tell us at the estimate.

Galvanized vs. Black Vinyl-Coated Chain Link

• Galvanized is the classic silver chain link. A zinc coating protects the fabric, posts, and rail from rust, and it’s the most budget-friendly option.
• Black vinyl-coated adds a black coating over the fabric, posts, and rail. It fades into the landscaping instead of standing out, which is why it’s a great fit for a dog run next to a nicer home.

Your dog won’t notice the difference. You will.

Dog Run or Fence the Whole Yard?

A dog run gives your dog a dedicated space to move around without taking over the whole yard. That’s a good fit if you want to keep your grass, garden, or patio dog-free. Fencing the whole backyard works if you want your dog to have the run of the place.

Either way, it’s the same fence, built the same way.

When Chain Link Isn’t the Right Dog Fence

Chain link keeps your dog in, but it doesn’t block the view. If your dog barks at every person, car, and cat that goes by, he’s going to keep doing it through chain link. He can see right through it.

We don’t install privacy slats. If you need to block the view, go with a cedar privacy fence or R-Panel steel fencing. And if you’re going the cedar route, here’s why we build every cedar fence on steel posts.

More on heights, finishes, gates, and commercial chain link is on our chain link fencing page.

Build it tall enough, keep the bottom tight, and your dog stays home.