Since they would be pretty athletic, I wouldn't consider anything less than a 5 foot tall fence. My springers could jump high enough that they could catch the top and then crawl up with their hind legs and be out. I ended up putting a hot wire a ways out from the bottom and that cured it.

They look like great dogs. Have fun!

I have a 64 pound Greyhound that has the capability to jump over my four foot fence with ease. I previously had (English) Bulldogs that had reached the top of a six foot brick fence years ago - shocked that cat!

Prior to getting my retired track Greyhound I sought the advice of the rescue/adoption group, and also received a visit by a group member with her Greyhound as part of their vetting of me as an adopter.

For a Greyhound, four feet was considered fine. It has proven to fine, even in the face of cross fence temptations by raccoons, deer, squirrels, and other dogs.

Looking a pictures of your breed at the National Specialty www site makes me think that likely a 4' or even 3' fence might well suffice.

Rather than accepting speculation on the part of we posters, I'd contact the dog's parent Club's www site, I'd check with breeders found on-line, and I'd absolutely check with the breeder you are getting the pup from!

5 feet at a minimum.

It sounds like some of the suggestions are from folks that allow their dogs to run in the fenced area without supervision.

Not judging anyone, but I never allow my dogs to run in my fenced yard without direct supervision. This may effect the decision as to fence height required. I'm sure the breeder will provide good guidence.

YMMV

Thanks! I put the question to 2 breeders. One said 4 feet is adequate as long as not chain link as they can climb. The other hasn't responded.

The dogs don't have a strong prey drive unless you work on it.

They are an intelligent and athletic dog but do have an "off switch" when they come indoors.

The breed was used in the movie "Because of Winn-Dixie"

Now if I want to keep the deer out of the yard....

a2gemini,

I think you are doing the right thing. When I got my Greyhound I was very nervous about the adequacy of my four foot, three rail, wire fence. A Greyhound, particularly a female from a track can physically jump that height with the ease of a deer. I was assured by a few of the rescue group more experienced people that the fence was of adequate height and we had a house-visit where a group member and her dog visited us for a site inspecion and she also assured me it would be fine.

The dog has been tempted to go by numerous deer, rabbits, squirrels, and the occasional fox, raccoon, and passing dogs and kids.

Be interested to hear if the second breeder with experience with your breed agrees with the first breeder.

They look like nice dogs... best of luck.

Thanks Saltdog.

Our other option is zip lines between our trees. The dogs are not major flight risk but temptation can always be problematic

We spent a couple hours today with the breeder and a Picard.

The dog was exactly what we expected from reading and our limited exposure to the breed.

We have been studying various breeds for about a year before deciding on the Picard.

Now to find a puppy...

Don't find a puppy. Find a breeder.

You want a breeder that will check you out as much as you check out the breeder. You want a breeder that is local - local enough so that she is available to help and may well know the right local contacts. You want a breeder that has a purpose in breeding, other than to make money. It should be a breeder that is breeding only to improve the breed and provide a better dog to exhibit in conformation or other competition. You want a breeder that strives to produce healthy, conformationally correct dogs, of good disposition.

Folks that wanted my pups would have found it easier to get one of my children ... and I had a waiting list numbering in the teens and sometime into the 30s. (I had three litters only. Four AKC Champions.)

Is this your first dog?

Saltidawg-absolutely we are working with reputable breeders. This being a more rare breed, local is not a total option. We met a breeder and one of her "boys" at a dog show yesterday. We spent about 4 hours with her boy. We were pleased that the dog was exactly like we expected.

All of the breeders require an extensive application and want to know about us. We have talked with 4 breeders and 2 have accepted us so far. When we talk, they realize our overall understanding and puppy plan.

We are number 9(but have a good chance of moving up as several people haven't been in recent contact) If we move up to number 5, we have a good chance. Right now, we are waiting for the female to go into heat. The health reports were good on both dogs.

The third just received our application and they really want a fenced yard. The other 2 are happy with our companion activities and zip line. These dogs do not want to be outside alone. They want to be with the pack(us)

What was your breed?

Mimi

Officially yes

we have done longer term vacation care for a number of dogs including a bearded collie.

We will have lots of support from our dog friends.

We are very active younger retirees so we have time to play and exercise the puppy. We plan to stay in our current house got ~15 years and then look at downsizing to a condo.

We hike, cross country ski and other activities.

One of our friends who was a breeder has been impressed with our research into the breeds.

In reality, the breed found us. After looking for a year to find a perfect match, we were riding our bicycles home and we spotted this dog. We talked to the owner and realized we had found our breed. We went home and read a lot of information on the breed before moving forward.

Keeping our hopes alive!

Good luck, it's very exciting?

Absolutely!

My had (English) Bulldogs for over thirty years. From what you have told us, you sound like an absolutely great candidate for a pup!

I would agree to disagree with a breeder agreeing with the use of a zip line - I like the two way "protection" a fence provides... keeps lots of critters out, including most likely roaming dogs.

I'm impressed with the research you have done and continue to do. If the breed is rare such that finding a "local" or near by breeder is impossible, then so be it. The www has made long distance communication so much easier.

PS Four years ago I had to euthanize my last Bulldog - TONTO was 13 years old, a nearly unheard of age with that breed. Cried for days, vowed never to have another dog, etc. (I'm now 73 years old.)

Ten months ago we adopted a retired racing Greyhound from the Dog Track in Tampa, FL. Disposition wise she is similar to my Bulldogs, easy going, low maintenance, but unlike Bulldogs, they tend to be very healthy and long lived. Smart as a whip, too. Physically, little in common. My Greyhound has a nose, a tail, long legs - my Bulldogs not so much. lol

Salti- so glad you found a new pup! We considered rescue dogs but decided my DH personality would do better with a pure bred vs inherited problems. PB can have problems as well but they didn't start with problems.

We might put in a fence regardless but our city codes are so restrictive that a fenced area might end up being too small to be helpful.

We live on a corner lot and the fence needs to be 25 feet from the sidewalk to meet code.

We considered a GH but ruled out due to climate and wanting more of an endurance dog. They are great sprinters and loungers!

Thanks for your support. It is really appreciated.

I did not want to suggest GH's for you - you've done your homework! Just wanted to share, at the risk of hijacking your thread. lol

You'll do fine whatever you do - I can tell!

5' MINIMUM AND 6' TO BE SAFE. GOOD THINKING ON CHECKING AND HAVE FUN!

Saying it in ALL CAPS doesn't make it agree with the advice the OP has received from breeders so far! lol

Salti- no problem. I am just glad you found a dog for you.

thanks Madis. All suggestions are welcome.

Sorry for caps. Computer was stuck and I wanted to help.

Madis- been there!

Ann- I understand totally! Do I dare even looking up your breed

it looks like your new friend is a happy camper in your canoe!

It looks like A2 might have loosened up the fence restrictions but still limited to 4 feet within 25 feet of the sidewalk. If I start 25 feet in, it limits the space in the backyard so much.

The breeder only had the dog go over the fence twice - one was after a big snow storm and suddenly the fence was only 2 feet tall and the owner was outside the fence.

Keep your fingers crossed that we can find a puppy at one of the breeders.