Determining the highest fence a dog can jump depends on several factors, including the dog’s size, breed, athleticism, motivation, and training. With the right conditions, some dogs can clear fences over 6 feet tall.
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Typical fence jumping ability
Most pet dogs are capable of jumping or climbing over a 4-6 foot tall fence. Larger and more athletic breeds like German Shepherds, Australian Shepherds, and Golden Retrievers can often clear fences up to 5 feet. Smaller dogs may max out jumping 3-4 feet.
A dog’s motivation also plays a role. A dog chasing a squirrel or cat is likely able to jump higher than if they were just exercising in the backyard. Prey drive and scent motivation can sometimes give dogs super-canine leaping abilities.
World record fence jumping dogs
The highest recorded fence jump by a dog in competition is 68 inches, or 5 feet 8 inches. This record was set by Cinderella May, a Belgian Shepherd mix competing in the Purina Incredible Dog Challenge agility competition in the early 2000s.
Other dogs have been recorded jumping as high as 72 inches (6 feet) or more, but not under competitive conditions with official record-keeping. Unofficial reports of dogs jumping 6-7 feet fences exist, but are hard to substantiate.
How breed affects jumping ability
Some dog breeds tend to be better jumpers based on factors like:
- Athleticism – High energy, agile breeds like Australian Shepherds and Border Collies excel at jumping.
- Leg Strength – Breeds like Labradors and Coonhounds bred for hunting often have powerful hind legs good for jumping.
- Size – Medium and large breeds have more power to propel themselves upward.
- Drive – Dogs bred for herding or hunting have motivation to get over barriers.
Here are some top jumping breeds:
| Breed | Avg. Jump Height |
|---|---|
| Australian Shepherd | 4-5 feet |
| Belgian Malinois | 5-6 feet |
| Border Collie | 4-5 feet |
| Boxer | 4-5 feet |
| German Shepherd | 4-6 feet |
| Greyhound | 5-6 feet |
| Jack Russell Terrier | 3-4 feet |
| Labrador Retriever | 4-5 feet |
As shown, medium to large sized dogs bred for athleticism, hunting, or herding tend to be able to jump the highest.
How training can increase jump height
With proper training and conditioning, many dogs can jump higher than their untrained counterparts. Agility training and competitions involve teaching dogs to leap hurdles, gates, and other barriers.
Professional dog sports like flyball and dock diving also build a dog’s jumping prowess. Flyball dogs must leap over hurdles to trigger a ball launcher while racing a teammate. Dock diving dogs jump from an elevated platform into water, aiming for distance.
Even just regularly practicing jumping in the backyard or at the park can help increase a dog’s vertical leap. Providing encouragement and rewards helps too!
Why do dogs jump fences and barriers?
Most dogs who jump fences or barriers do so for the following reasons:
- Escape – Looking to get out of the yard and explore, often due to boredom or insufficient exercise
- Prey drive – Chasing a smaller animal like a squirrel or rabbit
- Separation anxiety – Trying to reunite with their owner and escape the yard
- Wanderlust – A natural roaming instinct in some breeds and individual dogs
Determining the root cause of a dog’s fence jumping can help owners take steps to curb the behavior. Extra exercise, entertainment, supervision, or training may be needed.
Risks of dogs jumping too high
While amazing to witness, a dog leaping 6-7 feet in the air to clear a fence does carry some risks of injury. Risks include:
- Sprains and strains of muscles and tendons in the shoulders, back, and rear legs
- Jammed toes or ripped toe nails on landing
- Wear and tear on joints from chronic hard landings
- Concussions or other injuries from failed attempts
Owners of athletic, high jumping breeds should monitor their dog closely and avoid encouraging the behavior. Providing more positive outlets for their energy is also key.
Tips for containing fence-jumping dogs
If your dog is an escape artist by fence-jumping, here are some containment tips:
Use a taller fence
Installing a fence 1-2 feet taller than your dog’s current max jump height can deter them. This is the simplest physical deterrent, but may not work for truly determined jumpers.
Try a Coyote Roller bar
A Coyote Roller bar attaches to the top of fences and spins when a dog tries to gain purchase for jumping. This can prevent them from getting over.
Angle fence inwards
Angling your fence inward at the top makes it harder for dogs to jump without injuring themselves. They can’t get proper lift off and momentum if the fence angles back towards the yard.
Try an electric wire
Running a smooth electric wire along the top of the fence and attaching it to a fence charger can deliver a safe but startling correction. This works best for dogs who haven’t started jumping yet or are not highly driven.
Supervise and correct
Catching a dog who is thinking about jumping and giving a verbal correction like “off” can help. Reward them for stopping the attempt. Supervision prevents self-reinforcing practice.
Provide enrichment
Make sure your dog gets sufficient exercise and mind-stimulating activities. Boredom and under-stimulation often contribute to chronic fence jumping.
Train an alternative behavior
Teaching your dog to perform a different, incompatible behavior when they want to jump can deter the behavior. For example, teach them to “go to mat” or “kennel up.”
Conclusion
Dogs are amazing jumpers, with the highest recorded fence jump being just over 5 feet. With the right breed, athleticism, training, and motivation, some dogs may be able to clear fences up to 6 feet or higher. However, owners should take care to discourage extreme jumping, which can raise injury risks. If you have a fence jumper, take steps like adding fence height, using deterrents, and satisfying their exercise needs to help contain them.