We all love sharing our living space with our beloved pets. Some rooms in the house, however, could be dangerous for your dog. If you want to keep them safe, you need a way to keep them from accessing these parts of the house.
Some dogs, on the other hand, are just messy. If you have ever had a teething puppy in your house, you know how much they love chewing on things. If you don’t want them to make a mess of everything, you will need to confine them to the safe areas of the house. This is where dog gates and fences came in handy. If you are looking for the dog gates on the market currently, you have come to the right place. We have prepared a list of the 5 best dog gates and fences to choose from, and a handy buyer’s guide at the end, so you know exactly when to look for.
Before we go through the list, let’s tell you about our best pick, the Venture Q-Fix Extra Tall Pressure Fit Pet Safety Gate, which is perfect for stairs and doorways. It’s pressure mounted, which means you don’t need to drill your walls for the installation. It’s extendable, and if at its maximum width it can’t fit the space you want to install it in, there are extensions available that you can buy when you buy the gate. It’s 110cm tall, which makes it ideal for a large dog. It’s easy to operate for adults, opens both ways, and self-locks after you when you have your hands full.
BEST PICK
Runner-up
Top 5 Best Dog Gates and Fences Reviews
1. Venture Q-Fix Extra Tall Pressure Fit Pet Safety Gate
BEST PICK
Buy on Amazon.co.uk
If you are looking for a reliable dog gate, especially a taller one, you cannot go wrong by choosing this one. It’s a 110cm high dog gate with a width of 75-84cm, depending on how wide the area you are installing it is but for a stand door opening you won’t have any problems.
This makes this dog gate suitable for any dog breed, including large dog breeds but what we did notice is that it’s not really suitable for puppies as they could walk through the bars. If you have a dog that regularly jumps over gates, this could help stop that, plus you don’t have to bend down to open or close it.
Unlike some of the other dog gates that need you to drill into your wall to install, this one is pressure mounted so you can fix it in place without doing this. However, if you have a dog that jumps at the hate, especially a larger dog you may find you need to fix it to the wall with screws. If this is the case, it does come with 4 cups you can screw to the wall which you can then insert the gate into. For most pet owners though, using the pressure should be enough.
This dog gate opens on both ways, which makes it easy for you to get around the house. The gate is also self-closing and locking which is handy. This comes in handy when you are going through with your hands full.
To ensure that your dog does not open the gate by itself, it also features a double clasp opening system that needs you to press two buttons simultaneously. It is easy for you as an adult to operate with one hand, but it makes it hard for your pet to tamper with and open accidentally.
The gate’s width is expandable, 75-84cm, which makes it versatile. Please measure the space you intend to install the gate in before buying. If the space you want to install the gate in is wider, extensions are available which is also a big plus as not many models have this option. This can come in handy if you wanted to place on hallways that are slightly wide than a standard door width or of course if you have a wider doorway or stairs width.
What we really like as briethly mentioned is that it can be installed in minutes. There are no tools needed for the installation which is always a plus.
Pros
- Premium high-quality pet gate.
- One of the tallest gates on the market, great for large dogs or dogs that like to jump.
- It’s expandable and can be extended with extensions which are sold separately.
- It’s self-locking, which comes in handy when you have your hands full.
- The gate opens both ways.
- The gate is pressure mounted, which means you will not need to damage your walls drilling (can be drilled to the wall if needed).
- Easy installation with no tools needed
- It has a double clasp safety system that needs you to press two buttons to open.
Cons
- Small crafty pets can squeeze through the gaps between the bars so not suitable for puppies or tiny dogs.
Why do we recommend it?
This is an ideal choice for you if you are looking for a safe dog gate that your dog but you want one that robust, durable and maybe more importantly, taller than most other alternatives.
We like that the gate opens both ways, and it’s also self-closing and locking, which makes it easy for you to manoeuvre through, even when your hands are full.
We also love that It can be pressure mounted. This means that with this gate you don’t have to drill and damage your walls for the installation, that being said if you had a large dog that jumps at the gate, you do have an option to drill to the wall if needed.
Finally, we love that it’s easy to assemble and install, and it’s also expandable and extendable but you do need to buy the extension separately if you need them which is handy. Overall this is one of the best dog gates we could find and would highly recommend.
Read next: Best whelping boxes for dogs
2. Trixie Dog Birch Barrier
Runner-up
Buy on Amazon.co.uk
If instead, you are looking for a dog gate for small dogs or puppies and prefer something that is free-standing, this will be a good alternative to the first gate. Unlike other dog gates that are meant to be installed permanently at the bottom of the stairs or in hallways, this one is a movable dog gate that you can shift to block out different parts of the house as you need to.
If you are looking for a dog fence that will blend with your home’s décor you can’t go wrong with a natural wood look. This dog fence is made with pine wood and has a clear varnish finishing, it’s worth noting that its purpose to be Birchwood but as many prevous people pointed out, its actual pine and also says this on the box.
We like that the bars are galvanized metal, which makes the gate rust-resistant and perhaps more importantly for puppies, more durable.
The gaps between the bars are small, which eliminates the possibility of small dogs squeezing through like they can with our best pick. It also comes with wide rubberized feet, which make the gate more stable.
What we really like is that the width is adjustable from 63cm to 108cm so you have plenty of flexibility if you want to use it in different places and being freestanding it’s super easy to just pick up and move. This makes it versatile for closing off spaces of different widths. It’s easy to assemble as well.
Pros
- Made of natural wood, which easily blends in with any décor you have in your house.
- It has an adjustable width giving you more flexability.
- The gate has wide rubberized feet for stability.
- It’s movable, which allows you to move it around the house to block off areas you don’t want your dog to access
- The metal bars are galvanized, which makes them rust-resistant and durable.
- It’s easy to assemble.
Cons
- Large dog or even smaller ones could jump over the gate.
Why do we recommend it?
If you are looking for a dog fence for small dogs or puppies, this one may be the ideal choice for you. It’s made of natural wood and galvanized metal bars, which make the gate durable, especially for puppies which like to chew the bars. We especially like that the gate is movable and does not require permanent installation. You can move it to different parts that you need to block off.
The gate has wide rubberized feet that make it stable which is also a plus, however at 50cm tall its not suitable for larger dogs and some smaller dogs as they may be able to jump over the fence. It really just depends on your dog and if its jumper. However, we do like that it has an adjustable width too, which makes it versatile. Overall for smaller dogs and puppies it’s a good option.
3. Trixie 3-Parts Gate for Dog
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This is another suitable choice for you if you are looking for a dog gate for small dogs or medium-sized ones and we especially like that it is freestanding.
It’s a three-part gate that can unfold straight to cover a wide area or set up in any other shape depending on the width you need to cover. When not in use, this gate folds down along the hinges for convenient storage which is also handy.
So material wide its varnished wood material that’s both durable and nice to look at, great if you don’t want a gate that looks like a baby gate. The bright white colour also makes it a good choice if you are looking for a dog gate that won’t clash with your home’s décor.
The gate has rubber feet, which makes it stable and eliminates the risk of the gate toppling and hurting your pet which works well.
It’s 61cm tall, sufficient to contain most small and medium-size dogs, and has a width that can extend from 82 to 124cm makes it flexible for use in several places. We think this makes it one of the best extendable dog gates on the market currently.
Pros
- It’s a wooden white design that will fit in with any décor a.nd doesn’t look like a baby gate.
- When not in use, this gate folds down for easy storage.
- It’s extendable so can be used in different positions.
- The gate has rubber feet for stability.
- Does not need you to drill into the walls for installation.
Cons
- Some dogs may jump over it, a common problem with gate. The only solution is a tall gate.
Why do we recommend it?
We think It’s one of the best dog gates on the market if you are looking for a dog gate for a small or medium dog breed that is freestanding on don’t need a gate that is particularly tall. We love that it’s foldable, which makes it easy for storage when it’s not in use. It’s extendable, which makes it versatile.
The gate has rubber feet that make it stable. Unlike other dog gates that need you to drill and screw the gate into the wall, this one does not need you to attach it to walls. Generally, it’s one of the best solutions you will find on the market for blocking off stairs or hallways where you don’t want your dog to go. Just bear in mind that dogs that can climb and jump, even some smaller dogs could potentially get over it. However, this would be true of most gates.
4. Unipaws Free Standing Walk Over Dog Gate
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For small and medium-sized dog breeds, this is another dog gate you can get to keep your furry friends out of trouble and its a great alternative to our prevous pick if you need a longer model as it’s just over 5ft long.
Just like our previous pick, this gate is a three-part dog gate that folds along the hinges, its wide enough for double doors or even patio doors which some will find very useful.
The double hinges on the Unipaws freestanding dog gate rotate 360 degrees, which allows you to set the gate up in different shapes to fit in the space you are setting the gate up in. It’s a 60cm high gate so it’s not too tall but it opens up to 152cm in width. This makes it versatile, as it can be used to create barriers in spaces of different widths.
There is no assembly needed, the gate comes fully assembled. Since it’s a stand-alone dog gate, you will not need to drill holes in your walls for the installation which is also a plus, the two feed surprisingly give it plenty of stability. It’s also fitted with rubber anti-scratch protectors, which ensure that your floors are not scratched up.
While some dog gates have wide spaces that small pets can squeeze through, this gate only has 4cm gaps between slats, which makes it specifically suitable for small dogs.
When not in use, the gate holds down flat for easy storage which is also handy.
Pros
- Extra-long at 5ft wide, perfect for wider spaces.
- The gate comes fully assembled out the box.
- When not in use, this dog gate folds flat to allow easy storage.
- The gates espresso colour fits in well with any home décor.
- It has stabilizing feet that keep the gate stable.
- The gate has rubber anti-scratch protectors to protect your floors against scratches.
- It features a quality 360 degrees double hinges that are durable.
Cons
- Since the gate is not attached to anything, a determined pet can move it and those that can jump may do so as its only 60cm tall
Why do we recommend it?
This gate is 60cm tall but unfolds to a width of up to 152cm, which makes it versatile, whether you need to block off teh stairs, double doors, patio doors or part of your open plan kitchen this should do the job.
We love that the gate needs no assembly, it comes fully assembled. To make it stable and ensure it doesn’t fall on your puppy and hurt it, the gate comes with stabilizing support feet.
This gate’s espresso colour makes it fit in easily with any décor you might have in your house. The gap between the slats is 4cm, which makes it especially suitable for small dogs and maybe, more importantly, puppies. Overall, this is one of the best dog barriers you will find on the market.
5. BabyDan Extra Tall Pet Safety Gate
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The BabyDan Extra Tall Pet Gate is one of the best stair gates for dogs that you will find on the market, especially if you are looking for one for a large dog breed or one that jumps most standard dog gates.
The gate measures 106cm high which is ever so slightly smaller than our best pick with a width that extends between 73 and 80cm which is also slightly smaller by a few cms. Take measurements of the space you are to install the gate in before buying just in case. That being said, in case the gate is not wide enough, extensions are available which is handy.
Just like our best pick, while other dog gates will need you to drill into your walls to install, this gate is also pressure mounted, which leaves your walls intact. However, what we like about this model is that it has pressure indicators that tell you when the gate is fitted correctly which takes the guesswork and trial and error out of it.
To make sure that your pet can’t open the gate, it features a double-clasp opening button that is easy for older users to open with one hand but hard for pets to open. The gate also opens both ways, which adds to the ease of use.
The gate is pretty easy to install, as it comes with a detailed installation manual.
Pros
- Extra tall gate for larger dogs or dogs that like to jump.
- The gate is pressure mounted, which means you will not need to drill your walls for the fitting.
- It’s easy to install and comes with detailed instructions on how to
- It’s extendable (extensions old separately).
- It’s easy to open with one hand for adults, while it’s hard for a dog to accidentally open or intentionally for that matter.
- The gate opens both ways.
Cons
- Not the best choice if you are looking for a dog gate for small dogs.
Why do we recommend it?
Over this is another good dog gate worth considering and a good alternative to our best pick if you want to compare two similar models. It’s perfect for larger dogs or those that like to jump the gate which is often a problem with smaller gates.
We think you just can’t be having a taller gate as its easier to open without bending down and usually stops them jumpers who will give it a good go, its usually just tall enough to put them off trying.
Buyers Guide: What to look for in a dog gate
There are a lot of dog gates you can buy on the market for your dog. You, however, have to choose the most suitable one for your dog and where you are thinking of positioning it. If you are looking for one, here is what to look out for when deciding which model is right for you.
Size
You have to buy a dog gate that’s big enough to block off the area you need to block off. This means you need to pay special attention to the height, especially if you have a dog that likes to jump over gates and the width before buying one.
Other than the space that you are installing the gate in, you also need to think about your dog size. If you are looking for a dog gate for a small dog, you may not need such a tall gate (probably) although a taller gate can be easier to open and close without bending over so this is worth thinking about.
If your pet is large, the height of the gate will matter a lot. You don’t want to buy a gate that your dog can easily hop over. The size of dog gates on pictures can also be deceiving so always check the dimensions before buying.
Also, pay special attention to spaces between bars. If the spaces are too large and you have a small dog, they will squeeze themselves through the gate. This is very true for pups, we perhaps recommend investing in a puppy pen if you have a puppy.
You can check out out puppy play pen picks in this guide.
Installation
Think about the installation requirements. Some gates need to be drilled into your walls although all the model in this review do not need screwing to the wall although some model can be if needed.
This is not ideal as it damages your walls. You can buy a gate that’s pressure mounted instead.
You can also buy a freestanding dog gate, especially if you have a small or medium-sized dog. These are good as you don’t need to attach them to the walls. You can also move them to a different location as needed.
Material and construction
If you want a dog gate that lasts for a long time, you should buy one made of quality materials. While wooden gates are good, woods tend to split and if you have a dog that likes to chew, they can significantly damage the wood sections.
Safety
This is an important factor to consider, especially if you are buying a free-standing dog gate. Make sure you buy one with supporting feet that stabilize the gate. This will help ensure that the gate does not topple and risk hurting your pup. If you buy a stairs gate that is pressure fitted, make sure it holds up. If you do have a dog that likes to jump at the gate hard, it may be better to screw the gate onto the wall. However, for most dogs, this is not needed.
In conclusion,
In as much as we want to share as much of our living spaces with our furry companions, we also need to make sure they are safe in these spaces. Dog gates help confine our pets where they are most safe in the house. In this guide, we have put together what we consider to be some of the best safety gates currently on the market. We hope you will find your next dog gate here.
Our best pick is the Venture Q-Fix Extra Tall Pressure Fit Pet Safety Gate which is ideal if you are looking for a doorway or stair gate. It’s pressure mounted, which means you don’t need to drill through your walls. It’s 110cm tall, which makes it a perfect choice if you are looking for a dog gate for a large dog (Its the tallest gate on our list). It’s extendable, but in case it does not fit in your doorway when fully extended, you will be glad to know that there are extensions available that you can buy to extend the gate width.
Our Runner-up the Trixie Dog Birch Barrier is ideal for those who want a model that can extend and is free-standing. It’s a suitable choice if you are looking for a dog gate for small dogs or pups. To keep your pups safe, the gate comes with wide rubber feet that make the gate stable and ensure it does not fall on your pet and hurt them. It’s made of natural pine wood and galvanized metal, which makes it durable. It’s worth noting that it might say its made from birch, we think its actually made from pine though.
