Is a privacy fence worth it?

[Kendra K. Rhoton]

We do not have a fenced in yard and are now thinking about putting in a privacy fence. This will be a big investment for us in a house that we don't plan on living in for more than the next 5-10 years. I need the opinion of all you fence lovers. How worth it are fences? Especially in a house that we won't be in forever? Will it add value to our home? We've lived without one (with a doodle) for almost 4 years. Would you or wouldn't you put one in?  I'm thinking of the PVC ones.

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

I would kill for a privacy fence, but we received bids to fence in our 1/2 acre lot and it was going to cost of $8,000+++. We have a baby on the way and need a new car and quite frankly, could not justify getting it.  If you have the money, go for it.  We would have if money were no object.  I will be JEALOUS!

I know it's controversial, but we went with an e-fence. Currently on Day 8 of training and both dogs are doing amazingly well.  They are out there on the training lead and we let them roam around to get used to things before we take them off a lead completely. This is our $1500 fix until DH settles a big case. Again, i know there are DKers very anti e-fence, but it is a good option for people that want to be able to take there dogs outside off leash and have them enjoy the freedom of the yard. Ours will NEVER be left outside without us watching them or being outside with them.  We have coyotes..

Again, if you get a real fence, I am JEALOUS :)  And hey, I am with you on the "lived without one". I have walked a dog every day for 8 years of my life....we had to start thinking seriously about this with a newborn coming in the fall.  I can't walk two dogs every day with a baby every TIME they have to pee....

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Allyson, no criticisms from me.   Many many allotments no long permit tangible fencing.  It is either e-fencing or none. I would rather see a dog with an e-fence than a tie-out. You just do, what you've got to do.  I remember how much you wanted one--I did too.  I thought it was never going to happen--then one day, it was just there!  Well, kind of.  But you get what I mean.

Glad to hear Perry and Taq are doing well with their training

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

We are very lucky because in Ireland all houses come with a wall or a fence.  It's part of the package and expected.  I don't know how we would manage without one and I would say It must add value to your property and be worth it.

[Bonnie and Kona]

I don't know what I would do without a privacy fence. If I were contemplating putting one in, I would call a realtor and ask what value a fence adds. Where we live every yard is fenced. We share the cost of replacement with the neighbor along the fence line to be done. Three neighbors, three shared costs. 

[Doris, Knox & Flash]

Kendra, if a privacy fence is the only type of fence you can have, I'd say it would be worth every penny!  I can't imagine not having some type of containment for my dogs.  We have a very wooded backyard and do not have a wooden privacy fence but we do have a wire-type fence.  While I do not leave my dogs outside for long periods of time, I do like that they can go out and do their business without being on a leash.  Knox loves romping around and keeping squirrels off of the ground!

[Doris, Knox & Flash]

Here's a pic of ours!

[Cyndi, The Boys & Callie]

We have a 6ft privacy fence and it would be difficult to do without it.  It's nice to just be able to let the boys out (although we still have to watch the eating of sticks and digging of holes).  They play chase, roll in the grass and when the neighborhood kids are playing, I don't have to worry about the boys wanting to jump in the middle.  It was expensive but i consider it money well spent. I also think there are fence people and non-fence people.  Myself, in addition to the ease of letting the boys play, I enjoy the privacy from people walking through my backyard on the way to another neighbor's house.  Others enjoy the wide open spaces. It's all a matter of preference. 

[F, Calla & Luca]

I couldn't have dogs without my fence. It just makes life so much easier to be able to let the dogs out without leashes. But I do not have a privacy fence. I have a deer fence with a driveway gate and gates at the ends of the property. If you are young and handy you can install one yourselves. My deer fence has become more of a privacy fence as things planted, or that planted themselves,  inside and outside of it have grown. In some areas you really can barely tell there is  a fence. It keeps the dogs in and the deer out. I think for many people it would add to the value of a house if they have kids, gardens or pets.

Here's one are, the garden to the right of the picture has deer fence behind it:

Here's a hole in the plantings that I started filling in this spring:

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

I loved F. Parker's Deer Fence. I looked into this myself.  But, unlike F. my neighbor was really ugly there for awhile and I wanted to block him out too.  So, we went with wood. 

Kendra, there are a zillion options and a zillion costs.  This one--the deer fencing is very reasonable.  I think Laurie, Fudge, and Vern also have Deer Fencing.

[F, Calla & Luca]

They do.

[Doris, Knox & Flash]

Ours is hog wire, I think!

[Elizabeth & *Kosci*.]

Sorry but it needs to be said....."Your garden is BEAUTIFUL !!"