The Best Heavy-Duty Dog Fences for Pet Boarding

Written by Lev Baker
Updated: April 27, 2023
© iStock.com/Tatyana Consaul

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Best forProduct
Best OverallFXW Outdoor Dog Playpen
Best Heavy-Duty Dog FenceZENY Dog Playpen
Best Portable Dog FenceBestPet Dog Pen Playpen
Best Fence in a KitALEKO Steel Dog Kennel Playpen
Best Rust-Resistant FenceDogelsy Dog Playpen

When it comes to pet boarding, there is nothing more important than ensuring that our dogs are safe while having enough space to play. You should use heavy-duty dog fences for pet boarding as they provide safety during playtime and downtime.

These are the top heavy-duty dog fences for dog boarders. We have found the best dog boarding fences for indoor and outdoor boarding, easy assembly, expandability, and durability.

  1. FXW Outdoor Dog Playpen
    • Available in multiple sizes, ranging from 24 inches to 50 inches.
    • Comes with the buyer's choice of number of panels, ranging as low as 6 to as high as 48.
    • Advertised for outdoor or indoor use.
    Check Amazon
  2. ZENY Dog Playpen
    • Available in two varieties: 40 inches with eight panels, or 24 inches with 16 panels.
    • Easy to set up with no tools required.
    • Good for small and medium pets.
    Check Amazon
  3. BestPet Dog Pen Playpen
    • Available in three sizes that include eight panels, and three sizes that include 16 panels.
    • The size can be adjusted without tools.
    • Good for outdoor and indoor use.
    Check Amazon
  4. ALEKO Steel Dog Kennel Playpen
    • Available in two styles/sizes: 10x10x4, or 5x5x4 with a roof and rain cover.
    • Promises easy assembly.
    • Can be used as a dog playpen, chicken coop, or hen house.
    Check Amazon
  5. Dogelsy Dog Playpen
    • Available in three sizes with eight panels and three sizes with 16 panels.
    • Offers an easy assembly for multiple shapes.
    • Made from iron coated with rust-, corrosion-, and fade-resistant finish.
    Check Amazon

A-Z Animals Top Picks for Heavy Duty Dog Fences for Pet Boarding

#1 Best Overall: FXW Dog Playpen

In our opinion, the best overall heavy duty dog fence is the FXW Dog Playpen.

This heavy-duty dog fence is amazing for pet boarding as it provides a spacious area for play and is easy to assemble. It is stable and safe as the stakes have rounded ball tops and rods that are inserted into the ground. It can be used outside because it has a powder coating that protects against rust and corrosion. This product is available in four different heights, 24, 32, 40, and 50 inches, which means it is suitable for small, medium, and large-sized dogs. You can also choose how many panels you want to purchase, allowing you to customize the fence to be as long or as short as needed.

Unfortunately, some customers have reported that small areas of this fence began to rust after being exposed to the elements.

Pros and Cons of the FXW Dog Playpen

ProsCons
This fence can be arranged into any shape or size to suit your needs.Some customers reported that it began to rust after being exposed to the elements.
It is easy to assemble.
The stakes have rounded tops for safety.
There are four different heights available.
Best Overall
FXW Outdoor Dog Playpen
  • Available in multiple sizes, ranging from 24 inches to 50 inches.
  • Comes with the buyer's choice of number of panels, ranging as low as 6 to as high as 48.
  • Advertised for outdoor or indoor use.
Check Amazon

2. Best Heavy-Duty Dog Fence: ZENY Dog Playpen

Aside from the best overall, the most heavy duty option is the ZENY Dog Playpen.

This dog playpen is a foldable heavy-duty dog fence that can be arranged into multiple shapes. It does not require any tools to set up and can be conveniently stored. It is best suited for small to medium dogs and comes in a 24-inch height or 40-inch height. This heavy-duty dog fence will be ideal for small dogs as it is lightweight, but it is not sturdy enough for larger dogs.

Pros and Cons of the ZENY Dog Playpen

ProsCons
This fence can be arranged into multiple shapes.It is not suitable for large dogs.
It is foldable and easy to store when not in use.
It easy to set up with no tools required.
There are two sizes available which are suitable for small and medium dogs.
Best Heavy-Duty Dog Fence
ZENY Dog Playpen
  • Available in two varieties: 40 inches with eight panels, or 24 inches with 16 panels.
  • Easy to set up with no tools required.
  • Good for small and medium pets.
Check Amazon

3. Best Portable Dog Fence: BestPet Dog Pen PlayPen

If you’re looking for a portable option then check out the BestPet Dog Pen PlayPen.

This product is a heavy-duty fence that can be used indoors and outdoors and comes in many different sizes. The product is made of rust-resistant metal, so the metal won’t corrode if you use it outside. It is foldable, easy to transport and set up, and secure, as it uses anchoring stakes. This heavy-duty fence is super convenient because it is easily portable, but it can be flimsy, so it is not the best to use for extra large energetic dogs.

Pros and Cons of the BestPet Dog Pen PlayPen

ProsCons
This dog fence can be used indoors and outdoors.It is not strong enough for large dogs.
It is made from rust-resistant metal.
It has anchoring stakes that help secure the fence.
It is foldable and easy to transport.
Best Portable Dog Fence
BestPet Dog Pen Playpen
  • Available in three sizes that include eight panels, and three sizes that include 16 panels.
  • The size can be adjusted without tools.
  • Good for outdoor and indoor use.
Check Amazon

4. Best Fence in a Kit: ALEKO Expandable Heavy-Duty Dog Kennel and Playpen Kit

In our opinion, the best complete kit is the ALEKO Expandable Heavy-Duty Dog Kennel and Playpen Kit.

This dog fence is made from rust-resistant powder-coated galvanized steel, which is excellent for indoor and outdoor use. Extra panels can be purchased to customize the pen to the area you envision. It is easy to assemble with all materials included! It also comes in two different sizes. This is a very high-quality, heavy-duty fence, as depicted by the price. It is easy to store and transport.

However, it does not include stakes to secure into the ground, meaning that this fence may not be suitable for large, energetic dogs. 

Pros and Cons of the ALEKO Expandable Heavy-Duty Dog Kennel and Playpen Kit

ProsCons
This fence is made from rust-resistant galvanised steel.It does not include stakes to secure it to the ground.
Extra panels can be purchased if required.It may not be suitable for large dogs.
It is easy to assemble with all the tools included.
There are two sizes available.
Best Fence in a Kit
ALEKO Steel Dog Kennel Playpen
  • Available in two styles/sizes: 10x10x4, or 5x5x4 with a roof and rain cover.
  • Promises easy assembly.
  • Can be used as a dog playpen, chicken coop, or hen house.
Check Amazon

5. Best Rust-Resistant Fence: Dogelsy Dog Playpen

It’s always important to have a good rust-resistant fence, and that’s why we recommend the Dogelsy Dog Playpen.

This product is a heavy-duty foldable dog fence for small, and medium-sized dogs. It comes in three different sizes and in either eight or 16 panels so you can arrange it to any size or shape that you like. It is made from iron and powder-coated to make it resistant to rust. This makes it an incredibly sturdy and durable product. Stakes are used to connect the panels which help to secure the fence into place. It is also lightweight and easy to move around, although this does mean that it can be moved by some larger dogs.

Pros and Cons of the Dogelsy Dog Playpen

ProsCons
This product is made from iron and powder-coated to make it resistant to rust.It can be moved by some larger dogs.
It can be arranged into any size or shape that you like.
It includes stakes which are used to connect the panels and secure them in place.
Best Rust-Resistant Fence
Dogelsy Dog Playpen
  • Available in three sizes with eight panels and three sizes with 16 panels.
  • Offers an easy assembly for multiple shapes.
  • Made from iron coated with rust-, corrosion-, and fade-resistant finish.
Check Amazon

Choosing the Best: What to Look For

  • Stability: The dog fence should be strong enough to contain your dog, and if you have to board an extra strong dog, you may want to consider getting a fence that stakes into the ground.
  • Assembly:  If you plan to take the fence down and move it to different locations, you’ll want to find a fence that can easily be assembled and is light enough to carry around.
  • Size: Make sure the size of the fence is large enough for the size of the pet.

Best forProduct
Best OverallFXW Outdoor Dog Playpen
Best Heavy-Duty Dog FenceZENY Dog Playpen
Best Portable Dog FenceBestPet Dog Pen Playpen
Best Fence in a KitALEKO Steel Dog Kennel Playpen
Best Rust-Resistant FenceDogelsy Dog Playpen
About the Author

Lev is a writer at AZ Animals who primarily covers topics on animals, geography, and plants. He has been writing for more than 4 years and loves researching topics and learning new things. His three biggest loves in the world are music, travel, and animals. He has his diving license and loves sea creatures. His favorite animal in the world is the manta ray.

The Best Heavy-Duty Dog Fences for Pet Boarding FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) 

How long should a dog be kept in a dog pen?

Dogs should be interacted with and socialized, so try not to keep dogs in a pen or fence for more than half a day.

Which is better: a dog crate or a dog pen?

It is best to keep dogs in a crate at night, while a dog pen is better during the day.

Are dog pens a good idea?

Dog pens are great to ensure dogs get a safe place to play.

Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us? Contact the AZ Animals editorial team.