Best Fences for Dogs and Kids in Wichita: Safe, Strong, and Escape-Proof
Best Fences for Dogs and Kids in Wichita: Safe, Strong, and Escape-Proof
Quick Answer
If you’ve got kids or dogs in Wichita, the best fence is one that does three things well:
Keeps them in. No easy gaps, no loose boards, no “dig-under” spots.
Keeps trouble out. Stray dogs, speeding traffic, nosey neighbors.
Stays standing in Kansas wind and weather.
For most Wichita homes, we at Midwest Fence usually recommend:
Cedar privacy fences for safe, enclosed backyards
Iron fences with tight picket spacing for front yards or around pools
Upgraded chain link with the right height and layout for heavy-duty dog yards
Let’s walk through what we look at when we help a family pick a “kid and dog safe” fence.
1. What Makes a Fence Safe for Dogs and Kids?
Before we talk materials, we start with function.
Here’s our checklist:
A. Height
Small dogs / toddlers: 4 ft can sometimes work
Medium–large dogs or active kids: 5–6 ft is safer
Jumpers / escape artists: 6 ft or 8ft and solid panels are usually best
If your dog is already hopping your current fence, we’ll often say:
“We either go taller, go more solid, or both.”
B. Gaps and Openings
Gaps are one of the top problems we see.
Kids can get hands or feet stuck between wide pickets.
Small dogs can squeeze through open rail or wide verticals.
Some dogs will reach through to bark or snap at other dogs walking by.
For kids and dogs, we like:
Tight picket spacing on wood or vinyl
“Puppy pickets” (shorter verticals at the bottom) on iron
No big footholds where kids can climb
C. Gates and Latches
A fence is only as safe as its gate.
We look for:
Latches kids can’t open easily
Dogs that can push or head-butt gates open
Gates that drag and don’t fully close
We’ll often suggest:
Self-closing hinges
Latch hardware on the inside, higher than a small child can reach
Stronger posts and proper bracing so gates don’t sag over time
2. Best Fence Types for Families in Wichita
Now let’s talk materials and styles. These are the main ones we install for homes with kids and dogs.
A. Cedar Privacy Fences
For most family backyards, our go-to recommendation is a cedar privacy fence.
Why we like cedar for kids and dogs:
Solid panels block distractions, so dogs bark less at what they can’t see
Height options (usually 6 ft) keep both kids and dogs safe inside
Cedar is stronger and more stable than pine, so fewer warped boards and gaps over time
Less likely to splinter badly when maintained
This type of fence is great if:
You want a fully enclosed play yard
You have a dog that gets worked up by people walking by
You want more privacy as well as safety
You can learn more about our wood builds on Residential Fencing and why we prefer cedar over pine.
B. Wrought Iron / Ornamental Iron Fences
Iron is a very good option for:
Front yards
Around pools
Homes where you want to see out but still keep kids and dogs in
Why we prefer iron over aluminum:
Heavier posts with less movement in Wichita’s wind
Stronger panels that don’t flex as much when kids or big dogs push on them
Better long-term stability in our soil and climate
To make iron kid/dog safe, we look at:
Tighter picket spacing so heads and paws can’t go through
Adding “puppy pickets” (smaller verticals at the bottom) for small dogs
Height appropriate for your dog’s jumping ability
Iron is not about privacy. It’s about security, strength, and a clean look.
C. Chain Link with the Right Setup
Chain link has a reputation as “basic,” but done right, it can be solid for hard-use dog yards.
Pros:
Strong containment for high-energy dogs
Easy to see through for parents watching kids
Can cover big yards more affordably
To make chain link safer for kids and pets, we dial in:
Height: 5 or 6 ft for most dogs
Gauge: thicker wire for bigger, stronger dogs
Bottom tension wire to reduce sagging and digging spots
We usually don’t recommend chain link for:
Busy street front yards where you want privacy
Dogs who get reactive when they can see everything passing by
In those cases, a hybrid or full privacy setup is often better.
D. Why Ranch Rail Is Usually NOT Great for Dogs
We install a good amount of ranch rail in the Wichita area, especially on acreage and rural properties. It looks great and defines space well.
But for dogs and small kids, classic ranch rail has problems:
Big gaps between rails
Easy to climb
No real barrier for smaller animals
Ranch rail can work with extra measures (wire mesh added, interior dog run, etc.), but as a stand-alone solution for a family with young kids and dogs, we rarely recommend it.
3. Wichita-Specific Safety Considerations
Our advice isn’t generic. Wichita and Kansas have some unique factors.
A. Our Lovely Kansas Wind
Strong wind can:
Loosen posts
Lean whole sections
Slam gates open and shut
For families, that matters because:
A leaning fence can suddenly fail in a storm
A blown-open gate = dog in the street
We build with:
Proper post depth and concrete
Stronger gate posts and hardware
Layout that respects wind direction when possible
You can read more about our structural focus on Fence Installation.
B. Corner Lots and Busy Streets
If you live on a:
Corner lot
Street with fast traffic
Walk route to schools or parks
…then we rate safety even higher. For those yards we often recommend:
6 ft cedar privacy in back and side yards
Solid gates that latch and lock well
Fewer “toe holds” (horizontal rails on the inside) where kids might climb
If you have a pool, we also pay close attention to local rules and common-sense safety around access.
C. Soil and Settling
Some Wichita neighborhoods have:
Soil that shifts a lot
Low spots that stay damp
That can cause:
Posts to lean or heave
Gaps at the bottom where dogs can get out
We may recommend:
Larger or deeper posts
Adjusted layout
Extra base work in problem areas
4. Design Tips to Make a Yard Truly Kid & Dog Friendly
Beyond the fence itself, layout matters.
A. Create “Zones”
We can sometimes design fences to:
Give the dog a dedicated run along one side of the yard
Keep the main play area cleaner and less worn
Keep muddy dog traffic away from the patio or play set
B. Gate Placement
We think about:
Where kids will most likely run in and out
Where deliveries happen
How to avoid blind corners where dogs may get surprised
A little planning here makes daily life easier.
C. Visibility for Supervision
For families who want privacy but still want to keep an eye on kids, we can:
Use privacy fencing on the sides facing neighbors
Use more open designs (like iron) in areas where you want sightlines
It doesn’t have to be all one style. Mixed layouts can work well.
5. Repairing an Old Fence vs. Building New for Kids and Dogs
Sometimes you already have a fence and just want it to be “safe enough” for kids or dogs.
Good candidates for repair:
Structure is solid (posts are firm, sections mostly straight)
A few loose boards, broken pickets, or problem gaps
Gate needs better hardware or adjustment
In those cases, we might:
Replace broken pickets with cedar
Add boards where gaps are too big
Reinforce or rebuild the gate
You can see how we approach that on Fence Repair & Maintenance.
We recommend replacement when:
The fence leans in many spots
Posting is failing or rotting
You’re still worried about kids or dogs getting out even after repairs
If you don’t trust your fence now, it’s usually time to plan for something new and stronger.
6. Quick FAQ: Fences for Dogs and Kids in Wichita
Q1: What fence height do you recommend for dogs?
Small dogs: at least 4 ft
Medium to large dogs: 5–6 ft
Jumpers or climbers: usually 6 ft privacy, plus watching for nearby objects they can use as a launch point
Q2: What’s the best fence material for dogs?
For most Wichita homes, we usually recommend:
Cedar privacy for all-around dog yards
Iron with tight spacing for visible but secure areas
Chain link for heavy-use or budget dog runs
Q3: How do I stop my dog from digging under the fence?
We may:
Drop the fence lower in certain spots
Add a rock or concrete border
Suggest an interior “no dig” barrier along the fence line
Design + behavior both matter, but we can help with the structural side.
Q4: Is vinyl a good option for dogs and kids?
Vinyl can work well when:
It’s built with strong posts and rails
Height and layout are correct
It’s low-maintenance and easy to clean, which parents like. We’ll help you weigh vinyl vs wood vs iron based on your yard and dog.
Q5: What’s my first step if I want a kid and dog safe yard?
Start with a walk-through estimate. We’ll:
Look at how your yard is used now
Ask about your kids, your dog’s behavior, and your goals
Recommend designs and materials that make sense for your family
You can start that here:
At Midwest Fence, we proudly offer top-quality fencing solutions to Wichita, KS, and the surrounding communities. We serve Andover, Derby, Goddard, Haysville, Maize, Park City, Bel Aire, Augusta, Rose Hill, Valley Center with fencing solutions.
Our experienced team is dedicated to delivering exceptional craftsmanship and customer service across these areas. Whether you're looking for residential or commercial fencing solutions, we're here to meet your needs.
Other Links:
