This is something that varies by the rescue you work with. Not all will require a fenced yard, tho it's true that many do. This isn't so much for exercise as it is for the safety of the dog they will place with someone.

I know specifically of a private rescue that placed a young dog with a vet. That vet had a farm, tons of acres, but no fenced area and the dogs had a doggie door to utilize as they pleased. The problem came when this young rescue dog followed the husband outside, without the husband noticing and he proceeded to his vehicle. He ran over and killed this dog. Less than 3 months of placement, this rescue dog died. A situation that could have been entirely prevented if this owner had simply had an appropriate fenced area for their dogs. It is irresponsibility and people like this which rescue that make it harder on those of us more responsible. These cases are why rescues require a properly fenced yard often. It's simply safer for the dog.

I understand what you are saying and I think that as long as you seek out a rescue that will work with you, you can successfully rescue a dog without a fenced yard. But while you are frustrated by this requirement, it's important to remember this story, and that there are many more like this, which cause rescues to be more rigid with the rules of fencing. This was an entirely preventable situation, either with a proper fenced area, or a more vigilent owner keeping a better watch on their dogs comings and goings (and this was a vet, which one might expect to be better than the average pet owner, but apparently they were not).

Gabbie: Yes, dogs sometimes can and do dig out of their fences. Dogs that behave in this fashion are typically the "toss in the backyard for exercise" types that need a job and don't get one. I am well aware of that. In this case, this dog was NOT a digging type and was also being properly trained in herding, so the dog had a proper mentally stimulating job to do which often deters the urge to "dig in the yard" that some dogs will do out of boredom. It was a large farm in the middle of the country which had housed many loose dogs this way in the past, so the rescue assumed all would be okay. Yes, it was the fault of the owner, but what you need to realize is that in the eyes of most rescues, requiring a fence is a safety net for their dogs they place. It's FAR less likely an accident like this would arise if an adoptive owner actually HAD a proper dog run for the dogs to utilize that didn't allow them full access to open areas, as was the case here.

The problem for rescues is that no application form or even a home visit is going to assure them that someone without a fenced yard is actually going to properly tend to their animals. At least if they can show, on their home visit, that they have a secure area where the dog can be off lead to potty and play with the family, that is a little more than nothing at all. Dogs may dig out of fenced areas, but that is still SOMETHING between that dog and the road and an attentive owner would keep watch and fill holes, or better yet, give the dog a real job so it relieves the urge to dig in the first place.

Requiring a fenced area is a precaution for the safety of the dog and you just can't be assured that an owner without a fence will actually properly watch their dog. Case in point in this incident I sited here. This was a vet, someone with lots of dog experience and many other dogs over the years lived just fine with her this way. So that rescue took a chance based off that history. That was a mistake on their part. But because of this owners credentials and references, they thought it would be "OK" to place without a fence in this case. Had they had a proper dog yard, fenced as usually required, this would not have happened. They would have made use of that yard when the dogs were not out with them to work and train.

I'm not saying families without fences can't properly care for their dogs, but the truth of the matter is that the majority of people out there just simply don't do right by their dogs. For rescues, that's a big risk that at least having a fenced yard will reduce. They have every right to require fencing except in certain cases, but as you see in this incident, this "certain case" still killed a rescue dog.

Why We Require Adopters Have Fenced Yards:

At the risk of stating the obvious -- Bassets are HOUNDS! It's not that they follow their noses . . . all dogs do that to greater or lesser extent. It's that hounds live in an entirely different world, not only from us, but even from other breeds. They use their noses like we -- and other breeds -- use their eyes. They're utterly relentless once they catch a scent. Believe us, we know from experience: you've never seen single-minded determination until you've seen a hound on a trail. That's why the poet, Francis Thompson, used the phrase "The Hound of Heaven" to describe God's love for, and pursuit of, us -- it was the most powerful analogy he could imagine! There's a reason for that . . . 

Hounds catch a scent -- and they live in a world chock-full of them -- they take off after it and are gone. Nothing -- NOTHING -- will deter a hound on a hot trail . . . NOTHING, that is, short of a heavy leash held by a strongarm (or two), a very sturdy fence or, sometimes, only death itself, and we are not exaggerating! Ask any houndsman, they'll tell you the same. That's one reason they keep their hunting hounds in kennels when they're not working. 

Therefore, it is utterly imperative that every potential adopter has a fenced yard! NO EXCEPTIONS! If your yard is not fenced, please do NOT waste your time, or ours, bothering to apply for adoption. Sorry, but that's just the way it has to be for the sake and safety of all our rescued hounds. How do you think so many of them ended up here in the first place? That's right -- they wandered off and couldn't find their way home, or be found by their people. 

Thank you for understanding.

A Safe Environment

People often ask us why Chesapeake Bay Retriever Relief & Rescue requires most adopters to have a fenced yard or area for most of their adoptive dogs. The experiences we gathered from other breed rescues, shelter personnel, animal control officers, and from speaking with many pet owners has impressed upon us that the safest environment for a Rescue CBR includes a fenced yard or area. Generally speaking, second-hand dogs need limitations because they do not have the benefit of having bonded with their new owners since puppyhood. We feel strongly that dogs allowed to wander unsupervised or that are tied out unsupervised are dogs that are at risk of getting lost, stolen, injured, attacked (by another dog, animal or person), poisoned, or struck by a car. Dogs that run loose or are tied out are at risk of exposure to rabid animals, potentially bringing this fatal disease home to the family. Also, over time, being tied out alone can lead to undesirable aggression, as the "fight" portion of the natural "fight or flight" response to perceived threats becomes the only option a tied dog feels he has.

Therefore, it is our policy to place dogs in homes that provide a secure, fenced area.* Appropriate senior Chesapeake Bay Retrievers (eight years and older) may be more readily placed in a home without a fenced area. The fenced area is intended to guarantee a secure outdoor area for the dog. It is not intended as a place for the dog to live or spend its days. Chesapeake Bay Retrievers are intelligent, inquisitive dogs who should be with their families, or should be safely inside the house if nobody can supervise them. Chesapeake Bay Retrievers left outside alone even in a fenced area for long periods of time can develop problems such as digging, barking, and fence frustration at not being able to join people or dogs outside.

A satisfactory fenced area may be built of stockade, chain link, heavy wooden posts with heavy gauge wire, or metal posts with wire. No dog should be left unattended for any length of time in general, but especially not in the latter type of enclosure because it is relatively easy for the dog to escape. The enclosure should be four feet high minimum (six feet is preferred) and include a lockable gate. Equal attention should be given to the security of the fence along its bottom in order to prevent dogs from digging out. Invisible fence systems and portable pens are accepted on a case-by-case basis.

Location of the fenced area should also be taken into consideration: it should be installed so it is directly accessible from the house so it will ensure an increased measure of safety for your dog and prove convenient for you. The fenced area must be large enough to provide the dog with a comfortable space in which to get some exercise and fresh air, and to eliminate. Shade and shelter from sun and the elements should also be provided. You do not need to fence in an entire yard - just a portion.

We deeply regret that this policy may eliminate some otherwise fine homes, but our first concern must be for the safety of the dogs with which we have been entrusted. Thank you for your understanding.

* If you are unable to provide a satisfactory fenced area and are not interested in adopting a homeless Senior Chesapeake Bay Retriever then in most cases we cannot proceed with your application. Although CBR Relief & Rescue feels strongly about the need for fencing and will not compromise on its obligation to ensure a safe environment, you may petition for an exception to the fencing requirement if you believe you have extenuating circumstances.

In this case, your application must include a detailed letter describing your circumstances, life-style, previous dog ownership and how you plan on safely exercising and managing a young Chesapeake Bay Retriever safely. A letter of recommendation from your veterinarian regarding the care and well-being of your previously owned dog(s) must accompany your application as well. Without these two letters, your exception request will not be considered. If your exception request is accepted for consideration, a home visit will be conducted. A decision will be made after the home visit is completed.

Thanks go to the German Shepherd Rescue of New England, Inc for permission to reprint this article that they use in their rescue efforts.

Fenced Yard. This is a strict requirement; please do no ask to be the exception. We require a fence in order to allow for safe, off leash playtime the dogs.

We require a fenced yard for all our Pyrs. Please do not ask us to make an exception to this rule. The fence must have a minimum height of 4 feet. Electric fences, as a rule, do not successfully work with Pyrs. Pyrs must always be on a leash when outside a fenced area.

• I can train my dog to stay in the yard.
• My dog will never be out unless I'm with him.
• My road isn't very busy.
• Or any number of other reasons.

• Vet bills, which can become astronomical if your dog gets hit by a car (assuming that he lives).
• The gut-wrenching feeling of seeing your dog get hit by a car.
• The devastating loss of your dog.
• Having to bury your best friend.

• Lawsuits, which could amount to many thousands of dollars and the loss of your dog, if your dog chases and bites joggers/cyclists/the UPS delivery person/neighborhood children.
  
  
• Fines and possible loss of your dog if he is a wanderer and is picked up by animal control too many times.
  
  
• Extreme anxiety if your dog leaves your property and disappears, possibly forever.
  
  
• Poor relationships with the neighbors, possible fines, and the specter of loosing your dog if he becomes a nuisance because of wandering.