5 Best Invisible Fences for Large Dogs [2023 Updated]

Last Updated on December, 2023

So you are the proud owner of a big dog and are out on the market for an invisible fence. You’ve come to the right place. We have, for you, a definitive list of the best invisible fences for your big pooch. 

Let me paint you a picture. You buy the so-called ‘best invisible fence,’ only to have it breakdown and your dog, DISAPPEAR! (Horrible)

You don’t want that, we don’t want that, which is why we are here to help you make an INFORMED DECISION

We got hold of around 15 invisible fence systems. After testing them out for a good amount of time, we’ve picked 5 based on factors such as the corrections, coverage, durability and most importantly what they offer for their price. 

They all have excellent reviews; however, a deeper look into the pros and cons of each invisible fence will help you decide which one is for you.

Editor’s Choice
Halo collar product image
Halo 3
Durability
Coverage
Price

4.9

5.0

5.0

Overall Score

5.0

#2nd Best Choice
spoton collar
SpotOn
Durability
Coverage
Price

4.9

4.9

4.9

Overall Score

4.9

#3rd Best Choice
Dogtra Pathfinder 2 product image
Dogtra PATHFINDER
Durability
Coverage
Price

4.8

4.8

4.8

Overall Score

4.8

5 Best Invisible Fences for Large Dogs

The invisible fences that have made this list all have brilliant pros. However, the deciding factor may be the cons that make one system better than the other. 

Keep reading, and you will surely have a good idea of which invisible fence system works best for you at the end of this article. 

Hence, without further ado, here is our selection of the best invisible fences for your big pooch. 

1. Halo 3 

The Halo Collar is a GPS-enabled, state-of-the-art dog collar that will work to keep your pooch within a designated and defined safe zone. 

In comparison to other invisible fences in the market, the Halo 2+ is the BETTER alternative.

Brought to you by a world-renowned dog behaviorist, Cesar Millan (Dogs love him!); this is a TRUST-WORTHY product.

Setting up this invisible fence is SIMPLE. You won’t have to get down and dirty burying cables, there are no underground wires that have to be installed (NO DIGGING AND BURYING.

The Halo 2+ Dog Collar relies on state-of-the-art technology to minimize stray signal interference (you won’t have to worry about your neighbor’s electric fence causing interference.)

The system comes with a smart collar that is IP67 WATER RESISTANT and a MOBILE APP. All you have to do is install the mobile app on your phone and place the Halo Collar around your dog’s neck. Coupled with that, the collar is also CHEW-PROOF.

It has 15 static correction levels, (more than most systems in the market) which can be adjusted based on preference and opted training.

If your dog leaves the designated safe zone, not only will it be corrected (based on your set correction setting), you will also receive a notification on your phone (mobile app.)

With a ten-square-mile coverage, you can use it in both small and large outdoor spaces and on top of that, you can create a maximum of 20 fences. (Plus it is PORTABLE!)

The features of this product (Halo 2+) are EXCELLENT! Setting up and using this device is SIMPLE.

The collar battery is RECHARGEABLE; you won’t have to purchase new batteries frequently to keep the system running. Once fully charged, the battery will last around 20 hours.

What’s AMAZING is the lifeline of the battery, ranging from 3 to 5 years. (Comparatively better than other systems in the market.)

Relying on LOCATION-ENHANCED TRACKING, the GPS and GNSS technology of the Halo 2+ Collar improves RELIABILITY and ACCURACY. You will be able to glance at your phone, and find your dog’s exact whereabouts; a very USEFUL feature if your dog ever gets LOST.

The system comes with health and activity tracking which give you a window into your dog’s activity levels, thereby ensuring better wellbeing. 

Though the Halo 2+ collar isn’t cheap, that just means it’s more DURABLE and RELIABLE than other flimsy products in the market. (Faulty systems lead to LOST DOGS!)

The excellent customer reviews of this product is just evidence of the many happy customers (including us) who find the Halo 2+ collar to be of BETTER QUALITY, ACCURACY, and RELIABILITY compared to other products in the market.

With a collar size between 11″ to 30.5″ the system works great for LARGE DOGS!

Most of all, the TRAINING VIDEOS by Cesar Millan, a world-renowned dog trainer, are valuable resources when training your pet for this invisible fence system.

Key Specs:

  • Water-resistant and chew-proof collar
  • GPS and GNSS-enabled activity tracking
  • Setup virtual fences in any area
  • Neck sizes between 11″ to 30.5″
  • 20+ hours of battery life
  • User-friendly Android and iOS app
  • 60-day customer guarantee
  • One year warranty

You can read our Halo 2+ collar review if you’re still not convinced.

Pros

Rechargeable collar
Good value for price
Water resistant and chew-proof collar
Easy to install
Location enhanced tracking
Training material

Cons

Battery life can be better

2. SpotOn GPS Dog Fence

Get 100$ off using coupon code: iPet100 (Exclusive for IPetGuides readers)

The SpotOn GPS Dog Fence is yet another fantastic product in the market that relies on GPS technology. 

This system too comes with mobile app integration and control.

Place the GPS-enabled collar around your pooch’s neck and designate a safe zone using the mobile app. (You will receive notifications on your phone if you dog leaves the designated safe zone.)

The design of the product is slick, and the features are great. 

The system works well for big dogs. You can opt for the large collar size, and you are good to go.

The GPS feature of this product is VERY RELIABLE. You can locate your dog easily, just so long as the collar is charged and working. (You can track your dog’s location in real-time.) 

Defining boundaries using the app is SIMPLE. You can either walk the boundary or use your finger to draw the boundary on the app. 

There is NO BOUNDARY CONSIDERED TOO BIG for the SpotOn Dog Fence. You can cover 1000s of acres of land if that is what you need.

The minimum area you can designate is ½ ACRE, which is great if you have a large backyard!

The system is extremely PORTABLE. You can carry the system with you and use it even if you move spaces or homes. (It is great for outdoor spaces such as parks or when you go camping.)

The collar is RECHARGEABLE; Hence you won’t need to change batteries. It offers 20 hours of runtime in containment mode and 14 hours in tracking mode. Plus, the SpotOn collar is WATERPROOF (rated IP67.)

Key Specs:

  • Collar Size Fits LARGE DOGS (Up to 26 inches – neck size)
  • Rechargeable high-capacity lithium-ion battery
  • Battery life of up to 20 hours containment, 14 hours tracking
  • Time to full charge: 1 hour
  • Cellular service: Verizon or AT&T LTE-M
  • GPS: High-sensitivity GPS/GLONASS/Galileo/Beidou receiver

Read our Spoton GPS Dog Fence review to learn more about this device.

Pros

Reliable GPS
Easy-to-use App
Coverage of 1000s of acres
Portable
Rechargeable collar

Cons

Expensive

Get 100$ off using coupon code: iPet100 (Exclusive for IPetGuides readers)


3. Dogtra PATHFINDER 2

Dogtra wasn’t in the invisible fence picture until the original PATHFINDER. That was a huge success, and it is what led to the PATHFINDER 2.

This invisible fence is an excellent option for anyone on a budget.

If you don’t know already, Dogtra specializes in hunting-based dog products. The PATHFINDER 2 also falls into that category, which makes it special. 

Products made for hunting dogs sport the top-of-the-line tech; the same goes for the PATHFINDER 2.

First, let me tell you about the fence creation. It’s just like Halo 2+; all you need to do is download the PATHFINDER 2 app on your mobile phone and draw the fence you need wherever you want. It’s super simple and straightforward. 

When it comes to sizes of invisible fences, each can be as big as 2000 yards, which isplenty of space for any dog breed. Moreover, the size is completely adjustable, so no problems there either. 

Not only are the fences adjustable, but the shape is too. No matter the shape of your yard, you can create a fence matching it. 

Corrections are up next. This is the most important, as it is what stops your dog from escaping the fence you’ve created. If correction does not happen on time, the device simply isn’t worth it. PATHFINDER 2 is top-notch in that regard.

With tone, vibration, and static stimulation, your dog’s chances of escaping the fence are super slim. 

To make things clear, here’s how the PATHFINDER 2 prevents your dog from doing errands on its own. To start, your dog will be first corrected when heading toward the boundary; second correction will happen when the dog gets a few feet past the boundary.

But it does not end there; along with the corrections, YOU will also receive alert notifications every time your dog gets a correction. So, for instance, when your dog gets the first correction, at the same time, you’ll also be instantly notified, allowing you to take prompt action. 

Location tracking has been exclusive to expensive invisible fences, but not anymore!

PATHFINDER 2’s GPS-based location tracking will come in super handy when your dog gets past the boundary. It keeps track of your dog’s location 24/7, and you can check up on it no matter where you are. 

But one thing to note is that location tracking isn’t as fast as the more expensive counterparts. It takes quite a few seconds for the PATHFINDER 2 to update your dog’s location. 

A little word on the build quality and durability of the PATHFINDER 2. I’ve already told you that this is a product targeted at hunting dogs. So, the materials used are great; not just that, the collar is also IPX7 waterproof rated. 

That is everything you need to know about the Dogtra PATHFINDER 2; as you can see, there’s a lot it brings to the table, and for its price, you can’t ask for more. 

Key Specs:

  • For Dogs That Are 35 lbs or larger
  • Available In Black Color
  • Rechargeable Battery 
  • Safety Light For Night Walks
  • GPS Location Tracking
  • IPX7 Waterproof collar
  • One-Year Warranty

Pros

Budget-friendly invisible fence option
User-friendly fence creation via mobile app
Adjustable fence size and shape (up to 2000 yards)
Effective correction methods: tone, vibration, static stimulation
Real-time alert notifications for corrections
24/7 GPS-based location tracking
Sturdy build quality with IPX7 waterproof collar
Designed for hunting dogs
Rechargeable battery and safety light

Cons

Location tracking is slightly slower
Limited compatibility for dogs under 35 lbs

4. PetSafe Stay and Play Wireless Pet Fence

This is yet another invisible dog fence system that doesn’t require digging. There are no underground cables to install. 

It uses a wireless transmitter to designate a circular safe zone with a coverage of ¾ acres. 

This wireless fence system is great for dogs of all sizes, including larger dogs with bigger neck sizes (6 to 28 inches neck size). 

The features of this system are impressive yet simple.

It doesn’t use a fancy mobile app and can be great for those more technologically challenged. 

Petsafe Stay Play Compact Wireless Dog Fence

With five levels of static correction and a tone-only mode, this system will work great for HARD TO TRAIN DOGS.

The device is EASY to install and use. All you have to do is place the collar and turn on the transmitter, and a ¾ acre circular area will be designated as the safe zone.

Since there is no underground wire to bury, there is NO DIGGING involved.

The system is EXTREMELY PORTABLE, making it great for when you go camping or to the park. 

The receiver collar is RECHARGEABLE and WATERPROOF. You can also adjust the CORRECTION LEVEL based on preference. 

The collar battery charge time is 2 to 3 hours, with a single charge lasting 3 WEEKS!

You can also add more dogs to the system, which means if you have MORE THAN ONE DOG

This system can create a safe zone for all of them.

The system is NOT TOO EXPENSIVE.

However, the signal coverage at ¾ acre may not be enough for some people. This is the primary drawback of this system compared to others. 

The PRE-DESIGNATED safe zone is LIMITED to a circular dome. Though there is an option to purchase a smaller range of ¼ acre, the system does not work with larger than ¾ acre areas. 

The PetSafe Stay and Play Wireless System is a great, inexpensive piece of technology which is easy to install and use. This makes this system one of the more favorable systems of invisible fences.

Key Specs:

  • Area of coverage – ¾ acres
  • Breed size – small, medium, and large
  • Tone and static correction
  • Low battery indicator
  • Rechargeable battery
  • Waterproof
  • Wireless
  • Neck size – 6″ to 27″
  • For dogs weighing 5 pounds and up
  • Plug-in power

Learn more about PetSafe Stay and Play Wireless Pet Fence Here.

Pros

Static and tone correction
Easy to install
No digging
Extremely portable
Rechargeable and waterproof collar
Great battery life
Affordable

Cons

¾ acre coverage
Limited protection

5. Extreme Dog Fence – Max Grade

The Extreme Dog Fence gives your dog the freedom to roam within a defined boundary.

The system uses underground wiring, which transmits signals to a receiver collar. 

Though some digging is involved in installing this system, the Extreme Dog Fence works excellently for those looking to designate a safe space for their dogs within their property. 

Though this system requires you to install a wire, it provides a permanent solution to your fence needs.

eXtreme Dog Fence System - Max Grade

Let’s look at the pros and cons of this system to understand where it stacks amidst competitors.

The collar is intended for dogs weighing 8 to 120 pounds. This means it’s a great product for LARGE DOGS

This system is EASY to install and train your dog with, and the collar fits perfectly COMFORTABLY around your pooch’s neck. 

The underground wire is extremely DURABLE, expected to last 25+ years.

MULTIPLE collars can be added to the system; so if you have more than one dog or want to get more dogs, this can be an excellent option. 

What’s great is that the system is still on the more AFFORDABLE end of the spectrum.

The collar is WATER-RESISTANT, and the TUTORIALS that come with the system become a valuable resource when training your dog for an invisible fence.

Finally, the SURGE PROTECTION feature will work to keep the system and your dog safe during lightning storms and power surges.

The Extreme Dog Fence system is a worthy product that has excellent customer reviews. Apart from a few cons, this product delivers for the price you pay. 

Key Specs:

  • < 15-acre coverage
  • Seven static correction levels and a tone-only mode
  • 6 Volt replaceable collar battery
  • 60 mil jacket boundary wire
  • Surge protector for lightning and power surges
  • Can add unlimited dogs to the system
  • Coverage of 10 years

Checkout the review of Extreme Dog Fence if you want to learn more about this device.

Pros

Easy to install
Comfortable and durable
Affordable
Water resistant
Training tutorials
Power surge protection

Cons

Non-rechargeable collar
Collar damageable
Vibration feature not reliable
Not portable

How Does an Invisible Fence Work?

a dog wearing invisible fence collar and lying on the ground

An invisible fence uses GPS or radio signaling to designate a safe zone for your dog. The safe zone is defined by installing an underground wire or using a mobile app or transmitter. 

The invisible fence keeps your dog safe and uses tone and/or static correction to achieve this. 

For more stubborn dogs, the static correction feature will help you train them better.

Once installed, the receiver collar will trigger every time your dog leaves the designated boundary. 

The concept is simple and attractive. It takes away the hassle of having to build a physical fence.

Read our complete guide on how invisible fences work.

If you have a small dog too, checkout the best virtual fences for small dogs.

Types of Invisible Fences

There are three main types of invisible fences.

The first type uses an UNDERGROUND WIRE, which should be installed along your boundary line for the system to work. The Extreme Dog Fence is an example of this type of invisible fence. 

The second type uses an IN-GROUND TRANSMITTER, which doesn’t have to be buried. Systems like the PetSafe Stay and Play Wireless Pet Fence work using this technology (designating a circular dome safe zone.)

The third type uses GPS, which lets you track your dog using a mobile app. Systems like the Halo 2+ dog collar are great examples of GPS-enabled systems.

Checkout other types of fences here.

Worth reading: Do Electric Fences Work for Big Dogs?

How to Pick an Invisible Fence System

a human touching halo collar box

When out in the market for an invisible fence, PRICE, FUNCTIONALITY, and DURABILITY should be the points worth considering.

Location tracking, correction levels and the coverage of the fence are amidst the other things you have to consider when picking an invisible fence. (You should also check to see how many fences the system allows you to create.)

You don’t want to pay too much for a product that doesn’t function as you need. For instance, if you would like the system to work on the go, like in the park or when you go camping, you have to consider the PORTABILITY of the system.

Look for the product with the best customer reviews, features matching what you need; offered at a price within your BUDGET.

Related articles:

Final Words

The invisible fence system can be a great way to keep your dog safe when you don’t really want to go through the hassle of building a physical fence. 

The Halo 2+ Dog Collar is by far the most advanced and effective wireless invisible fence on this LIST. It is TRUSTABLE and RELIABLE, and comes with unrivaled features in comparison to other invisible fences in the market. 

We hope you found the information in this article useful and you are ready to consider which invisible fence system you would like to purchase for your adorable pooch.

That’s all from us. We hope we made your job easier and you have the information you need to make an informed decision!

FAQs

There are a variety of options in the market which provide collars that fit large dogs. Such as the Halo 2+ Dog Collar. 

The Halo 2+ Dog Collar has the best features and comes at a collar size which is perfect for large dogs.

OUR #1 RECOMMENDATION
Halo 2+
Halo collar product image
Durability
Coverage
Price

4.9

5.0

5.0

Overall Score

5.0

visa-master-amex-paypal
Pros
Rechargeable collar
Good value for price
Water resistant and chew-proof collar
Easy to install
Location enhanced tracking
Training material
Get the BEST PRICE valid until the end of December
Cons
Battery life can be better

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Thomas
Thomas Villalpando is the main author of IPet Guides. He spends his time reading, training, and working with several Dogs' behaviors. You can find more about him here.

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