Raised in a home by a woman whom some would say loves animals more than people, it is no surprise that I am an absolute lover of dogs, having been a dog owner and fosterer myself, as well as putting in many hours at Barktown Rescue back in Kentucky. Mom and I even tried our hand at running a doggy boutique for a couple of years in Louisville.
You could probably guess that I've had my hands on a dog gate or twenty over the years, and you'd be right. Retractable, gates built for stairs, extra-wide and extra-tall gates, you name it, I've had my hands on it. I know what makes a good dog gate and I've seen the types of products that my dogs have destroyed over the years.
Whether you're seeking out one of the best dog gates for a puppy, full-sized dog, or even for your toddler, we've got a recommendation for you. From gates for large breeds and jumpers to the best retractable dog gate, we've put together a list of this year's best gates for dogs. But wait, there's a bonus -- we've included a primer on the different sorts of dog gates as well as a section discussing what to look for in the best gate for you, your home, and most importantly your dog. As an alternative, you can also check the best invisible dog fence.
The Best Dog Gates You Can Buy Right Now
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Best Retractable
If it's a retractable puppy and toddler friendly gate that you're after, look no further than the Perma Child Safety Indoor/Outdoor Baby Gate as it is all that and then some.
- Easy to install
- Extends up to 71 inches wide and 33 inches tall
- Comes with the necessary tools for installation
- One-handed operations
- Requires a bit of an installation process compared to easy pressure-mounted gates"
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What We Like About It: This gate is sturdier than simple pressure-mounted gates and works well all around the house (inside and out).
This Perma Child Safety gate provides as much of a safety barricade for a toddler as it does for dogs and puppies. In both cases it's very useful, making a safe environment. Retractable Baby pet safety gates are functional, high-quality made, and affordable to boot. The gates are a great solution for kids up to 24 months old. Further, it works for pets between 10 to 40 pounds. It's durable and functional enough to be used both inside and outside. The gate is 33 inches tall and extends up to 71 inches wide. You need only one hand to operate the mechanism which every mom or a pet owner would be thankful for. The purchase includes screws, catch mounts, shims for baseboards, wall spacers, and an installation guide.
Who Should Buy It: For those who need a versatile gate that can go outside as well as inside, over stairs, in doorways, and more, this unit is one of the best suited for all of the above.
Best for Big Dogs
The Safety 1st Easy Install Extra Tall and Wide Baby Gate works well for baby, puppies, and dogs, and fits well in most doorways.
- The red indicator shows when installation is done and safe to use
- Can be used on almost all doorways and stairs
- Tall and extra-wide
- No tools required
- After being used for quite some time the gate takes more force to open it"
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What We Like About It: This gate is taller and wider than a standard dog gate, it's also easy to install and quite durable compared to others.
Safety 1st Easy Install Extra Tall and Wide Baby Gates are designed to make your life easier and less stressful. They are an ideal choice for homes with kids and pets as they can be adjusted to fit wide doorways from 29 to 47 inches wide. The gates are easy to install via a pressure-mounted system which does not require any tools or drilling. What's more, this extra-high baby gate easily fits in most doorways or pass-through areas. The SecureTech pressure indicator will tell you when the baby's gate needs adjusting. Lastly, adults can open it with one hand only without an issue but the two-action handle is very tough for kids' hands.
Who Should Buy It: If you have a dog that is taller than average, or if you're raising a puppy that will become a big dog, this could be the gate for you.
Best for Stairs
When it comes to protecting your pets and small children from falling down the stairs, or getting stuck, the Summer Deluxe Stairway Simple to Secure Baby Gate is designed and produced for just such circumstances.
- Easy to install with the included kit and template
- Fits most anywhere in your house
- Removable swing stop prevents gate opening over the stairs
- One hand use
- The gate may not be as reliable when used on carpet and wood transitional areas"
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What We Like About It: This diverse gate works well in most doorways but is made specifically for stairways, and it's super easy to install and operate as well.
The next item on our list, the Summer Deluxe Stairway Simple to Secure Baby Gate is as safe and sturdy as they come. Made out of antique oak wood, it can be a nice addition to most homes. The gate can be used on doorways, stairways, or even a hallway, to prevent kids or pets from entering limits you designate as off-limits for them. These decorative gates are easy to install because of the included kit and Precision Fit Template that comes with it, with no tools required. The handle grip makes it easy to operate with a single hand. Further, being 32 inches tall, the gate can fit openings of between 30 inches and 48 inches wide.
Who Should Buy It: This gate is a great solution if you have toddlers or small pets that need to be protected from stairways.
Best for Puppy Gate
One of the easiest gates to install and operate on our list, the North States MyPet Paws 40 Inch Portable Pet Gate is tall enough for most large breeds and wide enough to fit extra-wide doorways and entryways.
- Easy pressure-mounted installation
- Designed for pets as well as kids between two and six years old
- Portable design makes it easy to move
- Comes with a one-year warranty
- No metal or wood used in the all-plastic construction"
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What We Like About It: This gate is not only made for puppies but it's also designed to use with small children as well.
The North States My Pet Paws 40 Inch Portable Pet Gate is a perfect choice for those trying to train small puppies to learn their boundaries around the house or apartment. The gate fits on all doorways with openings between 26 inches and 40 inches wide. Being a pressure mount-style gate, it doesn't require any tools to install it. The panels will slide on the track expanding and contracting the gate easily to get the perfect fit no matter where you decide to install and use it. This gate also has rubber bumpers on all four corners of the frame that protects your walls from dings and scuffs.
Who Should Buy It: If you've got puppies or young kids under six years old, the North States My Pet Paws 40 Inch Portable Pet Gate is an excellent choice.
Best for Jumpers (extra tall)
This extra-tall Regalo pet gate is designed for both dogs and children. That said, even the most notorious jumpers won't make it over the top of this gate, whether two-legged or four.
- Quick installation pressure-mounted installation
- One-touch safety handle
- Highly-durable construction
- Walk-through center
- Middle gate could be wider"
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What We Like About It: This gate is not only tall enough to keep jumping dogs and climbing children in their place, but it is also easy to install and has a convenient middle section that opens to let you walk through.
Regalo Easy Step Extra Tall Walk Thru Baby Gates are very convenient, portable, and safe for both kids and pets. What's more, it's just as quick and easy to install it as it is to take it down. Each of the gate’s four pressure mounts can be fully adjusted, or if you prefer to install it on the wall, you can use the included wall cups. These gates are 41 inches tall and will prevent your pet or a kid from climbing and going over them. It's designed to fit doors and entries that measure between 29 and 36.5 inches in width. Further, the gate also comes with a 4-inch extension that allows it to fit even slightly wider spaces. Open it by simply sliding the safety lock back and lifting the lower handle. The built-in 16-inch wide door in the center is big enough for an adult person to walk through, which is way more comfortable than stepping over it.
Who Should Buy It: If you have a jumper on your hand, or children reaching an age where they may be able to climb over things, the Regalo Easy Step Extra Tall Walk Thru Baby Gate is one of the best gates for keeping your babies safe.
Types of Dog Gates
Before making up your mind about which gate is right for you, take a moment to first explore the various types of dog gates that are commonly found on the market:
Pressure-Mounted
The most common of all dog gate types is easily the pressure-mounted sort. Not only are they the quickest and easiest to install, but they are extremely portable and come in the widest variety of heights and widths.
Hardware-Mounted
Less popular than pressure-mounted gates, hardware-mounted dog gates tend to be much more heavier duty and last longer. Unlike most gates, hardware-mounted dog gates are permanent/stationary once installed.
Freestanding
A freestanding dog gate is one that can stand up all on its own with no mounting required. That said, many freestanding gates have an option for additional pressure-mounting just in case.
Expandable
This sort of dog gate is typically found in homes with extra-large hallways, passages, and doorways that need to be cordoned off. These gates are similar in size to standard units, but they're either foldable or come with extra panels that can be added to extend their width by anywhere from a few inches to several feet.
Convertible
As with expandable gates, convertible dog gates are growing in popularity due to their versatile functionality. Most convertible gates function as a 2-in-1 or 3-in-1 unit, converting into mini-kennels, play areas, room dividers, and more.
How to Choose the Right One for Your Dog
Now that you've seen some of the best dog gates, it's time to consider a few important factors before picking the one that's right for you and your dog.
Size and Breed of Dog
First and foremost, you need to think about the size and breed of your dog. These factors are crucial as they determine how tall of a gate you'll need, as well as how strong it should be. Further, each breed has traits that you should take into consideration as well.
Knowing Your Dog
Beyond considering the breed of your dog, and how big it is, you should also think about your dog's personality. Does he or she like to jump a lot, even though perhaps it is not a regular trait of their particular breed? Or maybe they are a helpless chewer? At any rate, knowing your dog helps you choose a gate that both fits your dog well and stands the test of time (and your dog).
The Layout of Your Home
How your home is laid out is another thing to keep in mind while shopping for the right dog gate, especially if you plan on using it in more than one place. Depending on how many stairways, doorways, and archways your home has, you may even find that buying more than one type of gate is best. You may need an extra-wide gate to block off a space downstairs (for the puppy) and a narrow gate for the top of the stairs (for an older dog, or even child), for example.
How We Picked
Rounding up the best dog gates was a bit trickier than some of the products we review and compare. The main reason being that there are so many genuinely great products out there, unlike many of the other product types we review. So how did we find the very best ones then? Simple. We put in the time and effort to research, review, and compare some of the best-selling units on the market, before sharing them with you on our list.
We looked at price, quality of materials and components, craftsmanship, height, width, strength, and much more. We also took the time to comb through countless customer reviews and comments about each product that ended up on our list, just in case we missed something important that you guys should know about.
Which is the Best Dog Fence for You?
Picking the very best dog fence for you boils down to a couple of different factors including your dog's breed and behavior, the layout and design of your home, and more importantly, the stairways and doorways in your house. We hope that our guide, in addition to our picks for the best five fences for dogs, will help make your decision the most well-informed one possible.
Our choice for the best dog fence is the Perma Child Safety Indoor/Outdoor Retractable Baby Gate. The gate can be used inside, outside, and in just about any sort of doorway or opening. It's designed with children, puppies, and full-grown dogs in mind and is quick and painless to install as well.