I don't understand the backyards in North Carolina - help please! (Durham: HOA, houses)

[LuvsTexas]

Thank you all for the great replies. I feel a little better knowing there are some areas where fences are an option if we decide to stick with one. We love our dogs like children and would never dream of re-homing them just because of a fence issue. I like the idea of the invisible fence too - something to look into.

Always nice to meet fellow Boxer owners! Thanks again!

[Desdemona123]

Originally Posted by LuvsTexas

Thank you all for the great replies. I feel a little better knowing there are some areas where fences are an option if we decide to stick with one. We love our dogs like children and would never dream of re-homing them just because of a fence issue. I like the idea of the invisible fence too - something to look into.

Always nice to meet fellow Boxer owners! Thanks again!

I don't know of any town that doesn't allow fences....just a few...and I mean few...hoa.

[Dave O]

Originally Posted by LuvsTexas

My husband and I are moving from the Texas Panhandle to the southwest Durham area in the future. While perusing the real estate web sites I have noticed that the backyards on most homes have no fences, or at least not what we consider to be fences.

I'm a NC native but I've lived in Texas. We don't have fences in NC because we have these things called "trees" which provide privacy. Truth be told fences are pretty ugly don'tcha think?

[muse1110]

I don't find fences ugly. I prefer tall hedges of various plant types, which flower and change colour with the seasons.

And with small children in the back garden, I don't want any dogs around. I know everyone says their dog 'loves kids!!!' No thanks.

With the lot sizes so tiny here (for the majority of homes), we are desperate to get some privacy.

[CaliBoy]

Originally Posted by LuvsTexas

I feel a little better knowing there are some areas where fences are an option if we decide to stick with one. We love our dogs like children and would never dream of re-homing them just because of a fence issue. I like the idea of the invisible fence too - something to look into.

We have friends on the coast, and we were surprised to see that they only had a rear fence, but no fence on the side to their neighbors. We weren't accustomed to that either. However, it appears they were using the invisible fence and it appeared to work well. I think there's some training involved, but it worked for their big dog.

We did test it a bit by standing in the driveway to see if the dog would come toward us. He wouldn't. But our friends said that any dog loyal to their family will cross that invisible fence without hesitation if we were harming their owners or antagonizing the dog. So, that's not bad either.

Still, a bit alarming to see a big dog like that barking at us with no barrier for the first time. Next dog we get, we'll probably check that out.

On the other hand, just check with your planning department or local code enforcement about fences if you choose to erect one. In our area, we can build one up front up only to a certain height (like 4 feet) but from the side of the house back, we can build up to 6 (or more, can't remember).

It's always a good thing to let your neighbors know of your plan instead of springing it on them. Benefit to that is that you relieve any potential tension (hopefully) and they feel like they have a say on how a fence will look like on their boundary line too. You might actually get them to chip in as well or get an even better deal if they decide to fence in their area and have the same guy/girl erect both.

[westgulb79]

We're moving to Cary next week (we leave Monday morning!!) with three boxers.

While they are trained, I know they would without a doubt run into the road given the opportunity to chase a squirrel or other creature. I would never take that chance with my babies. A fence was one of my "must haves" on our MLS search, but realized we could build one if necessary. A few of the HOAs in communities we liked had 4' restrictions. I know our female could easily clear that with a running start.

Luckily, we found the perfect house with .35 fenced acres for them in our price range. Good luck in your search!

[shaylahc]

Originally Posted by westgulb79

We're moving to Cary next week (we leave Monday morning!!) with three boxers.

While they are trained, I know they would without a doubt run into the road given the opportunity to chase a squirrel or other creature. I would never take that chance with my babies. A fence was one of my "must haves" on our MLS search, but realized we could build one if necessary. A few of the HOAs in communities we liked had 4' restrictions. I know our female could easily clear that with a running start.

Luckily, we found the perfect house with .35 fenced acres for them in our price range. Good luck in your search!

Doesn't Cary have an ordinance that limits 2 dogs per house? I know they used to.....I wonder if they changed it?

[Taryn]

Another Boxer owner and LOVER here!

We rented a house in Cary before we bought that didn't have a fenced in yard but we were around the corner from the Cary Dog Park so it worked out well, but a fenced in yard was a priority when we bought. Need a safe place for those Boxer burns!!!

Taryn

[MikeJaquish]

Originally Posted by shaylahc

Doesn't Cary have an ordinance that limits 2 dogs per house? I know they used to.....I wonder if they changed it?

Cary dropped that limit several years ago.
It didn't stand up in court.

[findingmesomeday]

Originally Posted by Dave O

I'm a NC native but I've lived in Texas. We don't have fences in NC because we have these things called "trees" which provide privacy. Truth be told fences are pretty ugly don'tcha think?

That's exactly what I was thinking as I was reading this thread. I noticed that "privacy fences" were a big thing when I lived in Phoenix, probably for the same reason--lack of large trees.

Around here (suburbs of Boston), most people have IF for their dogs.