fencing for standard poodle

Question
Hi:

I have a sixteen week old standard poodle.  I've had her for eight weeks.  Ultimately I may have many questions that you might help me with, but today I'll start with just one.
I'm planning to fence the backyard.  It's a combination of an open and a woodsy area.  I'm wondering if a six foot fence...partially wood and partially chainlink will be high enough to keep Lucy from escaping. I realize there is also the possibility of digging to get out, and wonder if that is something (in your experience) poodles are likely to attempt.  Thus far she does like to dig.

She will still be supervised, but when no one is looking is she likely to be able to tackle six feet with ease?

I look forward to hearing from you.

Mary  

Answer
Hello Mary,
I really enjoy this site so please feel free to ask me any and all questions you have concerning Poodles.

Ohhh, the Versitle Poodle.  They can jump, climb and hop gaily around the yard with ease.  It depends on how big your girl is and how determined she is.  
When my boy Scout (27" at the shoulder) was about 2 he jumped a 5'1" board from a standstill because he thought there was a cat on the other side.  This is right after I dared him to jump the new gate I put up.  I watched as he stood there for a minute sizing it up before he crouched and sprung right up and over it.
Just think how much he could have cleared if he had a running start.  
His dad, Nitro (26 inches at the shoulder), wanted to get in with a female that we had in heat in a fence one time and climbed a 7 ft fence, using the holes as footholds to scale the fence.  It probably was uncomfortable on his feet, but he seemed to have a stronger drive motivating him.

It does depend on what is on the other side of the fence just how high they can jump.  If there isn't anything on the other side, then 6ft should be plenty.  You can leave the stakes out of the top portion, which will make the top unsteady if your dog would decide to climb it.  
If she likes to dig, then burying the fence will help keep her in.  You can also line the buried fence with telephone poles or railroad ties.    

We did expirence our smallest girl, Star (22 inches at the shoulder), climing over the fence to go play with the cows next door.  She loved it and would run up as close as she could to them and play bow towards them.  The cows thought she was crazy, but she always enjoyed it.

Well, I hope this helps some.  If you have any other questions, please feel free to ask.

Have a great day, and Many "Contained" Tail Wags.
Topkdog