How high can a dog jump?

How high a dog can jump is largely dependent on the dog’s breed and overall health. Some dogs can jump as high as six feet into the air to clear objects like fences or obstacles, while other dogs can only jump a few inches off the ground. Small dogs with short legs and little agility will have a hard time jumping, while larger, stronger and more agile breeds can jump very high with little effort.

Older dogs or dogs with health issues will most likely not be able to jump very high at all. Alternatively, a young and healthy dog will have a greater chance of jumping onto or over high objects. Dogs can also scramble and climb a little to help them get over objects like fences.

Many people are concerned with how high a dog can jump for safety reasons. Making sure that a dog cannot jump over a fence, for example, is a common concern. For most dog breeds, a six-foot tall fence will be sufficient. For dogs that are known to be excellent jumpers, or can jump fairly high, an eight-foot fence might be the best option.