OVERVIEW

The SportDOG 100A In-Ground Electric dog fence is designed specifically for large rural properties. The system can handle 100 acres and any number of dogs so it’s our favorite system for customers with properties too large for the Innotek/PetSafe UltraSmart (25 acre max). 

The system is built to last, so it’s great for customers who have multiple dogs who do a lot of rough housing. The receiver collar is a bit bulky but it is extremely waterproof and can take some serious abuse. The collar is not rechargeable but it does work with a regular 9-volt battery so one nice work around is to get a rechargeable 9-volt set at a local electronics store.

The system can accommodate any number of dogs with additional collars. In addition, the correction levels can be customized for each dog. The system also allows you to set the correction mode at the control box; you can choose warning only mode, correction only mode, or warning and correction mode.

The SportDOG system is not designed for dogs under 20 lbs. The collar does not adjust down smaller than 13” and SportDOG does not make a small dog specific collar.

The transmitter is relatively sleek and well designed and offers a frequency switch. The option to try another frequency is useful if you have a neighboring dog fence that could cause interference.

The SportDOG fence includes a built-in grounding terminal for lightening protection on large properties (you have to install a grounding rod though). The system also comes standard with 1,000 ft. of boundary wire - twice that of the other systems.

The disadvantages of the SportDOG system are the bulky, non-rechargeable collar and the lack of a back-up battery power option.

SUMMARY: The clear choice for properties over 25 acres or for those who need a really rugged collar, this very reliable and feature-rich system comes standard with twice the wire of other systems. Great for multiple dog households and for dogs of different sizes but not the system for small breeds.

FULL REVIEW

KIT INCLUDES

• 1,000 ft. of 20-gauge boundary wire (1 acre)
• 100 Boundary Flags
• 2 Waterproof Wire Splices
• Transmitter Control Box
• 1 Receiver Collar
• 2 Sets Of Collar Prongs (long and short)
• Instruction Manual

COLLAR FEATURES

• Waterproof: The SportDOG collar is exceptionally waterproof. Unfortunately, this also means that it’s a little tricky to access the battery compartment (you’ll need a screwdriver). The collar is also a tad bulky but given the quality, the bulk is justified. Dogs can easily swim with this collar without damaging it. The collar will not fit dogs with a neck size smaller than 13”.
• Individual Correction: The system can accommodate any number of dogs with the purchase of additional receiver collars. The correction level is set on the collar itself so the system is good for dogs of differing sizes or temperaments. The collars have four levels of progressive static correction as well as the tone and vibration warning. The vibration warning is a nice feature that is well suited for older dogs or dogs with hearing loss.
• Non-Rechargeable: We’d love the SportDOG to have a rechargeable collar, but instead they use a standard 9-volt battery. The battery will last about 3 months before it needs replacing and 9-volt batteries can be found at just about any convenience or drug store. The wonderfully waterproof collar protects the battery compartment with a screw-on lid, so changing the battery is a little tedious, but worth it for the waterproofing.
• Battery Indicator: The indicator light will flash green to let you know that everything is working well. Red flashing light means the battery is on it’s way out. The secondary function of the indicator light is to tell you what correction level you have the collar set to.
• Multiple Prongs Included: The SportDOG SDF-100A includes one set of each long and short prongs. Long prongs are best for long haired dogs and short prongs are ideal for shorter coats.

TRANSMITTER

• Frequency Adjustment: This nice extra feature is new on the updated version of the SportDOG SDF-100A. The frequency switch allows you to choose between 10k and 7k frequencies. If there is a neighboring electric dog fence switching frequencies will help you to avoid interference.
• Signal Range Adjuster: The width of the boundary zone is up to you and can be adjusted using the range knob. The system allows you to set the range at anything from a few inches to 10 feet. We usually recommend 3-5 ft. for most installations to make sure there is enough width to train the dog properly but not take too much space out of the yard. For the large properties the SportDOG in-ground fence is geared towards, you could set it higher since space is not an issue.
• Loop Indicator: The loop indicator light will alert you to any wire breaks or an initial issue in the system setup.
• Grounding Terminal: This extra feature is a nice inclusion for those large rural properties subject to frequent lightening strikes and removes the need for a lightening protection module. In order to use the grounding terminal you’ll need to have or install a grounding rod. Some people living in very lightening prone areas prefer to have a dedicated grounding rod rather than the optional module.
• Range Adjustment: For large areas you’ll boost the signal strength by switching to the larger range setting. Installations using less than 4,400 ft. of wire are fine on the lower setting, over 4,400 ft. of wire and you’ll want to boost the signal.
• Correction Mode: You can set the transmitter to issue warning in the initial stages of training and don’t want to use correction yet. It’s also a useful customization feature for either very timid or very stubborn dogs. Keep in mind that this is set at the transmitter level so it applies to all the collars on the system and can’t be individualized.

WARRANTY

• Limited Lifetime Warranty: Regardless of the terminology, the warranty covers your system for one full year and then you’ll get discounted repairs for the life of the system.