Andrew McCracken : Big Dog Fencing

Introducing Andrew Mccracken: In the mountains bordering Wellington’s Upper Hutt, we caught up with Andrew and Ingrid McCracken and Matt Slade - the team behind Big Dog Fencing - along with their newest recruit, Apollo, a 60kg Leonberger.

Andrew founded Big Dog Fencing fi ve years ago, bringing nearly 50 years of fencing expertise to the business. Last year, Matt, an award-winning builder, joined after relocating from Tauranga to Wellington. The team have gained 19,000 followers on their social media pages, with some especially popular videos showcasing their self-propelled EVO machine, equipped with a six-tonne winch, which handles steep jobs.

Andrew told us why the GOFENCE permanent wire strainer and Strainrite DURASHIELD insulator are his go-to choices for electric fencing.

“What I really like about these strainers is the little details. There’s this extra lug that lock in tight - once you’ve got it set, it’s not going anywhere. It’s a lot safer than just relying on tension alone,” he explained.

“The extra tooth on the ratchet lets you get the tension just right. For electric fences, you don’t want to go over 100kg, and having that extra bit of control makes a real diff erence. I’ve found it helps keep the fence line exactly where I want it.”

When Andrew sets up for a job, he said he starts with the GOFENCE strainer, then grabs a DURASHIELD insulator. He explained how they’re easy to pull apart and snap back together, and the way they’re designed means the electricity has to travel a longer path. “It means better insulation and less chance of a short, which is something I’ve had trouble with using older insulators.”

Traditional insulators are bulky, expensive, and take up a lot of space, making it impractical to carry many of them. The Strainrite DURASHIELD insulator is much more convenient, Andrew said. “You only need to carry a few; they’re easy to clip on and use quickly, and they reduce the amount of equipment you need to bring.”

Andrew’s hands-on approach and attention to detail make it clear. “Honestly, these little improvements have made my fencing jobs a lot smoother. If you’re looking to make your electric fence a bit more reliable, give these a try. They’ve worked for me, and I reckon they’ll work for you too.”