Best wall-mounted gate for Rhodesian Ridgeback

A Rhodesian Ridgeback leaning through a pressure-mounted gate is a completely predictable outcome — those dogs are big, solid, and persistent, and pressure mounts simply aren't built for that kind of lateral force. Gate choice really comes down to three things: the dog's size and jumping ability, the width of the opening you're blocking, and whether pressure-mounted or wall-mounted is the right fit — and for top-of-stairs use, pressure-mounted is never safe. Given what's happened, wall-mounting sounds like the right direction for you. Can you tell me how wide the opening is that you're trying to block, and where exactly the gate is going — doorway, room divider, or stairs?

That tracks exactly — a 40kg Ridgeback applying slow, steady pressure is worse than a dog jumping at it, because there's no bounce, just constant load. A 90cm doorway is a standard width which is actually good news, as it keeps your options open. Before I point you at a specific gate, one quick question: is your doorway timber framing, or is it a plastered wall? It affects which fixings you'll use and how confident you can be in the anchor points.

Perfect — timber framing makes wall-mounting straightforward and gives you genuinely solid anchor points. For a 40kg Ridgeback who leans rather than jumps, I'd go with the Safetots Extra Wide Safety Gate. It's a screw-fixed, wall-mounted gate with a sturdy steel frame, a one-handed release that adults can operate easily but dogs can't nudge open, and it fits openings from 75cm up to 82cm in its standard form — with an extension it covers up to around 134cm, so your 90cm doorway is well within range with the included extension. The wall cups bolt directly into your timber frame, and unlike pressure mounts there's no tension mechanism for a determined dog to gradually displace. It's consistently one of the highest-rated gates for large breeds in the UK precisely because the fixing method doesn't rely on friction. Search for 'Safetots Extra Wide Safety Gate' on Amazon UK — it typically comes in black or white and costs around £60–£75 depending on finish.

Yes, that's one of its stronger practical points. The latch is a lift-and-swing mechanism that you operate with one hand — you lift a bar and push through in a single motion. It's deliberately designed so it takes a small amount of intentional action, which dogs can't replicate, but it becomes second nature for adults within a day or two. It also swings both ways, so you don't have to think about which side you're approaching from. For a busy kitchen-to-living-room doorway, that matters.

Happy to help. One installation tip worth mentioning: use the longest screws the wall cups will accept into that timber frame — the gate ships with fixings that work, but slightly longer screws give you noticeably better pull-out resistance for a heavy dog. Should take about 20 minutes to fit and you won't be revisiting this problem again.