20 of the Most Dog-Friendly Cities in the United States
The dog is the best friend to man, correct? It’s true, even though there are 10 million more cats living in American homes than dogs. However, dogs aren’t happy to be cooped up in the house without much to do, so that’s why they are better off going out and doing things that are a bit more fun. That’s something that many people have to take into consideration when choosing a new home, and we can help. We have a list of the best cities far and wide across the country for families and their dogs. These cities cater to canines, which makes it possible for you to enjoy your time here more than you thought possible.
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San Diego
What most people love about San Diego is everything. It’s one of the best cities in the country for finding trustworthy and reliable pet sitters. It’s also a wonderful location for those who want to have their own enjoyment with their dogs, such as meals on patios, dog parks in which to play and just about everything else. It’s a great place with so much to offer that your dog will never tire of being outside. You can do the 16 dog parks, walk down the gorgeous streets in lovely neighborhoods and even take a second to go to the beach and your dog will still want more. It’s just that good.
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Charleston
Find me a dog that isn’t intrigued by the concept of yappy hour and I’ll find you a dog that doesn’t want to live in Charleston. This gorgeous southern city is made for dogs, and it’s because it’s so amazing. The city is known for its lovely architecture, it’s beautiful walking streets and the beaches here are quite lovely. What this means for you and your dog is that you’re about to have a whole lot of fun.
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Salt Lake City
It turns out that the city in Utah is very dog-friendly, and it boasts a number of ways in which you can keep your dog happy, entertained and enlightened. So I’d highly recommend that you take your dog here for vacation or for good if you’re looking for a location in which to raise an animal. Some of the most beautiful parks in the country are located here, which means you’ll enjoy lovely views and unbeatable quality time exercising with your canine companion.
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Boulder
This gorgeous Colorado city has so much to offer dogs. Not only are there miles upon miles of hiking trails, there are also so many patio-friendly restaurants in the area that you and your dog can end every walk with a nice rest at a local brewery. This is good news for everyone around, and you’ll even get to meet other dog owners and do some serious socializing this way. Who says you cannot enjoy your time in this area with your dog? Most of the people here do just that; enjoy their days out and about with their furry friends.
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Chicago
The bad news for dogs and their owners in Chicago is the lack of dog parks. The good news, however, is that the city is great for walking and it has plenty of boarding locations for those that do enjoy a bit of travel without the dog. Additionally, there are plenty of locations throughout the city that cater to dogs so that they can enjoy a day out with the family as well. It’s a nice place to raise a dog, even if the parks are a bit on the limited side.
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Cleveland
Even though the city has seen so many economic downfalls in the past few years, it’s still a great place for dogs. There are not as many dog parks in Cleveland as there might be in other cities, but there are many parks, trails and even a complete bleacher section in Browns stadium so that dogs can come to the games with their owners and sit down and enjoy the game. It’s a great way to enjoy some good old-fashioned fun with the family and the dog.
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Las Vegas
You might think that Las Vegas has a lot of casinos, and you’d be correct. But they really do like to do things in excess there, since they also have 25 parks that allow you let your dog off his or her leash to run around and enjoy the day. The weather is also nice, and the casinos here are usually very open to allowing your doggie friend inside as a guest, too. There is no reason not to live in Vegas with a dog. Unless, of course, you have a gambling problem. Then, perhaps, Vegas is not the place for you.
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Portland
Your dog absolutely, completely and utterly wants you to move to Portland right this very second. The city features a staggering 19 massage therapists licensed to massage only pets. There are 33 dog parks here in which your favorite pet can run around and enjoy, and there are so many places around the city that offer some amazing locations for shopping, dining and entertainment that your dog can enjoy. Additionally, you will find that the average household spends just over $32 per month on their dog, which makes it quite affordable, too.
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Tucson
This is not named the sunniest city in the country for nothing, which means you can take advantage of outdoor dining with your dog anytime during the year. With parks and trails and other dog-related activities available throughout the year, it’s a great place to raise a family that includes canine companions that are looking for a place to enjoy you and your family. With 350 days of sun each year, your dog will never get bored inside the house thanks to poor weather conditions.
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San Francisco
I love and adore San Francisco, and the city loves and adores dogs. They are allowed on the trolleys, they are allowed in many locations throughout the city, and there are even 27 parks for dogs to enjoy when they want to run, play and get some exercise. That’s what makes this city particularly unique in terms of love. Additionally, dogs can walk throughout the city with their owners since it’s such a walkable community with so much to offer. What’s not to love about this location?
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Denver
There are 9 parks that allow dogs off their leashes, and there are more than 100 pet stores in the city. Dogs are also treated quite well in many public places, including several restaurants and stores that offer free doggie treats and even special dog ice cream cones at a local ice cream parlor. What more could a dog want in an area that is not only gorgeous and wonderful for people, but for dogs, too?
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Minneapolis
The biggest downfall to this lovely and very dog-friendly city is the long and harsh winters. This can cause dogs to go a little bit crazy cooped up in the house, but just let them out for a second and they’ll never take being cooped up in the warmth for granted again. The city has a number of dog parks, dog friendly eating establishments and all the fun things that people love to do with their dogs are readily and easily available in this lovely city.
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Miami
There is so much patio seating in the city that your dog is almost always going to be able to sit down and join you for a meal when you are out. Add that to the sheer number of beaches and you’re going to be able to exercise together after your meal is over, too. The area is wonderful for dogs since it’s so friendly to animals, but you’re going to want to always have water with you since it does get hot here and you and your dog absolutely must stay hydrated.
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Austin
What’s particularly nice about Austin is that the city is very dog-friendly on every level. With 11 dog parks and a number of places to walk just to enjoy the view. The city is filled with pet-friendly locations that include everything from restaurants to stores, and there is something for everyone in the entire family, too. With plenty of outdoor festivals and entertainment, too, it’s easy to assume that everyone in the family will have a great time of enjoyment and pleasure.
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Boston
How about this? You can take your dog on the Subway during non-peak hours, and that’s kind of cool. The city does not have nearly as many off-leash dog parks as other cities, but it does have a number of parks and walking locations in general, and that makes it easy to want to get up and get out for a while. With a number of very dog-friendly activities and locations throughout the city, it’s easy to want to raise a dog here, despite the cold winters.
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Albuquerque
What makes this particular city so interesting is the fact that there is a lot of love for animals around here. There is an annual dog ball thrown by the mayor that raises money to help spay and neuter pets to keep the homeless population and shelter population to a minimum. Dogs have more than 33,000 acres of park land on which to play and frolic, and there is so much going on here for animals that you’ll never have time to have a life of your own since your dog’s social schedule is always so packed.
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Washington DC
Our nation’s capital has 7 dog parks and specialty boutiques located all over the city for dogs and their owners. It’s also one of the country’s most walkable cities, which makes it a wonderful location in which to raise a dog. Since dogs are so much in need of exercise and time spent outdoors, this is a wonderful location in which to raise a dog. Furthermore, only a little over 21% of the households in the city claim a pet, which means you’ll have plenty of space at the park for you and your family and pet.
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Colorado Springs
It’s a lovely location for dogs and their owners because of the lovely weather during the summer and the great outdoor living that’s around all year long. And while you might worry that your dogs will experience frostbite during the winter, there are plenty of places that welcome dogs right inside during the entire course of the year, including animal stores and boutiques as well as a museum in the city. It’s very affordable in terms of veterinary care, too, so you never have to worry about the health of your dog coming into question.
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Seattle
The city has now reached the point that there are more dogs than children, but that’s because the city is so dog-friendly. Almost every single form of public transportation allows dogs, including things like the seaplanes and ferries. Additionally, there are plenty of doggie health-related activities in the area and that means that many people will make it a point to get their dogs in shape and their lives in order. We don’t hate that kind of commitment at all.
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Phoenix
If you are looking for allocation that is riddled with things to do for the canine companions in your life, try Phoenix. The city has a number of dog-related events throughout the year and plenty of retirees who are happy to take your dog off your hands for the day or weekend while you’re at work or even while you’re on vacation. It’s a beautiful city with a wonderful climate, too, so it makes sense that you would want to raise a dog in such a great location.
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