This week we talked about air travel with your dogs (”‘Pawsengers’ Welcome Aboard” and “Flying Dogs“).  So in that same spirit, we highlight the top 10 dog-friendly cities in the U.S. according to a 2009 study by DogFriendly.com.  The list considered the quality of dog-friendly accommodations, transportation, beaches, parks, attractions, stores, dining and things to do.

Ignoring the Golden Gate views in sunny San Francisco

1. San Francisco – Luxurious hotels. Plenty of pet-friendly patio dining. Many off-leash beaches and areas. Ride the cable car, walk the Golden Gate.
2. Austin – Dine in outdoor cafes.  Visit the Zilker Botanical Gardens. See the Congress Street Bats. Many off-leash parks.
3. Boston – Tour Boston harbor by boat. Walk the Freedom Trail and explore many National Historical Sites. Your leashed dog is welcome on the subway.
4. Northern Virginia – Enjoy a yappy hour or dine in dog-friendly Alexandria. Take the Canine Cruise. Visit outdoor monuments and nearby Washington.
5. Portland (OR)- Enjoy off-leash areas and the famous Rose Gardens. Visit the Saturday Outdoor Market. Have a drink at the Lucky Lab.
6. Charleston (SC) – Take a ghost tour or walking tour. See the grounds of the Magnolia and Boone Hall Plantations. Visit the beach.
7. Chicago – Visit Navy Pier. Ride the Canine Cruise. See Buckingham Fountain, take a walk in Oak Park. Many dog-friendly patio restaurants.
8. San Diego – Visit fabulous dog beaches. Shop at dog-friendly Otay Ranch with its dog park. Dine outdoors and hike many parks.
9. New York - Stay in a fine hotel. Take a walking tour of lower Manhattan and the Brooklyn Bridge. Shop at Time Warner Center. See the Balto Statue and Central Park.
10. Ann Arbor (MI) - Visit Nichols Arboretum, rent a dog-friendly canoe. Visit nearby gardens and farms. Visit many local parks.

Honorable mention include Dallas, Madison (WI), Minneapolis, Salt Lake and Seattle.

However, not all dog owners agreed with the results:

• One pit bull owner proclaimed “[t]ake Boston off your list…  look at Understand-A-Bull.com. Boston is listed as one of the most UNfriendly cities for dogs.”
• “I was very surprised to find Chicago in the top ten. There aren’t many places to take your dog other than the lakefront. .. Chicago’s a city but it’s still the Midwest–there is the feeling that dogs should be at home and not out and about.”
• “In Austin we like to think we are dog friendly, and we have some great spaces for dogs to roam and channel their inner dog. As well, we have a dog-waste problem. Unfortunately being a dog friendly city comes at a price… Come visit Austin, bring your dog, and pick up the turd.”
• “I’ve lived all over the country, including Northern Virginia and San Francisco, and San Diego is definitely (sic) the most dog friendly place I’ve set roots.”

Well, you can’t please everyone

We’d like to find other dog-friendly in the U.S. and throughout the world.  Let us know if your city should make the cut!!

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