And in Basel, Switzerland, along the Rhine, they have fountains, not only for the humans to use, but below those are dog/cat fountains for them to get a drink out of. And fountains are everywhere, although most of those are for horses that are no longer there.

But you're all correct about the problems with the shelter system. We need to do a LOT better, there.

Cheers!

Move to the South End. Tons of dog parks.... and babies

F%$K YOU if you take your dog on the freedom trail. Are you aware that the streets are narrow and barely fit the throngs of tourist who think it is okay move at molasses pace arm and arm.

Rent.com can DIAF.

[www.boston.com]

@midwestdesigner: I'm sure the bunnies don't enjoy being sniffed at. And in the city, just think of raccoons and squirrels as urban wildlife.

I'm always curious how sites develop their lists...

My home town is Austin and I live in Seattle. Austin's offerings are small in comparision. My family always look on in envy when seeing our dog parks. Not to mention we have flyball, sheephearding, agility games and doggie daycare, bakeries and pet spas are a thriving industry.

@madanthony: You can put you cat on a leash,.......just don't expect to do anything more than drag the poor thing around on it!

The pedestrian path on the Brooklyn Bridge is wood, not asphalt.

Or do they make their dogs run alongside the taxi when they drive over?

I was a little surprised that Boston was on the list, too. I lived there for a year and a half and don't remember seeing a dog on the subway and dog parks are scarce, as they are also out in Western MA where I now live. There are a lot of good places to walk around Boston, which probably makes that good for dogs.

I've never found Boston to be unfriendly but we New Englanders tend to keep to ourselves a bit more than people from other parts of the country. Of course, if any of the people you are interacting with were driving at any point recently, they probably are in a bad mood because Boston is a horrendous place to drive (but a magnificent place to walk).

I don't really have a problem with better-safe-than-sorry legislation even if it is a few bad owners ruining it for the responsible pit bull lovers.

And of course we have the fact that the "urban" community has choosen to abuse these animals and use them as a status symbol or for fighting.

I love these dogs and when I finally buy my condo I play to adopt a rottweiler but I also understand and appreciate the strength and power these beautiful animals wield. I accept the laws that are put in place to own one of them and it sucks that other people have "ruined it".

I've never seen so many people AFRAID of this:

in my entire life.

@jvanbrecht: Yep, how true. I've been stuck in that 5-mile commute. It's kind of hard to have dedicated dog parks in DC because there isn't a lot of area to expand for that sole purpose. Dog owners are better off finding parks that they can walk their pets in, and they shouldn't let them off the leash in the city anyway but certainly a quick jaunt around Adams Morgan is as good exercise for fido as romping in a few acres. If you need more space, go outside the city for a few hours.

You're right, I probably should have qualified that. There are breeds of larger dogs that work well in small apartments, but when I first moved to Chicago my first apartment was about 350 square feet - hardly big enough for a human, let alone a 40 pound dog and a human.

@artemis1979:

not to mention the ugly problems at the city's pet shelter... always a scandal and the city doens't really know what to do!

How about looking to cities that do know what to do for advice?

Granted, not really within walking distance, but definately within a reasonable driving distance. (unless its rush hour... then its a 2 hour drive to go 5 miles)

@TinkishDelight: Or Alexandria! Grrr!

@Eyebrows McGee (now with more baby!): It doesn't specify whether or not they are using the term city colloquially. Regardless I'm in a DC suburb that is far from rural or small town that I think would make a much better pick for top 10 than stinky, old NYC. My city is a perfect mix of downtown dog friendly activities and open, grassy areas. AND we have dog parks and the city is even hosting a doggie day next week.

Again, it's just me being bitter.

I disagree about the large breed thing.. well to a point, not all large breed dogs are energetic, in fact, Great Danes (of which I have one) are perfect for small apartments (after they are 3 years old though, prior to that in puppy stages they can be rambunctious and the tail will destroy everything...)

Btw, I own a house with a large back yard, and I go to the dog park. However, for the most part, my Dane sits his butt on the couch (with all 4 paws on the floor) and watches TV with us, or he lies down on his side in the middle of the floor to be a speed bump :)

@nato0519: Sorry our country wasn't founded by Ringling Brothers!

Boston has one dog park. ONE. People in my own neighborhood give my dog weird looks when I'm walking her, unless they also own a dog, in which case they probably give me weird looks anyway because Boston is probably the unfriendliest city in the country.

Boston has misguidedly enacted breed-specific legislation against pit bulls (which is probably the most pet-unfriendly thing a city can do), requiring a registration fee 9x that of any other dog, and requiring that they be muzzled in public, despite the fact that pit bulls are one of the most loving dog breeds, simply because of a reputation the breed has gained because the owners of some dogs mistrain and inhumanely mistreat their animals.

Oh, and the dogs on the subway thing? Your dog can be not allowed on, or you and your dog can be kicked off, at any time based on any MBTA staff member's whim, because the policy is to allow pets "at the discretion of T vehicle operators". And as anyone who rides the MBTA knows, the "discretion" of people who work for the MBTA is generally suspect.

Yes, we also have a problem with pet abandonment...as does any large city. It's an unfortunate problem and one I am well aware of as I worked at the Houston SPCA where the show Animal Cops: Houston was filmed. Just because there was a show filmed here doesn't mean we have the WORST problem in the US, because similar shows have been filmed by Animal Planet in other cities.

However, this being said I still think we have a long way to go in being pet-friendly. Just because Barnaby's and a couple other places allow pets on their patios doesn't mean the city is really as pet-friendly as it should be.

@artemis1979: Wow, that makes me wonder if they bothered speaking to anyone who actually lives in these cities before they produced their list.

I can attest that DC and Alexandria are great places for dogs, though dogs are not allowed on the Metro and tourists may get tangled up trying to avoid you. There's so much outdoor dining in Old Town that dogs regularly dine alongside their owners. Almost every hotel has a water bowl and treats outside, and there's a huge dog park where humans and canines alike can enjoy the river and trees.

From what I've experienced in Chicago is that dogs actually get a lot more exercise and quality time with their owners in a big, pet-friendly city. In a city where a private back yard is a rarity people take their pets for walks as opposed to letting Rover out and calling him back in immediately after he finishes his business.

I'm with you on keeping a large dog in a studio or any other small space though, it's incredibly selfish, but anything much bigger than a beagle is in the minority.

@Troy F.:In NYC people bring dogs EVERYWHERE. The only stores pets are not allowed in are ones where the Health Department does not permit them to enter by law (like Duane Reade... saw a lady with a dog get in a fight with the manager over whether she could bring her dog inside).

There is even a cafe near my apartment that is aimed towards people with dogs. When you sit down, they bring you a a glass of water and your dog a bowl of water. Also, at my gym, they have a "doggy water stop" right outside (where they keep a water bowl out).

So, yeah, NYC is very pet friendly

I don't think having a big park really counts. Can you bring a dog anywhere else in NYC? Shops? Restaurants? Subway?

I was expecting to see places like Bar Harbor and Portland, Maine - places where there are water bowls on the ground at every sidewalk cafe, and a "Pets Welcome" sign on every shop door. You can find outdoor places to walk your dog anywhere...that's not really significant.

Chicago has a ton of dog specific parks, including the ever popular Wiggly Field. DC on the other hand fails in that regard. Yes they have dog-friendly resturants and plenty of "Yappy Hours" but I have yet to find a dog park in the city.

Houston a pet friendly city, hardly. Yes, there are lots of for profit pet kennels. Great. Pets are not welcome ANYWHERE. We just got our first dog parks a couple years ago. And I mean, we got like 3 of them. In the entire city limits. And if you think that's anything central, consider Houston is 600 square miles! It takes me 45 minutes to drive from the southern skirts of the city to the central areas. And for every patio that welcomes dogs, there are 10 that kick you off. Or just ask animal planet, the reason "Pet Cops" or whatever is filmed here is because we have the worst pet abuse and abandonnment problem int he country.

@JustinSane07: Sigh. That should say "We don't want." Now I'm the dumbass.

@nato0519: We don't your dumb tourist ass here anyways.

You all carry muzzles around with you for your dogs, right?

(I hope this message doesn't duplicate -- my first one never posted)

I'm actually kind of surprised at this list. I would think that rolling hills and farmland would be a lot more pet friendly than a teensy studio apartment 20 minutes from the nearest tree. Just because a restaurant allows dogs, doesn't mean your german shepherd wouldn't rather be outside chasing squirrels. And the asphalt of sidewalks isn't all that great for your dogs joints or foot pads. And what about all the breed and animal restrictions that come with living in the big city? Discrimination isn't friendly!!

(Ok yes I'm a bit bitter)

In related news: Big, popular, progressive cities good for stuff.