The Top Ten Cities to Live Where Dogs Are Welcomed

Dog Fancy's former editor Susan Chaney advised the magazine of the Top Ten and Next Best Thirty places in the United States that most welcome dogs as family member citizens. Chaney's findings were discussed in the September 2010 issue of the magazine in her article entitled "Atlas A-list" (page 26).

The number one dog friendly city is in the state of Massachusetts, as voted upon and choosen by Chaney's team using the magazine's database and data gleaned from dog-loving readers.

Dog Fancy wanted to list 40 cities as being top dog friendly centers in celebration of its own 40th anniversary. Two other lists of ten -- 31 through 40 and 21 through 30 -- include towns and cities in Utah, Idaho, and Montana, as well as North Dakota and Colorado, which has two locations listed there.

Dog Fancy's Top Ten List of Which Cities Most Love Dogs

The Chaney team used a wealth of information from readers and their own investigative journeys throughout the United States to put together their best forty list.

Criteria used to choose the forty cities most appreciative of households with dogs included facilities with high numbers for spaying and neutering of pets, availability of veterinary clinics, holistic veterinarians, associated facilities like shelters with high adoption rates, and dog training classes.

Other inclusive earning points in the ratings were the existence of businesses, restaurants, and play areas that welcome canine companions, and beaches and water cruising that allow dogs. Nearby hiking and downtown walking areas were on the criteria list, as was available pet supply stores.

The Ten Best Dog Appreciative Cities

On top of the list of the best cities in which to live with a canine companion is Provincetown, Massachusetts. Provincetown has a population of 2,997 Homo sapiens and dogs that number 551, a dogs-in-residence for every four households percentage.

Provincetown businesses welcome the canine companions of their shoppers by providing biscuits and bowls of water to the furry patron pals. And the Animal Rescue League of Boston's Brewster chapter, located close by, has a nearly 100 percent adopton rate.

The next nine best cities for dogs include:

No.10 -- Salem, Oregon
No. 9 -- Sioux Falls, South Dakota
No. 8 -- Virginia Beach, Virginia
No. 7 -- San Diego, California
No. 6 -- Lincoln City, Oregon
No. 5 -- Fort Bragg, California
No. 4 -- Benicia, California
No. 3 -- Madison, Wisconsin
No. 2 -- Carmel-by-the-Sea, California

Second Tier List of Best Dog Cities

Ann Arbor, Michigan anchors the second tier list of most welcoming dog cities by virtue of its Arbor Brewing Company, which gives the nod to dogs accompanying their owners at its tables on the sidewalk.

Ann Arbor also is home to Bountiful Bowls, a Huron Valley Humane Society that sponsors help for needy families to adequately feed their family member dogs.

The remaining number eleven through twenty list on Dog Fancy's top forty dog cities are:

No.20 -- Charleston, South Carolina
No.19 -- Briarcliff Manor, New York
No.18 -- Burlington, Vermont
No.17 -- Boulder, Colorado
No.16 -- Billings, Montana
No.15 -- Bellingham,Washington
No.14 -- Austin, Texas
No.13 -- Annapolis, Maryland
No.11 -- Anchorage, Alaska

Ohio Misses Dog Fancy's Cut of Best Dog Cities

Recently embroiled in animal cruelty issues, and dog shootings in Toledo, the state of Ohio had no listings on Dog Fancy's top forty cities to enjoy canine companionship.

Colorado has three cities listed in total, Colorado Springs, Boulder, and Fort Collins. California has seven listings.