The Amazing Adventures of Archibald Esq.

America’s Top Ten Dog Cities

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Some people are addicted to making lists. Top ten. Top hundred. You know the type. Top dogs. Top dances. Top songs. Apparently the programme directors of many a television station are of this sort.

Now, normally I’m not interested in list-making. But I thought this top ten list of superior houndish cities for travelling dogs to visit was a suitable exception to the rule.

For the last three years, the editors at Dog Fancy — a leading American canine-centric magazine — compile a list of the best cities in the U.S. to be a dog. San Diego was named this year’s winner of their DogTown USA award.

There are over 20 criteria that go into deciding what makes a city truly dog-friendly, including whether there are dog-centred activities such as dog festivals, parades and other events, as well as whether hotels are dog-friendly, and how many restaurants allow dogs on their patios.

Other factors are the provision of excellent veterinary care, and active humane societies. Dogs are part of the fabric of a city’s population, and the cities listed tend to be governed by councils that embrace the houndish part of their communities.

The following ten cities have been flagged up by this annual survey as the best cities in America for dogs.

San Diego
A warm Californian climate makes this city a year-round animal playground, complete with a selection of pet-friendly and off-leash beaches. Pet sitting services allow dog lovers to enjoy meals in anumber of local eateries. Dogs can also enjoy a kayaking excursion around La Jolla Bay (but organisers emphasise that although pet life jackets are provided, dogs should be good swimmers).

Long Beach, California
Belmont Shore is gaining a nationwide reputation for hosting several annual pet parades and doggie beauty contests, such as the Easter and Howl’o’ween parades and the Most Beautiful Bulldog competition that draws contestants from near and far. The city also has the only off-leash dog beach in L.A. County. Happily, all the stores that line Second Street are pet-friendly — offering bowls of fresh water and doggie treats. Several restaurants allow clients to be accompanied by their snoozing canines.

Carmel, California
The pet-friendly Cypress Inn is a tourist attraction in its own right and is widely recognized to have pioneered many of the pet-friendly policies practiced by many large hotel chains and private inns around America today. Co-owned by the legendary Doris Day, it’s filled with Hollywood memorabilia. Dogs enjoy snoozing in front of a roaring log fire in the lounge.

Portland, Oregon
There sure is something strongly doggish in Portland… The Lucky Labrador Brewing Company is a great place for both beer and man’s best friends; their brews have dog-inspired names and cater for all tastes. Another local gem, The Iron Mutt Coffee Company, that ensures caffeine fixes while your canines can enjoy complimentary biscuits and other fresh snacks. In Portland there’s no shortage of off-leash dog parks in the city. Superwoof!

Seattle
For those who enjoy visiting historical points of interest and appreciate beautiful scenery, a trip to Blake Island State Park the ancestral campground of the Suquamish and Duwamish Indian Tribes and believed to be the birthplace of Chief Seattle is unmissable. Humans and hounds alike can enjoy Chinook salmon cooked Northwest Coast Indian-style around an open alder wood fire. Happily, Seattle hosts several dog-friendly bed & breakfasts, and well-behaved leashed dogs are allowed on all buses and trains in the city. Awoof!

Chicago
This cosmopolitan city has lots of pet-friendly places to visit, a wide selection of outdoor cafes and pet-friendly bars. Upscale hotels such as the luxurious Hotel Burnham and Hotel Monaco welcome dogs of all sizes. Lake Michigan, a focal point of the city, offers more than 18 miles of paved trails that trace the lake’s edge. Many boat operators will happily take hounds along.

New York
Some of the most fashionable hotels in this city can be a temporary home away from home for your dog, including the trendy Soho Grand Hotel. Despite being a concrete jungle, there’s a lot for dogs to do in the Big Apple. Many stores welcome well-behaved hounds, and if you sit quietly, you can drool over the jewelry at Tiffany’s on Fifth Avenue. Of special note are NYC Dog Walking Tours which visit areas such as Greenwich Village, Soho, Lower East Side and Little Italy. A special highlight is a walk across the Brooklyn Bridge at dusk. And make sure to visit the William Secord Gallery on East 76th St. that specializes in 19th Century dog art — pooches are welcome to browse too. SuperWoof to William Secord!

Orlando, Florida
Be sure to visit Sam Snead’s on E. Pine Street, where Governor Jeb Bush signed Florida’s doggy dining law that allows dogs to sit with their owners in an outside location. Both dogs and owners can have fun meandering the paved paths of the Paw Park of Historic Sanford and cool off at the misting tower. Because of Orlando’s location to Disney World, Universal Studios and other theme parks, there are lots of pet-friendly hotels in the immediate area.

Colorado Springs, Colo.
Colorado Springs is all about nature and the great outdoors. Hiking and walking trails abound, making this an excellent pet destination. The four-legged are welcome at the Bear Creek Nature Center, as well as the Manitou Cliff Dwellings. Preserved under a protective red sandstone overhang, the authentic Anasazi dwellings were built more than 700 years ago. The Garden of the Gods Park is another popular natural landmark.

Austin, Texas
Austin boasts 12 off-leash parks for doggish fun and games. In particular, water-loving dogs love to cool off in the natural creek in Bull Creek District Park and Greenbelt on Lakewood Drive. Pooches are also welcome to tour the city in a horse-drawn carriage, a popular pastime, so it’s best to call ahead. Stock up on special treats such as PeaMutt Butter Pleasers and Yummy Chummies at the Groovy Dog Bakery on Baylor Street.

So, if you have a hankering to travel to America, you have a pet passport that you’re itching to put to use, well, then you just might want to think about these ten cities. Though personally, much as Colorado sounds like it would be mighty fine, and NYC may well be the bees knees and the hounds’ knuckles, I think I’d rather go to Rome!

Awoof! Archie

Posted 27 Dec 07