We Found 10 of the Most Dog-Friendly Cities in Canada

Dedicated pet parents will always do what’s best for their dog, even if that means packing up and moving to a more dog-friendly city.

A recent study conducted by Realtor.com found that dog owners would pass on buying their dream home if it didn’t accommodate their four-legged baby. In fact, 87 per cent of pet parents looking to buy a house in the next year plan on factoring their pets when choosing which neighbourhood to live in. Amenities such as a dog door, backyard dog run and a bath/shower station were the most sought-after features on dog parents’ lists.

“The expectations of what it means to become a pet parent have evolved over time,” Melissa Gutierrez, senior vice president and general manager of Pets Best, said in a recent press release. “We’ve found that pet parents now are far more likely to plan for their pet’s care, think about their pet’s wellbeing, and integrate their pet into daily routines.”

Whether you’re looking to move to a new city or simply want to go on a vacation where you won’t have to leave your pup behind, certain cities are more dog-friendly than others. With this in mind, here are our picks for 10 dog-friendly cities every Canadian dog parent should know.

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Calgary, AB

No matter how much you love taking your dog outside for walks, it’s tempting to cut playtime short on dark winter days. Dog owners will appreciate that Calgary is the sunniest place in the country, making it a wonderful place to raise a pup.

Calgary is also within driving distance of some of Canada’s most iconic provincial parks. Be sure to research dog-friendly hiking trails beforehand!

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Saguenay, QC

Dogs don’t need a lot to be happy, but wide-open spaces are sure to put a smile on any pup’s face. This peaceful Northern Quebec city is home to many different lakes, rivers, hills and valleys.

Additionally, practical pet parents looking for affordable homes with a lot of space will be happy to know you can buy a 1,685-square-foot house for $300,000K — AKA you can get the most space for your money in Canada, according to a recent report. Spacious homes of this size are a perfect blank canvas for these dog-friendly renovation ideas.

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Victoria, BC

If you and your dog aren’t fans of cold Canadian winters, it might be time to move to Victoria. The capital city of British Columbia has one of the warmest climates in Canada, with a daily average temperature of 7.6 degrees Celsius in January. A weather forecast like this makes it easy to enjoy the great outdoors and attractions like the dog-friendly Buchart Gardens with your canine companion.

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Moncton, NB

Moncton is ranked as one of the best Canadian cities to raise a family, including your fur baby!

Pet parents won't regret calling this dog-friendly city home thanks to affordable real estate and short commute times — and it's just a short drive away from gorgeous beaches and stunning natural landscapes.

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Ottawa, ON

As one of the greenest cities in Canada (and one of the top cities in the world), this land’s capital has over 100 acres of community parkland. Ottawa is one of the most dog-friendly cities in Canada thanks to the multitude of pristine outdoor spaces, walkable urban neighbourhoods and dog-friendly events like the annual Tulip Festival.

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Toronto, ON

Living in Toronto is expensive, but this dog-friendly city certainly makes pet parenthood easy. Dogs are welcomed on the city’s busses, streetcars and subways outside rush hours (with some restrictions), making it easy to explore the city’s abundance of dog-friendly parks, off-leash beaches and dog-friendly outdoor restaurants and patios.

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Cochrane, AB

Cochrane topped the list for the fastest-growing dog-friendly Canadian cities in a recent study conducted by Rover.com.

Alberta is home to several hot real estate markets and has some of the lowest taxes in North America, making it an affordable place for dog parents to settle. The study found that Cochrane has also experienced a high demand for more pet care services, making raising a happy and healthy pup even easier.

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Prince Albert, SK

Dedicated dog parents will do anything to improve their dog’s quality of life. In fact, 39 per cent of people that moved during the pandemic said they purchased or rented a bigger or more expensive home because of their dog, according to a recent Rover.com study.

If you’re looking for a bigger home with more amenities but don’t want to blow your housing budget, check out Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. The city has an abundance of affordable houses with great backyards under $300,000K and is home to more than 35 parks and 23 km of paved trails throughout the city.

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Charlottetown, PEI

Charlottetown is home to Upton Farmlands, one of Canada’s largest (and arguably the best) dog parks. Open seven days a week, your pup can go off-leash and enjoy acres of fenced-in greenspace. With separate playgrounds for large and small breeds, play equipment and dog waste bags, this park is a paradise for many pups on the island.

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Squamish, BC

Squamish is a scenic British Columbian city famous for its ocean-meets-mountain lifestyle.

If you and your pup dream of spending all of your free time exploring the great outdoors, you’ll never get tired of the city’s countless outdoor recreational activities like fishing, hiking and backcountry skiing.