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.

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

Saguenay, QC
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.

Victoria, BC

Moncton, NB
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.

Ottawa, ON

Toronto, ON

Cochrane, AB
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.

Prince Albert, SK
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.

Charlottetown, PEI

Squamish, BC
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.