Portland & Pets

Portland definitely loves it’s four legged friends.  With 31 off-leash Dog Parks, Portland ranks tops in the nation in dog parks per capita at 5.8 per 100,000 residents.   Dog Fancy magazine ranked Portland the best all around city in America for dogs.  Additionally Paws.com ranked Portland in the Top 10 Pet friendly cities.

Living in the city with a Pet

Many of Portland’s high rise condo buildings allow for pets.  A Good-citizen mandate was implemented in the by-laws of many of these buildings.  What this means is that the pet has to pass a test in order to live within the building.  That seems fair.  Here is an unofficial and incomplete list of buildings; Bridgeport, Johnson Street, Kearney Plaza, Legend condos,  Marshall-Wells Lofts,  McCormick Pier, The Mosaic,  Park Place,  Riverstone,  Streetcar Lofts,  & Tanner Place.

Portland’s 31 Dog Parks

Portland has 31 off-leash areas.  Five are fenced, all-day areas.  The remaining are unfenced, with seasonal hours compatible with traditional park use patterns and adjacent uses.  Boundary markers are in place at the unfenced sites. There are signs in each off-leash area with maps, rules, and a place to post notices.  Users are asked to bring their own scoop bags.  Visit the Portland Parks & Recreation site for a full list of locations.

Additionally there are dog parks around the suburbs which include, Hillsboro, Lake Oswego, Tigard, West Linn,  & Beaverton.  The Washington County Dog Parks is a volunteer community organization for planning, establishment, construction and maintenance of fun and safe dog parks in Washington County.  Visit their site for more information.

The best Swim Park in the city is at the Sellwood River Park.  It is not only a good place to run your dog off-leash, your canine friend can go for a swim in the Willamette River after the run.

The 1,400-acre Sandy River Park or “dispersed recreation site” at the Sandy River Delta, is Portland’s unofficial, unleashed playground for dogs.  The delta is a wide-open, largely unspoiled mess of channels and backwaters.  This is another great location to take your dog swimming.

Pets and Dining

Many of the restaurants around Portland that have outside seating allow dogs to accompany their owners at the table.  Some of the eating establishments along 23rd Northwest Avenue in the NW District cater to dogs.  And they even will bring a bowl of water.  On a summer evening, stroll along 23rd and stop for dinner with your canine friend.

While the Lucky Labrador Brewing Co.’s three Portland-area locations welcome dogs at outdoor tables and the Pied Cow Coffee House on nearby SE Belmont and SE34th offers a meat and fruit “puppy platter.”  Hobnob is the first Portland establishment to offer a full dog menu.  The canine menu was introduced when Jason Heller bought the bar and restaurant on SE Morrison and SE 34th Ave and notice all the dogs in the Sunnyside neighborhood.

For a list of all things Dog, visit Portlandpooch.com.