You may not think big cities are the best places for dogs because factors like smog, small living spaces and the lack of grass come to mind. But actually, some metropolises have lots to offer our four-legged friends. Don't believe us? Estately took in account things like weather, walkability, the amount of dog parks and the availability of good pet care when they put together their list of the best American cities for dog owners.

Click through the top ten below and head back to Estately for the full report.


  • 1. Portland, OR


    This city has a whopping 33 dog parks -- the most per capita of any large city in the United States.


  • 2. San Diego, California


    An abundance of dog-friendly beaches and restaurants makes this a great place to live for pet people.


  • 3. Seattle, Washington


    Seattle’s dog population has surpassed the number of children living in the city -- that says a lot!


  • 4. Austin, Texas


    This city boasts 35 pet photographers!


  • 5. San Francisco


    This town was ranked second nationally for walkability -- perfect for getting Fido his exercise.


  • 6. Albuquerque, New Mexico


    There are 33,000 acres of public parks -- what more could a dog want?


  • 7. Tucson, Arizona


    Your pet will love this: Tucson is the sunniest city in America.


  • 8. Boston, Massachusetts


    Dogs are allowed to ride the subway during off-peak hours. Cool!


  • 9. Phoenix, Arizona


    The Arizona Diamondbacks let you to take Rover to their annual "Bark in the Park" event.


  • Minneapolis, Minnesota


    This place is chock full of dog-friendly restaurants, parks and hiking trails. Want to learn about more great places for pets? <a href="http://blog.estately.com/2013/05/17-best-u-s-cities-for-dogs/" target="_blank">Head over to Estately for the full list. </a>