Top 10 Dog-Friendly Cities In The U.S.

1. Chicago, Illinois

2. Albuquerque, New Mexico

3. Coral Springs, Florida

4. Bellingham, Washington

5. Houston, Texas

6. Austin, Texas

7. Long Beach, California

8. New York, New York

9. Richmond, Virginia

10. Santa Barbara, California

How The Top 10 Were Selected:

In their November, 2005 issue, Dog Fancy Magazine listed the Top 10 best cities for dogs to live. Criteria considered in this survey of U.S. cities:

Availability of health care, from regular veterinary clinics to 24-hour emergency rooms.

Proximity to a vet college.

Participation in preventative health care. For example, how many dogs get vaccinations or flea and tick protection on a regular basis.

Enactment of pro-dog legislation.

No breed-specific legislation.

The existence of dog licensure.

Efforts to drop euthanasia rate.

Percentage of spayed and neutered pets.

Existence of safe off-leash parks and areas.

Availability of dog-friendly activities and places.

Availability of dog trainers.