Redfin and Rover Rank America’s Best Cities for Dog Walks

Key Takeaways

• San Francisco, New York City and Jersey City ranked as the top three best cities for dog walking, according to data from Redfin and Rover. 
• Eight out of the top 10 best cities for dog walking are on the East Coast. 
• Goldendoodles are the most popular breed in 46 of the 107 cities analyzed.

For dog owners, choosing where to live isn’t just about finding a home with enough space for a dog bed or to play fetch. The ability to go outside and easily get some zoomies out can also make a big difference. 

San Francisco is the most dog-friendly city, according to a new analysis from Redfin and Rover. New York City is a close second, followed by Jersey City.

Redfin and Rover teamed up to rank 107 cities using Redfin’s Walk Score, which measures how easy it is to reach nearby amenities without getting in a vehicle, and Rover’s first-party data on the trending dog breeds people are bringing home in each city. The analysis also identifies the most popular breed in each city. 

“Convenient access to amenities and pedestrian friendly sidewalks and paths can make everyday life easier for everyone in the household, including the dog,” said Sheharyar Bokhari, Redfin principal economist. “For dog owners, being able to go outside and take their dog for a walk can be a meaningful part of deciding where to live. A city that makes it convenient to give dogs more exercise can also make it easier for owners to meet their neighbors and feel connected to their community.”

The East Coast Stands Out for the Best Cities to Walk Dogs

Eight out of the top 10 best cities for dog walking are on the East Coast. 

Dogs are often a top consideration for homebuyers when deciding where to live, according to Redfin agent Sandra Glaser who recently helped a couple buy a home on New York’s Long Island because the backyard suited their dogs so well. 

“Even though the house wasn’t as big as they wanted, they felt the backyard was perfect for their dogs. The couple kept expressing how much they loved the backyard, and that was important to the seller, so their offer was accepted,” Glaser said. “I have a lot of clients who are not only thinking about themselves but their pets too when it comes time to purchase a home.” 

Goldendoodles Are America’s Most Popular Dog Breed

Goldendoodles are the most popular breed in 46 of the 107 cities analyzed. That’s more than twice as many cities as any other breed. Labrador Retrievers rank first in 21 cities, followed by Golden Retrievers in 18. Curly-coated, friendly, and seemingly everywhere: the doodle era is officially here.

The Top Trending Breeds are a More Eclectic Bunch

The Standard Schnauzer, Basset Hound and English Springer Spaniel were among the breeds gaining the fastest year-over-year growth on Rover. This shows that while a handful of breeds dominate overall popularity, local preferences can look very different from city to city.

No matter where you live and what dog you have, if you’ve opened your home to love and care for a dog, we’re guessing it’s as dog friendly as it gets. 

Curious which city fits your dog best? See Redfin and Rover’s ranking of the best cities for dog walks of 2026 below.

The Best Cities for Dog Walks of 2026, Ranked 

Methodology 

Redfin and Rover analyzed 107 U.S. cities. Cities were ranked using Redfin’s Walk Score, a 0-to-100 measure of how easy it is to accomplish daily errands without a car, with higher scores indicating greater access for pedestrians from 2021. Rover collected the top dog breeds in each city based on millions of user-submitted breeds on Rover, as of August 2026. Popular breeds are based on total volume. The top-trending breeds were determined by year-over-year growth, with a minimum of 10 pets added in 2026.