Toronto ranks among top Canadian cities to walk your dog
· Toronto Sun
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Living in Toronto, you see a lot of people walking their dogs — so it shouldn’t be surprising the city ranks among the most popular for dog owners.
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“Canada’s Best Cities for Dog Walks,” a new report from Rover and Redfin , looks at the walkability of the 11 top markets.
The index also spotlights each city’s most popular dog breed, the top trending breed and the dog personality type best suited for each city — all factors pet parents might want to consider when determining which place best fits their dog-walking needs.
The guide combines new dog breed data from Rover and the most recent walk scores from real estate company Redfin, which measures how easy it is to reach nearby amenities without a vehicle.
Canada’s top cities
Toronto came in third, after Vancouver and Montreal, with a walk score of 61. The report noted Toronto is the country’s financial hub and home to busy professionals.
The most popular breed in the Six is the golden retriever — the breed that was tops in most of the cities in the report — though more Torontonians were starting to lean toward the intelligent, energetic Australian Kelpie.
Basically, any dog that is keen to join their human for a walk along the Harbourfront, run along trails, or go for a hike at one of the many parks is suited for the city.
“Whether looking for a new neighborhood, or just exploring your home city, your dog’s daily routine is just as important as your own,” certified professional trainer and Rover’s pet people panelist Nicole Ellis said.
Get moving
Vancouver was No. 1 for dog-walking, with a dominant score of 79.9.
Montreal followed in second place with a walk score of 65.4.
Five other cities in the province were in the Top 11, including Hamilton and Mississauga, which came in fourth and fifth with walk scores of 49.6 and 48.9, respectively.
Ottawa placed ninth with 45.1, Brampton’s score of 42.5 put it in tenth and Cambridge took the 11th and final spot with 33.
The other Canadian cities were Winnipeg in sixth, Surrey in seventh and Saskatoon in the No. 8 spot.
“Consider your dog’s activity level, social preferences and what kind of enrichment they prefer,” Ellis suggested. “Working backward from their unique needs can be a helpful exercise when choosing a new environment for your dog.”
Popular and trending dog breeds
Aside from Toronto, the golden retriever is also the most popular breed in Vancouver, Montreal, Hamilton, Saskatoon and Cambridge.
The cockapoo was the favourite breed for Peel’s cities, Mississauga and Brampton, while the goldendoodle reigned supreme in Winnipeg and the Labrador retriever was most popular in Surrey and Ottawa.
The top trending breeds include the Brittany spaniel, miniature Australia shepherd, cavalier king Charles spaniel, boston terrier, cane corso, Australian cattle dog, Korean jindo dog, miniature schnauzer and Siberian husky.
Whatever the breed and canine’s energy level, it “definitely plays a role, particularly for pet parents” who are looking for the right city, Redfin economist Sheharyar Bokhari said.
“Being able to exercise your dog without getting in a car is valuable,” Bokhari added.
“Walking your dog around the block and in nearby parks can help make your house feel more like home, and help make your neighbourhood feel more like a community.”