Plymouth Pets

When it comes to tracking and hunting, Blood Hounds are among the best in the dog world. While very similar to other Hound breeds like Basset Hounds, they are their own unique breed as well! These loyal and intelligent dogs have been bred for centuries to chase and hunt prey, with their powerful noses making them experts at following scents.

Blood Hounds have a long and storied history that dates back to ancient times. They were first bred in Belgium, where they were used for hunting wild boar and deer.  Over time, the breed was refined and became a popular hunting dog in England, with smaller animals like rabbits and foxes being targeted with the use of Hound breeds like Blood Hounds. Eventually, Blood Hounds were trained for tracking and search-and-rescue work, where they have become a household name for their incredible scent-tracking capabilities.

Blood Hounds are known for their distinctive looks, with their long, droopy ears and wrinkled skin. They are large dogs, weighing anywhere from 80 to 110 pounds, with males typically being larger than females. Their coat is short and comes in a variety of colors, including black and tan, liver and tan, and red.

Perhaps most notable is the Blood Hound's nose. Their sense of smell is unmatched by any other breed, with the ability to follow a scent for miles. It's not uncommon for Blood Hounds to be used in law enforcement and search-and-rescue operations, where they can track missing people or criminals.

Despite their intimidating size and hunting instincts, Blood Hounds are affectionate and loyal dogs. They make excellent family pets and get along well with children and other animals. They do require training and socialization from an early age to help them control their tracking instincts. Otherwise, while generally friendly creatures, they can still be quite a handful when left to their own devices untrained. They are loud barkers, love roaming, and their sniffing capabilities will get them in the most annoying (or dangerous!) places in your home or outdoors!

Blood Hounds require relatively low maintenance in most areas when it comes to grooming. Their coat is short and only needs to be brushed weekly. However, their wrinkled skin requires regular cleaning to prevent infection. While they are slightly less pudgy than some other popular hound breeds, it is important to keep their droopy eyes, neck, and underbelly clean. This can help prevent disease and infection. They are moderate shedders and don't need frequent baths, but this can change depending on the climate they live in (rainier, muddier climates will call for more baths, almost certainly). Blood Hounds also need regular exercise to keep them healthy and happy, including daily walks or runs.

With the recent polar vortex across the northern US and Canada earlier this month, many who are used to more temperate climates got a taste of what’s often considered the norm in Arctic parts of the world. Certain dogs do thrive in the snow – Huskies and St. Bernards are often some of the first that come to mind, especially for Americans, but the now fairly popular and widespread Samoyed breed comes to mind for people of many different cultures. Like other “snow dogs” mentioned, you may see them more and more in areas far from the arctics or high altitudes. While Samoyeds can often have lively, even intense, personalities – these Siberian natives are very smart and reliable companions ideal especially for medium-to-large families and less urban areas.

            Samoyeds were originally bred generally around Northern-Central Siberia, by the indigenous Nenets peoples in what is now Russia. They were, like many famous and typical herding dogs of the north, bred from spitz-style breeds for herding, guarding, and hunting abilities. They have a notable spitz-type pointy tail, and are of average to larger sizes for dogs in their category. Due to breeding in the dramatically cold climates of Northern Siberia, where daytime temperatures often go below -30 Celsius, they have distinctive thick fur coats relative to their body, allowing them to withstand these severe temperatures. Samoyeds, like Huskies, also gained some fame worldwide during the endeavors to seek out the North and South Poles in Person over a century ago. Some of the most famous British, Scandinavian, and Russian/Soviet arctic explorers held the dogs in high regard for their herding and organizational abilities, tough build, and fierceness in fighting off (and even hunting!) larger animals like bears. This is still reflected in their nature today, as Samoyeds can still get stand-offish around new or unfamiliar animals. Even with modern Samoyeds, it is good to keep a close eye on their behavior in public or private other dogs, pets, and common wild animals.

Despite this fact, Samoyeds are not so particularly fierce towards their human companions, in fact quite the opposite. Like many herding dogs, they are often affectionate not to mention incredibly loyal and protective towards their owners and friends. Samoyeds lived in small, usually tent-like domiciles right next to their owners and their families. They are not only used to close human contact, but are trained for it. But they were always trained in an assertive-but-careful manner to ensure discipline for these very energetic, strong-willed, and surprisingly dominant dogs. Maintaining your authority while training a Samoyed is possibly the most important aspects of caring for the dog, also minding its health. Samoyeds are naturally calm and are quite safe with children or the elderly, but may start acting up if they feel too stuffy and need to (literally) stretch their legs. This also helps prevent arthritis and joint issues later in life.

Despite evolving and being bred into the domestic dog in countless shapes and sizes today, wolves and dogs still generally share an uncanny amount of genetic similarity. Whatever was the first “dog” must have come from some hybrids of early domesticated wolves. And dogs followed humans while wolves, when left undisturbed, went to hunt and prowl in lesser-populated regions all over the world.

But it would be impossible to separate the two forever; wolf hybrids, commonly identified as “wolfdogs” today (some claim the “hybrid” term is outdated and stigmatizing, or debate over scientific definitions) are becoming a little more common after millennia of widespread dog domestication. In areas such as wildlife preserves and national parks wolves and dogs come into contact naturally quite often. In places like eastern Poland or the Alaska-Canada border, wolfdog offspring have been not uncommon to find, with the parents (wolves, dogs, and most commonly other wolfdogs) often being easy to find and identify – which is great for animal researchers as less is known about wolfdogs than almost any dog or wolf breed. But that cloudy territory is a risk some hardcore pet owners (even some well-known figures, like actress Kristen Stewart) are willing to take with wolfdog breed via human medical intervention.

            Locals in these regions along with dog-lovers and trainers with a penchant for challenge (and the money to spend!) can pay quite a bit of money to have a wolfdog bred with veterinary oversight to ensure a healthy conception and birth (usually between two existing wolfdogs or a wolfdog and another dog breed with no wolf heritage). However, finding a vet and a facility to have this done in North America at least will be hard to find – will be hard to find. Wolfdog ownership, breeding invention, and adjacent practices  are banned in different ways in 40 of America’s 50 states and most of Canada’s Provinces. While wolfdogs have been bred naturally and via human-guided breeding for some time now (even as early as the 19th century in Europe), many lawmakers and animal safety advocates want to pump the brakes on wolfdog ownership.

While wolfdogs have lived alongside humans for some time now, they are not a common breed, and are notably larger and stronger than most dogs due to their wolf genetics. They have also not been studied (and their breeding records much less extensivve) as much as other breed and hybrid animals. The true safety of wolfdogs among humans, especially children, the elderly, and the differently abled is honestly hard to fully determine without further research. The International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN), a major international wildlife conservation body, still considers wolfdogs too genetically similar to wolves, which they consider a wild species (and by extension, wolfdogs).

            It certainly is true that wolfdogs need more regular interaction with humans and their breeding practices should be kept to a minimum – to avoid puppy mills and unhealthy breeding trends we have seen in the past (i.e. Pit bulls or Labradoodles). But wolfdog owners and advocates feel their dog (much like Pit bull owners) feel their pets are the restrictions are unfair and sometimes arbitrary. One ban on a military base in California of their ownership and breeding was brought on by a dog-attack from a completely separate breed. This is a debate that needs to be settled with proper discussions (in the scientific community and public) and research before we can say more concrete things about the wolfdog breed. But if wolfdog owners swear that their beloved pets are no more dangerous or risky (for the dog or others) than other dogs on average, and experts can back it up with more data, we can probably have a more knowledge and healthy debate on these cunning and mysterious animals.

            Pomeranians are cute, cuddly little dogs that you will often see jumping off the walls when you enter a dog park or a home with at least one or two of these little fuzzballs. Pomeranians, despite their small size and almost comically thick fur coats, are not to be underestimated! The history of the Pomeranian has made it a quite fashionable breed repeatedly for centuries (it has remained in the top 50 dog breeds of American owners since statistics were first taken decades ago!). Let’s take a look at this unique breed of dog and give some tips on how to care for your “Pom-Pom”, whether you have one or are looking at caring for one!

            Despite their tendency towards a smaller stature, Pomeranians have an oddly large and thick amount of fur on their body. This second fact shouldn’t actually be so surprising – Pomeranians come from various “Spitz”­-variety dogs of Arctic and Subarctic origin, so breeding a “Spitz” (a German term, as many of them were bred in what is now northern Germany and Poland) dog with ample fur was ideal for using various “Spitz” breeds as sledding dogs, hunting companions, and personal companions in general for those living and working in cold environments. Why Pomeranians as dogs are so small generally is a little more complicated.

            Pomeranians were already derived from other “Spitz” breeds, of varying sizes, but generally small-to-medium. These smaller “toy” dogs, like Chihuahuas and Cocker Spaniels in our lifetimes, grew to be very popular amongst the European and American elite, with even Queen Victoria of England adopting her famous orange-colored tiny Pomeranian. This led to not only other nobles and aristocrats scurrying to breed and find the smaller variety of Pomeranians, which is reflected in their smaller average size today. Unfortunately, this 19th and 20th century trend (which also lines up with newer trends today of young professionals and couples getting small dogs) led to a serious of inbreeding and genetic issues which affect Pomeranians still today. Pomeranians deal with spinal issues, skin and fur issues, and sometimes much worse.

            This full myriad of issues is too long to list – Pomeranians often face countless issues with even vision, hearing, or simply breathing. Like many small dogs, “Pom-Poms” can feel the weight on their short legs (don’t let your Pomeranian take big jumps off of stairs or other elevated surfaces!) and weak back, which can lead to a number of mobility and frequent pain issues. Thankfully, taking good care of a Pomeranian can even help it recover from its deepest genetic issues. Their energetic nature works in your favor: toys and light exercise (shorter but frequent walks are ideal) will go a long way in training your Pom and keeping it healthy! Many people think grooming is important for Pomeranians (especially as they are Toy dogs), and while it is important to keep any dog well-groomed (especially with so much fur), find the right vet and watching its health is much more important. Pomeranians need regular check-ups (as their health issues can vary wildly) and your vet will give you the best personal advice on how to feed, bathe, and exercise your Pomeranian.

Despite being bred for the “aristocratic” (and brutal) sport of small game-hunting and seeking out other prey, it’s hard to associate that brutality with the cute, chubby, droopy-eyed appearance of any hound, especially the loveable Basset Hound. These odd-yet-charming and cute creatures aren’t always a great fit for every home (relative to many other breeds), but don’t count them out so quickly! Basset Hounds are a sometimes tricky breed, especially to maintain health-wise, but can bring great joy and companionship into your life.

Basset Hounds are friendly – sometimes TOO friendly! Basset Hounds are an emotionally intelligent and social breed (stemming from their close physical work and companionship with humans for centuries). They will be ecstatic to see you come home or bring over a human or canine friend. Bassett Hounds are great with humans and animals of widely varying ages (especially children!) and sizes.

You will definitely HEAR it from their loud, barking voices. Don’t be afraid – while Basset Hounds can get excited and bark VERY LOUDLY, they are just probably excited to see you. Basset Hounds are rarely aggressive and while their barks have been reported to scare off home intruders and other unwanted guests, they cannot really hold themselves off physically. They have other interesting skills though – their sense of smell is among the best of all dog breeds (from centuries of hunting, which they still do at least in parts of the UK and USA).

They also have a good sense of direction and building cognitive maps – they love to seek out adventure! Basset Hounds don’t need to walk as much as a herding or thin-framed dog, but it is recommended you do for their sense of adventure. If you don’t walk your Bassett Hound regularly it will likely try harder to escape from its home/enclosure to go roam the area. Bassett Hounds can be stubborn due to their intelligence too – they often don’t want to walk even when you offer, and will soon after try to escape and rummage through your neighborhood. Make sure to keep a good enclosure!

But overall, the most important thing to keep in mind, especially in the long-term when it comes to Basset Hounds, is their general health and sanitation. The droopy flaps of skin, ears, and pudgy feet can be cute but also can collect a lot of filth as the Hound walks around indoors or out. Keep these areas clean at all costs – you are not only preventing mucous and fleas/mites from developing, but more serious infections that can seriously harm or even kill a Basset Hound. Being a (generally) purebred Hound for very specific purposes in its day, Basset Hounds struggle with a myriad of health issues, too many to list in their entirety here. Arthritis, bone issues, and obesity (which all make it harder for the Basset Hound to walk and maintain its health) are some of the most common issues, not to mention glaucoma, spinal issues, and various forms of cancer. Make sure to take your Basset to a vet regularly to catch such issues as early as possible!

But if one can bear with the stubborn nature and piercing bark of the Basset Hound, one will find this breed to be just as loveable and adorable as they naturally appear. If raising a family or just having a pet for yourself, a Bassett Hound is a great companion if you are willing to make the effort. Just take extra precautions when it comes to its health and stay attentive in general, they will love you all the more for it!

Since the invasion of Ukraine by Russian forces ten months ago, Europe has dealt with a humanitarian crisis. Ukrainians and others in the region are fleeing violence and are struggling to find a new, safe home. While the human cost of the war is fairly well-documented since the February 2022 invasion, one cannot ignore another tragedy occurring at the same time as these others – the lives of dogs and other pets caught up in the invasion of Ukraine. Many people fleeing Ukraine left on short notice and few resources, often abandoning their homes, their lives, and even their best friends – human and pet alike.

Millions of Ukrainians have been forced to leave their dogs and other pets behind while fleeing the country. Thankfully, views on pets have changed since wars of previous generations, and many Ukrainians are taking them across the border into Poland and other countries – refusing to abandon who they consider their friends and family. While over 8.5 million refugees have fled into Poland alone from Ukraine, it is unsure how many dogs and other pets have successfully made it into Poland and other Countries. But the signs are beginning to look more positive. While humanitarian aid is mainly focused on people, animal rescue centers and pet shelters all across Poland have been taking in dogs coming in across the border. Many who do make it still must be inspected and have their shots taken before they can be released back to their family or a potential new owner looking to adopt. Polish pet shelters have been coordinating with overwhelmed rescue centers in Ukraine to take in some Dog Refugees. Planting Peace, an American-Polish charity has helped bring in dogs and people seeking refuge from the war – including two women and seventeen dogs they rescued in a bomb shelter while under artillery fire.

However, as mentioned, Poland and other European countries must take care for general animal welfare, and must inspect the dogs as they come in and check their medical records (if they have any at all). It was not been easy finding a home for many Ukrainians dogs from the start, as dogs from Ukraine were being blocked off from animal shelters for fear of rabies and other contagious diseases. Shelters that were established in both Ukraine and Poland that were meant to be temporary are still standing, with more dogs coming in. Even dogs brought overseas to countries like the UK and North America have been pulled from homes even after already being adopted (and even forced into temporary quarantine) – due to bureaucratic red tape or mistakes made in the transfer process. Thankfully, there is some good news. Charities across Poland and Europe have been able to successfully secure more shelter space for dogs fleeing the war. More Ukrainians and adopting families have been able to get through the legal requirements and give these dogs a home.

Saint Bernards have probably crossed your eye sometime recently this holiday season. They are a very picturesque and lovable breed (their kind temperament is hard to match!), so it’s no wonder they’re one of the better known large breeds. Being Swiss in origin, and bred in the snowy alps there, they are often associated with humans bringing them to snowy and mountainous locations. If you’re dreaming of a white Christmas, you will probably see a piece of Christmas media or some decorations depicting these guys sniffing around the snow.

But one thing also stick out about Saint Bernards – something rare to stand out in for a dog – their clothing! Saint Bernards are often depicted wearing a funny little barrel around their collar as they traverse through the snow. This is called a “Brandy Barrel”, which supposedly Saint Bernards would wear filled with brandy when searching for people in the snow. The rescued person supposedly would supposedly drink the brandy to help deal with the cold until the rest of the search party caught up with the dog.

While it is true that Saint Bernards are adept at searching (for people or other animals) in the snow due to their large frames with thick fur and their particularly sensitive sense of smell (which all work better when these dogs are trained to do so in cold, snowy, and rugged mountainous terrain). But the Brandy Barrel is a myth, said to have appeared in mid-19th century artwork depicting Saint Bernards. The artists and producers must have misinterpreted what Saint Bernards were wearing (if they were barrels at all, let alone full of brandy), and other artists copying the style help the myth stick. Resorts and Hotels in snowy areas with Saint Bernards even would let guests take photos of them wearing the barrel (since they normally wouldn’t!) for a small fee, even today. But if you are going out to the mountains or snow, a Saint Bernard is still one of the best Companions you can have with you – animal or otherwise. Just BYOB – they aren’t bringing anything to the party!

Christmas and the Holiday Season – the most wonderful time of the year! Seeing family, giving gifts, getting some time off, and decorating the Christmas tree are all fun activities many Americans love doing on Christmas (an increasing number of whom follow the holiday on purely secular grounds, so it’s not limited to just religious celebration of course!). But while this sounds all good and fun for humans – what about your pets this holiday season? They can’t sit at the dinner table or wrap gifts, sure, but that doesn’t mean you can’t involve your dog in Christmas and holiday cheer! Here are some fun activities to share with your dog this Christmas!

1 – Make Treats for your Dog while doing your Baking!

Gingerbread cookies, Italian Christmas cookies, and warm apple pies and peach cobblers for dessert are just a few things millions of Americans will be baking and snacking on this Christmas. But is your oven completely full? Find some fun recipes for homemade dog treats and bake them in your oven while you still have it going. You can mix up your doggie treats by including some of your dog’s favorite flavors and even decorate it for a more festive vibe! Just be sure to follow reliable recipes, and avoid baking dog treats at the exact same time as certain desserts (for sanitary purposes and to not under- or overbake any of your treats!)

2 – Include your Dog or Pet in Holiday Social Activities!

Your dog may not know why everyone is so excited towards the end of December, but they are happy to see their family and friends around petting them and giving them attention! Sure, there are some things you can’t do with your dog. Without opposable thumbs, they can’t help much with decorations (especially delicate ornaments) but they can still be a part of other activities! Do you take a family photo for Christmas or the Holiday season? Include the dog if they aren’t camera-shy! Dressing up in fun seasonal sweaters and costumes?  If your dog doesn’t mind bits of flare or decoration, put some fun decorative bows or seasonal-colored/pattern collars (just make sure they are comfortable wearing them!). If you have a smaller to medium dog, giving them a fun holiday sweater or hoodie can look adorable and keep them warm (especially on outdoor walks). Just pet them and spend time in general as you open gifts, sip egg nog, and sing carols together (or whatever your holiday rituals are!)

3 – Get them a gift!

Just because Dogs might not understand holidays like Christmas or Channukah or Three King’s Day doesn’t mean they don’t understand how fun it is to receive a present! Get them something small but special, like a fun new chew toy or balls for fetching. Check out pet stores online or locally to find something interesting. Leave them a stocking or wrap the gift up with the rest of yours – they may not understand your rituals fully but dogs always loved to be involved and feel like they belong! Why deprive a furry friend of that joy?

4 – White Christmas? Let your Dogs Play in the Snow!

Not everywhere is lucky enough to see snow on Christmas, not even here in New England! And while some dogs prefer to stay away from the cold (especially smaller dogs, who you should make sure to bundle up and protect their paws from ice!) many, especially LARGER dog revel in it! Don’t go too deep into the forest or dog park if the snow is too high, but in a few feet of snow many dogs will love jumping arounds and playing in the snow (just like a little kid!). It’s just a warm and special experience, especially for dogs who can handle the cold/snow but haven’t gotten a chance to see it before!

We hope these tips help you and your Dog Enjoy a warm and fuzzy Christmas and general holiday seasons. Do you have any favorite Christmas or holiday rituals or traditions? If not, feel free to come up with some fun (and safe!) ones on your own! Happy Holidays!

Border Collies were bred to be some of the lighter, but smartest, fastest, and still assertive herding dogs one could find in their native Britain (at the time of their classification, however, their native breeding grounds were mostly in still-independent Scotland). And these skills are still visible for Border Collies at home. Whether taking in a puppy or even a slightly maturing Border Collie – they will be begging for space to run around!

This is especially important to keep in consideration for the young ones though – many vets, depending on the individual dog, will often recommend 45 to even 90+ minutes of walking a day in the first 5 years at least. 30-45 minutes a day is still recommended until late maturity. This is all to help promote movement around the joints and the proper development and maintenance of the bones and tissues around these joints. Even if you don’t have daily access to large parks, long urban or suburban walks (or even just playing around at a smaller park) should provide a lot of the same benefits.

Border Collies are incredibly intelligent – the average border collie can remember significantly more phrases and objects than many other breeds! Some Border Collies have been on record to be able to identify 300 to 500 words, with one Collie, raised by South Carolinian Behavioral Psychologist John W. Pilley, being claimed to be able to remember over 1000 different objects by name!

 They are emotionally very intelligent creatures as well. Despite being raised to herd, their constant contact with humans over the years gives them extremely curious and playful temperaments! Just be careful with small children or physically disabled members of your friends and family – they can be very energetic and jumpy and are easy to accidentally knock into people and objects! Thankfully they are not as prone to fighting or attacking humans – but watch out around smaller, especially wild animals! Despite their generally peaceful temperament, they can be known to chase and even sometimes kill small rodents like squirrels and rabbits in the wild.

But Overall, Border Collies are a great addition to any person or family looking for an active and loving dog! They live longer lives compared to many breeds – so while there are medical issues to follow over time (such as arthritis, epilepsy, and eye/sight issues such as Collie eye anomaly), they will be a big part of the family for quite a long while!

Boston's NEW Revolution - Pet Ownership!

by Emily DeMarcano

The family dog or the suburban housecat are, for many Americans, a companion that brings warm memories from their childhood or time with their family. And while this trend hasn’t changed much in the more suburban and rural parts of America, dogs, cats, and a growing variety of other pets are sweeping American cities – and Boston is no exception!

Despite Massachusetts’ relatively low pet ownership rate – pet ownership in Boston is growing. In the City of Boston alone, registered dog rates have tripled in number since 2012. And with so many new pet owners willing to spend money on their furry and fluffy friends, Boston pet-care providers are rushing to fill the needs of clients in this $100 Billion (and growing!) American industry – a doubling in size in the last 5-10 years across all demographics (age, socio-economic status, cultural backgrounds, and almost any other metric).

         You may see more and more dog-walkers walking out by the major parks – Boston Common, Seaport Harbor, Kennedy Greenway. You might think to yourself when seeing a walker with 2-3 or more dogs: “How do they keep them under control? What if a squirrel or rabbit jumps out? What if a dog manages to break loose?”. But many if not most dog-walking and pet-care businesses are getting as serious and sophisticated as any other industry today, and adapting quickly to new trends and technology.

         Obviously two of the key goals for these businesses are A) availability to clients (be as much as possible) and B) to hire walkers a pet-care team can vet and trust – trust is key for owners, work colleagues, and helps develop more personable relationships with employees and clients. This is something a lot of industries can’t provide in this day and age. But that doesn’t put pet-care businesses in the past either!

 There are indeed more complex tools now more available to make these services safer and more accountable. GPS tracking helps owners track their pets remotely and helps pets under walkers’ constant eye. Walkers and carers  wear uniforms at more and more companies, and use phone/web applications to track their work and maintain accountability. An increasing number of  pet-care companies are also instructing their employees in more safety measures like first-aid and vaccine application along with other pet health needs.

         Boston is providing more for its dogs and pets with not only walking and grooming services – services from pet cafes to photography studios are available for Bostonians and their “fur babies”. And while you will see plenty of people walking Boston dogs in known local spots from Revere Beach to the South Boston Bark Park, they might be working for firms far outside Boston itself. Some walkers get pet appointments from big tech firms based out of Silicon Valley and San Francisco, a cheaper option for some dog owners, but these “gig” dog-walking apps” (apps not unlike ones used for hiring a driver or delivery-person, but to walk your dog) are an option more careful pet owners may want to avoid.

Local companies, with more frequent and direct interaction with their clients, understand they are likely to be held more accountable than these apps. More reliable companies will check their walkers personally and thoroughly, and watch their work very attentively as they establish trust with new employees and the clients they serve. This in-person interaction also works in their favor, with many complaints about app-based gig businesses having few or no humans to directly interact with except over email or text chat. Even when calling the companies directly, one can wait 10-15 minutes AT LEAST before reaching an actual human being. With a good local dog service, you can have one in a few minutes if not instantly! And they will know that their walker or pet-care provider works locally and is invested in the same community, not sitting in an office in California or Washington.        

By John Grzybowski

       A common traveler’s rule of thumb when arriving in a new city is always to “ask a local.”  Whether you need the best food, the easiest parking, or the most vibrant nightlife, locals are always trying to be ahead of the curve and usually point visitors in the right direction.  

    Greater Boston Dog Hikes has been scoping out the best spots in Boston for dogs and their owners for more than 10 years, and now we’d like to share our favorites with you!

9 Dog-Friendly Activities to Do in Boston

For more places to see than the dog park near the airport, check out these nine dog-friendly activities to do in Boston. 

1. Walk Beacon Hill

One of Boston’s oldest and most elegant neighborhoods, Beacon Hill is nationally renowned for its architecture and design.  Its well-preserved cobblestone streets are full of small parks and beautiful scenes for you and your pup to explore.  

Note that it is, in fact, on one of Boston’s highest hills, so be ready to climb and work out some excess energy!  

2. Visit the Boston Public Garden

The Boston Public Garden is not only America’s first botanical garden, but it is also one of the most scenic spots in the whole city.  Featuring famous statues, diverse trees and flowers, and a four-acre pond with swan boats, there is never a lack of sights to see here.   

Leashed dogs are welcome, and there are free dog waste bags at the corners of the garden.   

The Boston Public Garden is located adjacent to the Boston Common, which is a larger park that has an off leash area!   

3. Go to the Beach

Most of the year, Boston’s beaches are known for their wind and frigid waters.  However, come summertime, these beaches become focal points of the city's daytime leisure, and many of the best beaches are dog-friendly! 

Some of our favorite dog-friendly beaches in the area include:

Revere Beach: America’s oldest public beach has been dog-friendly since 2013, and it’s well worth a visit!  It is train and bus accessible and fills up rather quickly in the summer.  

Pleasure Bay Beach (South Boston): This bottle-opener-shaped bay is the most scenic spot in Southie and allows dogs year round.

Carson Beach (South Boston/Dorchester): Located further south than Pleasure Bay, between Southie and Dorchester, this is a smaller but no less lovely beach.  Dogs are welcome from Labor Day through Memorial Day.  

4. Walk the Seaport Harborwalk

Across the harbor from Downtown is the newly bustling Seaport District.  Besides the area’s high-end bars and restaurants, the Seaport also boasts a beautiful stretch of Boston’s 43-mile long Harborwalk, which stretches from Dorchester to East Boston. 

Your pup can get in some good sniffs while you bask in the views of Downtown, the Airport, and some of the harbor islands in the distance.  

Dogs must be leashed on the Harborwalk, but dog waste bags are provided at several spots along the walk.  

5. Rose Kennedy Greenway

Stretching from the southern tip of Chinatown to the North End, the Rose Kennedy Greenway is a long series of parks and art installations that is sure to impress.  The Greenway crosses through the heart of Downtown Boston, passing through notable landmarks such as The Aquarium and Faneuil Hall. 

Located within walking distance of several of the city’s key attractions, you can enjoy several dog-friendly parks where you can socialize with other dog owners while visiting The Greenway.

We’d recommend taking the Green Line to  Haymarket Station and then taking the Greenway from the North End all the way to South Station to get a good taste of the Downtown atmosphere.  

6. Ride the “T”

By far the best way to get around Boston is its fantastic subway system (which is the oldest in America).  The “T,” as it is known, can take you all over the city for a few dollars – best of all, dogs ride free!

Boston’s public transit system allows service animals at all hours, and non-service animals are allowed to ride at all times except rush hours.  What classifies as rush hour can sometimes be up to the train operator, so be ready to occasionally wait for the next train.  

Dogs riding the buses and trains must be leashed at all times, and they cannot take up their own seat.   

Take the T with your pup to cover the whole city in a day!  

7. Play at the Dog Park

Boston has a fantastic selection of off-leash dog parks for you to choose from!  A few of our favorites include:

South Boston Bark Park (1280 Columbia Road)

Peters Park Dog Park (1205 Washington St., Boston)

East 1st Dog Park (768-764 E 1st St., northern section of South Boston)

The Underground Dog Park (S Bay Harbor Trail, Boston

Bay Village Dog Park (114 Charles St, Boston)

If you want to polish up your pups obedience skills our team is typically in these parks daily!

8. Go to a Dog-Friendly Event

Boston offers many different pet-themed events for all seasons. A couple that you may want to check out include:  

Canine Promenade – Boston hosts an annual ½-mile Halloween Parade on the Charles River Esplanade. Walk the town with your pup and enter the costume contest to win prizes from the judges!

Carnival of Dogs – This dog carnival, held in early September, turns the Rose Kennedy Greenway into a great place to introduce your pup to new friends!

9. Blue Hills Reservation

Just nine miles south of Downtown Boston is the expansive and breathtaking Blue Hills Reservation.  This 7,000 acre state park offers varied terrain, scenic views, mountain biking and skiing, as well as ponds for swimming and hiking trails for you and your pup!  

The Blue Hills hiking trails are a favorite of local dog owners, and we regularly take out our dogs here for longer-distance hikes. Make sure your pet is fit enough for extended walking, especially in older age! But any dog still keen on trekking will love this path.

During the summer, on-leash walking is advised as the trails can get crowded.   

***

As you can see, Boston has tons of great dog-friendly activities to enjoy with your four-footer! Just remember to keep your pooch’s specific likes and dislikes in mind when picking an adventure – that way, you can be sure your pup will approve!