Calgary is an awesome city for dog owners with lots of puppy-friendly places to explore with your furry friend. Off-leash parks are popular but aren’t your only option with numerous patios and shopping venues now allowing dogs to be a part of the action!

When it comes to off-leash fun, Calgary has one of the largest number of spaces available in North America with over 1100 hectares of space with the most popular being the fenced-in dog parks. By far the most popular spot is Sue Higgins Park just off of Southland and Deerfoot. 62 acres of safe fun on the banks of the Bow River is just what is needed to burn off some energy and get some socialization in. River Park is another hot spot with great lighting for early morning/evening visits and dog fountains to keep your pup hydrated.

Want some company while you are shopping? Here are just some of the stores which allow dogs – on leash of course:

• Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s
• Urban Barn
• Michael’s
• Indigo/Chapters
• The Apothecary
• Many shops on 17^th Avenue downtown

You can also grab a pint with your pooch on the patio of many restaurants/pubs in Calgary including:

• Ranchman’s Cookhouse and Dancehall
• Cold Garden Beverage Company
• Boston Pizza
• 1918 Tap & Table
• Starbelly Open Kitchen and Lounge
• Regal Beagle Pub
• One Night Stan’s
• Vegan Street Kitchen & Lounge
• Una Pizza

You can even take in some culture at Fort Calgary where your four-legged friend is more than welcome on the grounds, just not inside the historical buildings. There are many more dog-friendly places in Calgary so make sure to ask, you never know where Fido might be welcome! Visit me on Facebook and Google for more on living in Calgary as well as my blog for your source on real estate in Calgary.