If you’re wondering about having a dog in NYC, this article includes my experience and insights from living with a large dog in New York City. I live in Brooklyn with my Akita, and these are my top tips and insights on living in the Big Apple with a big (or small) dog. When you’re scrolling social media, it’s easy to get caught up in a fantasy of the perfect big-city life with the perfect, photogenic pup. I want to offer a more realistic view of life in New York with a dog, with tips on how to make it easier and more fun. From the best dog-friendly place to care tips on navigating the big city, I’ll cover everything you need to know.
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Best Dog Breeds for NYC
If you’re living in New York City and want to find the best dog breed, there are many options for pups that can adjust well to city life. According to the American Kennel Club, the most popular dog breeds in New York City are French Bulldogs, Poodles, Golden Retrievers, Bulldogs, and Labrador Retrievers. These breeds are all known for being very sociable, adaptable, and people- and dog-friendly.
In a city like New York, you’re in constant contact with other people and dogs, so having a dog that is well-socialized and tolerant of other dogs is important. Also, since most people do not have yards or outdoor space, a dog with a low or medium energy level is generally easier to handle in NYC. High-energy dogs can thrive as well but will need extensive training and several hours a day for exercise and playtime.
Some popular dog breeds in New York City are:
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French Bulldog
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Poodle
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Doodles
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Golden Retriever
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Daschunds
If you want to adopt a dog in NYC, consider adopting a mixed breed or purebred from a local rescue. Many rescues even offer foster-to-adopt programs where you can find a dog that fits your personality and lifestyle while offering a dog a home away from the shelter environment. Check out Petfinder for lots of local dogs for adoption in NYC.
In addition to breed, consider an individual dog’s personality. Not all French Bulldogs thrive in the big city, for instance, and not all guard dogs are automatically bad choices for apartments. My Akita, for instance, is very quiet and low-energy, making her an ideal apartment dog.
Your lifestyle and living environment will also come into play. If you work from home and can dedicate time to regular obedience training and walks, then you will have more options than a person who works 12-hour days (though dog walkers can help a lot, the costs can add up quickly). Also, living near a park for access to outdoor space can help improve your dog’s quality of life a lot.
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What’s It Like Having a Dog in NYC?
Having a dog in NYC includes some basic legal requirements. You’ll need to get a NYC dog license and keep it on your dog’s collar for all outdoor excursions. Also, the city requires a rabies vaccination, which you can get on your annual trip to the vet for vaccine updates.
The city also requires rescues to spay and neuter all dogs that are up for adoption. In general, spaying and neutering is a good idea for all dog owners as it cuts down on aggression and helps combat pet overpopulation.
Renting with a Dog
In general, New York City is a dog-friendly place, even for renters. In my experience, about half of apartments are in pet-friendly buildings. In contrast with many cities, it is very rare to have to pay a “pet rent” or even a [et deposit. I have never seen any rentals in NYC that have breed restrictions against “aggressive breeds.” Occasionally, apartments have pet weight limits, however, saying that pets must be under 50 pounds, which can rule out big dogs.
Renting in NYC is not easy, with a lot of financial requirements and generally high rents, but if you can clear these hurdles, you can find a dog-friendly apartment. Apartments often have broker fees, which adds another financial burden, but again, this is not specific to dog owners but to everyone.
Space Constraints
What makes New York City a unique environment from the rest of the country is the population density. It’s a big city with millions of people and dogs stacked on top of each other. Apartment living is more cramped than living in the suburbs in houses, where a yard and extra space are common.
The space constraints can be a challenge, but with some planning, you can find great places for your dog to enjoy the outdoors and socialize with other people and dogs. There are many great dog parks and dog-friendly places in NYC, which I am including in the last section of this article.
Socializing and Training Your Dog in NYC
With the space constraints and millions of distractions in New York, training is essential. A basic obedience class in the city will help teach you and your dog how to navigate life in the Big Apple together. Having a dog in NYC requires additional training such as adjusting to loud noises, using the sidewalk as a restroom, ignoring other dogs, and tolerating lots of smells and creatures.
Training costs can range from $99 for an online class to $500 for a local group obedience class. Private trainers have different rates, and many require booking a package for $1,000 to get started.
I trained my dog at a local class in Brooklyn for about $400, but honestly, it wasn’t the best class and I think she still needs some obedience training for her tendency to try to dictate where we walk (Akitas are known for being strong-willed – not the easiest to train!). She is, however, well-socialized, as I have taken her to so many places and we’ve met all kinds of dogs and people (many Akitas are guarded at best with other dogs but mine has been overall very social for an Akita). Socialization makes life so much easier in a crowded place.
Costs of Dog Ownership in New York City
One of the biggest challenges of dog ownership in New York City is the cost. Having a dog in NYC can get expensive. Here are some of the expenses to budget for before adopting a dog in NYC:
Vet
For me, the biggest cost of owning a dog in New York City has been veterinary care and pet insurance. Since vets are expensive in NYC, pet insurance can also be pricey (but worth it!). A basic vet visit can cost anywhere from $200 ifyou’re lucky to $1000 or more.
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In general, emergency vet visits cost the most, and pet health insurance is a lifesaver for those times. My dog’s emergency bloat surgery was almost $12,000, for instance, and my pet insurance reimbursed me for most of it. More routine vet visits are less than emergency care. An annual physical exam with vaccines has ranged from $150 (at an affordable vet far out in the boroughs) to $700 (at an expensive chain vet in Brooklyn).
If you’re adopting a dog, I strongly recommend getting pet insurance and also having a savings account or credit card available for emergency vet visits. Most vets only take payment from owners and then you are responsible for submitting the claims to your insurance company for reimbursement.
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Dog Care
In keeping with the high cost of living in New York City, dog care can also be another expense. If your daily routine includes a long work day or lots of time traveling, you’ll need to get a dog walker and pet sitter to care for your pup. Dog walks are usually around $25 to $30 per walk, so multiply that by how many times your dog will need walks in a week to come up with your expected cost. Petsitting usually costs around $50 to $100 per night, depending on whether you board your dog or have a sitter come and stay in your home.
Other expenses for dog care include food, toys, beds, clothing, and accessories. Yes, many dogs in NYC wear clothes! There is a practical purpose for this beyond fashion, however. Dog booties can protect a dog’s feet from the scorching hot cement walkways in summer and salted and frozen streets in winter. Similarly, hoodies and jackets help pups stay warm on windy and freezing days. And, New York City has a lot of rainy days, where a dog rain jacket really comes in handy to protect your pup.
With dog food and supplies, you can buy from local stores or shop online, and the prices are comparable to those of other parts of the country. Your exact expenses will depend on what you buy your dog, their size, and their dietary requirements.
In my case, I spend about $50 a month on accessories and toys, $150 on supplements, and $200 a month on food for my large dog in NYC. She also has a medical condition that costs $100 per month for medication.
Best Dog-Friendly Places in NYC
The good news is that having a dog in NYC can be so much fun because the city is very dog-friendly, and you can take your dog to lots of stores, parks, events, and even some restaurants. You can even take your dog on the subway!
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Best NYC Parks for Dogs
With over 1,700 parks in New York City, there are plenty of places to bring your pup. The majority of parks are dog-friendly, and some have dog parks with dog runs where your furry kid can run around off-leash. In addition, some of themajor parks – like Central Park in Manhattan and Prospect Park in Brooklyn – have off-leash hours and areas where dogs can roam in the morning and evening. (This is only if your dog is well-trained with good recall – I would not let my Akita loose but she loves to go on long hikes in the parks).
Here are some parks to check out with your dog:
Central Park has lots of space for dogs to run and play. The 843-acre park sits in the middle of Manhattan, stretching from 59th Street to 110 Street. The park is a great place to explore with your dog and meet other dogs. If your pup is very active, the park trails include a 6.1-mile (almost 10K) loop for running or walking, as well as a softer, dirt trail called the Bridle Path loop, which is 2.5 miles.
Central Park is one of the city parks that permits dogs off-leash in designated areas in the mornings and at night. Dogs can be off-leash in certain areas of Central Park before 9 am and after 9 pm. You can see the Central Park dog guidelines for more details on designated dog areas.
Prospect Park is the most popular park for dogs in Brooklyn. The 526-acre park was built by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux, the masterminds behind Central Park, and offers plenty of beautiful architecture and open space, serene lakes, hiking paths, and a 3.3-mile paved loop for walking, running, and biking.
Prospect Park has its own dog park, Kensington Dog Run at the Prospect Park Parade Ground. The dog park is located on the southwest side of Prospect Park, at Caton Avenue and Coney Island Avenue. Kensington Dog Run includes 7,000 square feet of fenced-in space, separated areas for large dogs and small dogs, and an innovative dog-friendly turf.
Brooklyn Bridge Park has stunning waterfront views of Manhattan and plenty of paved trails for dogs. Some of thegrassy areas in the park have signs that say dogs are not allowed, but there are two dog runs in the park. The Main Street Dog Run is located at Adams and Plymouth streets, near the Brooklyn Bridge side of the park. The Pier 6 Dog Run is situated on the other side of the park, between Bridge Park Drive and Furman Street.
Tompkins Square Dog Run is New York City’s first and largest dog run. The dog run is located in the trendy East Village neighborhood of Lower Manhattan. The dog park includes a large and small dog run, three swimming pools, picnic tables, a decomposed granite running surface with underground drainage, and a bath area with hoses to clean off your pup after playing.
These are just a few of the popular parks for dogs in New York City. The NYC Parks website offers a directory of NYC parks with dog-friendly areas so you can find the one that’s closest to you.
Dog-Friendly Shops and Restaurants in NYC
Many people take their dogs shopping in NYC. From grocery stores to clothing boutiques, you’ll see pups shopping with their owners all over the city. Some dog-friendly restaurants to check out include The Wilson, and Boris & Horton dog cafes, just to name a few.
Lots of stores in NYC are dog-friendly, many of them unofficially. Dog owners report taking their pups to Tiffany’s, Saks Fifth Avenue, Michael Kors, Bloomingdales, Home Depot, Lowe’s, and Brookfield Place with no problems. I have taken my dog to Home Depot and Industry City several times. Industry City is a sprawling industrial complex in Brooklyn with lots of creative open spaces and local shops and eateries. The complex is dog-friendly everywhere except some of thefood establishments do not allow dogs inside (but there are many outdoor eating areas that allow dogs).
Transit – Taking Your Dog on The Subway, Uber, and More
People always ask “Can I take my dog on the subway?” And if you’re in New York City for a while, you’ll definitely see dogs riding the trains. The official rule is that dogs must be in a carrying device, so you may see some dogs wearing Ikea bags with their feet sticking out to walk. Unofficially though, no one seems to mind leashed, well-behaved dogs riding the trains as long as it’s not rush hour and packed.
Another option to get around NYC with your dog is to use Uber Pet or Lyft Pet options. When you’re using the apps, passengers can select the Pet option and get a ride that is dog-friendly, for an additional fee. I have used this option with my dog many times and it’s been a convenient (though pricey) way to get her around the city.
City Living with Your Dog
Did I miss any dog care tips for NYC owners and their pups? Comment below to add your input.
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