DogFriendly.com's Mission Statement and Selection Criteria

Selection Criteria

Accommodations Criteria:

1. Allow well-behaved dogs of ALL sizes and breeds. If your dog is over 75-80 pounds then please call the individual establishment to make sure they allow your dog. However, we have found that the majority of places we list do not necessarily have any weight limit. Small dog owners will also benefit from using our travel guides. The places we list are typically more pet-friendly than places which allow small dogs only. Establishments which allow small dogs only frequently want people to be discrete and "hide" their dog. We want all dog owners to feel welcome when they bring their best friend. In regards to the breed or type of dog, we do not list establishments that ban certain breeds of dogs. Instead, we promote acceptance of all well-behaved dogs. Please also note that if you are traveling with more than one dog, it is especially important to call ahead and verify that an establishment allows more than one dog.

2. Allow dogs in non-smoking rooms. We feel that dog owners should not be discriminated against by having to stay in a smoking room if they have a dog. We realize that smokers travel with dogs too, but many hotels which allow dogs, also allow dogs in smoking rooms (if available). We want the establishments listed to provide the option and choice to dog travelers.

3. Allow dogs and their owners in a clean, comfortable room. If we hear of any complaints from dog owners who have had an unpleasant experience, then we check into it and remove the listing if necessary. We feel that people traveling with dogs should be treated with respect and with standards that any other traveler would expect.

An important note about pet fees and charges:
While some accommodations charge no extra fees for pets, most places do charge a pet fee (daily or one time per stay), and/or a refundable pet deposit. Extra pet charges can range from $3 per day to a $100-200 one time per stay charge. While this may seem very high, please note that most of the places which charge the higher rate are either long-term stay accommodations or very upscale expensive hotels. A long-term stay example is a Residence Inn by Marriott where a business or vacation traveler with a dog may stay for several weeks or a month. In that case, a rate of $100 per stay would translate into about $7 per day (for 2 weeks) and about $3 per day (for 1 month).

Outdoor Restaurants Criteria:

1. Allow well-behaved dogs to sit or lay next to you. While dogs are not permitted to sit in a chair at a restaurant's outdoor dining table, they should be allowed to sit or lay next to your table. We do not list outdoor restaurants that require your dog to be tied outside of a fenced area (with you at the dining table on one side and your dog on the other side of the fence). In our opinion, those are not truly dog-friendly restaurants.

2. Allow well-behaved dogs of ALL sizes and breeds. If your dog is over 75-80 pounds then please call the individual establishment to make sure they allow your dog. However, we have found that the majority of places we list do not necessarily have any weight limit.

Attractions Criteria

Allow well-behaved dogs of ALL sizes and breeds. If your dog is over 75-80 pounds then please call the individual establishment to make sure they allow your dog. However, we have found that the majority of places we list do not necessarily have any weight limit.

Parks, Beaches and Recreation Criteria

Allow dogs in useful or interesting areas. We usually list places where you can actually walk your dog or see interesting sights with your dog. Many National Parks do not allow dogs on trails or paths. However, we try to list the National Parks where you can actually see some interesting sights with your dog, either from your car or on a path. In cases where there are no places in the National Park to walk your dog, we try to list a nearby dog-friendly National Forest where you can actually walk your dog.

Employers Criteria

Allow dogs in the workplace at least once per week on a regular basis. Look here for dog-friendly employers.

What is a Well-Behaved Dog?

We focus our mission based on the assumption that a dog is well-behaved. What is a well-behaved dog? Different people will have different opinions. Our definition is a dog that is comfortable and friendly towards people and especially children. If your dog is not friendly towards people and children, then please have him or her trained before you begin traveling. Your well-behaved dog should also be potty trained and not bark excessively in a hotel or other lodging room. We believe that dogs should be kept on leash. If a dog is on leash, he or she is easier to bring under control. Also, many establishments require that dogs be on leash and many people around you will feel more comfortable as well. And last, please never leave your dog alone in a hotel or other lodging room unless you have the approval from the establishment's management.

Leashed Dogs

Dogs are required to be on leash and under your control at all places we list unless specified otherwise by an establishment's (including parks and beaches) management. We encourage people to keep their dogs on leash to avoid unnecessary conflicts with other people and other dogs.

No Longer Dog-Friendly?

If you find a place that is no longer dog-friendly, allows small dogs only, or allows dogs only in smoking rooms, please send an email to email@dogfriendly.com and we will remove the listing. If you would like to recommend a favorite place, let us know.

Thanks and we hope you enjoy your dog-friendly travels!