HOUND AND HOME: SHEFFIELD CROWNED UK’S MOST DOG FRIENDLY CITY

Rover.com, the world’s largest online marketplace for loving pet care, has found Sheffield to be the most dog-friendly city in the UK, pipping Brighton & Hove and London to the top spot. The news comes as 41% of UK dog parents revealed they are willing to spend more to rent or purchase a home in a dog-friendly location.
Based on the quality, and quantity, of dog-friendly amenities such as pet shops, grooming parlours bins for pet waste and dog-friendly retailers, Sheffield tops dogs’ needs. With the majority of pet parents (63%) willing to move to live in a house or apartment that better suits their pet, it appears Yorkshire’s Terrier numbers may be about to drastically increase.
Top 10 most dog-friendly cities in the UK:
Sheffield
Brighton & Hove
London
Derby
Bristol
Milton Keynes
Glasgow
Manchester
Liverpool
Newcastle

However, the research also revealed pet parents’ mutterings about finding accomodation suitable for their pooch. Under half (43%) of pet parents admitted finding a dog-friendly rental was not always easy, while 60% said expensive pet deposits and fees are the biggest challenge when renting with a dog.

Regardless, pet parents appeared undeterred by the barriers faced, with a fifth (21%) of dog parents having purchased or rented a bigger, or more expensive, home to better accommodate their dog. Nearly one in three (30%) dog parents have even been inspired to move in favour of their dog’s happiness and wellbeing, while 29% said they’re willing to spend 10% more on their purchase or rent to accommodate their dog.
Adem Fehmi, Rover’s Canine Behaviourist comments “They say it’s colder up north, but it certainly doesn’t appear this is the case in terms of the very warm welcome our pups are receiving! In recent years there has been a huge increase in pet amenities and dog-friendly policies which I expect to see continuing long into the future. Hopefully cities across the UK can look to emulate the progress of Sheffield and the others who have made the top 10.”
Rover’s data also revealed the top cities for increases in dog ownership across the UK. Cardiff, Bristol and Reading completed the top three, while top dog-friendly cities, Brighton & Hove and Sheffield came fourth and fifth respectively.
While Bath, Bournemouth, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Cambridge completed the top 10, London languished in twentieth spot – perhaps due to unfriendly rental pet policies and increased property prices.
Top 10 UK cities with increases in dog ownership according to Rover site data:
Cardiff
Bristol
Reading
Brighton & Hove
Sheffield
Bath
Bournemouth
Glasgow
Edinburgh
Cambridge