Owning a dog is a life-changing event for many people, providing the love and companionship many crave in a pet. However, once you own a dog, your living situation can become more complicated, with several new and important factors to consider.
Will the dog have enough space? Is there a secure garden or outside area for the dog to explore? And, if you’re renting your home, will your landlord allow you to keep a dog on the property?
With this in mind, we wanted to explore the landscape for dog-friendly rentals in the United States, revealing the best and worst states for renting as a dog owner.
Additionally, some rental properties only allow small dogs, meaning renting with a large dog can be more difficult. Therefore, we have also researched which dog breeds are the most desired in each state.
So, whether you’re the happy owner of a loveable French Bulldog or want to adopt your own Belgian Laekenois, we’ll highlight the best states for your rental needs.
The United States is historically a nation of dog lovers, with dogs often considered the staple pet in many households. Most US presidents have also enjoyed keeping a canine companion or two (or more), reinforcing the dog’s role as part of the domestic fabric of America.
Approximately one-third of rental properties in the United States allow tenants to keep dogs on the premises, regardless of their size or breed. However, not all properties are suitable for large dogs, as they require more space to live comfortably, and some landlords may have reservations about allowing larger breeds in case of accidental damage.
Georgia is the best place for renting with dogs, with just over half of all properties allowing you to keep any type of canine companion, whether a Dachshund or a Doberman. This makes searching for dog-friendly rental properties much easier than in other parts of the country.
Colorado has the second highest proportion of rental properties available, with all dogs being allowed at 47.2%. This landlocked state is blessed with gorgeous scenery and mountains that are excellent for hiking with large dogs, which could explain this high percentage.
North Carolina has the third highest rate of rental properties that allow dogs of any size, at 46.4%. This is just 0.1% higher than Arizona, which came in fourth with 46.3% of rental properties accepting tenants with dogs.
Hawaii is the most challenging place to rent with a dog, as they are only accepted in 13.2% of all rental properties. However, as an archipelago of small islands, Hawaii has many beaches that dogs can enjoy, whether for a long walk or a splash in the ocean.
Rhode Island has the second lowest proportion of rentals accepting dogs, at just 14.4%. While renting with a dog might be difficult in the Ocean State, Rhode Island has many dog-friendly beaches and more inland trails to explore in your travels.
Connecticut has the third lowest rate of rental properties allowing dogs, at 15.5%. Only two other states saw rates below 20%, with 19% of properties in New Jersey and 19.9% in Massachusetts allowing dogs of any size. This suggests the East Coast region could be less accessible for renters with larger dog breeds.
While large dogs can be barrels of fun and fantastic additions to your family, they aren’t suitable for everyone. Depending on the breed, large dogs can require much more activity and room than smaller breeds. Smaller breeds can also be more suitable for older dog owners or families with very young children.
A considerably higher number of rental properties allow small dogs than they do for larger breeds, being accepted in 50.78% of all rentals. This makes it much easier for dog lovers to rent with their furry friends in the United States, though the acceptance rate will vary by state.
Arizona is the best state for renting with small dogs, as they are accepted in 65.9% of all rental properties. This high rate highlights the difference in acceptance rates for tenants with large and small dogs, with large dogs only being accepted in 46.3% of Arizona properties, a difference of roughly a fifth.
Tennessee also has a high acceptance rate for tenants with small dogs at 65.2%, approximately a fifth higher than the state’s acceptance rate for large dogs. Appearing in the Top 5 states for large and small dogs, the Volunteer State is a great place to rent with a canine companion.
Oklahoma has the third highest rate of rental properties allowing small dogs, at 65.1%, with all other states scoring below 65%. However, the difference between acceptance rates for large and small dogs is noticeably more significant than in Arizona or Tennessee, at roughly a quarter.
As with large dogs, Hawaii is the most challenging place to rent with smaller dogs, as only 27.7% of all rental properties will allow you to keep a small dog. This rate is barely half the national average of 50.8%, making Hawaii a tough place for dog owners who do not own their own homes.
Massachusetts has the second lowest acceptance rate for tenants with small dogs, at just 30.26%. The Bay State also has the fifth-lowest acceptance rate for tenants with large dogs, at 19.88%. This shows that, while renting with a dog in the state may be much more complicated than in other parts of the country, you’ll have a much better chance of finding accommodations with a smaller breed.
New Hampshire has the third lowest rate of properties allowing small dogs, at 32.9%. As a neighbor of Massachusetts, the Granite State’s low acceptance rate for small dogs suggests a regional trend, with almost every state in New England placing in the Bottom 10. The only exception is Maine, which finished 18th from the bottom, with 45% of rental properties accepting small dogs.
With over 2.5 million searches for dog-friendly rentals over the last year, there is clearly a high demand for these properties in the United States. However, we wanted to know in which states are renters searching for these properties the most?
Nebraska has the most searches for dog-friendly rental properties, with 2,204.8 searches per 100,000 people in the last 12 months. Nebraskans have by far the most interest in these properties, being the only state to record a search rate higher than 2,000 per 100,000 people.
New Hampshire has the second-most searches for dog-friendly rentals, with 1,233.9 per 100,000 people last year. This New England state is well-known for its picturesque towns and abundant wilderness areas, making it a lovely place to explore with a furry friend.
The Midwestern state of Ohio has the third-largest search rate for dog-friendly rentals, with 1,197.6 searches per 100,000 people. The Buckeye State has a wide variety of opportunities for excellent outdoor activities with your dog, from the banks of Lake Erie to the many dog-friendly walking trails of Mohican State Park and Wayne National Forest.
Arizona has the fewest searches for dog-friendly rental properties, with 438.5 searches per 100,000 people. Prospective dog owners in Arizona should also consider which dog breeds they want to adopt or purchase, as the state’s hot climate could make some breeds unsuitable.
Nevada has the second lowest rate of searches for dog-friendly rentals, with 464.9 per 100,000 people. Nevada is another state with a hot, dry climate, so dog owners should take extra care to ensure their pets are hydrated and not overly exposed to the sun when on long walks.
Mississippi has the third lowest search rate for dog-friendly rental properties, with 473.2 per 100,000 people. Only one other state, Texas, saw fewer than 500 searches per 100,000 people, suggesting there is significantly lower demand for dog-friendly rental properties in the southern United States.
While dog ownership is a classic part of American life, whether as part of a larger family, a companion for singles, or a partner in outdoor adventures, there has been a slight dip in searches for dog-friendly rentals over the past year. This could be due to several reasons, such as a higher cost of living, which could cause people to think twice about moving or relocating.
Nebraska saw a huge boom in interest in dog-friendly rental properties in the last year, with an increase of 197.1%. This increase is more than five times that of any other state, suggesting a highly localized cultural shift, with Nebraskans potentially becoming the biggest dog lovers in the country.
Florida saw the second highest increase in searches for dog-friendly rental properties, over a third more than the previous 12 months. The Sunshine State is a great place to own a dog, with an extensive coastline that’s home to many dog-friendly beaches, not to mention the many wilderness areas farther inland.
The third highest increase in searches for dog-friendly rental properties was in Alabama, with a rise of almost 10% from the previous year. According to the AVMA, Alabama has the fourth-highest rate of dog ownership in the United States, with 1.9 dogs per household[1].
Maine saw the largest decrease in interest in dog-friendly rentals, with 26.7% fewer searches compared to the previous year. Despite this considerable dip in interest, the state maintained an above-average search rate, finishing 20th with 789.6 searches per 100,000 people.
Minnesota had the second-highest drop in searches for dog-friendly rental properties, with 22.9% fewer than the previous year. While demand for dog-friendly rentals might be falling, the North Star State is known for being very welcoming to dogs and their owners, with many businesses, parks, and wildlife areas allowing you to bring your canine pal with you.
Wyoming saw the third most significant decrease in searches for dog-friendly rentals over the past year, with a drop of 38.5%. This dip in interest meant there were fewer than 4,000 searches over the past 12 months.
We created an extensive list of dog breeds and found the number of searches people made to adopt or purchase each breed in the last year. Overall, there were more than 15 million searches to acquire specific dog breeds in the past 12 months, which equals a rate of 44.9 searches per 1,000 people.
People in Wyoming are the most interested in acquiring a new dog, with 80.8 searches per 1,000 people. However, the Cowboy State has some of the lowest rates of properties accepting tenants with dogs, with only 24% accepting large dogs, rising to 34.2% for small breeds. As such, potential owners should pay special attention to their living situation and the dog’s size before committing to a lease.
Vermont is the state with the second-highest rate of searches for new dogs, at 71.3 per 1,000 people. The Green Mountain State also features in the Bottom 10 states for allowing large and small dogs in rental properties. However, the acceptance rates are slightly higher than in Wyoming, with 24.5% of rental properties allowing large dogs and 40.7% allowing smaller dogs.
North Dakota takes third place for interest in acquiring a new furry friend, with 65.8 searches per 1,000 people. The Roughrider State is closely followed by South Dakota where the rate of searches is 59.5 per 1,000 people, suggesting a similar cultural interest in dogs across the Dakotas.
While it is still easier to find a rental property that allows small dogs rather than larger ones, North Dakota is more accepting of large dogs than other parts of the country. In total, 37% of all rental properties in this Great Plains state allow large dogs, which is higher than the national average of 33%. Meanwhile, the acceptance rate for small dogs is lower than the national average, standing at 45.5% compared to a national rate of 50.8%.
Hawaii has the lowest interest in acquiring a new dog, with 34.1 searches per 1,000 people. The availability of dog-friendly rental properties in the Aloha State is the lowest for both large and small dogs, which correlates with the lower interest in dog ownership overall. It’s worth considering that Hawaii’s location, thousands of miles from the US mainland, with its unique culture, climate, and landscape, could explain the lower interest in owning a dog.
New York state has the next-lowest interest in acquiring a new dog, with 39.6 searches per 1,000 people. While the Empire State encompasses a large geographic area, stretching from the East Coast to Canada and covering 54,555 square miles, approximately 43% of the population lives in the metropolitan area of New York City. With so many people living in NYC’s densely urban area, where space comes at a premium, owning a dog can be much more difficult, with less access to appropriate living and exercise space.
New Jersey saw the third-fewest searches for acquiring a new dog, with 40.7 per 1,000 people. The Garden State recorded the fourth-lowest rate of dog-friendly accommodations for larger breeds, at 19%, and the seventh-lowest rate for smaller dog acceptance, at 35.5%.
The most sought-after breed of dog in the United States is the Cane Corso, receiving 916,000 searches over the last year, far more than any other breed. The Cane Corso is a large and intelligent dog, highly prized for its loyal temperament and aptitude for guarding its family and property. In fact, the “Corso” has been prized for these traits for centuries, with the breed’s ancestors even being used by the ancient Roman army.
The Bernese Mountain Dog saw the second highest volume of searches to purchase or adopt a breed, with 532,000 searches over the past 12 months. Originating from Switzerland, the “Berner” is a sizeable tri-colored breed of working dog that’s well-known for its loyalty, intelligence, and self-confident temperament. These qualities make the breed an excellent choice for many families, so long as the household has the space to accommodate these large dogs and the time to give them the exercise and mental stimulation they need.
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is third on our list, with 481,150 searches in the last year. Toy spaniels have a long history as popular companions, dating back to 16th-century England when they were popular among royals and courtly ladies. Compared to the English Toy Spaniel, the Cavalier has a flatter head and a longer muzzle, with a slightly larger frame that’s closer to that of the original toy spaniels. These dogs are relatively easy to keep, requiring up to one hour of daily exercise, and are typically compatible with apartments and smaller houses.
The Belgian Malinois is the fourth most sought-after breed, with 456,380 annual searches. This breed of sheepdog is often mistaken for the German Shepherd Dog due to its somewhat similar appearance, with the Malinois being distinguished by its lighter build. The typical “Mal” is highly intelligent, loyal, alert, and has heaps of energy, requiring plenty of attention and exercise to keep the dog happy and healthy.
The German Shepherd Dog received the fifth-most searches across the United States, with 417,400. The German Shepherd is an iconic breed that is highly intelligent, easy to train, and very hard working, traits which have seen these dogs employed by many police forces worldwide. Despite their aptitude for serious work, German Shepherds can make fantastic pets, being very gentle with, and loyal guardians of, their families.
Having discussed the most sought-after dog breeds in the United States, we wanted to see how this differs from state to state. Here, you can see which dog breed is the most popular in your area. Would you agree, or do you have a different favorite?
The Cane Corso is the most popular breed in 40 states, including Florida, New York, Colorado, and Texas. The breed’s appeal as a guard dog cannot be understated, though potential owners should ensure their dog is properly trained and socialized from a young age.
The Bernese Mountain Dog is the most sought-after breed in the remaining ten states, which include Massachusetts, Iowa, and Utah. Their ability to thrive in cold weather makes these dogs a popular choice in more northern states like Vermont, Montana, and North Dakota. Berners can make wonderful family pets, and while some people may find their size imposing, they are not threatening and are particularly gentle around children.
Getting a dog is a rewarding experience, providing joy and companionship for you and your family. However, caring for a dog is a big responsibility that isn’t without its challenges. So, before you rush to find your new pal, consider the following points to ensure you get the best dog to match your lifestyle and personal circumstances.
When deciding whether to get a dog, your first consideration should be your current living situation. Can you properly house a dog and provide adequate space for it to have a decent quality of life?
For example, if you’re renting an apartment, you will have much less space than if you were renting a whole house, and you probably won’t have access to a private garden or secure yard. Depending on your available space, you might not have room for a larger breed of dog or one that requires a lot of space to roam freely. However, in some cases, this can be mitigated by your surroundings, such as access to local dog parks, hiking trails, and green spaces.
Dogs come in all shapes and sizes, so there will be plenty to choose from, but not every breed will be your perfect match. Large dogs come with unique challenges, such as their need for more exercise, often requiring several hours per day to stay healthy. Additionally, they may need considerably more food than smaller breeds, making them more expensive to keep, and their physical strength can make them more difficult to handle if you’re not so strong yourself.
That said, some of America’s favorite breeds are on the larger size, such as the Bernese Mountain Dog, and they often have gentle temperaments that make for ideal family pets. Those who enjoy long walks and exploring the great outdoors could find that larger breeds are much more to their liking.
If you have children, existing pets, or other dependents, you will need to make sure that any new addition is compatible with all family members. For example, certain breeds are known for being gentle and compassionate. In contrast, others can be more unpredictable. So, if you have children or other vulnerable people in your household, make sure you research and choose an appropriate breed.
Additionally, some breeds have a much stronger hunting instinct, which can make mixing with other household pets more difficult. Avoid these breeds if you have small children and existing pets, especially if this is your first dog.
A significant consideration that any prospective dog owner should consider is how much time they can dedicate to a new pet. Owning a dog requires a substantial amount of time for taking it for walks, training it properly, playing with it at home, and keeping it well-fed, well-groomed, and healthy overall.
If you’re short on spare time, you might consider a breed that requires less exercise or is more straightforward to train. If you’re living with other family members, these responsibilities can be shared, which could make keeping a more time-consuming dog easier to manage.
The amount a dog sheds can vary wildly between breeds; some drop vast amounts of hair, while others don’t lose any hair at all. Many of the fluffiest dog breeds are the heaviest shedders, so there is a price to pay for having a dog with a gorgeous fluffy coat. However, the hair can be reasonably managed with a vacuum, brushes, and lint rollers.
If you don’t want to deal with large amounts of dog hair in your home, then your choice of breeds will be restricted. However, there are a considerable number of low-shedding dogs out there. These breeds are often called hypoallergenic as they do not trigger pet allergies to the same degree as regularly shedding dogs. Examples of these breeds include the Bedlington Terrier, the Poodle, and the Portuguese Water Dog.
If you own a dog, your pet must have the appropriate insurance to ensure it can receive treatment in the event of illness or accident. However, if you’re renting with a dog, you might want additional coverage to protect against any damages to your landlord’s property.
Landlords are not required to allow pets in their properties, as dogs and cats can cause accidental damage to fittings, fixtures, and furnishings. So, when a landlord does allow pets, they may also take out insurance against damage caused by their tenants’ companions.
If you’re considering renting with a pet, you should check with your landlord or rental agent to see if this insurance is in place. If it’s not, you might want to consider insurance against any damage, protecting you in the event of expensive accidents.
We used Zillow to find the properties available to rent in each US state that allowed large dogs and small dogs, comparing those numbers to the total properties available. This allowed us to reveal what percentage of each state’s available property is dog-friendly.
We then used Google Keyword Planner to find the search volumes for dog-friendly rentals in each state over the past 12 months, revealing those searching the most and least. We combined data for several search terms in each state, including “dog friendly rentals”, “rentals dogs allowed” and others. This was then compared to search data from the previous year, showing where search volumes are rising and falling the fastest.
We also used Google Keyword Planner to find the states searching for dogs to buy or adopt the most, using a comprehensive list of breeds from the American Kennel Club. This data also revealed the most sought-after dog breeds in the United States and in each state.
[1] https://www.al.com/life/2024/04/alabama-one-of-nations-most-dog-friendly-states-studies-show.html
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