Portland is so dog-friendly it should really be renamed “Pawtland.” From parks and beaches to restaurants, bars, and attractions, this beautiful city has more doggy delights than you can wag a tail at. Keep reading for a guide to some of the best experiences you and your dog can share in Portland.
Dog-friendly breweries in Portland
The good people of
Portland love their beer, with the city home to dozens of breweries. The
good news is that several of these fine establishments are also
pet-friendly, so your pup can join you while you quench your thirst.
Here are 3 breweries well worth visiting with your fur-baby.
Breakside Brewery
Breakside
Brewery doesn’t just serve up a wide range of delicious craft beers.
Visit its NE Dekum Street location and you’ll find the pawfect
pup-friendly surroundings for you and your dog to do some socializing.
Dogs are welcome in the outdoor seating area, and there’s a rotating
variety of beers on tap. (Don't furget to bring some
"beer" for your dog, too!) There’s good pub meals on offer too, so your taste buds are in for a treat.
Deschutes Brewery
Next
on our list of the best dog-friendly establishments in Portland is this
pawpular beer brand. Check out its Portland Public House to find 26
beers on tap, a laid-back vibe on offer, and a menu that’s sure to have
you licking your lips. Your pup will be licking their lips too when they
get the chance to join you on the outdoor patio, which is open
seasonally, and they’ll love sitting by your side while you tuck into a
refreshing beverage or 2.
Level Beer
Level up your
dog-friendly beer experience with Level Beer. This retro gaming-themed
brewery has 3 locations to choose from, and we recommend checking out
the Level 1 Taproom and Brewery. There’s a large outdoor area where pups
are welcome, plus plenty of beers to help relieve your thirst. And with
food trucks serving up a host of tasty treats, you and your fur-baby
may never want to leave.
Sellwood Riverfront Park
Sellwood Riverfront Park Off-Leash Dog Area
is another “mutts-visit” location for pups that love to swim. This
1.5-acre park offers easy access to the river, so it’s a favorite spot
for fur-babies to splash around in the water in the summer months.
There’s a nice grassy area here too, which means you can sit back and
relax while your pupper runs wild.
Mary S. Young State Recreation Area
Mary S. Young State Recreation Area
encompasses 128 acres of natural beauty. You'll find beautiful hiking
trails, wide-open spaces, and Willamette River views to enjoy, but the
best part is that the area is also home to a “pawsome” doggy beach.
Accessed via the 0.59-mile Riverside Loop Trail, this dog-friendly
stretch of sand is ideal for some shorefront exploring or taking a dip
in the refreshing water. Be sure to check it out with your water-loving
dog.
Sandy River Delta Park Beach
Sandy River Delta
is a 1,500-acre natural area known for its excellent hiking, biking,
and fishing. But it might just also be your dog’s favorite swimming
spot, sandwiched as it is between the Columbia River and the Sandy
River. Much of the area is open for dogs to explore off-leash, and
they’ll love romping around in the clear, shallow waters of the Sandy
River. There are plenty of beaches to enjoy along the Columbia River
too, so you and your pup will likely want to spend the whole day here.
Dog-friendly event in Portland
Dogtoberfest
October 7, 2023
12pm–4pm
Lucky Lab Brew Pub, 915 SE Hawthorne Blvd, Portland
Dogs,
beers, and pet-friendly fun, all for a good cause — sounds like a
grreat day out to us! And that’s exactly what you can expect at
Dogtoberfest, Portland’s annual celebration of all things canine.
Held
at the Lucky Lab Brew Pub, this pawsome event features a super-cute
costume contest, pet-friendly activities, and the chance to sample a few
delicious brews. But most importantly of all, this 4-hour party raises
money for a very important organization: the DoveLewis Blood Bank.
The
bank and its canine and feline donors provide blood products to
veterinarians throughout Portland and right across Oregon. These
four-legged volunteer donors donate enough blood for over 700
transfusions each year, helping to save the lives of pets in need. So if
you and your pup enjoy having a good time, get on down to Dogtoberfest
to support this worthy cause.
Famous dogs in Portland
Bobbie the Wonder Dog
There
have been many tales throughout history that demonstrate the loyalty
and devotion of dogs, but there aren’t many as inspiring as the story of
Bobbie the Wonder Dog. Bobbie, a 2-year-old Scotch Collie mix, was the
beloved pet of the Brazier family in Silverton, Oregon.
But when
the Braziers were visiting relatives in Wolcott, Indiana, in August
1923, Bobbie was attacked by 3 other dogs and ran away.
The
Braziers searched desperately for their fur-baby for a week, but there
was no sign of him anywhere. Devastated, they continued their journey
and returned home believing their precious pooch was gone forever.
So
you can imagine their surprise some 6 months later when Bobbie turned
up on their doorstep — more than 2,500 miles away from where they had
last seen him! Bobbie was a gaunt, mangy mess, but most importantly, he
was alive and back where he belonged.
Investigators from the
Oregon Humane Society did some digging and were able to get in touch
with people who had given food and shelter to this amazing animal on his
cross-country odyssey. And eventually it was confirmed: Bobbie had
walked 2,551 miles, on his own, in a freezing winter, to get home to his
family.
Bobbie became an instant celebrity, earning nationwide
recognition and featuring in Ripley’s Believe it or Not. When he passed
away in 1927, he was buried at the Oregon Humane Society pet cemetery in
Portland. None other than Rin Tin Tin, the iconic canine movie star,
laid a wreath on his grave.
Today, murals and a statue of Bobbie
can be found in his hometown of Silverton, about 40 miles from Portland.
Bobbie’s grave can be found at the Oregon Humane Society’s Portland
campus, where this wonder dog’s adventurous spirit lives on.
Animal shelter spotlight in Portland
Oregon Humane Society
Founded
way back in 1868, Oregon Humane Society is one of the oldest animal
welfare organizations in the country. With campuses in Portland and
Salem, it’s also the largest such organization in the Northwest.
The
society’s 46,000 square-foot shelter in Portland has space for 120 dogs,
120 cats, and 92 small animals. It’s also home to a pretty walking path
and outdoor exercise areas, ensuring that rescued dogs get the best
possible care. There’s also no limit imposed on the amount of time
animals can stay at the shelter, and Oregon Humane Society is
justifiably proud of its 98% save rate.
Next door to the shelter
is the society’s 22,000 sq. foot Animal Medical Learning Center where
well over 100,000 spay/neuter procedures have been performed. There’s
also on-site radiology and pharmacy facilities, plus a behavior center
where pet parents can access pet training classes.
From one-off
and monthly donations to donations of stock, pet supplies, and even
hosting a fundraising event, there are lots of ways you can help the
society continue its excellent work. Head to the
Oregon Humane Society website to find out more.
Most popular dog names in Oregon
Wag! sniffed out the top 50 dog names in Portland and other cities throughout Oregon — scroll on to see if your pup's name made the top 10!
#1. Luna
#2. Bella
#3. Charlie
#4. Lucy
#5. Milo
#6. Max
#7. Daisy
#8. Cooper
#9. Bear
#10. Buddy