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.

Related: 5 Dog-friendly Bars in Portland, OR

Dog beaches in Portland

If your pup loves the sun, sand, and splashing, check out these 3 dog-friendly beaches in Portland.

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.

Related: 5 Best Dog Parks in Portland

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.

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

For the full list, check out our guide to the most popular dog names in all 50 states.