At Rover.com’s Seattle headquarters, we love dogs, we love our city, and we really love the combo. That’s why we turned to both the pet parents right here in the office and in our growing local Rover community to find out about the real lives of Seattle dog owners. Our surveys dished up a lovingly hilarious take on dog parents in some of Seattle’s most iconic neighborhoods.
Next, we tapped fabulous local illustrator Shey Ruud to bring these insights to life. From Capitol Hill Chihuahuas to Georgetown pit mixes, there’s a little something for every Seattle dog fan in these images. Welcome to your insider’s guide to Seattle dog owners!
Capitol Hill
It’s no wonder tempers can get heated when it comes to beloved, historic Capitol Hill. This trendy neighborhood is either a sign of Seattle’s incredible growth, or an alarming study in rising rents. No matter your take, it’s the place to be. The Hill hangs on to a hip, artsy vibe that’s perfect for dogs with poetic aspirations from Volunteer Park to Elliott Bay Books.
Frelard
Some call it Fremont. Some call it Ballard. The land between these northside neighbors is hotly contested, but why choose? Yoga studios, dog-friendly bars, high-tech rain gear—they share so much, we’d never want to pick just one. Frelard is a great place to be a dog, from Golden Gardens to Norm’s to the freewheeling Solstice parade. Body paint optional, of course.
Georgetown
Artist’s haven and food truck paradise, once-gritty Georgetown is coming up in the world. It’s the perfect place for dogs and their humans to check out craft brews and custom-built bikes, all to the soundtrack of low-flying planes. Just don’t let everyone in on the awesomeness, mmmkay? If there’s one thing Georgetown residents fear, it’s other people figuring out their neighborhood exists.
South Lake Union
No neighborhood says Seattle 2.0 like SLU. Once little-known and overlooked, it’s now home to Amazon—and all the growth that comes with it. The beating heart of Seattle’s tech culture has everything an urban dog dweller could want, except maybe fast WiFi (weird, but true!) SLU dogs aren’t complaining; they’ve got the latest gear and loving owners ready to rideshare with them to Magnuson Park. They’ll be right here, looking #cute with the Space Needle in the background.
University District
Sneaking your dog to class is practically mandatory for UW dog owners, and not just because it makes for a killer Snapchat story. Dogs make great study partners. It’s science—or at least, we’re pretty sure it is. When they’re not hitting the books, U District dogs are getting a snuggle. Whether strolling the Ave or lounging on the Quad, they’re bound to snag some attention from students missing their dogs back home. Afterwards, they like shopping for the perfect vintage outfit at Crossroads or Red Light.
West Seattle
West Seattle’s adorable bungalows are chock full of adorable babies, equally adorable dogs, and parents in desperate need of coffee. Either that, or they’re going to wake up by taking the whole gang outside, rain or shine. From Lincoln Park to Alki Beach, West Seattle offers epic outdoor spaces (and a fabulous farmer’s market!) to complement all those cute restaurants.
But wait, there’s more!
Seattle Dog Owners Survey Results
We’ve got more fun facts, as confessed by Seattle dog parents:
To Dump or Not to Dump
- 45% of Seattle dog owners admit to dropping their dog’s poo in a neighbor’s trash can (and only 23% feel weird about it)
Weekend Warriors
- When they hit the road, Seattleites prefer taking their dogs to the mountains (37%), the lake (31%), or Puget Sound (21%).
Rain or Shine!
- Seattle pet parents aren’t scared of a little rain! 43% of Seattle dog owners say, “We always walk no matter the weather!” But 23% admit to waiting up to an hour to see if they can squeeze in a sun break.
Bring on the Dogs
- A dog-friendly workplace was the #1 employer perk for Seattle-area dog owners, topping open floor plans, stocked snack bars, over-the-top events, and even free coffee.
Winning Dog Park
- Magnuson Park (46%)
- Golden Gardens (14%)
- Westcrest (14%)
Barking the Law
- 36% of Seattle pet parents admit to taking their dog to one of Seattle’s not-dog-friendly beaches…and another 10% said maybe they had, and maybe they hadn’t, they’ll never tell.
All images by Shey Ruud. Check him out on Etsy and Instagram!