Kristi recently booked dog boarding with Sarah in Portland
Sarah was very flexible with drop off and pick up times and responsive with all communication. I know my dog had a great experience because she came home happy, healthy and tired. Thank you Sarah!
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Portland dog sitters were rated 5 out of 5 stars from 1,000+ reviews
Amanda's review on Aug 19, 2019
Erica did a wonderful job watching my puppy! She was also so flexible and willing to come an hour earlier than I initially requested. Will definitely request again if the need arises!
Allyson's review on Aug 13, 2019
Viridiana was great! Super flexible when my flight came in way later than expected. Very sweet and would send me pup updates. She even read my dogs description and gave her her favorite snacks!
Would recommend her to anyone :)
Cristina's review on Aug 04, 2019
Mandee was great! She took time you meet my pup before she took her in, sent me updates while I was at work, and made sure she got food and exercise. I was very happy with her service and would recommend her to anyone in need of a sitter. :)
Tori's review on Jul 26, 2019
Bella was great and a life saver! She was able to take my cousin’s dog last minute, took great care of her, and sent us regular updates. I will totally use her again
Kourtney's review on Jul 03, 2019
Dan was really great and reliable. He sent updates and pictures everyday, I know Ollie was in good care with dan!
Rachael's review on Jun 27, 2019
Sarah was great! She was quick to respond to my questions and all my neighbors said she was super friendly! She left everything organized and out in place and most important my dog Mac was tired out and happy when I got home. Thanks Sarah!!
Nicolle's review on Jun 27, 2019
Cory is awesome! She has done a few drop in visits to walk our dog turned dogs :)! We will request Cory's services again. Highly recommend!
Taylor's review on Jun 27, 2019
Katie was awesome! She agreed to watch Tex last minute so I didn't have to keep him all alone in a hotel room while I went out late. She took him on a run, sent pics, followed my instructions, and communicated well! I would definitely use her again when in the area. Highly recommend!
Top Dog Parks in Portland
Powell Butte Nature Park—Portland’s second-largest—is 612 acres of meadowland and forest in the outer southeast corner of Portland. Perched on top of an extinct cinder cone volcano, the park is full of abundant wildlife, groves of hawthorn trees, and western red cedar. You can walk your pup along the trails and check out the headwaters of 25-mile Johnson Creek, a tributary of the Willamette River. Keep your eye out for native salmon and steelhead in the waters. There are also miles of trails for hikers—and their dogs—mountain bikers, and horseback riders. Among them is the popular Powell Butte Loop Hike, a 4.5-mile trail that reaches an elevation gain of 530 feet.
Washington Park, a centuries-old city park that received its current name in 1909, is one of the oldest parks in Portland, with an array of gardens, memorials, and museums spread across over 400 acres of green space that includes 15 miles of trails. You and your dog can meander through the International Rose Test Garden, home to thousands of roses. Or, head to the 189-acre Hoyt Arboretum, Portland’s museum of living trees, and then stop for a treat at the Stevens Pavilion Picnic Shelter, right across from the arboretum. If you have non-fur babies, check out the 64-acre Oregon Zoo to learn how to make a better future for wildlife, or the Portland Children’s Museum, founded in 1946 and best for younger ages. If you have your own bow and arrow, there is a first-come, first-serve archery range.
Tom McCall Waterfront Park is a great place to bring your dog to get fresh air while you check out beautiful views of the city. The park, named after Governor Tom McCall, comprises 30 acres along the shores of the Willamette River. You can see the Battleship Oregon Memorial and the Founders Stone, honoring Portland’s founders. A fountain with 185 water jets controlled by a computer makes different patterns. You and your pup can also stop by the Japanese American Historical Plaza, dedicated to the memory of those put in internment camps during World War Two, and check out the views from the Hawthorne Bridge.
Forest Park is one of the largest urban forests in the United States, and yet it’s within city limits. Its 5,200 acres include more than 80 miles of trails overlooking Northwest Portland and the convergence of the Columbia and Willamette Rivers. The Olmsted brothers, sons of the famous designer of NYC’s Central Park, first proposed the densely wooded hills be designated as a “forest park,” but it wasn’t formally preserved until 40 years later, in 1948. It remains a gorgeous hiking area, perfect for Portland dog sitters and walkers—Forest Park welcomes leashed dogs, as long as you clean up after them.
Portland's Bark Score
How Portland got their Bark Score
We love crunching numbers almost as much as we love caring for dogs, which is why we came up with the Bark Score. It's all about how dog-friendly a city is, and is determined using census statistics, local business information, and our own data. Portland received a 74 out of 100 in vet availability, which includes the number of emergency veterinarians, regular vets, specialists, and the average premium for pet insurance in the area. For pet services—like groomers available, number of dog trainers, and count of Rover sitters—this city earned a 85. For the parks and fun category, Portland received a 88 for its number of dog parks, sunny days, and dog-friendly restaurants and hotels. And last but not least, for quality of dog life which includes overall dog population, average yard size, and number of dog-friendly property rentals, this city earned a 77.
Top Dog Neighborhoods in Portland
Nob Hill
Nob Hill, also called “Trendy-Third Street” or simply “Northwest,” is a densely populated neighborhood that is mixed retail and residential. It is a fashionable area surrounding popular NW 21st and NW 23rd Streets, with Victorian houses, shops, clothing boutiques, and locally owned bookstores. It’s also great neighborhood for strolling and people watching—which is why many Portlanders head there while dog sitting. The 24-hour DoveLewis Emergency Animal Hospital is in Nob Hill. The Lucky Labrador Beer Hall, another Portland destination for dog lovers, even runs “Dogtoberfest,” an annual dog-wash event with beer and live music that benefits the animal hospital. Make sure to grab some artisanal ice cream in homemade waffle cones from Salt & Straw.
Downtown Portland
Downtown Portland has diverse shopping, dining, and cultural activities. Depending on what you feel like, you can attend a cultural event at Pioneer Square or a live Broadway show at Portland'5 Centers for the Arts. If you want to explore downtown on foot with your favorite puppy companion, be sure to appreciate the buildings like the Old Church, built in 1882, the Aubrey Watzek House that helped define Modernist architecture, and the U.S. National Bank Building, known for its Roman classical style. If you get hungry, be sure to visit Tasty n Alder, a hot spot for brunch, Courier Coffee Bar for delicious house-roasted coffee, or Alder Street Food Cart Pod, where you can find more food carts than you’ve ever seen.
Pearl District
Formally a warehouse district, the Pearl District, highly walkable and home to the largest concentration of art galleries in town, has plenty for dog lovers to do. If you are visiting with your dog, you can stay in the pet-friendly Kimpton Hotel Monaco at 506 SW Washington Street. The Pearl District has some dog-friendly dining and coffee shop options too, like Tilt, a burger restaurant at 1355 NW Everett Street, and Nossa Familia Coffee at 1350 NW Lovejoy Street. REI and world-famous Powell’s City of Books are also here, but only allow service dogs, so plan your visit accordingly. For a historical look at the district, check out Old Town Chinatown, home of both the Portland Chinatown Museum and the Lan Su Chinese Garden.
Goose Hollow
Goose Hollow is known for quirky character, historic homes, excellent views, and walkability. It is adjacent to downtown and has excellent access to Portland’s landmarks and parks, including Washington Park, Portland Japanese Garden, and Providence Park—where Portland’s men and women’s soccer teams play home games. It’s a great location for dog owners, since you can get out and see new things every day. Goose Hollow has a more urban feel, and is densely populated. It’s one of the oldest neighborhoods in Portland, named after the geese that roamed freely throughout the neighborhood in the late 1870s. Theater buffs, make sure you pay a visit to Artists Rep, Portland’s longest-running theater company.
Why do dog owners love Portland?
Nicknamed the “city of roses” and watched over by the snow-capped Mount Hood, Portland is a dream town for dog walkers and boarders. Whether you are looking for dog boarding in Portland or one of our other services like pet sitting, this is a city with plenty to do. A walk around downtown and its surrounding neighborhoods provides opportunities to see Portland’s most popular sites. At Broadway and Columbia, you’ll find the Ladd Carriage house, built in 1813 and one of the few surviving grand estates that once dominated the downtown area. (Architecture buffs: Be sure to hit up Pittock Mansion, in Portland’s West Hills, as well.) The Pearl District boasts some of Portland’s best shopping, while a colorful arch lets you know you’ve entered the adjacent Old Town Chinatown. Chinatown is also home to the Lan Su Chinese Garden, built in 1999 by denizens of Portland’s sister city of Suzhou, China. The city’s also home to the Portland Japanese Garden, in the West Hills. Portland’s other nickname, “Bridgetown,” makes reference to the striking arches that dominate the city. Three of its most heavily trafficked bridges—easy to admire on stroll down the Willamette River walkway—are more than one hundred years old. These are the Hawthorne Bridge, built in 1910, the Steel Bridge, erected in 1912, and Broadway Bridge, completed in 1913. Portland’s quirky outdoor art pieces are free and fun. The People’s Bike Library of Portland, a 2009 steel and gold leaf sculpture, was created for the “Zoobomb” bicycling collective. Mini-bike lovers gather for weekly bike rides near the Oregon Zoo, where they bomb down a steep hill nearby—hence the “zoobombing.” This unique, functional sculpture acts as an informal bike-sharing system. You can also walk your dog to The Wishing Tree, in front of a private home on NE 7th Ave. The owners provide all the materials for you to write down a wish and tie it to a branch or leaf of the towering elm. If you wish for travels in the coming year, make sure to use Rover to find your pet sitters in Portland. The largest city in Oregon and the 26th largest in the United States, Portland has some awesome dog-friendly restaurant choices. Leave your pup with a trusted Portland dog boarder and head to the Tin Shed Garden Cafe is in the heart of the Alberta Arts Neighborhood. The owners believe that spiritual energy travels through food, so they work hard to provide fresh, wholesome products packed locally. The best part is that dogs always welcome, and Tuesday night is Dog Lovers Night. Stop by with your pup after 3pm to get one free doggie meal with every regularly priced adult meal. If you just want some espresso and treats, stop by the Java Hound Coffee Shop. This shop is in the front a pet store, and they offer the “Puppuccino,” made of goat’s milk with treats in it, free for any dogs with a purchase. Dogs are always welcome to hang out and their Instagram account shows off some of the cutest dogs in Portland. Dog owners in Portland can take the opportunity to visit the Cycle Dog Pet Company. In their downtown factory and showroom, you can learn about their inner tube-backed dog collar, made from reclaimed inner tube rubber targeted for landfills. Their collars don’t allow bacteria to grow, so they stay stink-free. Their line expanded to include lots of doggie accessories. If you visit the showroom, you can stop by the custom bar to build your own collars and leashes for your beloved pooch. And for food options, you can buy from the Portland Pet Food Company, where all treats and meals are made from all-natural local meats, vegetables and grain. Plus, 5% net profits go to local non-profit animal shelters and programs.
