The World's Top 10 Countries for Dogs: Where Would Your Dog Move If It Could Choose?

By a number of measures, Spain ranks among the top countries for dogs' quality of life, thanks in no small part to the warm and tolerant attitude of its residents towards their four-legged companions.

From canine tapas and discounted metro tickets to doggy beer and beaches where nobody minds a little sand on the towel, these are the places where four-legged citizens might finally get the lifestyle they believe they deserve.

Let’s face it: your dog has opinions. Now imagine giving it a passport, a suitcase full of squeaky toys and complete freedom to choose a country.

Would it become a sophisticated Italian beach bum? A Japanese fashion icon? A Swiss mountain adventurer with excellent dental insurance?

We’ve sniffed out ten destinations where dogs can enjoy a particularly enviable lifestyle. This is not an official scientific ranking – no international committee of Labrador judges has convened yet – but a celebration of dog-friendly laws, unusual pet amenities and the wonderfully ridiculous lengths humans go to for their best friends.

1. Spain – The Sun, the Sea and the Sacred Art of Doing Absolutely Nothing

Spain is practically designed for a dog with Mediterranean ambitions: sunny terraces, coastal promenades, dog-friendly beaches and enough outdoor café culture to keep even the most committed professional napper entertained.

Cities such as Gijón offer a welcoming mix of dog-friendly accommodation, restaurants and public spaces, and Spain’s official tourism website even highlights the possibility of a hot-air balloon ride with your dog.

The food culture translates well, too. The canine version of a tapas evening means dog-safe treats rather than garlic-laden patatas bravas, but the principle – many small courses and nobody asking whether you really need another snack – remains deliciously Spanish.

Spain’s 2023 animal-welfare law also strengthened protections for companion animals, though access to individual restaurants, beaches and venues still depends on local rules and business policies.

2. Austria – Vienna, Where Even the Dog Has a Transport Budget

Vienna is a city of grand architecture, elegant cafés and public transport so organised that your dog might start judging your inability to arrive anywhere on time.

Dogs can travel on the city’s public transport with a discounted ticket: larger dogs generally need to be muzzled and kept on a lead, while small dogs in suitable carriers may qualify for different rules.

Vienna also maintains designated dog exercise areas, giving four-legged residents space to run without interrupting the city’s carefully choreographed urban life.

As for the famous silver bowls? We cannot promise that every Viennese establishment serves water in silver, but a dog with excellent taste would certainly approve of the idea.

3. Italy – Dog Gelato and the Art of Canine Dolce Vita

Italy understands that leisure is an art form, and the country has found ways to include dogs in the masterpiece.

Take Pluto’s Beach in Bibione, a dedicated dog-friendly beach with sun loungers, showers, play areas and a canine ice cream called Ice Bau.

That is not a typo. The beach offers a full set of amenities for four-legged visitors, including water bowls and facilities for cleaning sandy paws, and other destinations in Sicily and Tuscany also offer dog-friendly beaches and pet-oriented services.

One important detail: dog ice cream should always be formulated for dogs, and beach access depends on local rules and each facility’s conditions.

4. Germany – Where Walkies Are Serious Business

Some countries treat a dog walk as a pleasant activity. Germany takes canine welfare seriously enough to regulate the conditions in which dogs are kept.

The Animal Welfare Dog Ordinance requires adequate outdoor exercise, sufficient daily contact with the person caring for the dog and regular opportunities to meet other dogs, subject to individual circumstances.

It does not prescribe one universal, stopwatch-measured walking schedule for every pet, but it makes clear that a dog is not a decorative object to be left in a corner beside a forgotten tennis ball.

And while Germany has plenty of dog-friendly parks, trails and businesses, access to shops, restaurants and public buildings is not universal.

5. Japan – Designer Dogs, Luxury Strollers and Sushi Dreams

In Japan, the line between pet care and luxury lifestyle can become wonderfully blurred. Pet strollers, fashionable outfits, specialist accessories and dog-friendly cafés have become familiar features of the country’s expanding pet market, and some dogs are transported in beautifully designed prams that make them look less like animals going for a walk and more like celebrities avoiding the paparazzi.

Sushi, however, should stay on the human menu: raw fish, seasonings and many common sushi ingredients are not suitable for dogs. Dog-safe menu items do exist, at restaurants that specifically offer appropriate food for pets.

6. The Netherlands – A Nation With a Soft Spot for Four Paws

The Netherlands has a strong reputation for animal-welfare initiatives and responsible pet ownership, and its history of campaigning against stray-dog populations has earned it international attention. You may have heard the claim that it became the first country in the world with no stray dogs.

For a dog, the Dutch appeal is easy to imagine: walkable towns, green spaces, cycle-friendly streets and plenty of opportunities to accompany a human on an outdoor adventure. Cycling alongside a dog does require sensible training and safe conditions.

7. Switzerland – Alpine Walks and Excellent Taste

If your dog dreams of alpine meadows, crystal-clear lakes and mountain trails with spectacular views, Switzerland is an obvious contender, with a strong animal-protection framework and a reputation for orderly public life that appeals to responsible dog owners.

One legal reality check, though: dogs are protected under animal-welfare laws, but they are not granted the same citizenship or constitutional rights as human residents. National dog-owner training courses were abolished in 2017, though some local rules and training requirements for particular dogs may still apply.

8. France – The Restaurant Guest Who Never Sees the Menu

In France, dining out is a social ritual, and dogs are often welcome to participate. There is no general nationwide law prohibiting dogs from entering cafés, bars and restaurants, although individual establishments decide whether to allow them, and outdoor terraces are often an especially promising option.

The golden rule applies in any language, however: no unsuitable leftovers. Chocolate, cooked bones and heavily seasoned foods remain bad ideas even in a Michelin-starred setting.

9. The United Kingdom – Royal Parks and a Pint of Something Called Woof

The United Kingdom offers an appealing combination of countryside walks, green urban spaces, dog-friendly pubs and a national enthusiasm for discussing the weather.

Many pubs welcome dogs, with each establishment setting its own rules, and some go well beyond a water bowl and a corner beside the radiator: products such as BrewDog’s Subwoofer IPA are brewed specifically for dogs, without alcohol or hops, as a playful alternative to the human version – which dogs should never be allowed to drink.

Royal parks and historic green spaces add further walking opportunities, though leash requirements and designated areas vary. The UK is not one enormous off-leash playground, however much your furry friend would like to believe otherwise.

10. Greece – The Bohemian Paradise of Sun, Sea and Strategic Napping

Greece offers a lifestyle that many dogs would understand immediately: sunshine, outdoor living, beautiful landscapes and a culture in which meals stretch into long, sociable affairs.

The ideal Greek canine resident would wake up late, wander through a village, inspect the waterfront, find a comfortable patch of shade and spend the afternoon contemplating the mysteries of the universe – including why humans go swimming when they could simply lie beside the water.

In the evening, it might accompany its family to an outdoor taverna. Pet-friendly restaurants and accommodation can be found, though access depends on the venue, local rules and the specific destination.

A small portion of plain, fully cooked, boneless fish may be suitable for many dogs, provided it contains no harmful seasonings. The imaginary Greek dog, naturally, will demand a second helping.

Your dog would surely say: “I have chosen Greece because life is short, the sun is warm and nobody has yet explained why I should hurry.”

Bonus Destination: Carmel-by-the-Sea, California – The Dog’s Hollywood Ending

What if your dog does not want to move to another country? Welcome to Carmel-by-the-Sea, a small Californian coastal town with storybook cottages, beautiful beaches and a genuine canine-friendly reputation. Carmel Beach permits dogs off-leash under voice control, and many local hotels and businesses welcome pets – the Cypress Inn is known for its particularly warm approach. The town’s history even includes a Hollywood chapter: Clint Eastwood served as mayor from 1986 to 1988. Policies and fees vary by establishment, so a quick check before booking is wise.

And What About Australia?

At first glance, Australia looks like canine heaven: room to run, sunshine for days and enough coastline to keep a water-loving dog occupied for several lifetimes.

Then reality enters the room – venomous snakes and spiders, wildlife that deserves a respectful distance and strict biosecurity rules governing the import of dogs.

Depending on the country of export, importing a dog can involve extensive preparation, rabies testing, waiting periods and post-arrival quarantine.

For dogs coming from certain countries, the rules include a 180-day waiting period after rabies antibody testing – which is not the same as spending 180 days in quarantine after arrival.

Meanwhile, the local wildlife may not share your dog’s enthusiasm for making new friends: a kangaroo is a wild animal that should be given space, not a giant, friendly dog with excellent jumping skills.

The result: Australia can be a wonderful place to live with a dog, provided you plan carefully and understand the local environment.

If you were to ask your dog, they would most likely answer: “Australia looks magnificent, but I have reviewed the wildlife situation and would prefer a destination where the local squirrels are less intimidating. I shall remain on the veranda until further notice.”

So, Where Would Your Dog Actually Choose?

Perhaps the secret of the perfect dog destination is not the most expensive accessories or the fanciest pet hotel, but the place where a dog can enjoy safety, companionship, exercise, kindness and the freedom to be a dog.

Of course, if your own pet is anything like mine, it will ignore all these carefully researched considerations and choose whichever country has the person holding the biggest bag of treats.

Editorial note: Dog-access rules, transport policies, import requirements and pet-friendly services can change, so check the current local rules before travelling or relocating with your dog.