Being a dog owner isn’t always fun, games, and cuddles. We have responsibilities to take good care of those we’ve tamed. We have friends we simply cannot let down.
Sure, some might say such an attitude is a heavy burden but we all know fine and well that the price is ridiculously cheap for a loving, loyal, understanding companion at your side.
That’s why every responsible dog owner thinks twice before taking an important step like relocation to an entirely different city, especially if the destination is an urban megalopolis like London.
Is the Smoke a good place to raise a dog? Will your pooch feel at home here? Will the city accept a fluffy ball of joy as one of its own?
The answer to all of these questions is a definite YES!
The Capital is an amazing city for a puppy. The green spaces to walk around, play with the brotherly canines, and even tease all kinds of other animals from deer to foxes are rich and plentiful.
The city has an entire industry dedicated to dog-oriented services like grooming, walking, training, etc.
The people here are friendly. I’ve never met a British person who doesn’t like dogs.
The only real argument against living in London with pets that comes to my mind is the size of local flats/ Some of the coolest lofts – especially those close to the historical center – aren’t too spacious.
That said, you could always find a roomier property, especially with professional assistance from our managers.
London has one of the most advanced and convenient commuting networks in the world. And it is 100% pet-friendly. At least on paper.
What do I mean by that?
Technically, you can take your dog for a ride on the bus, Tube, taxi, train, etc. No one will have a problem with that. Except for your pooch…
There are simply too many people using the public transport system, especially during the rush hour making the travel experience more stressful than it should be.
If traveling by the Tube is an absolute necessity, please grab some of your dog’s favorite treats, a familiar toy or any other item with a friendly scent and avoid rush hours. And don’t forget to exploit the rules of the place. You and your fluffy fried are both allowed here. Let the pupster explore the place for as long as it wants. 10 minutes of sniffing around and getting used to the station as well as all the people will save countless nerve cells for you and your dog in the long run.
Keep in mind that the green spaces I’ve mentioned above are not as pet-friendly as the tube. At least not all of them.
Anything with the word “Garden” in its name like the Kensington Gardens, etc. is off limits. No dogs allowed. Don’t neglect to check this tiny detail in advance because even a single fine for breaking the rules of the city can put a dent in your monthly budget.
Everything that has the word “Park” in its name, however, is a perfect place for a walk with your pooch. Same goes for “Common”- and “Heath”-labeled places. All dogs are welcome here and are allowed to roam freely to their heart’s content.
London has an amazing pet-care infrastructure. My own dog, for once, gets a grooming much more often then I visit my hairdresser.
The vets are out of this world in London as well. I have never met an inexperienced or underqualified veterinarian. Sure this just may be luck but I sincerely doubt that anyone bed at his job – medical or not –would have his business for long in a city as competitive as London.
London is an amazing place for dogs. Sure there are some rules and limitations of life in a big city but the list of advantages is far greater. The only serious issue you may face is finding a pet-friendly property but then again, would you really call something we can solve in one day an issue?
