Is Austin dog friendly?

[Paulmmm]

Originally Posted by meg31816

I have always been interested in Austin, even though I have never been there. I'm considering moving there in the next few years but one of my biggest concerns is how dog friendly Austin is...

I have a little hound mix that loves outdoors, playing with other canine pals at dog parks, and just being active. We currently live in PA, before that, CT, and I'm starting to get annoyed (already) with the cold weather and how it's "cramping our style" .

I'd love to move somewhere eventually where the warmer months outweigh the colder ones. I also have a french bulldog, but they aren't really active to begin with, so he's not much of a concern when it comes to that sort of stuff. It was 35 degrees today and windy, and it's only the beginning of December!

After looking at pictures of Austin in the pinned thread, I saw so many beautiful nature shots, scenes where I could totally picture my girl and I walking/hiking and having a great time.

Austin is definitely a dog-friendly city! Lots of areas to walk them; lots of off-leash dog parks; lots of stores that let you bring your dog in (as long as it's on its leash); lots of restaurants/bars that let the dogs stay on the patio; etc. And - not counting a few middle-of-the-night cold stretches that are just below freezing - the "winter" weather is very conducive to dogs for their outside playing and just hanging out. If anything, it's the summer that you need to be careful of as far as the dog being outside. All in all, I'd say Austin is a great place to have a dog, and ours loves being here.

[capcat]

Originally Posted by Phisch

To the OP: Austin loves dogs. You will find no shortage of pretty places for you and your girl to go walking and you will likely find lots of company for you and new friends for her.

I agree. It gets cold sometimes, but the heat is more of a factor. Oops, we've had that debate before. Inside dog, outside dog...nm
You and your pooch will like Austin, though. We manage through the heat and dogs are welcome here.

[mayalevi]

Originally Posted by atxcio

I'm going to go ahead and call you on this; no place in the Austin area was 26 degrees at 11:31 last night. It was chilly, to be sure... but anyplace that was below 30 overnight would have way out in the hill country. Plus, even if Austin DOES get below freezing overnight, it'd be one of only a handful of days each year, like maybe 3-7 days max. And again, we're talking middle of the night. Austin remaining below freezing throughout during the middle of the day would be like a once in a decade event.

When someone from the Northeast says "it was 35 today", they usually mean during the day. Like when you might be actually be outside doing something.

Bottom line -- it was in the 50s and sunny here yesterday, and it will likely be in the low 50s and sunny today. 60s and 70s (typical Dec weather for Austin) later in the week.

Good dog walking weather.

good point. i am originally from boston and moved to san antonio from la. san antonio(some 80 or so miles south of austin,) has similar weather, and 70-80 degrees like it was here on thanksgiving and most of last week during the day is a northeasterners dream. you cannot compare the so called cold here which lssts for a few hours at nite to cold there.

[mag-nolia]

Haha, yes, it's been in the 30's here for a few days now, with wind, and it feels COLD and awful! I don't mind a day or two of that, overnight, but I hate months of cold weather. My *ideal* temperatures are 50-70 degrees, sun, light breeze, low humidity. I am worried about Austin in the summer, but there are nice summer nights once the sun is down where you can do things with your dog at least I would be very curious to experience the humidity in Austin vs. out here. Thanks for your replies guys!