Provincetown is dog heaven

Globe Staff

Provincetown is America's most dog-friendly city.

So decrees Dog Fancy magazine, which rated communities across the country to compile a "Top 40" list of dog-friendly cities.

In a press release, the magazine outlined the criteria it used to determine the winners. They included "plenty of dog-friendly open spaces and dog parks, events celebrating dogs and their owners, ample veterinary care, abundant pet supply and other services, and municipal laws that support and protect all pets."

While Provincetown was tops, Dog Fancy also heaped Fido kudos on such places as Carmel, Calif.; Madison, Wis.; San Diego; and Sioux Falls, S.D.

This year's contest was sponsored by WAHL Clipper Corp., whose products include grooming tools and trimmers for dogs.

In a statement extolling Provincetown, Dog Fancy editor Ernie Slone said: "All dog owners know of a few local shops or restaurants that allow dogs, but it is remarkable to have an entire town where virtually every establishment opens its doors to dogs - even the bank. Where else can you take your dog along for a whale-watching or sunset cruise, walk miles of off-leash scenic beaches year-round, and enjoy one of the nation's finest dog parks? Provincetown nearly swept our major awards this year, with its Pilgrim Bark Park finishing at No. 2 in our national ratings of dog parks."

(The "Inside Scoop" photo that appears with this post was taken from Dog Fancy's website.)