North Carolina just earned major bragging rights after a new national study ranked three of its cities among the top 10 dog-friendly cities in America.

According to LawnStarter’s 2025 Best Cities for Dog Lovers report — which analyzed 500 cities across 37 factors — Asheville ranked #2, Wilmington ranked #6, and Raleigh ranked #9, placing the state firmly among the nation’s leaders for canine quality of life.

The report examined everything from yard size and dog-friendly rentals to vet access, affordability, parks, walkability, and community support. Researchers also highlighted the importance of local design, noting that cities investing in green space, pet-friendly housing, and outdoor dining tend to score far higher than cities offering limited amenities.

Asheville took the #2 spot th

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