Is Wisconsin dog friendly?

We analyzed 395 cities across Wisconsin. By default, we surface the strongest cities with at least 10,000 residents, then let you switch to the full statewide ranking.

⚠️No Preemption Law: Beware, local municipalities in Wisconsin can legally ban specific dog breeds (like Pitbulls or Rottweilers). Check local HOA/city codes.

State Average Score

72/100

Paw Score™

Top representative city: Portage (A)

Derived strictly from local government data

Statewide Vet Density

2.4clinics / 10k people

Avg Walkable Days

232days without extreme weather

BSL Restricted Cities

0known local breed bans

Data Journalist Analysis

The Leaderboard Disparity

When comparing 96 representative cities (10k+ residents) in Wisconsin, the leaderboard works best as a relative comparison surface, not a blanket relocation recommendation. Portage is the strongest performer in this 96 representative cities (10k+ residents) set with a Paw Score Grade of A, helped by 200 walkable days per year and comparatively strong veterinary access. Glendale still trails this comparison set at C+, which matters because a state-level laggard is not always a disaster city so much as a place with thinner margins for dog owners.

The Hidden Pet Tax

The economic reality of renting with a dog in Wisconsin fluctuates wildly depending on the municipality. While the state median for pet rent sits around $37/mo, moving to a high-demand area like Mequon can push this implicit pet tax up to $79/mo. This doesn't even account for non-refundable localized pet deposits.

Safety & Legislative Climate

Wisconsin currently lacks a statewide BSL preemption law. That means local governments may still regulate targeted breeds, so readers should verify current city ordinances and lease rules before moving with a pit bull-type dog, rottweiler, or other commonly restricted breed.

Ranked Cities in Wisconsin

Defaulting to cities with at least 10,000 residents so the leaderboard feels representative. Switch to the full statewide ranking any time.

395 cities audited

Showing the first 96 of 96 representative cities in Wisconsin.

State Rank	City	Paw Score	Walkable Days	Pet Rent	Vet / 10K	Population
#1	Portage	A	200	$34	6.18	10,374
#2	Waupun	A	205	$29	5.12	11,244
#3	Beaver Dam	A	205	$33	5.12	16,629
#4	Cedarburg	A	220	$37	4.63	12,317
#5	Grafton	A-	220	$41	4.63	12,274
#6	Port Washington	A-	202	$36	4.63	12,569
#7	Platteville	A-	232	$31	3.99	11,421
#8	Stoughton	A-	232	$40	5.18	13,063
#9	Waukesha	A-	220	$41	4.85	70,779
#10	Manitowoc	A-	232	$28	3.53	34,553
#11	Sun Prairie	A-	232	$48	5.18	36,455
#12	Fitchburg	A-	232	$46	5.18	31,566
#13	Madison	A-	200	$48	5.18	275,568
#14	Oregon	A-	232	$43	5.18	11,384
#15	Two Rivers	A-	232	$26	3.53	11,224
#16	Menomonee Falls	A-	220	$44	4.85	38,963
#17	Superior	A-	232	$31	3.33	26,550
#18	Monroe	A-	232	$30	3.06	10,568
#19	New Richmond	A-	198	$37	4.57	10,334
#20	Muskego	A-	220	$45	4.85	25,156
#21	Oconomowoc	A-	220	$43	4.85	18,385
#22	Fort Atkinson	A-	232	$33	3.78	12,490
#23	New Berlin	A-	220	$49	4.85	40,384
#24	Watertown	A-	232	$37	3.78	22,873
#25	Sussex	A-	220	$43	4.85	11,795
#26	Waunakee	B+	200	$43	5.18	14,927
#27	Middleton	B+	200	$47	5.18	22,235
#28	Hudson	B+	198	$48	4.57	15,004
#29	Baraboo	B+	196	$32	3.89	12,506
#30	Pewaukee	B+	220	$52	4.85	16,002
#31	Reedsburg	B+	196	$33	3.89	10,060
#32	Appleton	B+	232	$33	2.75	74,873
#33	DeForest	B+	200	$48	5.18	10,853
#34	Verona	B+	200	$51	5.18	14,499
#35	Whitewater	B+	232	$34	3.02	15,705
#36	Brookfield	B+	220	$63	4.85	41,592
#37	West Bend	B+	205	$36	3.13	31,722
#38	Janesville	B	232	$36	2.77	65,813
#39	Fond du Lac	B	205	$32	2.88	44,491
#40	Wausau	B	190	$33	3.56	39,893
#41	Beloit	B	232	$35	2.77	36,554
#42	Mequon	B	220	$79	4.63	25,259
#43	Kaukauna	B	232	$35	2.75	17,237
#44	Milwaukee	B	220	$36	2.46	569,756
#45	Green Bay	B	198	$32	2.85	106,585
#46	Menomonie	B	186	$33	2.65	16,548
#47	Hartford	B	205	$38	3.13	15,761
#48	Sheboygan	B	202	$31	2.51	49,812
#49	Germantown	B	220	$46	3.13	20,940
#50	Menasha	B	232	$30	2.49	18,130
#51	Weston	B	190	$34	3.56	15,784
#52	Kenosha	B	209	$40	2.87	99,147
#53	Racine	B	220	$34	2.51	77,155
#54	Eau Claire	B	186	$34	2.9	69,274
#55	Neenah	B	232	$34	2.49	27,409
#56	Elkhorn	B	209	$35	3.02	10,259
#57	Stevens Point	B	232	$31	1.71	25,497
#58	Marinette	B	232	$27	2.18	11,060
#59	Fox Crossing	B	232	$34	2.49	18,960
#60	Little Chute	B	232	$40	2.75	11,930
#61	Oshkosh	B-	203	$32	2.49	66,247
#62	La Crosse	B-	197	$34	2.53	51,791
#63	River Falls	B-	232	$37	1.42	16,349
#64	Chippewa Falls	B-	186	$32	2.65	14,643
#65	Greenville	B-	232	$43	2.75	12,911
#66	De Pere	B-	198	$34	2.85	25,368
#67	Richfield	B-	220	$51	3.13	11,806
#68	West Allis	B-	220	$35	2.46	59,588
#69	Mount Pleasant	B-	220	$37	2.51	27,694
#70	Ashwaubenon	B-	198	$33	2.85	16,931
#71	Caledonia	B-	220	$38	2.51	25,292
#72	Marshfield	B-	192	$28	2.25	18,718
#73	Plover	B-	232	$36	1.71	13,713
#74	Harrison	B-	232	$49	1.66	13,345
#75	Salem Lakes	B-	209	$40	2.87	14,521
#76	Allouez	B-	198	$34	2.85	14,023
#77	Howard	B-	198	$37	2.85	20,261
#78	South Milwaukee	B-	220	$35	2.46	20,547
#79	Cudahy	B-	220	$34	2.46	17,964
#80	Bellevue	B-	198	$38	2.85	16,255
#81	Burlington	B-	209	$34	2.51	11,021
#82	Greenfield	B-	220	$39	2.46	37,361
#83	Onalaska	B-	197	$38	2.53	18,909
#84	Wisconsin Rapids	B-	188	$31	2.25	18,756
#85	Suamico	C+	198	$40	2.85	13,003
#86	Pleasant Prairie	C+	209	$51	2.87	21,515
#87	Greendale	C+	220	$41	2.46	14,656
#88	Brown Deer	C+	220	$40	2.46	12,615
#89	Holmen	C+	197	$41	2.53	11,027
#90	Hobart	C+	198	$43	2.85	10,418
#91	Wauwatosa	C+	220	$48	2.46	47,718
#92	Franklin	C+	220	$46	2.46	35,751
#93	Oak Creek	C+	220	$49	2.46	36,473
#94	Shorewood	C+	220	$45	2.46	13,682
#95	Whitefish Bay	C+	220	$47	2.46	14,750
#96	Glendale	C+	220	$47	2.46	13,134

Frequently Asked Questions

In the default 96 representative cities (10k+ residents) view, Portage currently ranks first in Wisconsin. It posts a Paw Score grade of A, supported by 200 walkable days per year, comparatively solid vet access, and more manageable pet housing costs than many competing cities.

The cost varies, but the median pet rent surcharge across Wisconsin is approximately $37 per month. This is an extra fee piled onto your base rent, not including the one-time, often non-refundable, pet deposit. Renters with large breeds often face higher fees or outright exclusion in denser metro areas.

It depends on the city. Wisconsin does not have statewide BSL preemption, so individual municipalities may still regulate or ban certain breeds. Always verify local codes and lease rules before relocating with a restricted breed.