Dog owners in Mississauga and Brampton may have something to bark about, with both cities landing on a new list of Canada’s best places for dog walks, with some interesting breeds making their mark locally.

A new guide from pet-care company Rover and real estate firm Redfin ranked 11 Canadian cities based on their walkability and local dog-breed data. Mississauga placed fifth, while Brampton came in 10th.

But the rankings aren’t the only interesting part. The companies also looked at which breeds are popular in each city and which ones are gaining ground.

In Mississauga and Brampton, the Cockapoo — a cross between a Cocker Spaniel and a Poodle — is the most popular breed in the report’s local data.

However, the breeds experiencing the biggest year-over-year growth are different in each city.

In Mississauga, Boston Terriers are trending, with a 78 per cent increase in the number of pets added to Rover’s data compared with the previous year.

In Brampton, Miniature Schnauzers are gaining popularity, recording a 232 per cent increase.

The figures are based on Rover’s user-submitted breed data as of August 2026. The company determined trending breeds using year-over-year growth, requiring a minimum of 10 pets added during 2026.

Mississauga and Brampton aren’t the only Ontario communities on the list.

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Hamilton ranked fourth nationally, Toronto placed third, Ottawa came in ninth and Cambridge rounded out the rankings in 11th place.

Vancouver topped the list with a Walk Score of 79.8, followed by Montreal at 65.4 and Toronto at 61. Hamilton scored 49.6, just ahead of Mississauga at 48.9.

Brampton recorded a score of 42.5, while Ottawa scored 45.1 and Cambridge scored 33.

The rankings combine Redfin’s Walk Score — a measure of how easily residents can reach nearby amenities on foot — with Rover’s dog-breed data. The guide is intended to help pet owners consider how well a city might suit their four-legged companions.

Walk Score takes into account factors including the distance to amenities, population density and street layout. Nearby destinations that can be reached on foot contribute to a higher score.

The findings don’t measure how frequently residents actually walk their dogs, but they offer a look at how pedestrian-friendly different cities are for people who want to get out and about with their pets.

While some breeds are trending quickly, the Golden Retriever remains a popular choice across Canada.

The breed was the most popular in six of the 11 cities included in the report. Other popular breeds included the Labrador Retriever in Surrey and Ottawa, and the Goldendoodle in Winnipeg.

Elsewhere, the breed trends were varied. Hamilton saw a 233 per cent increase in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, while Cambridge recorded a 347 per cent increase in Siberian Huskies.

Toronto’s fastest-growing breed was the Australian Kelpie, which saw a 908 per cent increase in Rover’s data.

The findings are a reminder that choosing a home or neighbourhood can involve more than commute times and access to shopping. For pet owners, nearby walking routes and places to explore with a dog can also be part of the equation.

And if you’re a dog owner in Mississauga or Brampton, you may just find yourself sharing the sidewalk with plenty of Cockapoos alongside a growing number of Boston Terriers or Miniature Schnauzers.

 


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