Nearly half of Americans don’t want pets in public places

Your dog may be your best friend, but that doesn’t mean everyone wants to see them: Workplaces, coffee shops and grocery stores are among the top places Americans don’t want pets, according to new research.

The survey of 2,000 Americans by Talker Research found that while plenty of people love pets, that affection only extends so far.

Restaurants are the biggest no-go, with nearly half of Americans (48%) saying they’d be irritated to see a dog while sitting down to eat.

Grocery stores weren’t too far behind, with 45% saying they don’t want to see pets there, followed by coffee shops (32%).

Workplaces and office spaces (29%), airplanes (27%), stadiums (26%) and public transit (22%) also made the list.

Even hotels and public beaches aren’t universally considered pet-friendly. Eighteen percent said they don’t want to see pets at either location.

Age also appears to play a role, with older Americans being generally less tolerant of pets in public spaces than younger Americans.

Baby boomers were twice as likely as Gen Z respondents to say they don’t want pets on airplanes (32% vs. 16%).

They were also nearly three times as likely to be against seeing pets in arenas and stadiums (33% vs. 13%).

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But while pet owners may be too often guilty of taking them to human-preferred spaces, they are certainly not lacking in creative names. Nearly six in 10 pet owners (59%) believe their furry friend has a “very unique” name.

When asked to give that very unique name, these same respondents did not disappoint in the slightest.

Among the standouts were “Apple Cider Wigglebottoms,” “Jiggly Pufferbelly,” “Samuel L. Borkson,” “Poopski Runtski,” “Cat Cobain” and “Copper Dixon Superdog.”

And when it comes to America’s favorite dogs, one breed comes out on top. The golden retriever took the crown, with 21% naming it among their favorites.

German shepherds and Labrador retrievers were second and third, at 15% each, followed by Chihuahuas and Siberian huskies at 10%.

TOP 10 PLACES YOU SHOULDN’T BRING YOUR PET

1. Restaurants                                   48%
2. Grocery stores                              45%
3. Doctor offices/hospitals          39%
4. Coffee shops                                  32%
5. Workplaces/office spaces       29%
6. Airplanes                                       27%
7. Arenas/stadiums                       26%
8. Public transit                               22%
9. Hotels                                            18%
10. Public beaches                           18%

AMERICA’S TOP 10 FAVORITE DOG BREEDS

1. Golden retriever            21%
2. German shepherd         15%
3. Labrador retriever        15%
4. Chihuahua                      10%
5. Siberian husky               10%
6. Beagle                               8%
7. Shih tzu                            8%
8. Yorkshire terrier           8%
9. Border collie                  8%
10. Poodle                              7%

Research methodology:

Talker Research surveyed 2,000 general population Americans; the survey was administered and conducted online by Talker Research between Aug. 13 and Aug. 19, 2026. A link to the questionnaire can be found here.

To view the complete methodology as part of AAPOR’s Transparency Initiative, please visit the Talker Research Process and Methodology page.