Mission
Our mission
Help people choose a dog that fits their life, live well with it, and go places together.
Woof Wag Nation helps people choose a dog that fits their life, live well with that dog, and find dog-friendly places to go together. It offers breed information, practical guidance for everyday life with a dog, and a national directory of dog-friendly places.
The site was founded by Cal Hewitt. It is for people who are curious about dogs or planning for one, and for the small dog-friendly businesses that welcome them.
What is Woof Wag Nation for?
The site covers three things: choosing a dog, living well with it, and finding places to go together. Each has its own corner of the site, and you can start in whichever one matches your question today.
If you are still deciding on a dog, begin with the breed hub. If you already share your home with one, the blog covers life with a dog. If you are planning an outing, the places directory lists parks, beaches, trails, restaurants and patios, breweries and hotels.
Why does fit matter when choosing a dog?
Because a dog is a long commitment, and a good match makes the daily routine easier for both of you. The ASPCA puts it this way: "Choose the dog that best fits your lifestyle." It also asks future owners to think about whether their circumstances may change, whether they have enough space and time, and whether they can pay for routine and unexpected costs.
The AKC points to the financial, schedule and lifestyle commitments of ownership, and its owner guidance names size, energy level, grooming, trainability and temperament. Our breed guides follow the same everyday factors, and they describe tendencies. Fit comes from your household and a dog's needs together.
How do I live well with the dog I have?
Once a dog is home, the questions become practical: exercise, grooming, training, time alone and the changes that come with moving, a new job or a growing family. The Humane Society of the United States describes ownership as a lifetime commitment, and dogs depend on people for their physical, social and emotional needs.
Our guides on life with a dog are written for these ordinary days. For services and safety questions, such as finding help or handling an emergency, our sister site DogServ is the place to go.
How do we go places together?
A good outing starts with knowing the rules. Dog-friendly can mean a patio but not the dining room, an off-leash hour but not an off-leash park, or a hotel room with a fee and a size limit.
The places directory lists the details that matter for each spot, so you can decide before you leave home. Businesses can claim a listing.
What is the next step?
Start choosing a dog that fits your life. The dog breeds section helps you turn your household into a shortlist of breeds to compare.
If you would rather get a nudge each week, try the newsletter. Questions or ideas are welcome at the contact page.