Have you noticed there are a lot of dogs in Fairfax County? Whether you have lived in Fairfax County for a while or are new here, many of the 880,416 adults in the county view their dogs as family members. According to the county, in 2024, there are 87,000 registered canine fur pals. That means one dog per nearly ten adults in the county. For two-adult households, the ratio increases to one in five. And doesn’t it seem like more?

It is not unusual to see dogs at restaurants, breweries, stores, parks, historic sites, and events in Fairfax County, some even specifically for dogs. In the spring, the Mount Vernon District Ides of Bark features games, awards, food, events, and health evaluations. There are yearly dog swim events in the fall when the county's pools close for the season.

Supervisor Kathy Smith, Sully District, said she and her family have an eight-month-old Great Dane, and he is growing fast — already 120 pounds. “We are learning all about him, and he is learning about us as well. I encourage everyone to bring their dogs to Parktoberfest on Oct. 5 in EC Lawrence Park. There will be food, vendors, music, and a relaxing atmosphere,” said Smith.

Don’t miss the Braddock Bark festival in May. 

The Howl-o-Ween Dog Festival by the Reston Association is coming up on Saturday, Oct. 19. Dog owners can enjoy “Yappy Hour” with alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. Human and pet visits with Santa always prove fun for people and pets.

Where are some of Fairfax County's dog-friendly dog parks?

Leashed dogs are always welcome in all Fairfax County Park Authority's parks. Owners of well-mannered dogs who enjoy a calm run or friendly romp can take advantage of the county's dog parks. A sample of dog parks and restaurants in Fairfax County follows. Visit https://www.fxva.com/blog/post/dog-parks-in-fairfax-county/ for the full list of dog parks, dog-friendly restaurants, pet-friendly hotels, and pet-friendly travel ideas.

Dog Parks

* Alexandria: Grist Mill, 4710 Mount Vernon Memorial Hwy. Picturesque surroundings offer seventy-five acres of playing fields, garden plots, playgrounds, trails, and more.

* Burke: Monticello, 5315 Guinea St. The gravel surface has designated areas for large and small dogs, water bowls, and benches for humans. Children can visit the outdoor fitness "playground" and Challenge Course.

* Chantilly: Rock Hill District, 15150 Old Lee Rd. A large area for dogs on a gravel/dirt surface adjacent to the enclosed dog park is a large grassy area and a lake. Bring water.

* Fairfax City: 11000 Berry St. There are water fountains for the pups, park benches, and a fenced exercise/run area.

* Herndon: Chandon, 900 Palmer Ave. There is a fenced-in gravel/dirt play area, additional space for small dogs under 25 lbs, restrooms, and a water source.

* Oakton: 10033 Blake Ln. Smaller Park offers a grassy, fenced-in field area with no water. 

* Reston: 11300 Baron Cameron Ave. There are two designated spaces for big and small dogs, a gravel or dirt play area, a water supply, and communal bowls and toys. Other facilities include restrooms and sports fields.

* Springfield: 7550 Reservation Dr. South Run has one large play area.

* Tysons: 1600 Capital One Dr. Eleven stories in the air, designed with artificial turf to maintain clean paws.

* Vienna: 700 Courthouse Rd. SW in Moorefield Park, nearly 10 acres of land

More information at https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/offleash 

What about some dog-friendly restaurants in Fairfax County?

* Reston Lake Anne: Kalypso's Sports Tavern

* Fairfax: Hamrock's Restaurant

* Chantilly: Mellow Mushroom stone-baked pizza

* Clifton Cafe: A European bistro with a patio

* Great Falls: Mookie's BBQ

* Herndon: Jimmy's Old Town Tavern has the best wings in Virginia.

* Vienna: Bear Branch Tavern 

Can my dog come with me on the Fairfax Connector and Metro?

In Fairfax County, Fairfax Connector provides bus service. Riders can transport small dogs and animals in a closed pet carrier. The buses permit the use of service animals. For more information about Fairfax Connector: https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/connector. WMATA provides transit services throughout the metropolitan Washington region, including Metrorail, Metrobus, and MetroAccess. You can transport a pet on Metrorail and Metrobus if you keep it in a secure container. WMATA permits the use of service animals. For more information about WMATA, visit https://wmata.com.