Above: Clyde & Flynn McNeeley.
Whether it’s Pippin patrolling the halls at Codman Academy, Luna licking up a pup cup at Espresso East, or Bailey among the books at the Adams Street Branch of the Boston Public Library, dogs seem to be just about everywhere these days in Dorchester.
It was only last year that Walter (below) the golden retriever was a real contender in the neighborhood’s honorary mayoral contest, losing narrowly to Bridget McDonough.
So, when did Dorchester start to wag its way into being Dogchester?
According to data kept by the City of Boston, there were 13,272 dogs registered in the city in 2025, with 1,736 of them in Dorchester. The city keeps track of the most common dog names. Last year’s list has the top five as Luna, Bella, Milo, Max, and Teddy.
Mark Walter, a longtime Dorchester resident and co-owner of the Pooped Pooch pet store in Lower Mills, says “there’s always been a good number of dogs in Dorchester,” and adds, “There’s probably about twice as many in this neighborhood as there were five years ago.”
Walter would know. At the Pooped Pooch, he and his husband, Mark Armour, offer the products and services they use for their three pups, Gilly, Kiara, and Alex. “I like to know what’s in each of the products that we sell. There is nothing in here that we wouldn’t use on my own animals,” Walter told The Reporter.
Above, Mark Walter, a longtime Dorchester resident and co-owner of the Pooped Pooch in his pet store in Lower Mills. Cassidy McNeeley photo
“We try to focus on more independent brands, sort of the ones that aren’t owned by big human food companies. I like companies that make their own food and their own plants.”
The best seller at both locations is Fromm, a fifth-generation, family-owned food company based in Wisconsin. In addition to food, they sell toys, leashes, and collars, and offer services such as dog/puppy walks, pet visits, crate-less overnight care, and daycare.
“The people that come in, they meet each other through their dogs, and it’s like a connection that can lead to even better friendships,” he said. “I know people who meet up just to take their dogs out together. It’s definitely a community, and having a dog makes you a part of the community.”
Dr. Edward Schettino, the president and CEO of the Animal Rescue League of Boston(ARL), agrees.
“Seventy percent of pet parents say that owning a pet makes them more invested in their community,” he said. “When you’re invested in your community, you have a healthier community.”
Sometimes raising a dog truly takes an entire community of caretakers. Mark Masterson, CEO and partner at Paws to Consider, says that’s been evident in the growth of his business. His team purchased the Dorchester Dog Walking Company two years ago. “Dorchester has changed so much in the past 10 years, specifically. It’s bringing in young professionals and young couples; it’s a place that’s great to raise a family now,” he said Masterson.
Luna waited patiently for a pup cup at Espresso East last month. Cassidy McNeeley photo
“They have dogs, but they also have a lot of responsibilities. They have a lot of work pressure. And if they’re going to be gone 8, 10, 12, 15 hours a day and they still want to have the satisfaction of having a pet, then they need help.
“Without somebody like Paws to be able to jump in and come by in the middle of the day and make sure their dog is getting relief and exercise and stimulation, socialization, they’re just not going to be able to have that dog.”
“If you’ve never owned a dog, you don’t understand what it’s like to walk in your house after a long day of work and just receive unconditional love. No matter what you’ve done that day, how stressful it’s been, how hard work is, or whatever it is you do with your life, when you come home, there’s no better feeling than that dog.”
Schettino notes that there’s is some science behind this emotional response. “Ninety-seven percent of doctors say there’s a health benefit of owning a dog. Dogs help reduce health conditions such as obesity, and they contribute to improving mental health, especially among veterans, seniors, and children.”
“We provide temporary pet housing for individuals and families that are in some type of crisis, whether that is housing instability, medical needs, domestic violence, you name it,”he said.
ARL offers an array of resources, including its Wellness Waggin’ on Claybourne Street and its Keep Pets S.A.F.E. (Supporting Animals and Families Everyday) program.
“We can take care of people’s dogs for up to four months. There’s no cost associated with anybody; we work within our network of foster families.”
The program also delivers pet food and supplies to families in need. According to Schettino, about two-thirds of the Keep Pets S.A.F.E. clients are in Dorchester. This year, there has been a dramatic increase in service requests, with calls for dog food up 11 percent from a year ago.
“Since we started all of our programs in Dorchester, we have helped over 10,000 pets,” he said last week. “We want to do everything we can to keep pets in their homes with their family; that is our true mission, especially in Dorchester.”
Folks in Dorchester apparently don’t want to keep their dogs at home. The evidence shows that they want to take them out with them to experience all that the neighborhood has to offer.
Thanks to business owners and dog dads like Matt Malloy— the owner of Mass Ave’s Dorchester Brewing Company— that’s increasingly possible.
“A lot of the staff have dogs, and they love having dogs here. Breweries are very human experiences, and you get to celebrate who you are and having a pet.” He added, “It’s hard enough owning a dog, and to be able to bring your dog someplace where they’re welcomed is very relaxing and reassuring.”
“We are as dog friendly as we are allowed to be within the city of Boston,” he notes. “We have two decks that you can take your puppers to,” said the dog dad to Labrador Retriever (the most popular dog breed in Dorchester) Aubie.
Pippin, a 3-year-old pure-bred boxer, is the most recent, and arguably the cutest, addition to the Codman Academy charter school’s staff roster. Formerly a competitive show dog, Pippin began his new position as the school’s “facility dog” in February. Cassidy McNeeley photo
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