The day I visited Stray Dog Brewing Company in Orleans (Ottawa), Ontario, I missed the monthly Bernese Mountain Dog meet-up by two days. While it would have made for great photos, I’m ok visiting on a quieter day with my spaniel when there was only one other dog visiting. And there’s usually at least one dog visiting. Stray Dog Brewing Company loves dogs – no surprise considering the brew pub’s name.

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Dog-friendly Stray Dog Brewing Company

Dogs are permitted on both the outdoor patio – a fenced area in the parking lot – and indoors. Located on an industrial street, the craft brewery’s narrow tap room contains about a dozen tables and a couple of couches for sitting and sipping, Friends style. The place has the laid-back vibe of a university campus pub inside and a neighbourhood hangout outside – wooden floors, round table bistro seating, and a chalkboard beer menu.

Like trivia? Stray Dog Brewing Company host trivia nights every Wednesday (reservations required), but if you miss those, pick up a card game on select tables. They’ve got one specifically about dogs (affiliate link).

Opened in 2017, Stray Dog Brewing Company was the first microbrewery to open in Orleans after two home brewers, Justin MacNeill and Marc Plante, combined forces to pursue their dream. The microbrewery offers the following in the pub or to take out:

• Boombox 2024 Session IPA
• Northern Lite Light Beer
• Jeanne D’ark Oatmeal Stout
• Shaggin’ Wagon New England IPA
• This One California Common

Another advantage of dropping in for a pint with your pup is often there’s a special brew on tap. For instance, I tried a citrus-infused beer available in the taproom only because it can’t be canned. My pup, for the most part, sat quietly near me but answered back when another dog barked. Otherwise, she enjoyed some attention from other visitors and was patient enough to permit me to finish one beer.

Note that the brewery doesn’t serve food, but you can bring your own or order delivery. There’s a bistro next door, but it was closed the day I visited.

Dog-friendly Orleans (Ottawa)

The Stray Dog Brewing Company was one relaxing stop during our dog-friendly visit to Ottawa. (Orleans is now part of Ottawa, Ontario since amalgamation in 2001; however, it’s still referred to by the village name). This was my first visit to Canada’s capital when I didn’t go downtown to the market or parliament buildings – though it’s a great place to walk the dog.

Dogtopia of Orleans …. UPDATE: Now closed

Update: Unfortunately, Dogtopia of Orleans closed permanently October 2024. The other reason I’m in Orleans outside of Ottawa is because my dog spent the day at Dogtopia of Orleans, a recently opened Dogtopia franchise. My pup boards at Dogtopia of Burlington regularly, making it easier for me to utilize the services of other Dogtopia outlets while travelling.

If you’re travelling and need a day to attend attractions (or a conference), utilizing a doggie daycare service can be useful. Since Dogtopias are open weekdays from 7 am to 7 pm, this is a good option, though usually requires pre-booking.

Princess Louise Falls

I’m sorry I missed this on my visit, but locals told me that Princess Louise Falls is about 1.2 km from Stray Dog Brewing Company. The falls is part natural and part human-made – water streams down several tiers of evenly constructed rock – it’s part of a river system buried underground to permit suburban home construction. The easiest way to access the falls is to enter off St. Joseph Blvd between 10^th Line Road and Trim Road in Orleans. Note that leashes are required to walk the trails.