Orlando is the top dog-friendly city in the U.S. due to its number of restaurants, hotels and parks that will accommodate pets, plus the tally of vets and animal shelters in Central Florida.

This designation is according to data gathered by SIXT, a car rental company, which put the City Beautiful at the top of the list, right above Tampa.

The research shows that Orlando has 334 restaurants, 535 hotels and 15 parks that are all set up to welcome furry friends, plus 110 veterinarians and 16 animal shelters.

The numbers don’t even factor in the local enthusiasm for canine companions.

“We have the largest dog festival in the country, Paws in the Park. We’re very proud of that,” said Stephen Bardy, the executive director of Pet Alliance. “We had close to 18,000 people attend last year.”

He pointed to places like Winter Park or downtown Orlando as some of Central Florida’s pup-friendly hotspots.

“People love being able to take their dogs to Winter Park on the weekend along Park Avenue,” he said. “There are so many places where you see people eating outside with their dogs.”

Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer said the city has grown in its status as a dog-friendly destination in recent years.

“As the most-visited vacation destination in the country, our region hosts visitors from around the world and provides them with unique and memorable experiences,” he said in an email statement. “Over the last few years, our commitment to inclusion has extended to their four-legged friends. Through our amenities and hospitality, Orlando is also welcoming place for those traveling with dogs to explore our community.”

SIXT’s research shows that pet-friendly vacations have increased by 94% in the past quarter, and searches for “pet-friendly accommodations” have increased by 207% in the past quarter.

Other cities on the top 15 list include Cincinnati, St. Petersburg, St. Louis, Minneapolis, Boise, Pittsburgh, Raleigh and New Orleans.

Within the City Beautiful, one pet-friendly hangout is helping to drive the trend.

“I would say Pups Pub is the most pet-friendly place that you could ever go to,” said Alex Wright, one of the owners of the downtown Orlando bar. “People really love it. We’re a full liquor sports bar and an off-leash dog park, plus a dog daycare Monday to Friday.”

Wright said there are thousands of dog-friendly apartment units within several blocks of Pups Pub.

Pet Alliance previously offered a “Hound Around Town” program for volunteers to take shelter dogs on errands and out to restaurants for a day. The nonprofit hopes to bring back the program upon opening its new shelter late next summer.

Orlando’s Harry P. Leu Gardens, normally not open to dogs, hosted a Dog Day in March, where hundreds of dogs enjoyed a stroll around the 50-acre gardens with their owners. The next Dog Day at Leu Gardens will be Oct. 12.

Dog enthusiasts are encouraged to see the growth in pet-friendly amenities.

“People love their dogs and, hopefully, there will be more dog amenities that continue to develop,” Wright said.

Find me @PConnPie on Instagram or send me an email: pconnolly@orlandosentinel.com.