Can I Bring My Dog on DART light rail? (2026 Pet Policy)
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Can I bring my dog on DART light rail?
Dallas's light rail allows any pet that's secured in a proper container, the same rule across every line.
Checked against DART Light Rail's own published rules on .
The short answer Dogs in an enclosed carrier
Yes, if your pet is secured in a container sufficient to contain it. Otherwise only animals assisting or training to assist a person with a disability can ride.
- VerdictDogs in an enclosed carrier
- Pet feeNo pet fare is listed.
For every train in the country in one place, start at our can my dog ride the train guide. Nearby, families also ask about dogs on TEXRail (Trinity Metro), dogs on Houston METRORail, dogs on CapMetro Rail.
Quick check
Will my dog fit on DART Light Rail?
Pick a breed or enter your dog's weight. We check it against DART Light Rail's rule above.
DART Light Rail pet rules, line by line
- No animal on a vehicle unless it assists a person with a disability, is in training to do so, or is secured in a container sufficient to contain it.
Popular dog breeds on DART Light Rail
How the most popular breeds in the U.S. do against DART Light Rail's rule, using typical adult weights and a 4 lb carrier. Your dog may be lighter or heavier, so check its real weight above.
| Breed | Typical adult weight | Can it ride? | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poodle (Toy) | 4 to 6 lb | Yes | Must ride in an enclosed carrier you can carry. |
| Poodle (Miniature) | 10 to 15 lb | Yes | Must ride in an enclosed carrier you can carry. |
| Poodle (Standard) | 40 to 70 lb | No | Too big for a carrier that meets the rule. Must ride in an enclosed carrier you can carry. |
| French Bulldog | 16 to 28 lb | Maybe | Only if your dog fits a carrier that meets the rule. Must ride in an enclosed carrier you can carry. |
| Labrador Retriever | 55 to 80 lb | No | Too big for a carrier that meets the rule. Must ride in an enclosed carrier you can carry. |
| Golden Retriever | 55 to 75 lb | No | Too big for a carrier that meets the rule. Must ride in an enclosed carrier you can carry. |
| German Shepherd Dog | 50 to 90 lb | No | Too big for a carrier that meets the rule. Must ride in an enclosed carrier you can carry. |
| Dachshund (Miniature) | 8 to 11 lb | Yes | Must ride in an enclosed carrier you can carry. |
| Dachshund (Standard) | 16 to 32 lb | Maybe | Only if your dog fits a carrier that meets the rule. Must ride in an enclosed carrier you can carry. |
| Chihuahua | 2 to 6 lb | Yes | Must ride in an enclosed carrier you can carry. |
| Yorkshire Terrier | 4 to 7 lb | Yes | Must ride in an enclosed carrier you can carry. |
| Shih Tzu | 9 to 16 lb | Yes | Must ride in an enclosed carrier you can carry. |
| Pomeranian | 3 to 7 lb | Yes | Must ride in an enclosed carrier you can carry. |
| Cavalier King Charles Spaniel | 13 to 18 lb | Yes | Must ride in an enclosed carrier you can carry. |
| Beagle | 20 to 30 lb | Maybe | Only if your dog fits a carrier that meets the rule. Must ride in an enclosed carrier you can carry. |
| Goldendoodle (Miniature) | 15 to 35 lb | Maybe | Only if your dog fits a carrier that meets the rule. Must ride in an enclosed carrier you can carry. |
| Goldendoodle (Standard) | 50 to 90 lb | No | Too big for a carrier that meets the rule. Must ride in an enclosed carrier you can carry. |
| Siberian Husky | 35 to 60 lb | No | Too big for a carrier that meets the rule. Must ride in an enclosed carrier you can carry. |
| Boston Terrier | 12 to 25 lb | Maybe | Only if your dog fits a carrier that meets the rule. Must ride in an enclosed carrier you can carry. |
| Australian Shepherd | 40 to 65 lb | No | Too big for a carrier that meets the rule. Must ride in an enclosed carrier you can carry. |
| Miniature American Shepherd | 20 to 40 lb | Maybe | Only if your dog fits a carrier that meets the rule. Must ride in an enclosed carrier you can carry. |
| Maltese | 4 to 7 lb | Yes | Must ride in an enclosed carrier you can carry. |
| Havanese | 7 to 13 lb | Yes | Must ride in an enclosed carrier you can carry. |
| Miniature Schnauzer | 11 to 20 lb | Yes | Must ride in an enclosed carrier you can carry. |
| Pit Bull (American Pit Bull Terrier) | 30 to 60 lb | Maybe | Only if your dog fits a carrier that meets the rule. Must ride in an enclosed carrier you can carry. |
| American Staffordshire Terrier | 40 to 70 lb | No | Too big for a carrier that meets the rule. Must ride in an enclosed carrier you can carry. |
| Great Dane | 110 to 175 lb | No | Too big for a carrier that meets the rule. Must ride in an enclosed carrier you can carry. |
| Bulldog (English) | 40 to 50 lb | No | Too big for a carrier that meets the rule. Must ride in an enclosed carrier you can carry. |
| Pembroke Welsh Corgi | 24 to 30 lb | Maybe | Only if your dog fits a carrier that meets the rule. Must ride in an enclosed carrier you can carry. |
Service dogs on DART Light Rail
- Animals whose purpose is to assist a person with a disability ride without a container.
- DART's code also allows animals in training to assist a person with a disability.
Emotional support dogs: DART's exceptions are for animals assisting or training to assist a person with a disability, so other animals need a container. Our service dog guide explains the difference.
Tips for riding DART Light Rail with kids and a dog
- TEXRail and Trinity Metro in Fort Worth also take pets in approved carriers.
A page from Rally's ride
Mom comes back with a pretzel, and Rally sits and chews, happy as can be. On DART Light Rail, snacks are for people, but a small chew from home keeps a carrier-bound dog calm through the stops. The free coloring and activity pack has Rally's pretzel page for the ride.
Questions about dogs on DART Light Rail
Can I bring my dog on DART light rail?
Yes, if your pet is secured in a container sufficient to contain it. Otherwise only animals assisting or training to assist a person with a disability can ride.
Does my dog need a carrier on DART Light Rail?
Yes. On DART Light Rail a pet has to ride in an enclosed carrier. No size or weight limit is published, but you have to be able to carry it and keep it out of the aisle.
Can I bring an emotional support dog on DART Light Rail?
DART's exceptions are for animals assisting or training to assist a person with a disability, so other animals need a container.
Are service dogs allowed on DART Light Rail?
Animals whose purpose is to assist a person with a disability ride without a container. DART's code also allows animals in training to assist a person with a disability.
Can I bring a poodle on DART light rail?
Yes for Toy Poodles (4 to 6 lb). Must ride in an enclosed carrier you can carry. Yes for Miniature Poodles (10 to 15 lb). Must ride in an enclosed carrier you can carry. No for Standard Poodles (40 to 70 lb). Too big for a carrier that meets the rule. Must ride in an enclosed carrier you can carry. Trained service dogs of any breed can ride.
Can I bring a French Bulldog on DART light rail?
Maybe for a typical adult French Bulldog (16 to 28 lb). Only if your dog fits a carrier that meets the rule. Must ride in an enclosed carrier you can carry. Trained service dogs of any breed can ride.
Can I bring a golden retriever on DART light rail?
No for a typical adult Golden Retriever (55 to 75 lb). Too big for a carrier that meets the rule. Must ride in an enclosed carrier you can carry. Trained service dogs of any breed can ride.
Where these rules come from
- DART Code of Conduct (Sec. 2.02)(opens in a new tab)
Rules can change without notice, and crews have the final say on board. Check the operator's page before you ride. Rally Takes the Train isn't affiliated with Dallas Area Rapid Transit.
- Checked at the sourceEvery rule on this page comes from the railroad's own website, not a pet blog.
- Re-checked oftenPet rules change. We note the date we last checked each one at the top of the page.
- A real corgiRally is the family's actual dog, which is why we care whether he'd fit under the seat.
Bring Rally on every ride
A five-minute, hand-painted picture book about a corgi's first train trip. $13.99 on Amazon.