Can I Bring My Dog on The LIRR? (2026 Pet Policy)
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Dogs on trains · Commuter rail
Can I bring my dog on the LIRR?
The LIRR is stricter than its sister railroad. Metro-North allows leashed dogs, but on the Long Island Rail Road the pet has to fit in a container on your lap.
Checked against Long Island Rail Road's own published rules on .
The short answer Small dogs in a lap carrier
Yes, in a container that fits on your lap, carried so it doesn't annoy other riders.
- VerdictSmall dogs in a lap carrier
- Pet feeNo pet fare.
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 NYC Subway, dogs on Metro-North Railroad, dogs on NJ TRANSIT Rail.
Quick check
Will my dog fit on Long Island Rail Road?
Pick a breed or enter your dog's weight. We check it against Long Island Rail Road's rule above.
Long Island Rail Road pet rules, line by line
- Your pet must be in a container that can fit on your lap and be carried in a way that doesn't annoy other riders.
- MTA Police have reminded officers that only service dogs may ride the LIRR or be in Penn Station without carriers.
Popular dog breeds on Long Island Rail Road
How the most popular breeds in the U.S. do against Long Island Rail Road'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 | Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. |
| Poodle (Miniature) | 10 to 15 lb | Yes | Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. |
| Poodle (Standard) | 40 to 70 lb | No | Too big for a carrier that meets the rule. Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. |
| French Bulldog | 16 to 28 lb | Maybe | Only if your dog fits a carrier that meets the rule. Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. |
| Labrador Retriever | 55 to 80 lb | No | Too big for a carrier that meets the rule. Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. |
| Golden Retriever | 55 to 75 lb | No | Too big for a carrier that meets the rule. Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. |
| German Shepherd Dog | 50 to 90 lb | No | Too big for a carrier that meets the rule. Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. |
| Dachshund (Miniature) | 8 to 11 lb | Yes | Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. |
| Dachshund (Standard) | 16 to 32 lb | Maybe | Only if your dog fits a carrier that meets the rule. Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. |
| Chihuahua | 2 to 6 lb | Yes | Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. |
| Yorkshire Terrier | 4 to 7 lb | Yes | Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. |
| Shih Tzu | 9 to 16 lb | Yes | Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. |
| Pomeranian | 3 to 7 lb | Yes | Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. |
| Cavalier King Charles Spaniel | 13 to 18 lb | Yes | Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. |
| Beagle | 20 to 30 lb | Maybe | Only if your dog fits a carrier that meets the rule. Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. |
| Goldendoodle (Miniature) | 15 to 35 lb | Maybe | Only if your dog fits a carrier that meets the rule. Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. |
| Goldendoodle (Standard) | 50 to 90 lb | No | Too big for a carrier that meets the rule. Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. |
| Siberian Husky | 35 to 60 lb | No | Too big for a carrier that meets the rule. Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. |
| Boston Terrier | 12 to 25 lb | Maybe | Only if your dog fits a carrier that meets the rule. Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. |
| Australian Shepherd | 40 to 65 lb | No | Too big for a carrier that meets the rule. Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. |
| Miniature American Shepherd | 20 to 40 lb | Maybe | Only if your dog fits a carrier that meets the rule. Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. |
| Maltese | 4 to 7 lb | Yes | Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. |
| Havanese | 7 to 13 lb | Yes | Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. |
| Miniature Schnauzer | 11 to 20 lb | Maybe | Only if your dog fits a carrier that meets the rule. Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. |
| Pit Bull (American Pit Bull Terrier) | 30 to 60 lb | No | Too big for a carrier that meets the rule. Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. |
| American Staffordshire Terrier | 40 to 70 lb | No | Too big for a carrier that meets the rule. Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. |
| Great Dane | 110 to 175 lb | No | Too big for a carrier that meets the rule. Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. |
| Bulldog (English) | 40 to 50 lb | No | Too big for a carrier that meets the rule. Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. |
| Pembroke Welsh Corgi | 24 to 30 lb | No | Too big for a carrier that meets the rule. Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. |
Service dogs on Long Island Rail Road
- Service animals ride in all MTA facilities, under control by leash, harness or tether, with no ID required.
Emotional support dogs: Emotional support animals follow the lap-container rule. Our service dog guide explains the difference.
Tips for riding Long Island Rail Road with kids and a dog
- MTA Police have reminded officers that at Penn Station, only service dogs go without carriers.
- Summer beach trains to Montauk and Long Beach fill up, so a soft carrier that fits your lap is the way to go.
A page from Rally's ride
Rally spends most of his ride with his nose to the glass, saying hello to a seagull. Whatever your dog's spot on Long Island Rail Road turns out to be, a few minutes at the window before the trip, looking at the pictures together, helps kids know what's coming. Our free coloring and activity pack starts with that window page.
Questions about dogs on Long Island Rail Road
Can I bring my dog on the LIRR?
Yes, in a container that fits on your lap, carried so it doesn't annoy other riders.
Does my dog need a carrier on Long Island Rail Road?
Yes. On Long Island Rail Road a pet has to ride in an enclosed carrier small enough for your lap or under the seat. No weight number is published, so the carrier size decides it.
Can I bring an emotional support dog on Long Island Rail Road?
Emotional support animals follow the lap-container rule.
Are service dogs allowed on Long Island Rail Road?
Service animals ride in all MTA facilities, under control by leash, harness or tether, with no ID required.
Is the LIRR pet rule the same as Metro-North?
No. On the LIRR your pet must be in a container that fits on your lap. Metro-North also allows pets securely controlled on a leash.
Can I bring a poodle on the LIRR?
Yes for Toy Poodles (4 to 6 lb). Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. Yes for Miniature Poodles (10 to 15 lb). Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. No for Standard Poodles (40 to 70 lb). Too big for a carrier that meets the rule. Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. Trained service dogs of any breed can ride.
Can I bring a French Bulldog on the LIRR?
Maybe for a typical adult French Bulldog (16 to 28 lb). Only if your dog fits a carrier that meets the rule. Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. Trained service dogs of any breed can ride.
Can I bring a golden retriever on the LIRR?
No for a typical adult Golden Retriever (55 to 75 lb). Too big for a carrier that meets the rule. Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. Trained service dogs of any breed can ride.
Where these rules come from
- MTA: Pets on subways, buses and railroads(opens in a new tab)
- MTA: Service animals(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 MTA Long Island Rail Road.
- 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.