Can I Bring My Dog on The NYC Subway? (2026 Pet Policy)
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Can I bring my dog on the NYC Subway?
New York's rule is famous because people take it literally: the dog has to be in a bag or container. The MTA's own guide says exactly that, with no weight limit, as long as your fellow riders aren't bothered.
Checked against NYC Subway's own published rules on .
The short answer Dogs in an enclosed carrier
Yes, but your pet has to be in a bag or other container, carried in a way that doesn't annoy other riders. Leashed pet dogs can't ride.
- VerdictDogs in an enclosed 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 Long Island Rail Road, dogs on Metro-North Railroad, dogs on NJ TRANSIT Rail.
Quick check
Will my dog fit on NYC Subway?
Pick a breed or enter your dog's weight. We check it against NYC Subway's rule above.
NYC Subway pet rules, line by line
- Pets must be in a bag or other container and carried in a way that doesn't annoy other riders.
- The same rule applies on MTA buses.
- Service animals and working law enforcement animals are allowed at all times.
Popular dog breeds on NYC Subway
How the most popular breeds in the U.S. do against NYC Subway'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 NYC Subway
- Service animals are permitted in all MTA facilities. A service animal is usually, but not always, a dog trained to aid or guide a person with a disability.
- It stays under your control by harness, leash or tether, or by voice or signal if a tether would interfere.
- No identification is required for a service animal to ride.
Emotional support dogs: MTA's service animal policy covers animals trained to aid a person with a disability. Other animals, including emotional support animals, follow the container rule. Our service dog guide explains the difference.
Tips for riding NYC Subway with kids and a dog
- A structured pet backpack or tote keeps paws off the train floor and counts as a container.
- Big dogs can't ride the subway on a leash. If the dog won't fit in a container you can carry, Metro-North is the regional train that allows leashed dogs.
- Elevators are limited in many stations. Check before you go with a heavy carrier.
A page from Rally's ride
The scariest page in Rally's book is the tunnel: dark, loud, nothing to see, until a bright light and the beach appear on the other side. NYC Subway has its own dark stretches and loud moments, and a dog in a carrier feels them too. Talking through Rally's tunnel with kids first, and covering the carrier with a light towel, helps everyone. The tunnel page is in our free coloring and activity pack.
Questions about dogs on NYC Subway
Can I bring my dog on the NYC Subway?
Yes, but your pet has to be in a bag or other container, carried in a way that doesn't annoy other riders. Leashed pet dogs can't ride.
Does my dog need a carrier on NYC Subway?
Yes. On NYC Subway 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 NYC Subway?
MTA's service animal policy covers animals trained to aid a person with a disability. Other animals, including emotional support animals, follow the container rule.
Are service dogs allowed on NYC Subway?
Service animals are permitted in all MTA facilities. A service animal is usually, but not always, a dog trained to aid or guide a person with a disability. It stays under your control by harness, leash or tether, or by voice or signal if a tether would interfere.
Can a big dog ride the NYC subway?
Only if it's in a bag or other container that you carry without annoying other riders. MTA doesn't publish a weight limit, but leashed pet dogs aren't allowed on the subway. Service animals of any size can ride.
Can I bring a poodle on the NYC Subway?
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 the NYC Subway?
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 the NYC Subway?
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
- 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 New York City 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.