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Dogs on trains · Subway, streetcar and bus
Can I bring my dog on the TTC?
Toronto lets dogs ride the subway and streetcars on a leash, but By-law No. 1 bans all animals, even in carriers, during weekday rush hours.
Last checked against Toronto Transit Commission's own published rules on . Last updated .
The short answer Leashed dogs off-peak
Yes, outside weekday peak hours. TTC By-law No. 1 lets you bring a dog on a leash or in an enclosed carrier on the subway, streetcars and buses, but no pet animals at all on weekdays from 6:30 to 10 a.m. and 3:30 to 7 p.m. Weekends have no peak-hour ban, and service animals can ride any time.
- VerdictLeashed dogs off-peak
- Pet feeNo pet fare listed
For every train in one place, start at our can my dog ride the train guide. Nearby, families also ask about dogs on VIA Rail, dogs on GO Transit, dogs on Amtrak.
Quick check
Will my dog fit on TTC (Toronto)?
Pick a breed or enter your dog's weight. We check it against TTC (Toronto)'s rule above.
TTC (Toronto) pet rules, line by line
- No person may travel on the transit system with an animal during peak hours (By-law No. 1, s. 3.1(a)); this applies even to animals in carriers.
- Peak hours are defined as 6:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, or other times set by the TTC.
- Outside peak hours, an animal must be on a leash and under your control, or in an enclosed container that stays secured the whole time.
- In either case the animal must not inconvenience or jeopardize the safety of other passengers or TTC employees.
- Breaking the by-law is an offence with a fine under Ontario's Provincial Offences Act, and staff may remove you from the system.
- Wheel-Trans has its own policy: pets must be on a leash or in a pet carrier, animals sit on the floor or your lap, and you must declare the animal when booking.
“No person shall: a) travel on the transit system with an animal during peak hours”
From Toronto Transit Commission's published rules.
Popular dog breeds on TTC (Toronto)
How the most popular breeds in the U.S. do against TTC (Toronto)'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 | Leashed dogs or pets in an enclosed carrier ride only outside weekday peak hours; no animals at all at peak except service animals. |
| Poodle (Miniature) | 10 to 15 lb | Yes | Leashed dogs or pets in an enclosed carrier ride only outside weekday peak hours; no animals at all at peak except service animals. |
| Poodle (Standard) | 40 to 70 lb | Yes | Leashed dogs or pets in an enclosed carrier ride only outside weekday peak hours; no animals at all at peak except service animals. |
| French Bulldog | 16 to 28 lb | Yes | Leashed dogs or pets in an enclosed carrier ride only outside weekday peak hours; no animals at all at peak except service animals. |
| Labrador Retriever | 55 to 80 lb | Yes | Leashed dogs or pets in an enclosed carrier ride only outside weekday peak hours; no animals at all at peak except service animals. |
| Golden Retriever | 55 to 75 lb | Yes | Leashed dogs or pets in an enclosed carrier ride only outside weekday peak hours; no animals at all at peak except service animals. |
| German Shepherd Dog | 50 to 90 lb | Yes | Leashed dogs or pets in an enclosed carrier ride only outside weekday peak hours; no animals at all at peak except service animals. |
| Dachshund (Miniature) | 8 to 11 lb | Yes | Leashed dogs or pets in an enclosed carrier ride only outside weekday peak hours; no animals at all at peak except service animals. |
| Dachshund (Standard) | 16 to 32 lb | Yes | Leashed dogs or pets in an enclosed carrier ride only outside weekday peak hours; no animals at all at peak except service animals. |
| Chihuahua | 2 to 6 lb | Yes | Leashed dogs or pets in an enclosed carrier ride only outside weekday peak hours; no animals at all at peak except service animals. |
| Yorkshire Terrier | 4 to 7 lb | Yes | Leashed dogs or pets in an enclosed carrier ride only outside weekday peak hours; no animals at all at peak except service animals. |
| Shih Tzu | 9 to 16 lb | Yes | Leashed dogs or pets in an enclosed carrier ride only outside weekday peak hours; no animals at all at peak except service animals. |
| Pomeranian | 3 to 7 lb | Yes | Leashed dogs or pets in an enclosed carrier ride only outside weekday peak hours; no animals at all at peak except service animals. |
| Cavalier King Charles Spaniel | 13 to 18 lb | Yes | Leashed dogs or pets in an enclosed carrier ride only outside weekday peak hours; no animals at all at peak except service animals. |
| Beagle | 20 to 30 lb | Yes | Leashed dogs or pets in an enclosed carrier ride only outside weekday peak hours; no animals at all at peak except service animals. |
| Goldendoodle (Miniature) | 15 to 35 lb | Yes | Leashed dogs or pets in an enclosed carrier ride only outside weekday peak hours; no animals at all at peak except service animals. |
| Goldendoodle (Standard) | 50 to 90 lb | Yes | Leashed dogs or pets in an enclosed carrier ride only outside weekday peak hours; no animals at all at peak except service animals. |
| Siberian Husky | 35 to 60 lb | Yes | Leashed dogs or pets in an enclosed carrier ride only outside weekday peak hours; no animals at all at peak except service animals. |
| Boston Terrier | 12 to 25 lb | Yes | Leashed dogs or pets in an enclosed carrier ride only outside weekday peak hours; no animals at all at peak except service animals. |
| Australian Shepherd | 40 to 65 lb | Yes | Leashed dogs or pets in an enclosed carrier ride only outside weekday peak hours; no animals at all at peak except service animals. |
| Miniature American Shepherd | 20 to 40 lb | Yes | Leashed dogs or pets in an enclosed carrier ride only outside weekday peak hours; no animals at all at peak except service animals. |
| Maltese | 4 to 7 lb | Yes | Leashed dogs or pets in an enclosed carrier ride only outside weekday peak hours; no animals at all at peak except service animals. |
| Havanese | 7 to 13 lb | Yes | Leashed dogs or pets in an enclosed carrier ride only outside weekday peak hours; no animals at all at peak except service animals. |
| Miniature Schnauzer | 11 to 20 lb | Yes | Leashed dogs or pets in an enclosed carrier ride only outside weekday peak hours; no animals at all at peak except service animals. |
| Pit Bull (American Pit Bull Terrier) | 30 to 60 lb | Yes | Leashed dogs or pets in an enclosed carrier ride only outside weekday peak hours; no animals at all at peak except service animals. |
| American Staffordshire Terrier | 40 to 70 lb | Yes | Leashed dogs or pets in an enclosed carrier ride only outside weekday peak hours; no animals at all at peak except service animals. |
| Great Dane | 110 to 175 lb | Yes | Leashed dogs or pets in an enclosed carrier ride only outside weekday peak hours; no animals at all at peak except service animals. |
| Bulldog (English) | 40 to 50 lb | Yes | Leashed dogs or pets in an enclosed carrier ride only outside weekday peak hours; no animals at all at peak except service animals. |
| Pembroke Welsh Corgi | 24 to 30 lb | Yes | Leashed dogs or pets in an enclosed carrier ride only outside weekday peak hours; no animals at all at peak except service animals. |
Service dogs on TTC (Toronto)
- Guide dogs and service animals are exempt from the animal rules and may ride any time, including peak hours, if they stay under the passenger's control (By-law No. 1, s. 3.2).
- Both terms use the definitions in Ontario Regulation 429/07 under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005.
- The TTC accessible customer service policy says people with disabilities accompanied by service animals may access all public areas of the TTC.
- On Wheel-Trans, a service animal is recognized if the need is readily apparent or a physician or nurse letter confirms it; say you are travelling with the animal when booking.
Emotional support dogs: The subway, streetcar and bus by-law does not mention emotional support animals, so they follow the regular animal rules (off-peak only, leashed or in a carrier). Wheel-Trans accepts emotional support animals with medical documents from a physician or nurse. Our service dog guide explains the difference.
Tips for riding TTC (Toronto) with kids and a dog
- Plan dog trips for weekends or the weekday window of 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. or after 7 p.m., since even a pet in a carrier is not allowed at peak.
- If you connect to GO Transit at Union Station, GO has different off-peak hours (9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and after 6:30 p.m.), so the overlap is roughly 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and after 7 p.m. on weekdays.
- Use elevators rather than escalators with a leashed dog and young kids, and check the TTC elevator status before you go since some stations still have limited access.
A page from Rally's ride
In the book, kids lean over the seats to pet Rally. On a real train, teach your kids the other side of that page too: always ask the owner before petting someone else's dog. The aisle page is in our free coloring and activity pack.
Questions about dogs on TTC (Toronto)
Can I bring my dog on the TTC subway?
Yes, but only outside weekday peak hours. TTC By-law No. 1 bans travelling with an animal from 6:30 to 10 a.m. and 3:30 to 7 p.m., Monday to Friday. At other times your dog can ride the subway, streetcars and buses on a leash and under control, or in a secured enclosed carrier, as long as it does not bother other riders or staff.
Does my dog need to be in a carrier on the TTC?
No, a carrier is optional outside peak hours. The by-law allows an animal either on a leash under your control or in an enclosed container that stays secured. During weekday peak hours a carrier does not help: no animals are allowed at all then, except guide dogs and service animals.
Are big dogs allowed on the TTC?
Yes, the by-law sets no size or weight limit. Any dog may ride off-peak if it is leashed, under your control, and does not inconvenience or endanger other passengers or TTC employees. A large dog will be easier to manage on quieter midday or weekend trips, and staff can remove riders who break the by-law.
Can I bring an emotional support dog on the TTC during rush hour?
No, not on the regular system. The rush-hour exemption in By-law No. 1 covers guide dogs and service animals as defined in Ontario Regulation 429/07, and the by-law does not mention emotional support animals. Outside peak hours an emotional support dog can ride like any leashed pet. Wheel-Trans separately accepts emotional support animals with a physician or nurse letter.
What are the TTC rules for service dogs?
Service dogs and guide dogs can ride any time, including weekday rush hours. The by-law only requires that the animal stays under the passenger's control. The TTC follows the Ontario Regulation 429/07 definitions, and its accessibility policy says people with service animals may access all public areas. Wheel-Trans riders should mention the animal when booking.
Do dogs need a ticket on the TTC?
No pet fare is listed. The TTC by-law and pet policies set rules for when and how animals ride but do not list any fare for them. Only the people in your group pay their usual fare.
What are TTC peak hours for dogs?
Peak hours are 6:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. During these times no animals are allowed except guide dogs and service animals. The by-law also lets the TTC set other peak times. Weekends and the weekday midday and evening hours are open to leashed or carried pets.
Can my dog ride a TTC streetcar or bus?
Yes, the same rules cover the whole transit system, including streetcars and buses. Outside weekday peak hours your dog can ride leashed and under control or in a secured carrier. Keep the dog out of the aisle and doorways, since the by-law requires that it not inconvenience other passengers.
Can I bring a poodle on the TTC?
Yes for Toy Poodles (4 to 6 lb). Leashed dogs or pets in an enclosed carrier ride only outside weekday peak hours; no animals at all at peak except service animals. Yes for Miniature Poodles (10 to 15 lb). Leashed dogs or pets in an enclosed carrier ride only outside weekday peak hours; no animals at all at peak except service animals. Yes for Standard Poodles (40 to 70 lb). Leashed dogs or pets in an enclosed carrier ride only outside weekday peak hours; no animals at all at peak except service animals. Trained service dogs of any breed can ride.
Can I bring a French Bulldog on the TTC?
Yes for a typical adult French Bulldog (16 to 28 lb). Leashed dogs or pets in an enclosed carrier ride only outside weekday peak hours; no animals at all at peak except service animals. Trained service dogs of any breed can ride.
Can I bring a golden retriever on the TTC?
Yes for a typical adult Golden Retriever (55 to 75 lb). Leashed dogs or pets in an enclosed carrier ride only outside weekday peak hours; no animals at all at peak except service animals. Trained service dogs of any breed can ride.
Where these rules come from
- TTC By-law No. 1(opens in a new tab)
- Wheel-Trans Service Animals and Pets Policy(opens in a new tab)
- TTC Accessible Customer Service Policy(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 Toronto Transit Commission.
- 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. $16.99 on Amazon.
