Many countries around the world have a blanket ban on the import of several dog breeds that are deemed dangerous or aggressive. This ban is in place to protect the populace from inadvertent dog attacks. If you are planning to travel to Canada with your dog, it is important to know if your pet is on the list of banned breeds before making pet travel plans.

List of prohibited dog breeds in Canada

Canada does not have a blanket ban on any aggressive dog breeds. However, some provinces in Canada prohibit certain dangerous dog breeds. If you are planning to relocate to Canada with your pet, the first step is to find out if your pet is on the banned list in the province you are travelling to.

Manitoba

In the province of Manitoba, Winnipeg has breed-specific legislation against dogs that have the physical appearance of the following breeds. Pure and mixes of these breeds are banned in Winnipeg:

• American Pit Bull Terrier
• American Staffordshire Terrier
• Staffordshire Bull Terrier

Ontario

In the Ontario province, the following breeds are prohibited from entering or transiting:

• Pit Bull Terrier
• American Pit Bull Terrier
• American Staffordshire Terrier
• Staffordshire Bull Terrier

Toronto also has a ban on these breeds; however, they can transit through the city only after the pet travel agent has provided advance notice to the city officials.

Banned dogs that have been in the province before the enactment of this law in 2005 have to be sterilised and kept on a lead and muzzled when they are out in public.

So if you are travelling to Canada with a banned breed, make sure your travel plans do no take your dog through these provinces.

Pet travel to Canada?

Are you planning on moving to Canada with your pet dog or cat? The pet import rules in Canada states that your pet must fulfil all regulations and documentation to be allowed entry into the country. If you are planning on international pet travel to Canada with your dog or cat, get in touch with Petraveller for more information on the pet transport process.