How many dog rules in Canada are there? Are they easy to follow if you own a dog? These rules and laws are set in place for a reason. It’s for you and your dog’s own best interest.
Who Can Own A Dog In Canada?
Anyone can own a dog in Canada. However, you must be an adult and be able to care for the welfare of your pet. It also helps to have a home and a sustainable income.
When adopting a dog, you’ll fill out this information to ensure you can care for the pet properly. If an animal shelter doesn’t seem you fit to be a pet owner, they have the right to decline your application to adopt.
Believe it or not, there is no limit on how many dogs you can own in Canada. As long as you can care for the health and wellbeing of all the animals, you can own as many dogs as you can in your home.
General Laws About Owning A Dog
When it comes to owning a pet, you need to care for them and be mindful of others. For example, various laws are in place to protect and care for your doggo. Also, these laws care for the community as a whole.
Dog Welfare
In Canada, many laws and rules are set to keep your dog as healthy and safe as possible. This is where animal welfare laws come in.
Ear cropping and tail docking are legal in Ontario. However, it’s illegal in other parts of Canada. In some cases, these procedures may be okay to help the dog’s health, but they can also be considered inhumane.
However, it is illegal to do these procedures yourself. If it’s okay to do so, you need a licensed veterinarian to do it.
If your dog excessively barks, you need to consider proper training or how you’re treating the dog. For instance, they could be reactive at people and cars, so you can train them to quiet down when others pass.
On the other hand, they could be barking because they’re bored, need attention, or are home alone all day. If that’s the case, then you need to hire a dog walker or bring them to doggy daycare to ensure they’re cared for during the day. It will also help them get socialized and get out their energy.
In addition, when your dog is home and outside, it must be confined to your yard. This can be done with a leash or a fence.
This law is to ensure that your dog doesn’t get loose. It prevents them from getting lost or injured by getting hit by a car or fighting with other dogs or animals.
Registering Your Dog
In addition, it’s required to get your dog registered in your area. This helps ensure that if your dog does happen to get lost, it’ll be easier for you to be reunited with your furry friend.
You can get an ID tag for their collar with your name and phone number. In addition, microchips are not required, depending on your area. For example, Montreal requires a microchip but other areas of Canada don’t.
So, if your dog gets separated from you, other citizens and animal shelters will be able to reunite the two of you together easily.
Community Laws
All dogs must be up to date with all of their vaccinations. Rabies is especially an important vaccine to be up to date with. These vaccines will help protect your dog and others in case they come in contact with other sick dogs.
In addition, when walking your dog, all dogs must be on a leash. Also, if they go to the bathroom while out in a public area, you must clean up after your dog. Otherwise, you may get fined.
Also, if you’re out and about with your dog, they must be muzzled. However, when they’re in the yard, they do not need to be muzzled as long as a leash or a fence confines them.
A Note About “Dangerous” Dog Breeds
While Canada as a whole doesn’t ban certain dog breeds, there are some providences that ban certain breeds. For example, these breeds are the following:
- American Pitbull Terrier
- Pitbull Terrier
- American Staffordshire Terrier
- Staffordshire Bull Terrier
You need to let the community know if you own any of these dog breeds or other breeds considered aggressive.
For example, if you go out with the dog on a walk, they must be leashed and have a muzzle on. Also, you must have a sign on your property warning that you have a dog.
Dog Rules In Canada
The dog rules in Canada are ever-growing, but owning a dog in Canada is not impossible. These rules are set to keep you, your dog, and the community safe.
