Must dog wear muzzle on train in France?

Does my dog have to be muzzled if we are travelling on the train? G.S.

Published Modified

According to the SNCF’s own rules, yes, dogs should be muzzled on trains unless they are little dogs travelling in a bag (!) or a sealed case. An exception is made for guide dogs.

You may be interested to know that you are supposed to buy a ticket for your dog – for a small one in a case on your knees or at your feet, this is €7, or for larger dogs (which should travel at your feet), the price is half a person’s second class ticket. Guide dogs go free.

Otherwise the only legal restrictions concern “dangerous dogs” - those of “type 1” may not travel on public transport at all, whereas “type 2” breeds may do so with a muzzle and lead.

The former includes non-pedigree dogs similar to pitbulls, mastiffs or tosas, and the second includes pedigree Rottweilers, tosas, Staffordshire terriers and American Staffordshire terriers.