Walking Your Dog Along the Lachine Canal: Rules, Tips and Winter Walks
Doggieville MTL sits right beside the Lachine Canal, so we see a lot of happy dogs on the path. The canal is one of the best walks in Montreal, from the Old Port through Griffintown, Saint-Henri and the Sud-Ouest. Here are the rules to know, tips for busy days, how to walk it in winter, and where to go for off-leash play.
The Paw CrewOctober 11, 20265 min read
01The rules to know
The Lachine Canal is a national historic site managed by Parks Canada, and dogs are welcome on a leash. The City of Montreal’s rules for dog owners also apply in public places:
- Keep your dog on a leash no longer than 1.85 m
- Dogs of 20 kg or more must wear a harness or head collar attached to the leash
- Your dog needs a valid annual City of Montreal licence and must wear the medal at all times
- Pick up after your dog and put the bag in a garbage can
- Dogs aren’t allowed in playgrounds, and can’t drink from park or public fountains: bring a bowl and water
02Walking the canal with your dog
The canal runs 14.5 km from the Old Port to Lachine, with paths along both sides. Walk east toward Atwater Market and Griffintown for cafés and city life, or west through the Sud-Ouest for a quieter, greener stretch.
- The path is shared with cyclists, runners and strollers: keep your dog on a short leash, on your side of the path
- Weekends and sunny evenings get busy; early mornings are calmer for shy or reactive dogs
- Keep your dog away from the water’s edge and the locks
- After walks in tall grass, check your dog for ticks, especially around the ears, neck, armpits and between the toes
03Winter walks on the canal
In recent winters, the Sud-Ouest borough has cleared a winter walking path along parts of the canal (about 4.7 km last winter). The route can change each year, so check montreal.ca before you go.
- Protect paws from salt with dog boots or paw balm, and rinse them when you get home
- Short-haired and small dogs need a coat on cold, windy days by the water
- Stay on cleared paths and never let your dog onto the ice
- On very cold days, keep walks short and play indoors instead
04Where to let your dog run off leash
Dogs must stay on a leash along the canal. For off-leash play, Montreal has fenced dog parks; the City lists them, with hours and rules, on montreal.ca. In Griffintown, there’s one on Rue Bassin, near Parc Olier, a short walk from the canal.
- Use only fenced, official dog parks for off-leash play
- The City recommends that dogs who go to dog parks be vaccinated and treated against parasites
- Watch play closely and leave if your dog seems stressed
- For safe, supervised off-leash play in any weather, DV Playcare groups dogs by size, temperament and energy, Monday to Friday, 8 am to 6 pm
05After the walk: make it a day
Doggieville MTL is at 3824 Rue Saint-Patrick, right by the canal, with free parking. Make your walk a dog day out:
- Brunch with your dog at Ruby Café MTL, Friday to Sunday, 10 am to 3 pm (dogs sit at the table with you)
- A private swim at Yoda’s Splash, the heated indoor dog pool
- A bath at Chloe’s Spaw to wash off the mud or the salt, or a walk-in nail trim
- Treats and toys at Lola’s Corner
Lachine Canal dog walk FAQ
Written by
The Paw Crew
The Paw Crew is the team that cares for every dog at Doggieville MTL: boarding, daycare, grooming and pool staff who are First Aid certified and spend every day with dogs of all sizes and ages.
Meet the team behind Doggieville MTL
