As you may know, a veterinary advisory from the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, recently reported that a
dog in Ontario tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 (known as Covid-19 in humans). The dog was tested as part of a research study and did not show any clinical signs of illness at the time of the study.
Dr. Scott Weese, Professor at the Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph and Infectious Disease Control expert, indicates that this case is not surprising and most likely not the first case of a dog infected with the virus, but certainly the first confirmed, positive case in Canada. Despite the recent findings, experts maintain that the
risk of infection and infection to domestic animals such as dogs remains low. As such, testing for COVID-19 in animals is not recommended since the virus is spread between people and there is no evidence to suggest that dogs infected by humans are perpetuating the ongoing spread of this disease.
As a precaution, government and public health directives advise that people with COVID-19 symptoms, or those self-isolating due to contact with COVID-19, restrict contact with their pets and continue to follow the recommended health and safety guidelines. It is also advised that households infected with COVID-19 who have pets, keep their pets indoors where possible. Dogs should be kept on a leash or within a private fenced area when taken outside for bathroom breaks. For more information, please visit
CFIA’s info on Animals and Covid-19.
CKC Events and Covid-19 Considerations
Due to ongoing public safety and social distancing restrictions during the pandemic, CKC Councils have created temporary guidelines that allow for temporary changes due to COVD-19 for
Obedience and Rally Obedience Rules & Regulations,
Scent Detection Trial Rules & Regulations and
Canine Good Neighbour Events. CKC will continue to work with clubs that choose to hold events and reminds clubs of the importance of following regional, provincial, and public health guidelines when deciding to host an event. Visit
CKC’s COVID-19 info page for more details.