My husband is planning to go to the airport in toronto to pick up a dog. Does he need a passport to drive across the border? Also will he run into problems bringing the dog back? The breeder is telling us he only needs drivers license and birth certificate but i have a friend that lives in nova scotia and she insists you need a passport. We live about 14 hrs from the border. He doesn't want to make the trip in vain. Can anyone please direct us? Thank you.

Yes, he needs a passport.

Google is your friend...

http://gocanada.about.com/od/canadat...izenborder.htm

He needs a passport or an enhanced driver's license if available in your state.

Thanks so much. He actually got a hold of someone at the border patrol. We googled and kept getting conflicting answers. Thanks again!

Have you checked with US Customs about requirements for bringing the dog across the border? Vaccinations, etc?

We took our puppy with us to the US when she was 4 months old. The only criteria was that she had a rabies shot 30 days prior to crossing into the US. At that time if the puppy was younger than 3 months they didn't have to have the shot.
When we crossed the border the official didn't even ask about the puppy. She was in her crate and I didn't have to show the certificate. I think they are really only interested if someone is importing dogs to breed etc. Your husband should have no trouble at all.

Best to be prepared by reading the rules at the official website, no?
http://www.cbp.gov/linkhandler/cgov/...d.ctt/pets.pdf

We got stopped at the border entering the US last year with our dog. Even though the dog had her rabies tags on, we had to stop our journey and wait while our vet faxed a copy of her rabies vaccine record through. Do not wing it!

Of course you have to the rabies certificate which I carry in my wallet. I am assuming that if the dog is coming from the breeder it is probably under 3 months old and in that case the cert of birth is all that would be required.