How to Deal With Dog Breed Restrictions We as dog owners adore our pets; in fact, the fact that you’re researching and reading about how to deal with dog breed restrictions, as you are right now, demonstrates how much you adore your beloved pet.
You love to see it. Unfortunately, no matter how much you love your furry best friend, there might be obstacles in the way of creating a loving home for them where they can live a long and happy life. particularly when you’re thinking of moving into an apartment that you know will be a great place for you and your dog to live in but has very strict rules around pets.
So, in this article, I’m going to show you how to get around breed restrictions when renting. Hopefully, with this guide, you can secure a comfortable and optimal environment for you and your fuzzball.
How To Get Around Dog Breed Restrictions When Renting
Don’t give up! There’s still hope. Here are the steps that you can take on how to get around breed restrictions when renting:
Doggo Portfolio
“Wait, you’re telling me to compile a resume for Daisy?”. Yes! Though not exactly a piece of paper like traditional resumes.
You see, landlords are worried about bad tenants. Destruction of property, noise complaints, inconveniencing other tenants, all of those are common traits of bad tenants. I don’t think I have to worry about you, the owner (unless you see yourself having one of those traits), I’m more concerned about your canine best friend.
If you can show your landlord that Michael is, in fact, a very sweet and well-behaving dog, then the likelihood of the landlord accepting a Pitbull (or any dog breed for that matter) will increase tenfold. (Unless landlords are required to comply with company restrictions which I’ll explain later).
So, how do we create the perfect doggo portfolio? Take a look at this:
- Interview – Go and request an interview with the landlord. Remember, you need to show the landlord that your furry best friend is a well-behaved, trained pet. If the landlord can see for themselves that Michael isn’t an aggressive Pitbull that likes to pounce or bite people then you’re off to a good start.Â
- Video – Create a video showing how well-trained Michael is. Showing the landlord that your dog is obedient will make a great first impression. It shows that you’re a responsible tenant and pet owner that knows how to discipline and control your dog. They will also feel that they can trust you, even if the breed you own has a reputation for being aggressive.
- Testimonials – Testimonials are basically what people think or thought of you and you can use this to your advantage. If you’ve been in an apartment that allows Pitbulls (Notice how Pitbulls are always the victims here? Breed restrictions aren’t limited to them though, other dog breeds can also be restricted) then you can ask your old landlord for a testimonial.
For example: “Michael is such a sweet dog, he’s very well-behaved and we’ve never had to file a noise complaint. The owner trained the dog very well, unlike other pet owners I had the misfortune of dealing with.” Boom! Now you’re much more trustworthy! Contact your old landlord and have them chat with your potential new landlord about how great you and your dog are.
Things To Consider
- Rent from an individual owner – As I said, some landlords have to comply with company rules. So, no matter how much you try to pitch your furry best friend, it will most likely not work. Instead, rent from an individual, they aren’t restricted (wow, even landlords are getting restricted now) by any company rules and the choice is entirely up to them (unless the city or county itself restricts certain dog breeds, something you can’t do much about either).
- Paying pet rent – Some landlords will ask you to pay extra for your furry best friend, if they haven’t already you can suggest it to them (unless you’ve already convinced them). Don’t get scammed though, pet rent usually ranges between $10 – $60 a month.
Why Do Dog Breed Restrictions Exist?
Before we get into how, we must first know why. Why do certain apartments restrict certain dog breeds? How dare they think of Michael as an aggressive Pitbull; he’s the sweetest dog I’ve ever met!
Well, here are the main reasons:
- Property damage: If you find that Michael likes to gnaw on furniture, you might want to train him to avoid that from now on. Landlords should be concerned because it will cost them money to repair or replace damaged property.
- Liability: Guess what? Neither you nor Michael are going to be responsible if he (or she) bites someone; it’s going to be the landlord’s fault. Someone may file a lawsuit against the landlord, and if you’ve never been through one, let’s just say it’s an extremely stressful process, and hiring a lawyer isn’t cheap either.Basically, if Michael makes an oopsie (in this case, biting someone), it will be a huge headache for the landlord.
To sum it up, whether they’re landlords, property managers, or even entire cities and counties, they ban certain dogs from entering because they’re scared of the potential damage they may cause to property and other living beings around them (yes, not just humans but also other pets).
So, if you own a dog breed that has a reputation for aggression and misbehavior, the chances of getting around breed restrictions are even lower.Â
But, it doesn’t have to end there.
Usually Restricted Dog Breeds
- Pitbulls (basically any breed that has “bull” in its name)
- German Shepherd
- Rottweiler
- Great Dane
- Mastiffs
- Doberman Pinscher
- Wolf dog
- Presa Canario
- Akita
Sigh, a shame isn’t it? Unfortunately, it’s what we as pet owners have to deal with. Don’t worry, you’ll eventually find a great home for you and your fuzzy best friend and it will all be worth it in the end. Thanks for reading and have a good day!
