Why Do Some Apartments Restrict Dog Breeds?

If you're a dog owner looking for an apartment, you may have come across the phrase "breed restrictions apply" during your search. If so, you may be wondering what exactly breed restrictions are and why they exist. Having a solid understanding of the pet policies of each apartment you're interested in is crucial to finding the perfect match for you and your dog, and as a renter you should be aware of how dog breed restrictions work and the affects they have on you and the apartment. Here are a few key things you should know about dog breed restrictions to guide you during your apartment search.

What are Breed Restrictions? 

The most important thing you should know about breed restrictions is that they only apply to dog breeds. These restrictions limit the type of dog you can own while living in your apartment. Some dog breeds are thought to be more harmful and dangerous based of the breed's history of aggression and damage. As a result, these dog breeds often end up on an apartment's restriction list, prohibiting renters from owning that breed while living in their apartment. If you want to move into an apartment with a dog on the apartment's breed restriction list, you won't be able to sign a lease.

How Are Breed Restrictions Determined? 

The Husky is one of the most common dog breeds to appear on apartment breed restriction lists. The Husky is one of the most common dog breeds
to appear on apartment breed restriction lists.

Another important piece of information to keep in mind is that apartments don't determine which breeds are on their restriction list. They have no power over this list, and cannot add or remove breeds at will. In fact, it's insurance companies who create breed restriction lists. Insurance companies gather all of the claims data they've collected to decide which breeds pose more of a threat than others, and which dog breeds are considered "high risk" to apartments and residents.  

Insurance companies send their breed restriction lists to the apartment communities they work with who then decide whether or not to adopt the list into their pet policy.

In some instances, apartments elect not to have a breed restriction list at all. This means that all dog breeds are welcome at the apartment.

What are the Most Common Restricted Breeds?

There is no single list that is passed around from apartment to apartment, but there are a lot of commonalities among the lists that each insurance company creates and sends to apartment. A few of the most common breeds to appear on apartment restriction lists are Pit Bull Terriers, Doberman Pinschers, German Shepherds, Siberian Huskies, Rottweilers, and Great Danes. Any dog that is a mix of more or more of these breeds can also be prohibited.

 

How Can I Learn More About an Apartment's Breed Restrictions?

If you're curious about an apartment's pet policies and their breed restrictions, the best way to learn more is to get in touch. You can give them a call during their office hours, stop by, or send an email for more information. Remember, restriction lists can vary to some degree from apartment to apartment, so just because your Pomeranian is banned at one community doesn't mean it will be restricted at another.

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