Is there anything I can possibly do to convince my apartment complex to allow me to have a Bull Terrier?

Question

Unfortunately, my apartment lists the following dogs as "Not Permitted": Pit bull, Rottweiler, Doberman, Akita, Chow, Bull Dog, Bull Terrier, German Shepherd, American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, or any combinations... I think having dogs like German Shepherd, Doberman, and Bull Terrier are just silly. If anyone can show me statistics on dog attacks, I would be ecstatic.

So, I want a Bull Terrier. For those who don't know, it's the Spuds MacKenzie (Bud Light) dog from the 80's, or the dog which just won Best In Show at Westminster, Rufus... These were originally bred for fighting (way back), but long since have been bred with English Terriers (now extinct) to make it a great companion dog.

Anyway, I really think this sucks and was wondering if anyone had any ideas to getting this dog in... Otherwise, I'll likely aim to get out of the lease or buy a 200lb Tosa Inu (Japanese fighting dog) out of sheer spite, since it's not on on the "Not Permitted" list...

Answer 1

As long as the dog is exercised often and regularly, there is no such thing as an "apartment dog", or the opposite. Bull Terriers are very active dogs, yes. However, stating that a dog like that "needs a yard" is just a sign of a lazy owner. Good long walks twice a day, and perhaps a few visits to a dog park (or an enrollment in a Doggy Day Camp facility) will give a Bull Terrier plenty of exercise.

As for convincing your apartment complex ... good luck. You can try appealing to the home offices for an exemption. However, those are usually only granted if the dog is already in your possession (which it sounds like you WANT a Bull Terrier, not already HAVE one) and will sometimes be granted if you can prove obedience. For example, if you had your dog tested and certified as a Canine Good Citizen (CGC), administered by a person (usually a dog trainer) that is certified to do so by the AKC, they may sway a bit on their rules.
Other than that, short of a timely and expensive legal battle about "breed-specific" discrimination, I think you may be stuck. Good luck, either way!

Answer 2

Unreasoning fear of pits of all kinds is a sort of public hysteria that causes stupid prejudical policies. The number one breed of dog in America to blame for the most dog bites changes from site to site. Most agree that mutts dominate the bites statistics. Statistics are also very unreliable, in that they do not take into account the circumstances of how the bite occurred. Yes, there are bad pits, but there are bad dogs in every breed. Individual responsibility should be established, not blanket breed banning.

If you are a gung ho individual, then addressing the issue of these bans with a meeting of the board of directors of your housing unit might work, but probably won't. Still, if you are determined to try, you might look up all kinds of statistics, and be sure they come from legitimate sources. Present current statistics concerning bull terrier, show them pictures of Spuds MacKenzie, the Westminster winner,etc. See yourself as a non-hostile educator for the good of bull terriers everywhere. Showing up angry or getting angry will alienate your audience. Prepare yourself to be charming and unassuming. The saying "you catch more flies with honey than vinegar" applies here. Finally, just view this as an exercise of your intelligence and charm to win back some ground for the bull terrier, and not as a personal affront to you and bull terriers personally. Some people are afraid of black cats, too.

Answer 3

I'm afraid there is nothing you can do, because they clearly state it in not permitted dogs, except to wait for your lease to expire and move. I don't know much about Bull Terriers but I haven't heard about any attack by these dogs in a very very very long time, same for Dobermans or German Shepherds, they're such a nice dogs if trained properly, sorry.

Shasta604 couldn't have bought a dog from me, because I'm not a breeder and I don't sell dogs,not to mention I would never sell a dog to racist like you.Why don't you mind your pregnant immigrant g'friend and leave me alone,I'm really not interested in you.

Answer 4

Firstly remember the ban is not personal..lots of people are scared of dogs ..and certain breeds.. many of them on the list you have mentioned scare folks because of bad publicity etc...landlords / lease holders just want to make money therefore keep the majority happy..there will be an apartment that will allow the type of dog you mention but it may be a long haul finding it.

Answer 5

Some apartment complexes will make exceptions for dogs that have passed their Canine Good Citizenship test- you could ask if they'll accept that. Also, many places are very flexible about certain things, often you can tell them a dog is a mixed breed from a shelter and they won't fight it. I've even heard of some places listing dogs as a breed they clearly are not (ie registering a pit as a golden retriever) because they'd rather have your business than obey all their own rules. Try talking to someone, it's possible that if you can claim it a mix or prove it's well behaved, they'll make an exception for you.

Answer 6

Those dogs need room to run. You should not want to have a dog like that cooped up in an apartment, regardless of their reasoning for banning them. Also, they are obligated to keep the other residents safe. You might be a totally responsible bull terrier owner, but there are a lot of people who are not and in order to keep those kinds of dogs from being in the complex, they have to keep your kind out too. That's just the breaks when it comes to renting an apartment. Go ahead and get your Japanese fighting dog, I bet they make awesome pets!

Answer 7

tell them that it's going to be a show dog and show dogs are very well trained but if they give into you everyone will want to keep one there so they still may say no I had a place once where they said no dogs but when i said she was a show dog they where more than happy to let me have the place good luck

Answer 8

I know how you feel, I have a 8lb puppy and I still have a hard time finding an apartment that will let me have him, It's so silly. I don't think they care so much about attacks, I think it's more of the barking and keeping other tenets awake. I hope it all works out for you!

Answer 9

shut up kraska.

i bought a dog off this *****.she breeds them and forges papers.the dogs she doesnt sell,she drowns.

Answer 10

What you should do if you really love your dog is keep him and dint tell your manager what kind of a dog he is, let them now it's not one of the dogs on the list, hey that's what i did and even though they really don't believe me theirs no way they could prove otherwise.