Breed Restrictions in Rentals
Renting with a dog shouldn’t feel like renting against your dog. Yet breed restrictions in rental properties often create exactly that tension—forcing you to wonder if your beloved pet will disqualify you from housing, or worse, if you’ll have to choose between a place to live and keeping your family together. Understanding how breed restrictions work and what options you actually have can make all the difference when you’re searching for an apartment that welcomes all of you.
How to Find No Breed Restriction Apartments
Finding rental housing with no breed restrictions takes some strategy, but it’s increasingly possible. Start with rental platforms that let you filter by pet-friendly properties. Apartment List has a search function that allows you to filter by “pet-friendly” units, and other rental platforms such as RentCafe, Apartments.com, and Zillow offer similar features. When using these filters, specifically search for “no breed restrictions” rather than just “pet-friendly,” since those terms aren’t always the same thing.
The My Pit Bull is Family National Database maintains the largest collection of dog-inclusive rentals in the country, with properties that either have no breed restrictions or weight limits of 60-70 pounds or higher. This resource is particularly valuable if your dog is a commonly restricted breed.
Dwellsy, a rental search platform, offers pet-friendly search features where you can create a pet profile (including your dog’s breed, size, and weight) and filter listings from the start. The system automatically labels pet-friendly listings with a pet-friendly badge, so you spend less time on properties that wouldn’t accept your pet. Other rental search options include:
-
Apartment List: Broad selection with pet filters and detailed breed policy info
-
Zillow: Large inventory with searchable pet-friendly options
-
RentCafe: Extensive listings with dedicated pet-friendly sections
-
Rent.com: Offers filtering by breed-friendly properties
Beyond online platforms, local pet advocacy groups have on-the-ground intel of places where commonly restricted breeds can live in the area. Check social media groups for “[Your City] Pet Friendly Rentals” or “[Your City] Dog Owners,” where renters often share real experiences with specific properties. Private landlords or smaller management companies may be more willing to meet your dog and judge them on their individual behavior, unlike large corporations with rigid national policies.
How Breed Restrictions Work Legally — Can Landlords Enforce Them?
Landlords have the right to prohibit pets of any kind on their leased premises and also have the right to allow some pets but not others, with size, breed, and other factors all used by the landlord to restrict ownership of the animal on the premises. In most states, this is completely legal for standard pets.
Why Landlords Enforce Breed Restrictions
Breed restrictions often trace back to the landlord’s insurance carrier, as many property insurance policies exclude coverage for bites or injuries involving certain breeds including pit bulls, Rottweilers, Doberman Pinschers, Chow Chows, wolf hybrids, and Akitas. Insurance policies may maintain a list of the most aggressive dog breeds, and if the landlord allows one of those breeds, they may face increased premiums or risk losing their coverage, creating liability concerns.
In addition to individual landlord policies, some states enforce Breed-Specific Legislation (BSL), which bans or restricts certain dog breeds deemed dangerous by local governments. Restrictions can vary depending on the city, landlord, management company, or even the property’s insurance provider.
What You Should Know About Enforcement
Technically, landlords (in most states) are allowed to deny housing to those with certain types of dog breeds. However, enforcement isn’t consistent. Many landlords don’t have breed restrictions, and restrictions may be more flexible in smaller or privately owned buildings.
For assistance animals, the rules are different. The Fair Housing Act makes it illegal to discriminate against a renter because of a disability, meaning a no-pets policy, breed restriction, weight limit, or species ban does not apply to assistance animals. A determination that an assistance animal poses a direct threat must be based on an individualized assessment that relies on objective evidence about the specific animal’s actual conduct, not on mere speculation or fear.
9 Good Dog Breeds for Renting an Apartment
If you’re considering which dog to bring into your rental, some breeds face fewer restrictions due to their size, temperament, and adaptability to apartment living. Keep in mind that breed restrictions vary by property, so even these typically unrestricted breeds should be confirmed with your landlord before applying.
1. French Bulldog
The French Bulldog is a popular choice for apartment dwellers due to its compact size and easygoing nature, typically weighing between 16-28 pounds. French Bulldogs are famous for having a kind and social nature with an excellent ability to befriend humans and other dogs, and they have minimal exercise needs and love to stay with you on the couch with short walks being enough.
2. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
A Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is soft, sweet, and always ready to sit close, with an innocent, kind, loyal, and affectionate personality alongside an athletic physique. Often described as the ‘king of lapdogs’, the King Charles Cavalier Spaniel typically creates a deep bond with their family, and a smaller living space where they can keep an eye on their owner is the dream life for these dogs—in fact, they can be quite clingy, making them well-suited for apartment living.
3. Bichon Frise
Because of its small size and friendly behavior, the Bichon Frise is one of the perfect dog breeds for apartment living. Bichon Frises weigh between 12-18 pounds and don’t need much space to be happy, are friendly, playful, and adapt well to apartment living, and enjoy being with their owners and are relatively low-maintenance. They are eager to please their owners and easy to train, with a hypoallergenic coat, making the Bichon Frise an excellent breed for apartment living.
4. Maltese
This small companion dog breed weighs less than 10 pounds and is only 8 to 10 inches tall, and the Maltese is one of the most popular small dog breeds for a reason—they are sweet, playful, affectionate, and adaptable dogs which do well in small spaces, known for their gentle nature and love of being the center of attention, with low energy levels, trainability, gentle temperament, and hypoallergenic coat making the Maltese a great fit for apartment living.
5. Shih Tzu
Cute, charming, and affectionate with a desire to please, the Shih Tzu makes a fabulous apartment dog, loves their family especially children and are happy among other dogs, making ideal companions with a size appropriate for the smallest space and an easygoing “indoorsy” nature, with energy and barking levels falling in the average bracket, and a very low shedding level.
6. Boston Terrier
Boston Terriers are known as “American Gentlemen” due to their tuxedo-like markings and polite behavior, are compact, easygoing dogs that adapt well to apartment living, and with moderate energy levels, they enjoy short play sessions and walks, making them a great choice for city dwellers.
7. Dachshund
These adorable “wiener dogs” are not only cute but also well-suited for apartment living, with their small size allowing them to maneuver easily in tight spaces, and they have varying energy levels so you can choose a short-haired or long-haired variety based on your lifestyle. They thrive in apartments and small spaces, especially those without steps, though you may need to provide ramps to enable them to reach beds and couches and prevent injuries from jumping down.
8. Chihuahua
Chihuahuas are the smallest dog breed, known for their big personalities in tiny bodies, are loyal, alert, and can be quite charming, and weighing between 2-6 pounds, are perfect for apartment living due to their tiny size. These dogs are highly loyal and form strong bonds with their owners, enjoy being the center of attention and thrive in environments where they receive plenty of affection, and their alert nature makes them excellent watchdogs.
9. Pug
Some of the top choices for apartment living include French Bulldogs, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Bichon Frisés, Pugs, and Boston Terriers. Like French Bulldogs and Boston Terriers, Pugs are compact, low-energy, and affectionate dogs that adapt well to smaller spaces and don’t require extensive exercise.
How to Appeal a Breed Restriction with Your Landlord
If your heart is set on a specific property but breed restrictions are in the way, you have several options to make your case—though success depends on whether the restriction comes from the landlord themselves or from their insurance policy.
Understanding the Source of the Restriction
If the breed restrictions are in place by a landlord (not an insurance company), there’s still hope! Landlords may be willing to negotiate or make exceptions if you demonstrate responsible ownership. However, if the landlord’s insurance policy excludes a breed, these restrictions tend to be non-negotiable for standard pets.
Strategies That Can Help
If a rental you like has breed restrictions, you still have options: create a pet resume including photos, vaccination records, obedience class certificates, and a letter from a previous landlord or veterinarian; offer to introduce your dog to the property manager to demonstrate good behavior; and have pet insurance with liability coverage to reassure landlords and protect you in case of damage or an incident.
Some landlords just need to meet your dog before giving the green light, and you can alleviate their fears during a meet-and-greet and show them how wonderful your dog is, and why they should definitely rent to you. Pet interviews are becoming more common, especially in competitive rental markets, and when you meet with the landlord, bring your pet at their absolute best, demonstrate basic commands like sit, stay, and come, and show how your pet interacts calmly with strangers and be ready to discuss your daily exercise routine and care schedule.
You could request a training certificate that proves a dog has undergone behavioral training and is easy to control, which is a good indication that the owners are serious about their responsibility, and if an owner isn’t willing to go the extra mile, then allowing an exception is likely not a good idea.
By securing a policy from a company like State Farm or Farmers—which generally provide coverage regardless of breed—you can show a potential landlord that you are fully covered and have taken steps to mitigate any perceived liability.
When a Restriction Involves a Service or Assistance Animal
Submit your reasonable accommodation request in writing, include proper support animal documentation from a licensed clinical doctor, and clearly state that you’re requesting an accommodation under the Fair Housing Act for a disability-related need. If initially denied due to breed restrictions, respond with FHA education by providing information about federal requirements for individualized assessments and referencing HUD guidance on breed restrictions and support animals.
FAQ
Can landlords legally restrict certain dog breeds?
Yes, technically, landlords (in most states) are allowed to deny housing to those with certain types of dog breeds. However, restrictions vary by location, and some states have laws limiting or prohibiting breed-specific restrictions. For assistance animals, the Fair Housing Act makes it illegal to discriminate against a renter because of a disability.
What’s the difference between a “pet-friendly” apartment and a “no breed restriction” apartment?
A pet-friendly apartment allows pets but may still have breed restrictions, weight limits, or other limitations. A no breed restriction apartment specifically welcomes all dog breeds (though it may still have other policies like weight limits, pet fees, or the requirement for proof of vaccinations).
How much will a breed restriction cost me if I’m denied housing?
The direct cost is typically your application fee (usually $50–150), which you lose if denied. However, the emotional and financial cost of being unable to house your pet with you can be much steeper. This is why researching breed policies upfront and preparing a strong pet application is so important.
What’s a pet resume, and will it really help?
A pet résumé summarizes your pet’s best qualities, medical history, and references from previous landlords (if possible), and is a cute way to let your potential landlord know that you’ll be a responsible renter. It won’t override an insurance-based restriction, but it can help if a landlord is on the fence or if restrictions are negotiable.
Are there states or cities with laws against breed restrictions?
Some states and cities have passed laws limiting or banning breed-specific restrictions, but they vary widely. It’s worth checking your local and state tenant rights organizations or doing a quick search for your specific area before renting.
