Florida doesn't like Rotties.. WHY????

[OrchidTeddy]

Pet lovers, I need help. I have a friend, who recently adopted a Rotweiler mix. She is so cute and sweet. Her owner just got a job offer in Florida. He is planning to move there,unfortunately, a lot of the apartments there do not accept Rotweilers... or even any dogs that looks close to that. IF a "neighbor" complains., they will be evicted. They claim, all Rotti mixes are agressive, mean.. etc...

I need help in finding an APT around that area.. anyone have ideas on where I should start.

Please let me know!!

[Insane Walker]

im not sure how to help you but florida seems to like banning dog breeds and no dog is mean by nature its the owners that make the dog mean

[delidog]

What area of Florida are you talking about...different counties have different ordinances

[Kfamr]

I've never heard of this?

Most apartments don't allow dogs of a certain weight.

[guster girl]

There are almost always some sort of restrictions at apartments for pets. It's usually weight, number of pets, or breed. A lot of apartments in many states (I can personally vouch for Washington, Virginia, and, Texas) have restrictions against dogs like pit bulls, rottweillers, german shepherds, mastiffs, etc. There are just simply still a lot of ignorant people that have problems with those particular breeds, and, apartments cater to them a lot.

[OrchidTeddy]

Ft. Lauderdale - in Broward County.
THat is the place my friend is moving to.

[Dixie Belle]

Shame it's not further north. I would say live in Bama and work in FL. However, that's at the tail end of FL. All I know for him to do is to keep searching. Maybe he could find a pet friendly house to rent?

[guster girl]

moveforfree.com is a really good site, and, I've used them before and had a wonderful experience with the two men that moved me. I plan on using them in the future if and when I need to, and, will recommend them. You or your friend can go online and see what is available. If they don't service Florida, then, there's at least the apartment guide. Your friend may have to call fifty communities before finding one that fits all the things he needs, but, I'm sure there's a community out there that doesn't restrict breeds.

[Kater]

Sometimes shelters maintain lists of local pet friendly housing. I would suggest contacting some shelters in the Ft. Lauderdale area.

[lv4dogs]

Unfortunatly it's getting to be like that all over. Most places in Oregon, New York, Arkansas & Florida just that I know of personally, are like that. Sadly it is because rotts are one of quite a few breeds that are listed as "dangerous" breeds. It is very difficult & expensive to get homeowners insurance with the breeds on the list, therefore most people that rent out homes can not afford to have insurance with one of those breeds.

A few tips to rent a home with one of the breeds (ussually private owned rental homes are easier to get into than say a large apartment complex):
Give them all vet records to show you are a responsible owner & keep up to date w/ the dogs vaccines & health

Make out a resume for your dog

Give them statements from people (old neighbors, vets, dog trainers, family, friends etc..) stating your dog is calm, quiet, friendly

Show all graduation certificates for all obedience classes, agility classes, CGC (that one really helps) etc..

Offer to get your own renters insurance that covers your dog

Offer a larger security deposit

Have them meet your dog in person

Offer them to stop by frequently to make sure your dog is behaving properly, &/or make arrangements for the (future) neighbors to "report" to the home owner every once in a while with an update of your dogs behavior & personality.

If it is possible to take your dog to work with you then tell the home owner, then 90% of the time the dog will not be left home alone.

Tell them you are willing to crate the dog (if you don't already do so) when you are not at home

Good luck

[Cincy'sMom]

I don't kow how much time you friend has, or if he has done any training with the dog, but I would suggest he try and get his dog certified as a Canine Good Citizen. It may make apartments willing to consider the individual dog (esp. if he lists it as mixed, not rott mix).

[ramanth]

It took me forever to find an apartment that would allow a dog like Kia. (Mostly it was because of her size)

I wish your friend luck...and tell them to not give up. They'll find a place.

[Cris]

Hi everyone, I am the rottie's owner and wanted to at least post here and thank everyone for their helpful suggestions. Basically, I have myself to blame for these unforeseen changes in my life. I probably should have waited before taking this girl home.

At this point, I have so very little choices for housing in FL. I had a "shady" rental agent told me he has "a great place" that will take my dog without a problem - in the same breath, asked if I can get a vet to put on paper that she isn't a rottie!?!. I've also been told by other agents that I won't find a nice place for me and my dog. Of course, nice is a relative term, right?

This is a big move for me, both personally & professionally. I want to fully enjoy my new life in FL. At the same time, I will try to do what is best for Lola as well.

Thanks again!
Cris

[dukedogsmom]

I hate breed prejudice! There's a dog groomer in the town with which I work. He won't do Duke because he's got Chow in him. I wish you good luck because it's very hard to find a home that allows big dogs and especially one of the "dangerous" breeds.

[Insane Walker]

guster girl what do you mean by (I can personally vouch for Washington, Virginia, and, Texas) have restrictions against dogs like pit bulls, rottweillers, german shepherds, mastiffs, etc.


i live in Virginia and there is no problem with those breeds in fact my family and i just moved into apartment that had no problem with us have 2 dogs both big breeds and we just got a new one the owner of the place is great and there are a lot of other big breed dogs in the apartment. there alot of apartment that like to have dogs of any size. our apartment is cool b/c the bigger breeds family live on the frist floor and second floor and the midim and small on the 3rd 4th and 5th floors the 6th floor is for like cats and other pets. this was not the only place that wanted to have your pets in there apartment thingywe checked out alot of places that i liked but i really like this one. it has a dog park in the back yard!! so i dont know if you ment that VA does not like big breed or what.


I have a german shepherd, a pit/lad/pointer/beagle mix(we think), and a great dane/ mastiff mix