renting with a boxer

[My Calla]

Do ya'll know how hard it is to find an apt. or a house to rent with a boxer? I have called numerous places and I will first ask if they allow pets. They ask what kind of pet--I say a dog. They say "Yes, we allow dogs, but it depends on what kind of dog?" I say a boxer--they say "No". What is up with that? Is it their size or that they are bulldogs? Good news though, I have found a nice lady that understands how some people are over their dogs and has agreed to let Calla move into her house!! That is such the good news I needed to hear today!!

 

[tesster]

Pet Resume

Some people can be real sticklers about big dogs, but it's because they don't know any better. What I did, by recommendation from the ASPCA website, is put together a doggy resume for my 2, detailing their training history, temperment, health, activities, etc. so show a potential landlord/lady that I take responsibility for my dogs and they are well-cared for.

Responsible dog owners are good tenants. If you show them that, they are likely to "bend" their rules for you. This is more effective with privately owned rental property than big apartment complexes, obviously.

Another tip is not to tell them on the phone or via email that you have a large dog. Tell them in person after they get to know you and give them the resume to consider. I've found that in person, people are much more likely to consider a larger dog than they would over the phone. I might not try it on places that absolutely don't take animals, but if they state that small animals are OK, I think you have some room to negotiate.

I can't find the link to the doggy resume example on the ASPCA site, but here's a link to Tess & Conner's Resume that you can use as a template. Note: I've removed all contact information.

Good luck!

 

[gracie&cam]

Julie-
Thank you for providing that link--I'd let Tess and Conner move into my place anyday!!!

 

[tesster]

Haa haa! Thanks!!! I'll keep that in mind! Haa haa!

In the SF Bay Area, about 85-90% of the population rents, so we have to be creative to find places that will accept our babies!

 

[tesster]

Here it is - SF ASPCA Pet Resume

I found the link to the SF ASPCA information for renters including a sample pet resume.

http://www.sfspca.org/opendoor/petresume.shtml

 

[BXR RYD]

When I got my boys I owned a home and all was well and then I had to sell out due to unemplyment.
So renting was a BIG challenge and you do have to be creative.
When I found my place that I am in now, they did not want dogs, I am in a duplex with a big back fenced in yard on a dead end street. But when I went to go meet the owner I took my Cooper and gave him Coopers resume along with copies of all his vet visits, proof of renters insurance that my dogs are covered, and a bunch of photo's with the family kids and other family pets to show how well he gets along with others.
The landlord has NEVER in all his years as a landlord....(he's 82) see such a clever thing. I just told him since he was going to run a check on me that he should run one on my boy too. Well, it totally stold the show and he allowed both my dogs with NO deposits!! and he knows how well I keep the place up and clean up after my dogs so he does not regret for one moment renting to my fur babies. He said I had changed his view about bigger dogs and he will keep it in mind even though he said it would be hard to compare to my 2 ROFLMAO!!!!
All we can do is educate these people, its a tough job sometimes but someone has to do it.

 

[Paper-Dogg13]

That's funny cause when I talked to my landlord last year about renting here he was cool with Charlie Paper. He asked me what kind of dog, and I said, "boxer" and he said "sure". I guess I just have a REALLY cool landlord, well I think I already knew that anyway.

 

[cmslone]

We were lucky. Our last 3 months at our apartment were the first 3 months we had Cooper. I dropped in one day to okay it with the manager. Their policy was an additional $30/month for dogs over 40 lbs. She waived the fee because she had a Boxer growing up and "knew how good they were". She actually even called after we got him and had us bring him to her house to talk her husband into getting one. Every day she would see us walking and come out to pet him. The place even had a fenced in 1/3-1/2 acre dog park with agility course.
Our complex even had doggie bones and treats at the front desk for all to have. It had a little card telling their "resident pets" to have a "dog-gone great day". We are planning on building a new house in a few years. If we end up back in an apartment for a few months, we are moving back there.

 

[tesster]

The problem with fudging the application is that you could be found in breach of contract and evicted if they decided to persue it. Not the best idea. Not only is it hard to find a place for a boxer on short notice, you've now got an eviction on your record because you lied about your dog. Not good for the doggy resume! To protect your pets and keep them with you, don't lie on your application about them. You certainly don't want to have to choose between a life on the streets w/ your dog or rehoming him because you can't find a place that will take him.

I've been worried because Tess grew to be a monster boxer at 69.5 lbs. Our weight limit is 65 lbs and my apartment complex is one of those corporate-owned, "sorry there's nothing we can do about anything," total jerks. She could stand to lose 4.5 lbs, though.