According to the insurance industry there are certain types of dogs that tend to be more "dangerous" than other breeds. As per recent statistics these breeds are apt to bite or attack more often than other breeds. Studies have shown that the dogs on the dangerous dogs list are:
Akitas
Alaskan Malamutes
American Staffordshire Terriers
Boxers
Chows
Doberman Pinschers
Great Danes
German Shepherds
Perro de Presa Canarios
Pit bulls
Rottweilers
Siberian Huskies
Wolf hybrids
Today, many insurance company will refuse to provide homeowners insurance to families with one of the above types of dog breed, as liability claims for bites can get costly.
Our insurance company forbids us from renting to tenants with a dog of one of the above mentioned breeds.
FOOTNOTE: PLEASE DON'T SHOOT THE MESSENGER. I did not compile this list. And, I am not indicating that I completely agree with all of the breeds in this list. My last dog was a Doberman Pinscher/Great Dane mix and he was the sweetest, most loveable, docile lap dog you have ever seen. I believe that it really depends on how you raise your pet as to what type of temperment they have.
This article is authored by
Sandy Shores Realtor, Melbourne FL Real Estate
Brevard County Real Estate & Investing
Palm Bay Florida Real Estate News
that for you
Great list thank you
This is all about risk. Owners do not have to risk damage and liability for pets.
May not agree with all the breeds...but this is how it is....pets make the transaction a challenge at times!!
Sandy, I have a landlord that requires the tenant to provide proof of liability insurance for any dog owner, if they can't get it they don't move in. Simple non-confrontational way to lease into the lease. Steve
I personally would be more afraid to rent to certain people than I would be concerned about the breed of the dog. I've had a few dogs that are on the list and not a one has ever been a danger. I have however run into more than just a few people that I wouldn't trust if they were handcuffed to a steel girder.
By The Way:I would never shoot the messenger. That would make me one of those people I don't trust. LOL
Sandy,
This is a great post, but it's not about debating the list it's about liability insurance. Land lords should read their insurance policy with their insurance agent every year or two, ignorance will not get your insurance claims paid!
It's an interesting list. I never met a viscous Great Dame, but they're huge and they lean on you. I grew up with a chow loved that dog but he'd kill to protect kids if necessary. The most dangerous part of a German Shepard is the wagging tail! Wolf hybrids scare me. None of which matters! If your insurance company won't insure don't rent, it's insane!
Bill
I had the fiancee of one of my renters call the other day saying they are getting a puppy and would it be ok for them to have a Pit Bull? It took mt about one second to say "NO".
Wow, I'm amazed to see boxers on the list. We had one in the house when I was a kid and she would never have made a watchdog as she loved overyone including strangers. That said, no, I wouldn't rent to anyone with dogs. I did that once and had to replace the carpet afterwards due to all the dog pee.
Hi Sandy, I remember our agent asking us about dogs when we first bought our policy. Do you know if there is additional riders/insurance for these breeds? I have no idea what my dog is...she's just a mutt!
Also I heard more people are bitten by Labradors more than any other breed... and that's only because there are more labs around.... but I never had a lab that I thought might bite-- maybe lick you to death! LOL!!!
David, Good info to have.
Lenn, It definitely can be a difficult situation for the owner.
Amanda, So true, the wrong breed of pet can make the transaction quite difficult.
Steve, I have seen landlords do the same thing here. Smart idea!
Suesan, So true, I have run into some people that I really wouldn't care to rent to either.
William, You are correct, this is about liability insurance. And we should review our policies every year to two years with our agents.
Mike, I hear you, been there done that.
Richard, I was amazed to see Boxers on the list also, as my current dog is a pure bred boxer and he's a sweetheart. Actually I didn't know they were on the list until just today, while I was double checking.
Hey Miss Mary, That's a good question. I don't know if there are additional riders for these breeds, but I do know there are companies that don't have a problem with homeowners or renters with these breeds. I can believe labs bite more people, just because of the increased number of them.
Interesting question Sandy. It does raise the liability issue for a landlord with the tenant's guests.
Sandy, Wow that is a real scary thought. I believe in our state though the owner of the pet bares the responsibility for their pet...
I love Suesan's remark. . .When I owned a rental property, I had far more problems with some of the owners, than I ever did their dogs. One tenant had 2 Akitas (well behaved). Another had a Bull Mastiff, who had a mind of his own, but was a pretty gentle giant.
In Massachusetts, it's mainly pitbulls and Rotties that owners won't rent to. (their owners that is)
Sandy that is just about the list I would come up with from my own experience. Except for that foreign one.
Hi Sandy, I agree with most of the list...Shepherds and Huskies???
Sandy,
Interesting list...I think any dog will bite if provoked. ;-)
Ann Hayden in windy Wildwood, Missouri
I have found that is not a completely uniform list at this time. It also seems to grow annually. Certain insurance providers have some of the excluded dogs and other providers have other excluded breeds. My insurance agent, I am a homeowner, told me that my umbrella policy would cover any occuranances, in an unlikely case, regarding one of my dogs, a Belgian Mallinois. But any dog, any, can do potential harm if it feels someone is threatening you, whether the threat is intentional or just acutely perceived by a protective pet.
I am a huge dog lover and as many, including yourself, have commented, it's really more about what the owner does with or to the dog that makes a dog dangerous.
That said, as an investor one has to deal with the rules that the insurance companies come up with. And so I agree: If the potential tenant has a dog that belongs to a breed that my insurer has a problem with, unfortunately for the applicant, I won't be able to accept the application. Maybe it's time for people to come up with "dog owner licenses" as proof that one knows how to treat a dog right, and insurers to take note. Or maybe every dog owner should be required to watch Cesar Milan's The Dog Whisperer to qualify ...
Definetally not. The real problem for us is when the tenatn doesnt tell you they have a pet and you find out during a sevice call or inspection.
I am so irritated by this list!!!! It is all in the owner and the dog is raised. I think more research has to be done with these breeds.