Topic: Vet says this is a mixed breed, thoughts on approving for an apartment?

So we have been having a trend of applicants asking to bring dogs that in our opinion are aggressive breeds but are bringing in letters from veterinarian stating the dog is mixed breed (for instance this one states it’s a Shar-Pei mix). How do you handle these situations? This is a grey area for us.

But look at that face how can you deny it

Well that definitely is a shar pei mix but the way genetics work the other part could be lab. If a vet has stated that it's not on the list I'd just accept them

*Agreed- Shar Pei mix..

Require a pet interview for every dog, not just the ones you think are aggressive and decide based on that. Not all “aggressive” breeds act the same and honestly that dog looks like a lab and shar-pei to me so it would just depend on its temperament

If they lie on the application, the liability falls to them not the property. You did your best

Any dog can bite. Liability is with the owner. Let them have their dog- if there’s an issue, you evict. Simple. That dog looks like a lover

We don’t do breed restrictions any longer. All dogs must come in for an interview

How to handle? Eliminate breed restrictions and put the responsibility on the owner. Period. Every dog is different. Judging personality based on breed is about as ridiculous as deciding someone’s temperament based on their race- totally antiquated and not productive or efficient for either party.

Yes, it looks like Shar-Lab. It’s always difficult. Good luck!

Ughhh I hate that there is discrimination on certain breeds. There are no bad dogs, only bad owners.

I agree. Shar Pei mix. I would make sure all dog owners have insurance to cover a dog bites for the breed of the dog. Prepaid for the term of the lease.

Thank you all for the input! Minerva has passed a temperament test and she’s on board

Liability is on the owner. Chihuahuas are the most aggressive of any animal on our property. They aren’t forbidden but they bite our maintenanxe people all the time. Lol! If they have documentation, believe them. If there’s a future issue and it’s proven they lied on the app, you can give them a notice to vacate.

I have a red nose pit whippet mix my dog is not aggressive in any shape form or fashion if they bring you documentation from a veterinarian stating it is not an aggressive breed you have to take it like the original post above the liability falls on the owner

The scariest dogs on the planet are chihuahuas.

We accept them. I actually inform my potential residents that if the vet paperwork says “non-aggressive breed mix” I will accept the dog as long as the pet interview goes ok. The breed restrictions, in my opinion are basically bull anyway. I’ve had much worse experiences with small breed dogs than “aggressive” breeds.

I have had an English Springer Spaniel and now have a pure pitbull (rescued from the street). The ESS breed is supposed to be kid and family friendly. He bit everyone. My pitty is a lovely cuddle bug full of love. Do the interview with each dog, regardless of breed. BTW, I have never wanted a pitbull. I was biased against them as well. She has taught me it is the owners more than the breed for behavior.

a pet interview and enforcement of leash law. in my opinion most dogs are good some unfortunately have bad owners

This subject kills me .... the fact that our industry is making blanket judgements on dogs based on appearance, breed and size...each dog is an individual, regardless of breed, size or appearance....we passed fair housing laws to end housing discrimination based on ethnicity, appearance, etc... we should do the same for our canine family members.

This dog looks sweet to me. Doubt that's helpful, but I'd take him :-)

Check out Pet Screening for Multi Family. Pat Pinigis Patterson can help you!

I think breed restrictions are ridiculous.

Me, also. The temperament of the dog depends on the owner. There should be owner restrictions

My property and sister property are the only two in our entire town and surrounding areas that have no breed restrictions, we get so much business just because of that. All the "mean" dogs in my community are the micro fluffy ones. I was bit a few months ago by a Jack Russell.

I don’t guide my residents on what the vet documentation should or shouldn’t say. I have them sign off on the rental guidelines which include pet policy. I tell them I need vet certification. It would shock you what people will come back with when you don’t guide them and get honest answers from the vet.

Our pet policy States that, for instance, A pit bull or American Staffordshire terrier or any dog mixed with this breed is prohibited. That is how we handle it in our pet policy. Any dog mixed with a breed that is on our restricted list would not be allowed. Honestly like many of you I totally hate breed restrictions. It's all about the owner.

I was a RVT... I worked in shelters for years.. That's a pit x sharpei mix.. and can be dangerous..not Because of the pit blood line but THE SHARPEI'S!!

I say all mixed breeds are subject to pet interview. If it walks like a duck.....

We do not have a breed restriction, however, we do a meet and greet before they apply, and if the dog shows any sign of aggression, we cannot accept the pet.

You can have weight restriction and breed restriction, but the ESA (emotional support animal) you cannot restrict therefore, you may still have the breeds you don't want in your community. We are finding more of these are coming across our attention for us to accept there reasonable accommodation.

I’m not sure that an opinion over a vets written statement is viable.
I agree, pet interview all. I’ve had more concerns with small dogs, and those not leashed being aggressive; however they’re not considered an aggressive breed.
It’s really not a gray area if the breed is wrote down by the vet, right? Paper trail/documented.

I go by what is on the vet's shot records.... End of discussion! Not worth fighting in my opinion

Definitely a Shar-Pei mix. I have started conducting meet and greets with the dogs regardless of the breed. If they incessantly bark, growl or won’t come near us then it’s declined. The breed isn’t the problem, it’s the owner. The dog has to be reasonably socialized.

Restrictions are a lawsuit waiting to happen ... preconceived prejudices

Doggie DNA

He looks like my Cookie Monster! I love him!!

Looks like a sharpei mix to me... Not only that, but the breeds are usually set for insurance companies, so having a vet record saying it doesn't include a restricted breed releases your community from any liability. I just move on with life when I get the vet record stating breed

Looks like a shar pei to me. This is my bonus dog, Nyla. She is a Chinese Sharpei.

Chinese sharpeis don't have a lot of wrinkles whe they are full grown.

We have never had a Pit bite someone but the little dogs do it all the time.

We don’t restrict breeds... we restrict animals with aggressive behaviors.

My community doesn't restrict aggressive breeds. I have at least 30 pits all are loveable. I'm a pit own as well.

That is a sharpei mix lol

I allow and then if there are issues deal with the individual dog/owner.

Since we are required to restrict breeds, we also have the right to restrict any dogs at our discretion. We require photos of the pet before we can qualify them and if I suspect it is mixed with a restricted breed we can deny it

Dog restrictions are useless... they all go get ESA paperwork.

You have to accept them and hope our industry can be forceful in getting laws changed or adjusted

Looks like a Sharpei mix

So sad to restrict a family member (pet) because it “might be aggressive”.

I provide the aggressive breed list and ask the vet to confirm in writing that the dog does not have any of these breeds in the blood line. If they do that, and the dog hurts someone, you have another person to include in the lawsuit. Most likely, a vet isn't going to provide this information.

You would only be able to sue the vet if they lied. As many pointed out chihuahuas tend to be more aggressive than the “aggressive” breeds. You can’t sue the vet for a chihuahua being aggressive. Also, unless a vet does a dna test, there’s no way to know exactly which breeds a mutt might contain. Vets make their best guess based on how the dog looks.

I agree. That's why I want the vet to confirm in writing that they do not have any of these breeds in the blood line. No vet with do that, and there is your reason for not accepting them..... unless it's an emotional service animal. That opens up new doors.

I have always been told (when questioning HUD on policies) if it is a service or emotional support animal you can't decide on the breed however if it is a pet and the vets say it is a certain bread manager's are not allowed to interject their own thoughts of what the pet may or may not be. Yes the vets may lie however unless you are ready to possibly take them to court and call them a liar tread carefully.

Vets look at the teeth, bone structure and judge what the breed is without a DNA test and no respectable vet will ever Never swear in writing that it does not have any of the aggressive breed in a mixed animal and I think as a manager that would be stepping over the line to ask them to do so unless you have it in your lease, rules and regs and possibly your tenant selection plan....again tread carefully

Curious what the parameters of a dog interview would be? It seems like such a gray area.

Aggressive breeds are a misnomer perpetuated by media and bias. Each dog is as unique as their owners.

I have four rescues...my concern with the vet's representation is it's vague. First, unless I know the vet I won't take their word for it. Second, it looks more pit bull than shar pei to me. Third, had on at least two occasions with two different properties we own where a pit bull got loose and attacked either our dog or one of our tenant's dog. Nope, err on the side of caution on this one.

I would ask them to bring in the dog for a meet and greet. It could be a mix of so many things. If the Vet is willing to vouch for the pet on paper I say let the dog in if it passes a simple meet and greet. Looks like the sweetest baby to me. All dogs can attack and the bad reputation of Pit type dogs needs to stop. Everyone and every animal deserve a chance. Innocent until proven guilty. They are the biggest lovers and if shows no aggression when you meet I say allow.

Weight limit will fix the problem. Most aggressive breeds start at about 50lb so do a 45 limit. We have an age minimum too, 18 months. Don't want carpet to be a training pad.

I clearly see a Pit Bull in the mix, which we do not accept at our communities due to the aggressiveness associated with the Pit Bulls.