Understanding the “Dangerous Breed/Not Insured by Apartments” List

As with any form of property, landlords need insurance on property that they own. The good news is that landlord insurance is designed to keep you safe! Any liabilities or personal injuries for tenants or guests could lead to an insurance claim. Since about 1,000 people in the US suffer from dog bites every day, some insurance companies have created lists of dog breeds that are banned from coverage.

Why Breeds are Listed

While this may not apply to all dogs of a certain breed, some dog breeds are known for being more aggressive than others. On average, studies have shown that these breeds are more likely to bite and/or harm people. Insurance companies’ job is to evaluate the likeliness of an accident occurring, so if one type of dog is more likely to harm someone than other breeds, it only makes sense to ban that breed.

Pit Bulls

Although a strong push on social media to destigmatize pit bulls has been made, the breed is associated with more attacks than any other kind of dog. This is partially explained by their history as fighting dogs. While they can be very nice and even harmless when trained well, pit bulls can be unpredictable.

Rottweilers

Rottweilers can be possessive and unpredictable when not trained properly, and their size makes them dangerous if they decide to attack. However, with obedience training and some TLC, Rottweilers can make great service dogs!

Doberman Pinscher

Doberman Pinschers are fierce dogs — they’re known for being alert, loyal, and fearless. This fearlessness can sometimes make them dangerous, though. Doberman Pinschers aren’t large enough to cause extreme destruction, but they can cause many injuries. They are innately energetic dogs, though, so they can make friendly playmates when socialized!

Great Dane

Many owners think Great Danes get a bad reputation for how gentle and good-natured they are. Some even consider them the “gentle giants” of dog breeds. However, these dogs are massive, so you’d better steer clear if they become aggressive. Their size alone is enough to cause some scary damage.

Chow Chow

Though dwarfed by Great Danes, these medium-sized dogs are very territorial and are sizable enough to be dangerous. If they feel threatened, they can lash out. Chow Chows are a very proud, dignified breed. This can make them a great addition to the family, and they make for loyal watchdogs!

German Shepherd

Another dog breed with mixed reviews, German Shepherds are extremely heroic and very intelligent dogs. However, they can also be very fierce and even aggressive when provoked. Training makes a big difference in this dog’s behavior and nature, so consider investing in some quality training if you’re planning on bringing a German Shepherd into your family.

While these dog breeds are unfortunately banned from many apartments, that doesn’t mean that you can’t welcome them into a home that does permit their presence. Talk to your landlord if you’re unsure of whether a certain dog breed is permitted in your apartment building. As with most dogs, some training or patience could make all the difference in your pooch’s behavior!