Moving to SD from New Jersey, two pitbulls

[mandasand]

When looking for a rental, find ones that are dog friendly and when you write to inquire tell them you have two dogs...if they ask what kind say they are mutts. If they ask specifically if they are pit bull mixes, be honest...but you don't necessarily need to tell them straight off that you have "two pit bulls." And there is a way to get references for your dogs...have your current neighbors write a letter of recommendation and your vet. I think oftentimes it's more of a dog weight restriction...obviously some landlords will outright state they have breed restrictions, but unless they specifically ask if you have pit bulls I wouldn't come right out and say it! I have a lab and I've encountered issues with size rather than breed.

[AADAD]

Why not buy?

[LuvSouthOC]

I would never rent to anyone with dogs like that or really any big dogs, but especially those.

Pit bulls are not so much the problem as are many owners of such dogs. I don't care what anyone says as I have seen it from SD to LA. The shelters are FULL of these nearly unadoptable, often abused, aggressive fighting dogs. Many communities in California have already banned them or are considering such a ban. I know these dogs can be ok with civilized owners such as the OP, but many are not. How I am supposed to know which are ok?

And my former beloved basset hound was attacked by such a vicious animal and to be honest, I wouldn't shed a tear to see them banned in the city I live in. The shelters that are filled with these unadoptable pets would likely agree. Hell, not long ago, another pit killed a kid.

Thank goodness my dog was ok, because I was so mad I wanted to kill that nasty pit bull and wasn't too pleased with the owner either.

[Ragnar]

I was at a city playground with my little kids last year in Madison, WI and some elementary-aged kids showed up with a Rotweiler, constantly cursing at it, hitting it with sticks, pouring sand on its head, etc. Needless to say we hightailed it out of there. I just don't understand why young kids would ever abuse a dog like that, especially a Rotweiler. I hope they still have all of their fingers!

[Carrie2979]

The dogs are not the problem, it's the owners. (Not referring to you OP). The unfortunate thing is that there has been too many owners of pets that have ruined landlords properties. Not just aggressive breed dogs, but big and small dogs alike can do a lot of damage to a rental property. Also the liability of having an aggressive breed on a property is huge, thus insurance on aggressive breeds can be high.

My advice would be to really dig into craigslist. The best chance you have is renting a house. A house that has no ties to an hoa. Apartment complexes are worst. Do they look like pits? You mentioned with were mixed. You might need to supply pictures. I like what one previous poster suggested. That when you explain to them that you have 2 dogs, don't say they are pits, but they are a mixed breed. If they want a picture, be ready to show them.

I wish you so much luck. These dogs are often mistaken for their aggressiveness. I've been around more aggressive labs, boxers, Chihuahuas then I have pits. They really are good dogs if they are in the right hands.