German Shepherd Are Restricted in WA? (Seattle, Tacoma: apartment complex, renter, houses)

[Melissa82]

I have just been advised after many phone calls to rental companies, that GSD's are on the restrictive breed list and that no renter will allow them. Is this true? I have been looking in the Tacoma and surrounding area. Every apartment complex I have called as said they don't allow them.

I am going to have a break down. My husband is out of the army in a couple months and he has a job offer on Ft. Lewis. I need to find a place for us to live within 30 mins driving distance and in the $900 range.

I can't seem to find anything online that states what this lady told me is true. Can anyone recommend any places that allow GSD's?

Thanks

[Inkpoe]

Washington doesn't have a BSL so you're not going to find anything about GSD being on the restricted list... its those renters own by-laws-- of which they can put anything in. With a large breed, your odd would be better looking at houses in the countryside suburbs (think Yelm, Graham et. c) -- where they're more lax. Odds are you're going to have to bump up your renting range, to probably $1200/mo.

[j_k_k]

Yeah, the issue is more landlords who refuse to rent to anyone with any breed of dog, rather than addressing breed-specific issues. A number of municipalities in the state have laws governing specific breeds, but that applies whether you own or rent. It could be pretty tough, especially on the west side of the mountains where fleas are such a problem with dogs. I remember two Seattle apartments that I moved into (dogless), both of which were so heavily infested they had to be bombed. In one case, not even that was enough to eradicate the things. I can easily see why landlords would just not allow any dogs at all.

I suppose there's the possibility you could offer the landlord an exorbitant special pet deposit. He's probably not supposed to do that for you unless he did it for others (could expose him to discrimination stuff, possibly).

[Cinebar]

I've never heard of any restrictions specific to GSD's.

I agree about looking for something a little bit 'out' if possible. Most people looking to live in the country want to do so so they can have animals and perhaps owners of country properties might be a little more amenable to it.

Not to be deceitful or anything, but just in case, maybe you should not mention that your dog is a GSD. Don't lie; if asked what breed your dog is, tell the truth - just don't volunteer it.

Good luck and welcome to the state!

[Melissa82]

Originally Posted by Cinebar

I've never heard of any restrictions specific to GSD's.

I agree about looking for something a little bit 'out' if possible. Most people looking to live in the country want to do so so they can have animals and perhaps owners of country properties might be a little more amenable to it.

Not to be deceitful or anything, but just in case, maybe you should not mention that your dog is a GSD. Don't lie; if asked what breed your dog is, tell the truth - just don't volunteer it.

Good luck and welcome to the state!

The thing with that is you normally have to sign a document stating the info on your dog and a lot of them want to meet the dog. I had to do it at an apartment I rented here.

[j_k_k]

You should also know that in WA, if you rent rather than lease, a landlord can issue you a 20-day vacate notice at any time, for any reason or no reason. So if the landlord gets a dog surprise and doesn't appreciate that, this can occur.