cluedweasel

This is the issue we have with our rentals. We're happy to rent to people with pets, as we have plenty ourselves. Unfortunately, our insurance specifically states a number of breeds that they won't cover for liability. Rottweiler's are on the list.

another bloody yank

The problem might be the breed. We had an insurance waiver for our Rottie at our old place. When we moved to a new house in a different area my wife called to set up insurance with a new company. The asked about dogs and when my wife said we had a Rottie, the lady said "Oh... I wish you hadn't said that..." The result was we had to send our 11yo dog on a vacation with friends... until we were sure the insurance agent wasn't going to come by for a visit.

For future reference, you don't have a Rottie, you have a mutt of dubious parentage.

Steerpike

It's not just because we live in a litigious society. It is because Rottweilers are an inherently unstable breed (or a breed bred to kill, if you want to look at it that way). The first 'bad event' with the dog may be a death.

http://sanantonio.injuryboard.com/mi...oogleid=255524

http://www.fox10tv.com/dpp/news/20-m...-by-Rottweiler

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage...r-On-walk.html

http://www.nypost.com/p/news/nationa...JGDjvIGPMxtQKP

... and hundreds more ... just google 'rottweiler killed' ...

Bob

Your looking at a minimum of at least one probably two or three months rent as deposit that'll be on top of your regular deposit, that won't be returnable on most pets that you can't stuff in a hand bag.

Might have more luck in a private rental, but then expect to show you've got liability insurance to cover the dog biting a kids head off to the landlord so they don't have to cover it.

Kaffy Mintcake

For what it's worth, I had a co-worker who rented an apartment in a large apartment complex and had a Rottweiler. I'm not aware of him ever having a problem, he used to play fetch with it in the common area all the time.

OP: Good luck, hope you find the right place.

Brat1

I don't think it's so much they're bred to kill. Unfortunately, because of the dominance of the breed and it's natural instinct to protect it's own, if you don't know how to handle it, that's when people have problems. Any owner of a rottweiler has to understand the breed so that you do not end up being headline news.

Brat1

Thanks Bob

We're working on the insurance just now. Aparently, there are a couple of insurance companies that will insure Rottweilers, so I'll let you know what comes back from them.

Jerseygirl

Agreed.

Brat1

Steerpike

But how do you handle the fact that the dog interacts with strangers - visitors, children, etc - you can't be present 100% of the time the dog is in the presence of others. Every story I've read about problems always seem to involve the owners having stepped out for a moment, or the dog is in the other room 'playing with the children' ... and the tragic event is usually the first ever 'bad' thing that has ever happened with the dog. Anyway - good luck!

Jerseygirl

The reason we bought a Doberman was because we'd had an attempted break-in during the night when my husband was away. My first step was to speak to my vet and ask his advice on the best breed/age etc of the dog. He told me only to buy one from a reputable breeder who only breeds one type of dog. Don't buy a dog if you cannot see the mother...you should be able to pet her without her showing any signs of aggression. Ideally you should be able to see the sire.

The dog's owner should be capable of handling the dog...some breeds are extremely assertive...the dog has to learn the owner is pack leader. The dog should be trained properly...and socialised. It should also have the correct amount of exercise for the breed.

Most of the stories I've read about dog attacks are dogs from unsuitable homes.

If we had other children visiting we would always make sure the dogs were locked away safely. Mainly because I was worried that the dog may knock a child over and it would be misread by the parents.

Brat1

Personally, I wouldn't every contemplate leaving any dog (we have had german shepherds in the past) alone in a room with children. As an owner, you have to be responsible, and you should know your dogs traits. If our children have friends round, the dog is in another room, not because I don't trust him, but because, even at 4 years old, he loves company and gets excited when people are in the house and wants to play and I know some children would find him too big. But I do take on board what you're saying. It's just a shame that all dogs in a particular breed are tarred with the one brush. :

sarahlou145

Good luck with your search, we have two westies and found when we were looking for somewhere over here in California, we halves our options by having dogs, also a lot would only take one dog, most wanted them to be under 20lbs, ours are 20 and 21lbs, so we kind of qualified
Have you tried contacting any realtors in the area to see if they can offer any advice?
Hopefully you wont have to leave your dog behind, as i imagine how heartbreaking it must be leaving the older one. I was a wreck just being parted from our two on the flight over here!!

Brat1

We have someone working for us at the moment, and we have found somewhere that will accept a dog - he doesn't know what breed yet!!!!!! We have just e-mailed to let them know. We'll wait and see what they say. And yes, I don't think I could leave him after having to rehome our other old man. The trials and tribulations of relocation.

Michelmas

The wife and I rescued a Foxhound 8 years ago and brought him with us when we bought our home. Before then, we rented a condo and only had to pay $25 a month pet fee [for possible carpet damage], no insurance required. In our new house, our neighbour runs a daycare just over the road from us in her house. She was fine with the Foxhound but was not happy when we rescued a pure bred pitbull [4 months old]
She knows us and trusts us with our dogs so we gradually changed that prejudice about the breed.
The hypocrisy is though I just found out she received a handgun as a christmas present that is kept in the house with the kids.