It’s no surprise that over 48 million households in the U.S. own at least one dog. They’re man’s best friend, after all. Whether you’re renting a house in Seattle with a yard, a small apartment in NYC, or a spacious condo in LA, owning a dog comes with its own set of challenges. One of the most significant considerations for dog owners, especially those living in apartments, is breed restrictions. Many apartment complexes and rental properties enforce specific rules regarding which dog breeds are allowed, often focusing on those perceived as aggressive.
In this ApartmentGuide article, we’ll explore the breeds often labeled as aggressive and therefore restricted in many apartment communities.
What are aggressive dog breeds
When considering dog breeds for apartment living and restriction guidelines, some breeds tend to be more suitable than others. No matter what kind of pup you end up with, expect to pay a pet fee. Allowable breeds are typically smaller dogs, known for being more relaxed and friendly. Those that might end up on an aggressive dog breeds list are often known for exhibiting specific behaviors that include:
- Excessive barking
- Lunging or charging at people and other pets
- Snapping and snarling
- Barring teeth
- Biting
If you own a rescue or mixed-breed dog, you need to consider which breed your beloved pup would be most identified with. What breed does your dog look like? What are its temperamental characteristics and innate behaviors? You may have a little more leeway to identify your dog as a specific breed to get around banned breed restrictions. But the ultimate decision lies with the landlord. If they’re not comfortable with your shelter dog, you’ll need to find a new place to live.
Assigning an aggressive label to a particular breed is all about safety. Statistically, many of these dogs have an increased risk of harming another pet or a person, which is often why management companies will set restrictions. If you already have a “banned” breed, and you’re trying to rent an apartment, you may wonder whether it’s legal to restrict certain breeds. You’re already willing to pay the pet deposit, so what’s the issue, right?
Like everything else, it’s complicated. But first, let’s see if your preferred pup is likely to even make the aggressive dog breeds list.
List of 20 aggressive dog breeds
Here is the list of dog breeds often restricted in apartments.
1. American Pit Bull Terrier
The pit bull has become the poster child for “bully breeds.” This pup is one of the most misunderstood breeds in American culture. Almost any pit bull owner will tell you that they’re as sweet, loyal, and gentle as can be. However, the broader culture views them as aggressive, unpredictable, and even worse, as a “dangerous dog.” Sadly, this breed is disproportionately represented in shelters around the country and is also very common among rescue dogs. Any dog adopted without knowledge of their parentage, life experiences, or reason for abandonment can end up being dangerous in the wrong hands.
Unfortunately, their reputation overshadows the true character of the breed. Because of this, pit bulls and pit bull mixes are commonly banned in communal apartment buildings. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t adopt a pit bull or a mixed-breed shelter dog. Just be prepared to spend more time on your apartment search and get ready to promote your pup to potential landlords.
2. Rottweiler
This is a strong dog. The breed was created to herd and guard. Socialization while still in the puppy stage is essential to have a Rottweiler who’s comfortable around other pets and people, but you still have to operate with caution.
Like the American Pit Bull, the Rottweiler is often featured in media, movies, and television as an aggressive and threatening dog. If you’re considering Rottweiler ownership while living at an apartment, be sure to thoroughly research the breed. Be prepared to face possible issues when trying to rent an apartment with a large dog of this breed.
3. Akita
Akitas were originally bred as Japanese hunting dogs, created for harsh conditions. Today, the breed is an amazing dog since they form strong bonds with the people who care for them.
Unfortunately, some Akitas are also uncomfortable around strangers. This can lead to behavior perceived as threatening, whether it represents true aggression or simply fear. They also have a high prey drive, which can lead to some bad behavior if triggered by smaller animals. Many apartments have breed restrictions that include Akitas due to these characteristics.
4. Bullmastiff
These dogs are seriously large. They average in size between 100 and 130 pounds. No matter what attitude they’re exhibiting, they make for an imposing form.
They’re bred with a guarding instinct, but are actually an easy breed to train and socialize. Taking them out for regular walks can help curb potential bad behavior and early socialization for puppies should ensure they don’t guard you aggressively.
Paradoxically, given their enormous size, Bullmastiffs are actually excellent apartment dogs in many ways. They’re generally quite lazy and lethargic, so they do better with smaller spaces and fewer walks than many other breeds. However, due to their size and guarding instincts, many apartments have breed restrictions that include Bullmastiffs.
5. Doberman Pinscher
Dobermans are great guard dogs. They’re loyal and alert, but the breed is wary of other dogs or strangers. Their instinct is to attack, especially if they feel provoked.
This breed is best for a more experienced dog owner, who knows how to handle the pup’s tendencies towards aggressive guarding behavior. Due to these tendencies towards aggressive guarding behavior, many apartments have breed restrictions that include Dobermans. This is important to consider if you’re thinking about getting a Doberman while living in an apartment. Even well-trained Dobermans can exhibit protective behaviors that may be problematic in a densely populated living environment.
6. German Shepherd
You may not think this breed belongs on the list, but without proper socialization and training, the German Shepherd can be an aggressive breed. They’re innately territorial and can become overprotective when it comes to their families. However, German Shepherds are also smart and very trainable. They’re the preferred pup of the military, and you’ll often see them working as police dogs.
While their strong protective instincts make them excellent working dogs, these same traits can pose challenges in a densely populated living environment. Therefore, it’s important to consider these restrictions and the potential for aggressive behavior when choosing a German Shepherd as an apartment pet.
7. Siberian Husky
Providing a Siberian Husky with enough exercise to keep them happy is no joke. They need a ton of stimulation to remain calm and well-behaved. Without it, their temperament can become unpredictable.
An unexercised husky is much more stubborn than one that’s been properly run about. The breed can have dominant tendencies, which may make them hard to control when they’re bored or unhappy. Once a husky is worked up, it can become difficult to get them to calm down, making it hard to pull them away from an unsafe situation. Because of these high exercise needs and potential for stubborn behavior, your future apartment may have restrictions against Siberian Huskies.
8. Chow Chow
This high-maintenance dog breed can be a great pet if cared for properly. But they require a lot of socialization and plenty of exercise and attention. Without these things on a regular basis, some Chows become aggressive and unpredictable.
Chows are generally wary of strangers and very protective of their owners. These traits are heightened when the pup isn’t properly cared for, transforming a sweet dog into a dangerous one in the wrong hands. Due to their behavioral tendencies and the necessity for consistent care, many apartments impose breed restrictions on Chow Chows.
9. Cane Corso
You’ll often see this breed as a trained police dog, thanks to its imposing stature. Intensive training is incredibly important, as these dogs can have aggressive tendencies. In the wrong hands, it’s easy for the dog to get out of control, and its strength can make it hard to hold back from engaging with another animal.
Its size is also pretty imposing. At an average weight between 90 and 120 pounds, it won’t be easy to remove this dog from a confrontation with another animal or human. These factors contribute to many apartments implementing breed restrictions for this type of dog.
10. Great Dane
Size often puts this breed on the list of dogs not allowed in apartments, even though they have a reputation for being gentle pups. While unlikely to bite, without proper training these beautiful behemoths can be aggressive.
Nobody wants a giant, aggressive dog coming at them, which is why the breed gets pegged as more dangerous than it actually is. If you’re thinking about owning a Great Dane, make sure you get them the right training to ensure they’re on their best behavior.
11. Rhodesian Ridgeback
Another larger dog, this breed can reach 80 pounds. Originally from Africa, the Ridgeback was actually used to keep lions away from livestock. As a result, they have strong guarding instincts.
Rhodesian Ridgebacks are a sensitive breed and are often very tentative around strangers. Without proper exercise and training, these traits can lead to challenging behavior when out on walks or even in the common areas of your apartment building.
12. Boxer
High energy levels and strong personalities can make boxers a challenging breed for inexperienced owners. They’re intelligent, agile, friendly and very strong.
The best way to keep a boxer in line is with exercise. This means so much more though than a daily walk. Boxers pretty much need something keeping them busy at all times in order to remain calm and content. With limited space to let their pup run around and play, many apartment dwellers may find the Boxer to be too high maintenance. If you’re determined to own a boxer, find yourself a great dog walker to help keep your good boy active.
13. Malamute
A big, fluffy, wolf-like dog, it’s possible you won’t have much room left to yourself sharing an apartment with a Malamute. Their personalities also take up a lot of space, and you never want to leave a bored Malamute unattended. Boredom often equals destruction with this breed.
These dogs are challenging to train and are bred with a high prey drive, so they probably shouldn’t share a home with small pets. Daily exercise will help curb any potential aggressive behavior, but between their large size and intelligent personality, they may not be ideal for apartment dwellers.
14. Dalmatian
Not a big dog, but definitely not small, Dalmatians aren’t just fit for the firehouse. Their energy makes them great playmates, but without enough attention and socialization when they’re young, problems can arise.
Behavioral issues can occur if the pup spends too much time alone, and isn’t given plenty of opportunities to release its energy each day. On the whole, they’re a great breed. But they may not be ideally suited to living in small apartments unless you’re able to spend a lot of time with them at home and on walks.
15. Fila Brasileiro
Also called the Brazilian Mastiff, this particular dog can be an aggressive and unforgiving hunter. While that works great when out for prey, it doesn’t translate well in a more residential setting. An impetuous and dominant temperament makes it dangerous for inexperienced owners. When around people and animals they don’t know, the Fila Brasileiro should always be well-controlled and monitored.
These traits lead many apartments to restrict this breed. If you’re considering a Fila Brasileiro, it’s essential to check your apartment’s pet policies and be aware of the breed’s specific care needs in a residential environment.
16. Dogo Argentino
Aggression levels in this particular breed caused it to get banned from ownership in the United Kingdom, among other countries. Originally, Dogo Argentino was a big-game hunting dog, going after animals the size of a bear.
They’re a powerful and beautiful breed, but simply a little too wild to work as a residential pet. They’re not ideal for novice dog owners as they may have socialization issues, are wary of strangers, and require significant exercise due to their high-energy levels. In short, they’re likely on apartment breed restriction lists and are typically not well-suited for apartment living.
17. Wolf hybrid
Typically a mix between a domestic dog and a grey wolf, this animal tends to be highly unpredictable. The wolf in it may account for a high prey drive, which can easily lead to aggressive behaviors against other animals. They’re especially dangerous around pets smaller than them, since they may try to hunt them.
As a result of this heightened prey drive, many apartments have strict policies against wolf hybrids to protect other residents and pets. It’s important to consider these restrictions and the potential challenges of owning a wolf hybrid in an apartment setting.
18. Boerboel
Another guard dog on the list, Boerboel, used to guard farms against lions and leopards in South Africa. This breed is always an excellent tracker and a very loyal pup. They’re also quite protective of their loved ones and property, which can lead to threatening displays of behavior when they’re out and about. This protective nature may make them a danger to visitors or strangers in their residences. Due to these traits, many apartments have breed restrictions against Boerboels.
19. Basenji
Basenjis, being sight hounds, are known to be one of the more challenging breeds to train. Their strong hunting instincts can be triggered by even the slightest movement from another animal.
They also tend to only have one master, which means nobody else but that one person can exhibit any modicum of control over the animal’s behavior. This can lead to problems and make for an unruly situation in an apartment community.
20. Saint Bernard
With a reputation for helping hikers in the Alps, this working dog has also got some attitude. The breed can be stubborn, with a tendency to try and test the authority of their owners. They can also get suspicious of strangers and act aggressively as a result.
While they have a little attitude that can lead to aggressive behavior, overall, they’re a breed you can properly train and socialize to help with their “stranger danger” issues. All that said, sometimes it’s hard to convince someone that your giant, 140-pound dog isn’t going to hurt them. Owning one in an apartment building may make other tenants uncomfortable no matter how sweet the pup is.
Are aggressive dog breed restrictions legal?
It’s a touchy issue to classify an entire breed of dog as aggressive and dangerous, but it happens. This means no matter how friendly your pup is, they’ll have this stigma hanging over their heads, and people may be afraid before they even meet your fur baby.
Breed-specific legislation exists for safety reasons. It looks at breeds that have a higher tendency of attacking humans or other animals and responds accordingly. Often, when an apartment community has breed restrictions, it aligns with the list within existing legislation.
Certain states are taking a different approach, though, doing things on a more individual basis. Rather than call out an entire breed, states like New York, Texas and Illinois favor laws that track and regulate specific dogs based on their actual behavior rather than a proposed threat. These states prohibit breed-specific legislation.
Since there’s no real evidence that breed restrictions make a community safer when it comes to pets, the trend may shift away from this fully exclusionary policy when it comes to certain breeds. But for now, it’s actually legal to discriminate against pups based on their DNA.
Non-aggressive and apartment friendly dog breeds to consider
When faced with this situation, the best thing to do is to look at the top apartment dog breeds that are more widely accepted. You can always wait until you own your own home, or live in a place without aggressive dog breed restrictions, to get a dog from our list.
Even without the 20 breeds mentioned above, you still have plenty of options for loving, active and fun dogs to give a home to, including:
- Shih Tzu
- Spaniels of all kinds
- Pug
- Bichon Frise
- Golden Retrievers
- Havanese
- Maltese
- Bulldog
- Greyhound
- Mixed breed dogs from this list
You could also go for the favorite, friendly breed, the Labrador retriever. This beautiful dog has topped the popularity list since 1991.
Since there are over 190 different dog breeds in the U.S., you have plenty of options when it comes to picking a specific animal or avoiding one that’s on an aggressive dog breeds list. It may be difficult, especially if you think you’ve found your canine soulmate, but knowing what pups typically get labeled as aggressive can help you narrow your search before you begin. Good luck, and thank you for giving a deserving pooch a home, no matter what breed it is.
The information contained in this article is for educational purposes only and does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal or financial advice. Readers are encouraged to seek professional legal or financial advice as they may deem it necessary.