Big-dog friendly?

[StarlaJane]

Originally Posted by RooCeleste

Just FYI, breed-specific bans are illegal in Texas, so you might use that as a point in finding an apartment to rent. Chapter 822, Section 822.047 of the Texas Health and Safety code states "LOCAL REGULATION OF DANGEROUS DOGS. A county or municipality may place additional requirements or restrictions on dangerous dogs if the requirements or restrictions:
(1) are not specific to one breed or several breeds of dogs..." Granted, that is prohibiting a county or city from placing bans on a specific breed, but you could still use it in your favor, I would imagine. As an owner of a large, spoiled, friendly Rottweiler, I'd certainly try!!!

As far as other places in Austin being big-dog friendly, we've not had any problems with our 140 lb. Rottie. He goes into Lowe's, Home Depot, some Bed Bath and Beyonds, the park, restaurant patios, etc. He's very friendly and well-behaved, and as soon as proprietors see that, they have no problem with him.

I saw that while researching (and BTW, what was up with that almost-passed legislation about restricting all dogs over 40 lbs?!)

However, as other posters have stated, there is no law prohibiting rental agencies from refusing to rent to renters with any dog that is listed as a "dangerous breed" or that is over a certain weight. And, apparently, in Austin, GSD's are considered dangerous, at least by rental agencies (they aren't where I am currently living). However, your words re: attitudes are encouraging. While I have no problem renting where I live, peopel don't really allow dogs at Home Depot et al.

The major problem is trying to find an apartment without a rental agency, which seems damn-near impossible. It seems that every apartment that I am interested in is listed through a rental agency

[RooCeleste]

Can't help you there, as I've never lived in an apartment in Austin. Have you considered a duplex? There are a lot of them off Braker, and I know people who have lived in them with large dogs.