Do you have a large or giant breed dog and struggle to find an apartment in Austin that will accept your four-legged friend? You’re not alone. While many complexes allow small pets, restrictions often rule out renting with big dogs over 50 pounds. Don’t worry though, let’s dive in and explore your options and what to expect when we find the right apartment for you and your furry friend.
20 Popular Large Dog Breeds in the Austin, TX
Before jumping into your apartment search, let’s define “large dog.” They come in all shapes and sizes in the Lonestar State! Here are 20 beloved big breeds and their average adult weights that you may have difficulty finding an apartment with:
- Labrador Retriever (55-80 lbs)
- German Shepherd (50-90 lbs)
- Golden Retriever (55-75 lbs)
- Bulldog (40-50 lbs)
- Boxer (50-70 lbs)
- Doberman Pinscher (60-80 lbs)
- Siberian Husky (35-60 lbs)
- Great Dane (100-200 lbs)
- Rottweiler (80-135 lbs)
- Mastiff (120-230 lbs)
- Saint Bernard (120-180 lbs)
- Great Pyrenees (85-100 lbs)
- Irish Wolfhound (105-180 lbs)
- Newfoundland (100-150 lbs)
- Bernese Mountain Dog (70-115 lbs)
- Alaskan Malamute (75-85 lbs)
- Border Collie (30-45 lbs)
- Dalmatian (40-70 lbs)
- Australian Shepherd (40-65 lbs)
- Weimaraner (50-70 lbs)
As you search for rentals in Austin, keep your specific dog’s breed, weight, age, and activity needs in mind and work with your local Austin apartment locator to pinpoint the management companies and communities that will accept your large dog breed. Save hours of research plus the money you would normally spend on application and administration fees by not getting denied at a place that doesn’t accept big dog breeds!
Expect Pet Deposits + Monthly Pet Rent
As Austin continues to grow you should know that there are apartment communities that welcome bigger dogs these days. Truth be told though, you should be aware that you should still expect to pay:
- Pet deposit – Usually $200-$500, refundable if no damage upon move-out.
- Monthly pet rent – $10-$30 per pet on top of normal rent.
As always we recommend that you review all pet policies before signing a lease, as some apartments restrict certain large breeds, sizes, ages, and numbers of pets and you certainly don’t want an eviction or broken lease on your record. By choosing to work with a licensed real estate agent that will be your personal apartment locator we absolutlely recommend that you don’t apply anywhere without confirming your dog is allowed first!
Dog-Friendly Amenities You Should Be Looking For
There are a variety of many new communities and even older Austin apartments that cater to pet parents with dog parks, dog spas, play spaces, and more on-site. When touring communities, we recommend you specifically look for:
- Fenced Dog Parks – For off-leash playtime with the neighborhood buddies to exchange business cards and get those sniffs in!
- Pet Spa – For DIY bathing and grooming so you don’t have to pay for Fido to get groomed
- Relief Areas – Well-maintained pet potty spots with grass or wood chips that isn’t just a dirt patch
- Dog Runs – Small, private yards attached to ground floor units if you’d prefer a private yard for your K9
- Nearby Parks/Trails – For walks and hiking consider living close the one of Austin’s many parks or greenbelts. Our favorites for dogs are Walnut Creek, Red Bud Isle, Barton Creek Greenbelt off South Lamar plus Onion Creek, Brushy Creek and down to Sculpture Falls near Westlake
Some luxury buildings may offer dog walking, playgroups, training, grooming, and boarding services on-demand through a doggy app but be prepared to pay and arm and a leg! If you’re conconcerned about your furry friend not getting enough play time while your away working you might consider a local doggy day care drop-off so they can play with other dogs OR a drop in day-care or dog walking service with Rover.com
Tips for Your Apartment Search
To set your dog-friendly search for Austin apartments that allow large dogs, keep these tips in mind:
- Have your dog’s breed, weight, age, temperament details, vaccination records, and past rental history handy for when you apply as they may be required as part of the application process
- Be ready to pay pet deposit fees and meet dog restrictions like weight limits, breed bans, etc for when you get approved
- Prioritize communities with ample outdoor space for playtime so you’re dog maintains a healthy lifestyle and personality
- Consider working with a free apartment locator service familiar with pet policies in Austin’s rental market to save you both time and money.
With your trusted canine top-of-mind throughout the renting process, you’re sure to find an awesome new pad that suits both your needs and your big furry BFF’s!
Work With a Local Apartment Finder to Narrow Your Choices
Experieneed apartment finders in Austin and the surrounding areas of Round Rock, Georgetown, Cedar Park, Leader all the way down to South Austin have insider knowledge of the most up-to-date large dog breed restrictions and fees at various communities so you don’t spend countless hours trying to find the right apartment for your lifestyle.
An experienced locator will get to know your budget, ideal location, must-have amenities, and use their connections to find suitable options that also welcome your four-legged BFF. They’ll schedule tour appointments so you don’t waste time applying anywhere without checking if your dog gets approved first. You will have the benefit of knowing what to expect during the application process so you don’t get denied when
