Winding Road Kennel Does Not Discriminate Against Dog Breeds
Dog breed discrimination is something that many pet owners may face from time to time. This discrimination can range from not being able to board or groom your dog at specific businesses, to it being illegal to own that breed in your state. While West Virginia does not have any dog breed bans, there are many states that do. The ASPCA offers a map to show which states may have breed bans.
Winding Road Kennel does not discriminate against dog breeds when it comes to boarding and grooming. We understand how difficult it can be to find a groomer or kennel who will accept certain breeds like pit bulls, Dobermans, or larger dogs. Breed discrimination not only hurts the owner but the dog, as well, as many “aggressive” or “mean” breeds end up in shelters or homeless due to fear.
If you own a dog that is usually discriminated against, we have some tools and advice on how to pinpoint and handle the situation. It can be incredibly stressful to find kennels or groomers that will accept your dog, and we hope that we can make this choice easier for you.
Common Breeds that Are Often Discriminated Against
There are many dog breeds that face discrimination from stores, groomers, kennels, and the general public. While you know that your pup wouldn’t hurt a fly, strangers may base their assumptions off of news stories and word of mouth. Common breeds that might face discrimination include:
- Pit Bulls
- Dobermans
- Rottweilers
- German Shepherds
- Saint Bernards
- Chow Chows
- Mastiffs
- Great Danes
While the list goes on, these are just a handful of breeds that may find it difficult to get the love they deserve. Of course, some dogs may be aggressive, but it is important to understand that one dog’s actions does not reflect the temperament of the breed.
How to Handle Breed Discrimination
If your state doesn’t allow specific breeds, then there may not be much you can do. Before moving states, be sure that you can bring your dog with you. Above, we have a map of states that have a breed ban for various dogs.
In some cases, your dog may face discrimination by its looks. If it looks like a pit bull, terrier, Great Dane, or other banned breed, the business may turn you away from service. Be sure to have proper paperwork to prove that your pet is the breed you’re claiming in the event that a business, landlord, or insurance company tries to turn you away.
According to BestFriends.org, only Pennsylvania and Michigan regularly prohibit breeds in homeowners insurance; be sure to read over your policy. There could be loop holes in coverage for dog bites, attacks, and other injuries from specific dog breeds. There are organizations that fight back against discrimination, and you can report problems to state and local organizations like the Animal Farm Foundation in Iowa. Be sure to research similar organizations in your area.
Where You May Find Dog Breed Discrimination
Dog breed discrimination can pop up anywhere, from the park, to rental home agreements or insurance policies. In some cases, you may not be able to have a dog that is over a certain weight, or it may tell you what breeds are and are not allowed. Those with service dogs may even find themselves deterred from a business if the owner does not approve of their dog’s breed. While in cases like this it is possible to file a claim, it isn’t always that simple.
Before making appointments with groomers, boarders, or other dog-centered businesses, be sure to call and find out if they have any breeds they do not accept. This will help to save any frustration if the business denies you service.
When looking for a new home to buy or rent, you may discover breed discrimination in the fine print. Look into the community guidelines or speak with past tenants to find out if there are any hidden breed discrimination rules in the contract. Your landlord or realtor should know about any breed bans.
Know the Problems with Dog Breed Discrimination
Those who do not own a pet or who have had a bad experience with a dog may not pay much mind to breed bans or discrimination. They may wonder if it matters and why pet owners get so upset when jumping through hoops to take their dog anywhere. There are many issues with dog breed discrimination, especially for the health and safety of the dog. Because of breed bans, many owners may have to give up their pet after a move. Because of this discrimination, that family pet will now have to spend their days in a cold shelter where prospective owners may fear their breed. Fighting back against breed discrimination will help to keep dogs happy, healthy, and with their families.
Count on Winding Road Kennel to Care For Your Dog
At Winding Road Kennel, we work with dogs of all breeds and treat them as equals. Our staff has years of experience working with different breeds and will be happy to make any accommodations. If you do have a dog that scares easily, we suggest bringing them in for a tour and to visit a few times before boarding. This will help your dog feel more comfortable at our facility while keeping our employees safe. We will not turn away any dog unless we find that there is a threat to the safety of our employees or other pets in our care.
Call Winding Road Kennel today to book an appointment or to learn more about our kennel. Located in Parkersburg, WV, we proudly serve the Mid-Ohio Valley.
For more information on our knowledge of different dog breeds, give Winding Road Kennel a call at (304) 428-3518, or follow us on Facebook. We can provide more information on breed discrimination.