9 Tips for Owning a Dog in NYC
August 30, 2023 | 11 minute read | the RENT BETTA team
New York City will give you the best of everything...but what about a dog’s love?
If you’re new to the Big Apple or are owning a dog for the first time, here are our best tips to save you cash and make life with your new friend easier.
Find a pet-friendly, no fee apartment on RENTBETTA.com and save thousands of dollars on broker fees. Look for a dog under 50 pounds (fully grown) that isn’t an “aggressive breed” (eg, Pitbulls, German Shepherds, Rottweilers) to qualify for most pet-friendly buildings. Adopt a dog at the ASPCA or find a breeder in Pennsylvania, but avoid NYC pet stores, where you’ll pay more for a puppy that may be under-socialized. For shots and routine care, Petco’s Vetco clinics are a great deal.
1. Be Sure You’re Ready for the Expense
Expect a dog to cost you $5,000-$10,000 per year and an extra 2-3 hours of work each day, based on hiring a walker to take them out once during the day and doing the morning and evening walks yourself.
There's no easy way around it.
If you have a more cash you can reduce the time commitment by hiring walkers or sitters more frequently, if you have more time you can lower the cost by doing almost all of the walks yourself.
But it's going to be a trade-off around this level of time and financial commitment.
We've been there ourselves, and we know it's not easy.
A dog will weigh on your work and social life, so make sure you're at a point where the commitment will add something to your life rather than detract from an already packed schedule.
Also, a cat can be a wise decision as they are easier to take care of and accepted by more landlords.
2. Find a No Fee Pet-Friendly Apartment to Save Money on Broker Fees
If you want a dog, your apartment should be pet-friendly. If not, you risk breaking the terms of your lease, which is technically grounds for eviction, though there are a few tricks like the NYC Pet Law to get around a "no pets" lease provision.
To find a pet-friendly apartment with no broker fee, check out RENTBETTA.com, which has 1,000+ no fee apartments from property managers across NYC.
The site works by connecting users directly with all the leasing offices in NYC that let you rent directly from them, without working through (or paying) a broker.
Different pet-friendly buildings follow different rules on what breeds they allow, so check the “Pet Policy” section for our most recent notes on each listing from the last time we toured an apartment with the management company, and confirm them when you see the apartment.
3. Choose a Size and Breed Acceptable to Most Landlords
Even if your current building is pet-friendly, you will likely move at some point, so get a dog that will meet the requirements at other pet-friendly buildings, too.
Each landlord sets its own rules, so while two buildings might both be “pet friendly”, what they allow can differ.
For example, Eberhart Brothers, which owns a string of walk-ups in the UES, allows cats, but not dogs.
Stuytown, a large complex near the East Village, allows two cats or a single dog up to 50 pounds, so long as it is not an “aggressive breed” and is registered with management.
Out of the hundreds of New York City apartments we've toured, the common requirements for most pet-friendly buildings are:
1. 50 pounds or less (fully grown)
2. No “aggressive” breeds (eg, Pitbulls, Rottweilers, German Shepherds, Rottweilers, Doberman Pinschers, or any large dog that may scare children)
3. Friendly towards people and other dogs
Bear in mind that all landlords who allow pets do so on a case by case basis, so “pet friendly” doesn’t mean "we will definitely allow your dog, despite its aggressive tendencies."
It just means they will approve your dog if it meets their standards, which are sometimes open to a little interpretation.
50 Pounds (or less)
Is your dog 55 pounds when their stated policy is 50?
Say it’s only 48 pounds and the leasing agent will likely look the other way.
But don't argue with them if your dog is really 65 pounds, the weight difference is too visually obvious and they will likely ask you to leave.
Stay within a building’s rules, or bend them just slightly, but don’t flout them. It may cost you an application approval.
No Aggressive Breeds
What defines an “aggressive” dog breed in NYC?
Dog owners know it is the person behind the dog, and not the animal itself that makes it aggressive, but landlords are trying to limit liability and are concerned by big dogs with strong jaws.
The list of prohibited breeds on every landlord’s list will include Pitbulls, German Shepherds, Rottweilers, Doberman Pinschers, and any crosses that includes these breeds.
So even if it's a shelter dog that only looks a little like a Pit Bull, the leasing office will likely call it a Pit Bull, and call it a day with your application.
This list is just suggestive though, not exhaustive, so if you’ve got a large dog that isn’t known for being friendly, the landlord will likely deem it an aggressive breed and nix your application.
Also, many shelter dogs are at least partially Pit Bull and will have a hard time being accepted by your building.
So what are the best breeds to get in New York City that will easily pass leasing office inspection and bring joy to your life?
Popular Dog Breeds in New York City
1. French Bulldog (small bodies, big personalities, and very common)
2. Poodle or Goldendoodle (not much shedding)
3. Corgi (beautiful coats with fluffy behinds)
4. Australian Shepherd (beautiful eyes and a favorite at the dog park, though need constant walks)
5. Dachshund (who doesn’t love their long bodies and cute waddle?)
6. Yorkie (can easily fit into a bag)
7. Cavalier King Charles (a wonderful lap dog)
8. Labrador Retriever (look for a smaller, female doggie to stay near or under 50 pounds)
9. Golden Retriever (look for a smaller, female doggie to stay near or under 50 pounds)
Overall, look for a friendly breed that is known for being sweet to people and didn’t historically fill a guarding role to pass the “no aggressive breeds” requirement.
Looking for more inspiration?
Then head to a nearby NYC dog park (we like dog-watching at Tompkins Square Park in the East Village or Washington Square Park in the West Village) and see what breeds are most popular.
If they're not busy, owners like to talk about their dogs, so if you see a pooch that catches your eye and looks like it might fit well into your life, strike up a conversation with the owner and ask about the breed and where they got it.
Friendly Towards People
Expect the leasing office staff to want to meet your dog, either when you first show up for a tour or when you drop off the application.
Does the dog approach the staff with tail wagging, eager to sniff their hand?
Then you’ll pass this test with flying colors.
Does your dog start growling when approached or make it clear they don't want to be touched? Your application will likely be rejected.
4. Check out NYC Dog Adoption or a Breeder, Skip the Pet Store
The easiest way to start your search is close to home. Check out NYC dog adoption shelters like the ASPCA, which has pet profiles online with a short bio...almost like a dating site for animals!
Take the M15-SBS to their location on E 94th St.
The ASPCA is quite relaxed about adopters coming through without too much paperwork, and you can walk through their kennels to see all the dogs and cats they have available.
Tip: any dog with a green sticker means the staff has deemed it friendly and it will be adopted soon, a blue sticker means a more experienced handler is needed.
Suggested donation is $150 per pet.
If you don’t find a dog at the shelter and can handle the effort required to raise a puppy, skip the pet store and go straight to a breeder.
Keep in mind that puppies are cute but a lot of work, and you should have prior dog experience and 4-5 hours available per day to interact with them for training and socialization.
Adult dogs already know what to do, and adopting a friendly dog from the ASPCA may be easiest.
Ready to go down the puppy route?
We recommend Lancaster Puppies and finding a breeder in Pennsylvania.
An AKC-registered purebred dog will cost $1,000-3,000 depending on bloodlines, but not more.
Pet stores in NYC will charge $4,000+ (for no superior breeding), so you'll save $1,000 or more for the price of a car rental ($100-200), and get a healthier, happier dog.
Pet stores cram dogs into small cages or glass show areas, where they get infrequent contact with people and become under-socialized. This can lead to anxiety and aggression problems, and disease outbreaks like eye and ear infections are frequent.
5. Get Your NYC Dog License and Paperwork Together
So you found the right dog for most building requirements, what paperwork will you need for lease signing? Landlords typically require:
Pet photo
Vaccination records (Petco receipt showing an up to date Rabies shot will typically do)
NYC loves paperwork, and pet ownership is no exception.
Apply online for your NYC dog license ($8.50-$34, depending on spay/neuter status), which gives you a small tag for the dog's lease and registers you as the owner, in case Fido is ever lost (or a liability).
Thanks to a 2019 New York State rent law known as HSTPA, landlords can no longer require more than one month’s security deposit, so additional deposits for pet owners in NYC are not allowed.
Landlords still face higher costs due to damage and other risks from pet ownership, so some ask for additional “pet rent” or a one-time pet fee.
We’ve seen additional monthly pet rent anywhere from $25-100 per pet, and one time pet fees of $250-$1,000.
These additional fees are more likely in luxury buildings, and most complexes charge neither.
6. Find a NYC Dog Walker or Dog Boarding (~$30/day)
Don’t leave Fido at home all day without a bathroom break!
New York workdays are long, and a lot of professionals go to the gym afterwards.
All adult dogs need one or two bathroom breaks during the day, in addition to going out in the morning, when you come back, and before going to bed. Puppies need to go every couple of hours.
If your schedule isn’t flexible but your budget is, we highly recommend:
1. K-9 Club NYC $26/day for a two hour group walk. Your dog will love it, and you will come home to a pet that’s happy and tired.
2. Rover $30-40/day for a sitter or walker. Work with a few people until you find someone you really like. You can choose doggy day care, where you drop your dog off at someone’s apartment in the morning and pick your dog up after work, or dog walking, where they come to your place.
If you go with either K-9 Club or Rover, get a lockbox for easy access for the walkers. They cost about $25 on Amazon, and look for any permanent metal structure near your door to hang them on, preferably a spot with other lock boxes.
7. Petco is Great for Shots
Shots, shots, shots...aren’t just for Saturday nights!
For the bi-annual Rabies and DAPP combo (and the long list of puppy shots), we highly recommend Petco’s in-store vaccination clinic, Vetco, which has locations throughout NYC.
They have dirt-cheap prices and appointments which can be easily made online.
It’s popular, so you'll likely need to schedule a couple weeks in advance.
You can also get your dog groomed and microchipped there for a fraction of the cost most NYC veterinarians will charge.
8. Get Your Dog Spayed or Neutered through the Mayor’s Alliance
We’re not pet professionals, but we’ve heard it's best to wait until your dog is fully grown before getting them spayed or neutered to allow their bones and musculature to fully develop.
This means waiting 3 months after the first heat (when surgery is easiest) for female dogs and about 2 years for male dogs, depending on breed sizes (longer for larger dogs).
Your dog should be the same weight for a few months before the surgery to ensure they are fully grown.
Check out the Mayor’s Alliance for NYC Animals for spaying and neutering services.
The Humane Society and the ASPCA’s mobile vans are great options that only cost a few hundred dollars, though you will have to book with the Humane Society months in advance.
Local veterinarians are much more expensive.
9. Know the NYC Dog Laws
There are a few unique NYC dog laws, and it's best not to flout them.
If a cop is a few blocks away and you're walking your dog without a leash, it's likely they won't run after you to give you a ticket. That's a lot of work, after all, and they may have plausible deniability to their supervisors that they didn't see you commit a violation.
But if you're right in front of the NYPD or the green-shirted Park Police, they have to enforce the law.
At the least, they're going to say something to you, like "put your dog back on a leash". Just as likely though, they'll stop you and give you a ticket. Everyone has to show productivity to their bosses at work, and ticketing is one way its done at the NYPD.
If other members of the public called to report a problem, or if there are ongoing complaints from neighbors, like dog owners using a public park as an illegal run, you're pretty much guaranteed a ticket, as they are responding to public complaints.
From our own experience and talking with other owners at dog parks, the enforcement line is about 1 block.
NYC Dog Laws
1. Not picking up after your pet
$250 fine
2. Peeing on private property
$200-400 fine
3. Unleashed dog
$200-400 fine
Conclusion
Owning a dog in NYC can be a lot of work, but a few tricks will make it easier and cheaper. RENTBETTA.com is a great way to find a pet-friendly apartment with no broker fee. Look for a friendly dog that weighs less than 50 pounds fully grown to meet most building requirements, and adopt from the ASPCA or buy from a local breeder. K-9 Club NYC and Rover are great for walks if you can’t be home all day or need a break to focus on work. To save money on doggy healthcare, go to Petco for shots and the Mayor’s Alliance for NYC Animals to have your dog spayed or neutered.