It’s 2025. We’ve got smart fridges, robot vacuums, and cars that nearly drive themselves – yet if you try to rent a house with a dog in New Zealand, it’s like you’ve just confessed to harbouring a wild boar. One sniff of “dog” on a rental application and you’re ghosted faster than a bad Tinder date.

But why?

Is it really the dog’s fault? Or is the blame game conveniently shifted away from where it belongs – the humans holding the leash?

Let’s Be Honest: It’s Not the Dogs…

Dogs don’t sit there calculating how to chew through carpets or sabotage lawns. Most are just happy to nap, sniff and snuggle. If there’s damage (and sure, sometimes there is), it usually comes down to neglectful owners – not bad dogs. Just like not every parent is a good one, not every dog owner should be one either. But we don’t ban kids from rentals, do we?

Landlords say they’re protecting their property – fair enough. But the system already has that protection built in: the bond. That’s what it’s for! If someone’s dog causes damage, use the bond. If it’s extreme, there’s insurance. But refusing tenants entirely just because they own a dog? That’s not caution – that’s prejudice. Plain and simple.

The Real Problem? A Broken Rental Mindset

New Zealand has one of the lowest rates of pet-friendly rentals in the developed world. At the same time, we have soaring housing prices and record numbers of people locked out of the market. Many Kiwis have to rent. That includes responsible dog owners who work full-time, raise kids, pay taxes – and yes, pick up poop like champs.

By shutting dog owners out, landlords are excluding a massive group of good tenants – people who often stay longer, treat the house like a home, and are actually less likely to leave suddenly (have you tried finding another dog-friendly rental? It’s a full-time job).

Punishing Responsible Owners Isn’t the Answer

We don’t punish all drivers because of a few bad ones. We don’t ban all kids from flying because one toddler kicked a seat. So why do we treat all dog owners like walking liabilities?

If a tenant can show references, provide a pet CV, and even offer a pet bond – shouldn’t they be judged on their merits, not assumptions? A slobbery kiss on the cheek shouldn’t cost someone a roof over their head.

So What Now?

It’s time for a culture shift.

Let’s stop acting like a wagging tail is the end of the world. Let’s push for pet-inclusive policies, reasonable protections (for both sides), and a bit of bloody common sense.

Because here’s the truth: most dogs don’t ruin homes – they make them feel like home.

Final Thought.

To every landlord out there still saying “no pets” – ask yourself this:

Is it the dog you’re afraid of…
or your own outdated ideas?

Written by Stacey Pithers from Walkieez