Breed banning by law is a problem, more so in Iowa, Ohio and Colorado than other states, although breed-specific legislation has been passed elsewhere, as well. If your dog is among the banned breeds listed below, you will have trouble getting homeowners or renters liability coverage. This is not a list of breeds banned by insurance companies. This list is of verified breeds found in the United States that are affected by bans or restricted in some way by law.

What this means is that regardless of whether or not an insurance company refuses to write coverage for people with breeds that are on their list, they may not be able to write your policy if you live in an area where a law bans or restricts your breed of dog. This is especially worth noting if you plan to relocate.

There may be other communities that have bans or restrictions that are not listed here. If you live in such an area, please e-mail the information to me, including the banned or restricted breed(s), city, state and country. I will attempt to include the information in future columns. I am interested in any bans or restrictions in the United States, Canada and elsewhere.

I want to thank the United States Bull Terrier Club for providing this list of dogs currently affected by breed-specific legislation in the United States and that are named in ordinances. I have listed the specific city and state if they were provided to me.

American pit bull terrier, American Staffordshire terrier, Staffordshire bull terrier, bull terrier — Monticello, Centerville, Alburnett and Hiawatha, Iowa; Grandview, Mo.; North Little Rock, Ark.; two cities in Kentucky and Washington; Lincoln, N.D. Akita — Ulyssas, Kan. Alaskan malamutes — Fairfield, Iowa. American bulldog — North Little Rock, Ark.; Aurora, Colo.; Akron, Ohio. Belgian malinois — Fairfield, Iowa. Boerboels — Fairfield, Iowa. Cane Corso — Aurora, Colo. Chow chow — Travelers Rest, S.C.; Newport, R.I.; Lynnville, Tenn. Doberman pinscher — Fairfield, Iowa; Sisston, S.D.; Westfield, Ill; Travelers Rest, S.C.; Lynnville, Tenn.; Buffalo Center, Iowa. Dogo Argentino — Aurora, Colo. English mastiffs — Yale, Iowa. Fila Brasileiro (also known as the Fila and Brazilian mastiff) — Aurora, Colo. German shepherd — Fairfield, Iowa; Lynnville, Tenn. Great Dane — Fairfield, Iowa. Irish wolfhound — Fairfield, Iowa. Mastiffs — Fairfield, Iowa. Malamutes — Fairfield, Iowa. Presa Mallorquin (also known as the Ca de Bou) — Aurora, Colo. Presa Canario