Rules so people don't have to think.

A while back, which is my vague term for "I can't remember exactly when", Justin and I found an apartment we really liked and wanted. Everything was going fine, and then we asked about the pet deposit, as we already knew they
accepted pets.

"what type of dog is it?" the apartment manager, henceforth referred to as "brain dead", asked.
"Miniature Pinscher." we replied, adding "He's already full grown, and weighs about 8 1/2 pounds." We always add that,
so people know it's a small dog, which some apartments prefer.
"Oooohhhh...." Brain Dead said, shaking her head. "We don't allow that breed."
Astonished, we asked why.
Brain Dead said, "we have a list of breeds we don't allow, since they can be vicious, and doberman pinschers are on the list. I'm very sorry, would you consider getting rid of your dog?"
Obviously, Brain Dead was not a pet owner or she wouldn't have asked that. We really wanted the apartment, otherwise this was the point I would have gone off on Brain Dead.
"He's not a doberman pinscher, he's a miniature pinscher, which is actually a terrier breed." we explained patiently. "You allow terriers don't you?" We ignored her request to get rid of our dog.
"Oh yes!" Brain Dead said.
"So we're fine."
"No, his breed name has pinscher in the title, so we wouldn't allow it."
"He's a terrier, they are bred to look like dobermans, but they aren't even related."
"But he has pinscher in his title."
"But he isn't one."
This went back and forth for a few minutes, with Justin's temper starting to make his voice get harsher. Ever the facilitator, I interjected, "If my name was Mr. Black, would that make me black? Because I have black in my name?"
"Obviously not, sir." Brain Dead said, increasing my hope that I could actually show her the error of her ways.
"So, our dog's name is like that, he's called a miniature pinscher, but he is actually a terrier. I can bring a note from the vet if you need it for your manager."
Ooops. I apparently insulted Brain Dead at this point, insinuating she needed her manager's authority to make this decision.
"The vet would state that his breed is minitature pinscher, though, right?" Brain Dead said. Now, the way she said it made her sound quite intelligent and rational, but trust me, she wasn't.
I had to agree, that yes, the vet would state his name was miniature pinscher, but his breed was terrier.
"And we don't allow dogs with pinscher in their title to move in." Brain Dead said, concluding her argument, and adding a smile that I would have liked to physically remove from her face.

I continue to explain that I understood their policy, but that rules are guidelines, and obviously someone had not thought this one through, and that's why people are in place to interpet those rules when odd circumstances come along, like this one. It didn't help.

Now when someone like that asks, we just say he is a terrier. When they comment on how much he looks like a doberman, we reply, "yes, amazing what breeders can do these days with terriers."

I was going to link to min-pin mama's blog, but I am at work and can't find it. I Will edit at home.
Also, the minpin in the pic is cute, and looks similar to our dog, but it just doesn't feel right having another dog's picture on my blog. It's like when I come home after playing with someone else's dog and my dog can smell it on me. I feel like I've been caught cheating.

I will replace the picture as soon as I get home, and hopefully before my dog notices.