New Hampshire does not have a statewide legal restriction on the number of dogs you can have in a single residence, but there are laws regarding pet care and behavior that you’ll need to follow. And some towns have local ordinances that restrict dog ownership.

If you’re thinking about getting a new dog but you already have a few furry friends, then you’ll want to familiarize yourself with the laws regarding dog ownership where you live. In New Hampshire, there is no statewide law limiting how many dogs you can have. However, your local government might have its own rules on the matter.

Either way, there are some important rules regarding dog ownership. Keeping track of all the important information can be tricky—that’s why

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Does New Hampshire have laws limiting how many dogs you can own?

The state of New Hampshire does not have any laws limiting the number of dogs you can have in one residence. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re free to go out and get however many dogs you want.

The law gives smaller government entities in New Hampshire (townships, counties, etc) the right to set their own limits on dog ownership. Often, local governments will have dog laws specific to their jurisdiction. In general, urban areas tend to have stricter regulations than rural areas. Every region is different, though, so you’ll want to check town and county rules on the matter before adopting new pups.

Also, keep in mind that the purpose of legal limitations on dog ownership is to ensure that the dogs are treated well and that they do not become a public nuisance. If you adopt more dogs than you can take care of, you could end up facing animal abuse charges.

Even if your local government doesn’t have any restrictions either, make sure to double-check with your landlord or mortgage company to make sure there aren’t rules about the matter in your housing agreement.

MORE: Tried and true ways to get rid of pet odor in your car

Are there any dog breeds outlawed in New Hampshire?

No, the state of New Hampshire does not have any laws that prohibit any particular breed of dog. In fact, the Granite State does not have any sort of breed-specific legislation of any kind.

You’re free to own whatever sort of dog that you want—just so long as it’s well-behaved. While New Hampshire does not ban specific breeds, they do have detailed legislation about dogs that become a menace, a nuisance, or vicious.

If your dog falls into one of these categories, it may be confiscated by authorities depending on the severity of the infraction.

Here’s a look at some of the common reasons why a dog might be deemed vicious or a nuisance:

If the dog is left wandering without its owner.

If the dog continually barks for more than 30 minutes or otherwise disturbs the peace.

If the dog digs, scratches, or otherwise causes damage while not on the owner’s property.

If a female dog in heat is not properly confined

If it acts aggressive (growls, snaps, chases, etc) to a person not on the owner’s property.

If it attacks other animals.

MORE: Can You Get Pet Insurance for a Pet with Preexisting Conditions?

What are the leash laws in New Hampshire?

New Hampshire does not have any state laws requiring dogs to be kept on leashes. It does, however, have laws regarding dogs being “at large.”

According to the

New Hampshire Revised Statutes

(NHRS), it is illegal for a dog to run loose and be “at large.” At large is defined as the dog being away from its home and not under the control of its owner.

If your dog is found wandering at large, it will be impounded. And don’t forget, your local government may have its own laws requiring that dogs be on leashes. In the end, doing so is the easiest and simplest option.

Penalties for breaking dog laws in New Hampshire

The penalties for breaking dog laws depend on which ones have been broken, how severe the outcome was, and whether or not the dog has a history of problematic behavior.

For instance, If your dog has been declared a menace, a nuisance, or vicious, and you’re unable to correct the behavior—or if you disobey dog laws—then the dog will likely be impounded and you’ll have to pay a fine (usually $100 - $400).

Moreover, if your dog gets loose and causes damage to others' property or injures someone, you’ll likely be on the hook for the cost of repairs.

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Where to find affordable insurance in New Hampshire

Anyone who owns a dog knows how quickly a clean home can become a disaster area—and how suddenly repair and maintenance issues crop up. To mitigate some of the expenses of keeping a New Hampshire household running, make sure that your home is protected by

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