A Toronto-based apartment building management company has Halifax hounds wagging their tails about a new dogs-allowed policy at one of the city’s larger downtown rental complexes.

"We were surprised when we came to Halifax last year to learn there were just about no apartments available in the city that permitted dogs," said Jessica Green, marketing director with Greenwin Properties Ltd., in an interview Friday.

Greenwin Properties believes dogs are good for business, she said.

Over the past few weeks, the company has welcomed dog owners to the Ocean Towers complex at 2334 Brunswick St.

"We’ve received a comfortable response to the promotional effort. We did not want and did not expect to be overwhelmed with applications from dog owners," said Green.

She said the company wanted to gradually introduce the canine population to the Ocean Towers property, which includes three towers overlooking Halifax Harbour, a series of townhouses and some heritage properties.

Greenwin took over management of the property about a year ago.

Dogs are welcomed at all properties managed by the company throughout Central and Eastern Canada.

"We started this, figuring it was a good way to get a leg up on other management groups in our various markets," said Green.

Dogs are taboo in tenancy circles. In Halifax and Dartmouth, dogs of any shape or size are banned from most large apartment buildings.

Green said her company has allowed dogs at all the properties it manages for years and has rarely had problems with unruly canines.

"By allowing dogs we appeal to a particular demographic. In our experience, dog owners make great tenants."

Pet owners are even invited to bring their pooch along when coming in for an interview, although it is not necessary.

Green said highrise, apartment-building living is not appropriate for really big dogs, or critters with serious behaviour problems, and added these and other issues relating to canine companions are discussed with potential tenants prior to occupancy.

"The property has not been overrun with dogs or anything like that. A few dog owners have been successfully added to the residential mix at the property," said Green.

A portion of a green space on the property is to be fenced and equipped with doggie-bag receptacles this summer.