The Labrador Retriever is undoubtedly the dog breed that is most sought after by dog lovers. Since 1991, the Lab has been ranked at No. 1 in the American Kennel Club’s annual list of Most Popular Dogs. Points going in the dog’s favor include its friendly, lovable temperament which makes it an ideal family pooch and its trainability.
However, despite its many positive traits, the Labrador Retriever is one of the dog breeds that is frequently found in shelters. No, it’s not the dog’s fault. It’s more the fault of ignorant and irresponsible dog owners who only saw the breed’s popularity without even taking into consideration the dramatic changes that can occur in their lives by taking in a dog (and I’m not just talking about the Lab, but other breeds as well!).
More for the dog’s sake than anything else, there are 10 important things that you should consider first if you are planning to get a Labrador Retriever.
1) The Cost of Buying and Raising a Labrador Retriever
A Labrador Retriever puppy is quite expensive, with prices ranging between $400 and $1,500. You can expect prices to go much higher if the puppy will come from an impeccable bloodline. However, your expenses do not stop with your purchase of the dog. In the first year alone, you can expect to spend around $2,990 to $3,000+. The expense is higher because you will be buying stuff that the dog will need, including dog food, grooming tools, dog bowls and other feeding items, doggy toys, harnesses and leashes, crates and carriers, etc. You may even need to make some adjustments in your home to suit a medium-sized dog. If you can’t fit training the dog in your schedule, you will need to get a trainer. In addition, your dog has to get its first round of shots. Many Lab owners get their dogs health insurance to offset huge costs in case their beloved canine gets sick. By the second year and beyond, the projected annual cost is $1,890. Needless to say, you should expect to spend $21,890 on average throughout the dog’s lifetime.
2) The Right Space in Your Home
Remember that the Labrador Retriever is a very active, energetic breed. This is why it requires a large space for it to stretch its legs, run around, and play. Obviously, a Lab may not like living in a closed, cramped apartment or flat. Especially if you are at work for most of the day, your Lab might get bored and frustrated from the lack of activity, so that it might lead to destructive, peeing/pooping everywhere, and other undesirable behaviors. Preferably, your home should have a spacious backyard or garden for your dog to run and play. Otherwise, your home should be accessible to a dog park or other recreational facilities suitable for dogs.
3) Check Your/Your Family’s Lifestyle
Needless to say, you should be able to fit a Lab into your and/or your family’s lifestyle. If you are at school or at work for the whole day, the lack of exercise and human company may lead to separation anxiety, barking, destruction, and other behavioral problems in your dog. If you cannot go home to take your dog out for toilet breaks or devote an hour on weekends for weekends, you may need to hire the services of a dog sitter or you can ask a friend or neighbor to look after it when you’re not at home.
4) The Shedding Problem
One important thing that you should consider when it comes to the breed is that Labs are very heavy shedders. The reason for this is that Labs have a thick double coat. The undercoat, in particular, is the one that sheds the heaviest, especially during periods of “coat blows” every spring and fall. The shedding is a natural process to help the dog produce a coat that can regulate its body temperature at a particular season. It is necessary for you to groom your Lab once a week to minimize hairs getting into the furnishings and carpets. If the hairs do get all over the place, regular vacuuming of the home is a must. Because of the heavy shedding and the spread of dander, a Lab is not an ideal dog for people with allergies.
5) Dog-Proofing Your Home
Shedding is just one of the potential issues that you might encounter with a Lab. Whether it’s a puppy or an older dog, you may need to make certain adjustments to your home. Puppies have a tendency to chew, so providing them with chew toys can help prevent gnawed off chair legs or slippers. Remember that Labs are energetic, playful dogs even when they are older. You will have to raise breakable and other valuable items in the house to higher spots to prevent them from being struck down by your dog’s body or wagging tail.
6) Consider Your Lab’s Subtype and Coat Color
Because of decades of breeding, a number of Labrador Retriever subtypes and coat colors have been developed. As a result, you can expect variations in temperament and trainability. Both the American Show and American Field Labradors are noted for their high energy levels and athleticism. Needless to say, these dogs would thrive best with an owner or family who are equally active, especially those who love high intensity sports. The English Labrador, while still athletic, has a more docile, laidback temperament, making them ideal companions for hunters and couch potatoes. The British Labrador falls in between the American and English in temperament. If trained well, the British Lab can be an energetic hunter one moment and then a calm, friendly family pooch the next.
Many Lab owners have noticed temperament differences among the three main coat colors. Black Labs are representative of the entire breed in general – athletic, energetic, high trainability for hunting, retrieving and other sporting activities. Yellow Labs are the ideal family dogs with their fun-loving, often goofy disposition. Chocolate Labs are said to be the most stubborn in the breed and may be difficult to train.
7) Your Lab’s Mental Maturity
Newbie Lab owners are often heard to complain about their dog’s “puppy-like” behavior even if they are already full grown. While a Lab reaches physical maturity at 18 months and sexual maturity at 6-9 months, full mental maturity takes 2 to 4 years! This means that you should expect your Lab to be rambunctious and energetic as a puppy even if it’s already a huge dog! Because of this, you will need to have a lot of patience and constant repetition during training. Take note that, even though your Lab may seem like a stubborn, uncontrollable “big baby”, the commands you are teaching it are gradually being programmed into its head. Once it reaches the age of 5, you will suddenly observe your dog following your commands exactly and have a calmer disposition.
8) Your Lab’s Activity Level
We have mentioned earlier that Labradors are active, energetic dogs. Because of this, there is a tendency for them to get bored and frustrated if left at home without company for the whole day. The great thing about the Lab’s activity levels is that it can drive you to match its energy so that you find yourself leading a healthier lifestyle. Try to set specific times in your day to walk and/or jog with your Lab, like an hour in the early mornings and another hour in the evenings or whatever time is suitable for you. Labs love a walk/run in cold weather. But in hot weather, you might have to shorten the walks due to its thick undercoat. You might also want to avoid bodies of water during hot weather because Labs love nothing more than to take a dip. You can also incorporate some playtime when you go out for toilet breaks. If you can’t find the time to exercise your Labrador, then hire a dog sitter. A bored, frustrated Lab can wreck stuff, bark noisily, or answer the call of nature in various spots of your house.
9) Training Your Lab
One of the important tasks that you need to accomplish as a Lab owner is dog training. Again, you will need to devote time in your schedule to teach your dog basic commands like “heel”, “stay”, “stop”, “fetch”, etc. Two other important forms of training are potty training, so that your dog will pee or poop in a specific spot in your backyard or on newspapers inside the house, and crate training (wherein you assign a spot in your home where your dog can sleep and relax). Whatever training you give to your Lab, the best methods are constant repetition, positive reinforcement, and rewarding with treats. Labs learn faster if they are praised, while they develop behavioral problems if they are frequently scolded or, worse, hit or beaten. When it comes to treats, just remember that treats should be given in moderation or else you’ll have a fat dog with a lot of health issues on your hands.
10) Caring For Your Lab’s Health
Your Lab is a living being, so you cannot expect it to be at the peak of health at all times. First and foremost, you should bring your dog to the vet for regular vaccinations and checkup. Be mindful of your dog’s physical and mental condition. This will make it easier for you to identify potential health problems early so that they can be checked by a vet. Because the treatments of illness in Labs, such as hip dysplasia, can be very costly, you might want to consider getting your dog pet insurance to lessen costs if and when they get sick.
These are the ten main points to consider before getting a Labrador Retriever. All dogs, not just Labs, require owners to be responsible in ensuring their pet’s health and welfare. If, after reading all these considerations you are still eager to get a Labrador Retriever, make sure that you make all the necessary preparations so that you will have a healthy and happy dog in your life.
