For many dog lovers, the Labrador Retriever seems like the ideal pet for a family. With its gentle and loving nature, high intelligence, and boundless energy, it certainly is no wonder that Labs remain the top dogs in the American Kennel Club’s Most Popular Breed list for 30 years!
While the Labrador Retriever may seem like the best family pet, any responsible dog lover knows that they need to learn more before taking the plunge into actual Lab ownership.
“Is a Labrador right for you and your family?” Before you even answer this question, there are more important questions that you and your family need to answer first.
1) Do you have the financial means to buy and raise a Labrador?
Labrador Retrievers are an expensive breed, with the average cost between $800 and $1,200 for a puppy. However, your expenses do not end with the purchase or adoption of your dog. In the first year, you need to have it examined by a veterinarian and given the required vaccinations. If you decide to spay or neuter your dog, this will also hike up your vet costs. It is also during the first year that you need to purchase the stuff that your dog needs, such as food bowls, collars and leashes, grooming products, a dog bed and/or crate, toys, etc. You may also need the services of a dog walker, doggy day care, and trainer. Pet insurance is important in case your dog gets sick because the insurance will answer a huge chunk out of the treatment fees. Of course, let’s not forget food and treats, which your growing Lab needs a lot of.
In the first year alone, the cost of just the essentials is averaged at $2,990. In the succeeding years, the cost drops to $1,890, still quite pricey. For the dog’s entire lifetime, you are likely to spend an average of $21,890. If you include the other options (such as pet insurance, dog walker, training, and dog boarding services), your overall cost of ownership can go as high as $70,855 (for those who are budget conscious) to $188,000 (for those who live with their dog in more expensive locations).
Given the costs involved, it may not be advisable to get a Lab if you are struggling to make ends meet.
2) Do you have sufficient living space for a Lab?
Labs are fairly large dogs which require a lot of space to run, roam around, and explore. They may not thrive in small apartments and would require to be taken out often in order for them to release their pent-up energy. If they are cooped up for too long, they may start barking or scratch, chew, dig, and climb in order to get out. It usually takes time, patience, and training to get your Lab used to living in a smaller space. Take note that part of this training requires the use of a crate, especially during the puppy months and that’s around 18 months! If you live in a cramped living space, you need to get used to the crate taking up a huge part of your apartment or flat.
3) Can you exercise your Lab?
Labs are noted for their boundless energy, so you need to exercise them regularly to release this energy or else they may channel it into destructive behaviors. At the minimum, you need to give an adult Lab a walk for at least 30 to 45 minutes daily and more vigorous exercise for one to two hours, preferably three or four times a week. On the other hand, you need to take a puppy out to answer the call of nature every 20 minutes! If you are living a sedentary lifestyle, a Lab may not be good for you since they are ideal dogs for those with active lifestyles.
4) Do you need a garden/backyard for your Lab?
Your Lab can get some of the exercise it needs if you have a garden or backyard where it could run and play. It is also here where your Lab will set a particular spot for its toilet. You should know though that dog pee can kill grass, so you might find round, brown patches in your lawn, which you may need to fill with new grass. Young Labs also love to dig, so you might end up with craters in your garden. For those who are ardent gardeners and would love to see their gardens unspoiled, a Lab may not be an ideal pet for you.
5) Can you devote time to your Lab’s training?
You need to devote time to training your Lab especially during their first year. Because they are highly intelligent, Labs are easy to train. If you want to get rid of undesirable behaviors in your dog, you also need to help them in socialization so that they can get along well with other members of your family and any other pets in your home.
6) Can you give your Lab the attention it needs?
Labs are sociable, people-friendly dogs. As such, it will do everything and anything to get your attention, including following you everywhere, laying its head on your knee or lap, or getting under foot (so that you end up stepping on them). You need to spend time playing, petting, or interacting with them. In addition, Labs love to get involved in activities with their owners and families, such as traveling, camping, hiking, and especially swimming. If you can’t give it the attention and involvement it needs, then don’t get a Lab.
It should also be mentioned that Labs are not the types of dogs that you can leave alone all day. The maximum time that you can leave them alone is three to four hours. Otherwise, they can get restless and start barking or destroying stuff in your house. This is especially true if you have a small puppy. For this reason, you need to hire a dog walker or bring your dog to a doggy day care center so that someone can look after your Lab while you’re not at home.
7) Will owning a Lab make my house dirty?
Truth to tell, Labs shed all throughout the year. Twice a year, especially during the spring and autumn, you must expect “coat blows”, wherein the shedding becomes heavier because your Lab is shedding its coat for the summer and winter. Even if you vacuum regularly, you should expect to see your furniture, carpets and windows covered in dog hair. This is not an ideal situation for people with asthma and allergies.
In addition, because of the nature of your Lab’s double coat, you should expect it to have that distinctive doggy odor, especially when its coat is wet or damp. While you may be tempted to give your dog frequent baths, you should not do so because you are stripping its coat of its natural waterproofing.
8) Is a Labrador a good guard dog?
Many dog owners harbor the belief that large dogs make good guard dogs. In the case of the Labrador, this is not true. Because they are friendly and sociable dogs by nature, they are more likely to flee from or even give a lick to an intruder. When trained properly, however, Labradors can make great watch dogs because of their deep, loud barks which can alert members of the household as well as frighten away strangers and robbers.
9) Are Labradors good with kids?
Labradors love everyone in the family, no matter their age. However, Labs can be overenthusiastic in demonstrating their affection. Unless they are trained to curb their exuberance, your Lab may end up barreling over your kids and any Senior family members, which may cause them to fall down and injure themselves. Puppies also have a tendency to be a bit nippy. So, you need to devote time to watching your family members as they play with your dog.
10) Does your family want a Labrador?
Even if a Labrador is a perfect fit for your family, you need to know for certain first if your spouse and/or your kids want a dog in their lives. The care for the Lab should be the responsibility of everyone in your family. If they don’t want to commit to raising a Lab, then don’t get a dog to begin with.
So, in answer to the question “Is a Labrador right for you and your family?”, yes, a Lab can be a great for your family if you are committed to giving it the love and care it needs as well as making the necessary adjustments at home to minimize any discomforts or inconveniences that come with raising a large, happy, and exuberant dog.