“Should I get a Labrador Retriever?” If you have been asking yourself this question, then you can consider yourself a potentially good dog owner. Most people make the mistake of getting a dog based on what they read in print media or on the Internet, see in videos on YouTube, or recommendations of relatives and friends. However, the choice of a dog is dependent upon YOU – your preferences, your finances, your living conditions, and other factors.
If you have been thinking whether or not you should get a Labrador for a lifelong companion, here are the specific considerations that you should study carefully.
1) The Costs of A Labrador
The average cost of a Labrador Retriever puppy is between USD $800 and $1,200. Puppies coming from championship lines can go as high as USD $2,500 and above.
However, your expenses will not end with your purchase of a puppy. In your first year of dog ownership, the expected cost is from $1,600 to $2,000. The bulk of the expenses is dog food at $325 to $750 yearly, but what will drive costs during the first year are the preventive vaccinations and deworming for your Lab puppy (averaging at $100 to $200). Neutering and spaying can cost you between $60 and $800. An additional cost is pet insurance at an average of $700 in the first year. But you can expect the cost of insurance to drop to $350 in succeeding years. If your Lab gets sick, you can get savings by as much as $100.
Other costs include training sessions with professional trainers ($20 to $40 per session), toys, doggy beds, and miscellaneous items ($20 to hundreds of dollars, depending upon how much you pamper your dog), grooming (average cost of $70 for professional services), veterinary consultations ($45 to $55 per visit), and dental cleaning ($75 to $400).
Of course, you also have to ensure that your dog is in good health. The cost of diagnosis and treatment of certain Labrador medical conditions can range between $500 and $8,000.
Remember that a Lab has a lifespan of 12 to 15 years. If you want to get a Labrador, you should be financially fit to meet the costs entailed in its care throughout its life.
2) Your Home
Naturally, you will be bringing your Lab to your home. The question is: Is your home and its immediate environs ready to meet the living requirements of your dog?
Labs are energetic, medium-sized dogs. This means they need open spaces to run and play, like a backyard or a nearby park. They may not be suitable for small apartments and condos, unless you crate train them so that they can play in a specific spot in your home. If you have a lot of breakables in your home, you should also reconsider moving them to higher places. Labs show their happiness by wagging their tails, so it is possible for them to knock off objects from low coffee tables.
3) Your Family
What if you are planning to get a Lab for your family, especially your kids? Again, take note of their size and exuberant behavior. While Labs are low aggression dogs, they often show how happy they are to be with someone by jumping on them. To curb this behavior, you should give your Lab proper training in the basic commands. Otherwise, it is not advisable to get a Lab if you have small children and frail Seniors at home.
You should also know that Labs are moderate shedders, with heavy coat blows expected when they shed for winter and summer. They also have that distinctive wet dog smell. Although they are considered low maintenance dogs, you need to brush them every month, or more frequently if they get dirty from playing outdoors. You also have to take into account if you or your family members have allergies as dead hairs and dander can be irritating.
4) Training Your Lab
If you are planning to get a Lab, you need to be committed to giving it the training that it will need. Thankfully, Labradors are noted for their high trainability. Aside from teaching them the basic commands, you need to potty train them. This can be accomplished by establishing a daily routine with them early on – feeding them twice a day and then taking them out for 20 to 30-minute walks. Doing so will not only help regulate their body’s food processing systems, they will also learn how to control their bladders and bowel movements. Behavior and/or crate training is necessary to prevent destructive behaviors, especially if you will be leaving your dog alone for most of the day because of work.
5) Be Aware of Potential Health Issues
Before buying a Lab, you should know of certain health issues that afflict the breed. You must inquire with the breeder you will be purchasing the puppy from if it has been tested for genetic conditions, such as hip and elbow dysplasia. You should be also be aware of the signs and symptoms of a condition known as Bloat (or Gastric Dilatation Volvulus), which can be fatal to your dog.
These are just a few of the considerations that you need to give some serious thought to before getting a Lab. If, after much thought, the answer to your question “Should I get a Labrador?” is YES, then you have made a good choice because Labs are among the best and friendliest dogs that a person could have as a lifelong companion. Just make sure that you are capable of and committed to providing care to your dog for its entire lifetime.
