complete novice wanting advice on getting a labrador...

[allag]

we live in a ground floor apartment (it's large - around 1700 sq ft) which has a back garden and faces the Park (literally two seconds' walk). We have a four year old and a nineteen month old and we have wanted to get a dog for a long time, and now feel it would be a good time. My DH has had dogs all his life when growing up (parents had collies - although it was in a large country house in Dorset) and i have had a couple of little mongrels so i guess we are not total strangers to it all. The thing is, i have always envisaged a small(ish) dog, whereas DH has his heart set on a labrador - he adores them. I must say I have always loved them too and they sound perfect for a family with children. I guess my concerns are the fact that we are still in a flat, in central london (albeit practically in the park) and that labs are a bit bigger than the dog I envisaged getting. Could anyone please advise on the pros and cons - any advice on the things we need to consider would be hugely appreciated. DH also would consider a beagle, although it sounds as though they miight bark to much for it to be practiceable in a flat. Thank you very much in advance

I have a beagle x springer (a speagle) and a lab. We love them both dearly, and if it's possible, I'd say that the speagle is even more affectionate than the lab.

However, the speagle has been a nightmare with his beagle traits - he struggles to follow commands as he gets so distracted by a scent. He once ran off for 48 hours, and was fortunately returned to us; DH had to travel across three counties to pick him up! We're experienced dog owners, but the speagle has tested us to the limits. Fortunately he's about 3 now and is becoming calmer and more obedient .

Out of the two I would advise going for the lab, but don't underestimate how much exercise and training a lab will need to make them into a good canine citizen. I think that given the age of your children an older dog from a rescue centre may be the best bet, as other MNers have suggested.

Every beagle I know is very stubborn and requires lots of ongoing training and exercise. We have a wonderful 10 month old lab. She has the most gorgeous temparament and has slotted right in to the family. She is also a prolific chewer, obsessed by food (we once found her with the flip top of the kitchen bin stuck on her head) and still very bouncy! I have been reliably informed that labs have a very long puppyhood - 2 years or so before they stop being daft as a brush.
Our lab is great with the children who were 10, 8 and 4 when we got her. She did get quite nippy at around 4 months which the children did not like, but we got through that by about 6 months. She had a playpen that we popped her into if she was getting too much for the kids or if they were getting in her face a bit.

She needs regular exercise, as much for the mental stimulation as physical exertion. Your children are pretty young so you probably would need a commitment from your DH to get up every morning and take the dog for a good long walk first thing. Would he do that?
Do you know anyone with a lab that might let you babysit one for the weekend just so that everyone (including your DH) really understands how having a dog at this time would go for your family. I suppose it would work for any dog, really.

Thank you. DH would take the dogs for walks early, yes. Thanks all - we now have a much better idea of all the considerations!!