5 things I need to know before getting a labrador

[Rockinghorse123]

Hello. I'm new to this board as we don't yet have a dog.

We have said for years that we would like a dog and we now feel the time is right. In our family currently there is me, DH and DS (2) we will be ttc dc2 later this year.

We've done some research and decided that we will start looking for a labrador puppy over the next few months.

My question is what do I need to know/think about before we start looking.

We have thought it out fully and I've looked into training costs/insurance costs/practicalities such as someone to let dog out on the 1 day it would be alone a week and everything else I can think of but I want to be sure I've not missed anything!

Thank you!

[Rockinghorse123]

Thank you for all your posts. I don't think any one has been negative. I wanted honest opinions and everyone has offered a lot of considered and helpful advice.

Thank you for all your advice. We're going to consider everything said before we make any decisions

[CompetitiveCrispEater]

A lurcher!
But I wouldn't recommend a puppy of any breed, to 99.9999999% of people, they're hell. Pure, utter hell.

[RhinosAreFatUnicorns]

My only complaint with ours would be the amount of hair he sheds.

He's 5 and has had surgery for elbow dysplasia already so that means his exercise is limited than a usual lab. When he is not a daycare, a 30-60 minute walk is fine.

He hasn't chewed since he was a very young puppy. One pair of glasses and a remote control. Bar that nothing.

He is a big dog - about 36kg but is a joy with our 3 year old. He has never knocked her over, is happy to be part of her play. He isn't over exuberant with other dogs when on the lead - quite selective about who he wants to say hello to.

Hates poo - avoids cow, horse, fox PPP at all costs. Thinks it's disgusting! Did once eat DD's poo when we were toilet training however

He loves water and is a fab swimmer but knows when he's on the lead that it's off limits.

Barely barks - if the postman comes, or a squirrel in the garden then he may do. Otherwise we never here him.

But if you're eating he will drool and put his starved look on. His nose will often be an inch from your plate, unless he is given a stern telling off!

They are hard work. I'm not sure I would get another - but I do think we've been lucky with ours.

[Panicmode1]

I am one week in to new dog ownership with a golden retriever puppy (she was 10 weeks old yesterday). I have four children - the youngest of whom is rising 5, and I genuinely think that I would not have been able to cope before now, especially with a newborn a toddler and a puppy!

I had read a HUGE amount before getting her, and was prepared for it to be hard work - but it is far harder than I thought it was going to be - and far worse than a newborn baby. You can at least take your eyes off a newborn for more than a minute without a puddle or a steaming pile appearing!! She chews EVERYTHING and mouths/bites when she gets excited - I would have been really worried about dealing with that with smaller children.

[Honeydragon]

I don't think these are negative posts.

I can't think of a better place to ask about how a type of dog is with families that a parenting site.

People have categorically stated that yes, on the whole Labs do adore children. However they are still dogs and children and the right supervision is needed.

I love it when my dc and dog are all snuggled together in a big heap watching tv.

But it comes with a price

[ender]

Lab will really love new baby, especially nappy changing time when he'll do his best to get to any poo and eat it. Even better if its in a nappy you've carefully taken off and put in nappy sack, will eat the lot .

[Booboostoo]

Almost any breed can make a good family dog, it's all in the genes, socialisation and training. At the risk of sounding pushy though may I re-iterate that getting a puppy with a young child and another on the way is a risky option.

Consider some possible situations:

1. Will you be happy with the puppy slobbering over the DCs and their toys?
2. Will you have the patience for toilet training the pup, in the middle of DC diapers? Will you be OK with the inevitable toilet training accidents in the house next to the toddler?
3. Will be able to cope with walks even if DCs are unwell or unwilling? Just the logistics of a pram plus a puppy who does not yet know how to walk on a lead can be quite difficult.
4. How will you cope with the added sleep deprivation from the puppy refusing to sleep normal hours?
5. Do you have childcare for dog training classes and for socialising the puppy in areas where DCs might not want to go?
6. Are you prepared for the fact the your DC may not like the puppy? Puppies jump up (and will jump up on pregnant bellies which can be quite disconcerting), chew toys, scratch with their nails and mouth, none of which endears them to young children.
7. Can you set up your house so DCs and dog have separate areas for times when you are not able to supervise?

[silverjohnleggedit]

God yes, Marley and me - that was my dog!

[nameuschangeus]

Oh yes, and to be honest if you're house proud I wouldn't bother with one!

[nameuschangeus]

1. they're lovely natured, loving and gentle and daft
   
2. they chew like mad - ours is nearly 5 and she still chews sometimes
   
3. they will not tolerate not being walked. If ours misses a walk (rare) she will get mischievous and steal things and act up for attention
   
4. it was easier having a new baby than a lab pup
   
5. they're jumpy - by which I mean that their natural enthusiasm for life means that occasionally they'll choose to jump up to greet someone (and plant their muddy paws on them)
   
   I've tried to focus mainly on perceived negatives to let you know what you'll be getting yourself in to. However they're smashing company and an extra personality around the house.

[silverjohnleggedit]

I had two labs growing up.
They shed continuously, they also have a very strong doggie smell.
Resourse guarding over food was a problem.
Hip Problems
Incredibly greedy.
One was was thin and hyper and the other was fat and calm
Very loving and lots of fun for us as kids.

In the park though, labs are a massive pain the the butt, they constantly run up to me, jump up begging for food or a ball or anything else you have that they want - no other breed seems to do this, they are overly boisterous and generally I try to avoid them. Most of them need better training imo.

[DustBunnyFarmer]

I am really surprised at all the negative posts

I could have posted how much fun our dog was, but we were energetic teens who enjoyed walking him (except in heavy rain) when our parents were busy. I would imagine the OP already has lots of happy thhoughts and hopes about the up side. We are just pointing out the stuff you wouldn't necessarily know without first hand experience.

[lavendersun]

Honey - the only worry I ever had was that the baby/toddler would hurt the dog!

The poor dog used to look so worried when DD fell over when learning to walk etc.

I always say that if my child was as easy as my dog I would be laughing.

They are now 8 and 9 respectively and the absolute best of friends.

[Honeydragon]

Lavendersun

I had a Lab like that. I've had others that weren't

[CatsClaus]

we puppy walk and have had quite a few lab based critters through the house

i would say generally

they are not very bright
they are outgoing and they think they are very bright (Tim Nice-but-Dim)
they are bouncy
they are very loving
rarely have any perception of personal space
usually people oriented and obliging

the main things I would recommend is to socialise, socialise, socialise...get them out every day to meet people noises places and get that done as soon as possible. Guide dog puppies are placed at 7-8 weeks, and we are out and about with them up in arms from the first week

and be consistent....if they get away with something once then it becomes normal

If you are near a Guide Dog Centre, then there are always ones available who don't make the grade, they'll be 12-18 months old and are beautiful dogs with all the hard work already done for you.

[celestialsquirrels]

Get a standard poodle. They are perfect family dogs. Very bright and trainable, very eager to please, amusing loyal and lovibg. They don't shed and if properly and regularly trimmed, are easy to keep clean and tidy. They need a good hour or so of exercise in the morning but will then sleep most of the afternoon. Bouncy in the first 2 years but not food obsessed and not usually thieves. You could leave all of mine locked in a kitchen with a roast leg of lamb on the table and they wouldn't dream of touching it. Anything that hits the floor, however, is theirs, so they are useful hooverers under a high chair!
I think they are a great size - they stand quite tall but fold up very small.

Downsides - you need a good reputable breeder to ensure a properly bred Health checked puppy. You need to be prepared to pay for grooming (£40 every 6-8 weeks) or learn to wield a pair of clippers. Reputable breeders will be nervous of selling to someone they don't know because they worry they will use their pup to produce stupid poodle crossbreeds, so you will need to be prepared to be met with a bit of suspicion until you can show you actually want a poodle to be a poodle!

Other than that they are perfect.

[punter]

I am a lab owner (from a puppy) and I can sympathise with a lot of the comments. But any puppy is going to be hard work - just look at the recent TV series, none of them were lab puppies.
Maybe we have been lucky, very little chewing (apart from his first bed), good behaviour with other dogs, goes over play bows, if other dog not interested he comes away. Loves being with people so much and this can result in excited behaviour so I can see this being a problem with toddlers, however since punter lab has stayed in my gc houses overnight etc he has become much calmer with them, presumably they are not so exciting after a while.
Very affectionate, loyal and learn quickly.
he has a gun dog dad so is the slim variety and we intend to keep him that way despite the 'I am starving' eyes!
Good luck OP whatever you decide.

[crje]

Marley & me is factual

My lab (13) also loves to be hoovered.

It's a huge commitment & for that reason this will be our last dog.

[VeryStressedMum]

What ever breed you get not only labs the puppy stage will be a nightmare especially with a toddler.
If there are poorly trained labs out there it's the fault of the owner not the dog. Labs are highly intelligent and extremely trainable, they're used as guide dogs and police dogs.
The problem is probably their size, it's difficult having a 30+kg dog that acts like a puppy sometimes, and they can send a toddler (or anyone) flying.
If you're willing to put in a huge amount of work at the beginning you'll have a great pet. But you'd need to put the same amount of work into any other breed too and you may not be able to do that with a toddler.
The puppy stage can be hell. .I know as I also have a 13 week old puppy. My dcs are much older and it's still very hard.

[SabrinaMulhollandJjones]

I have a lab who I adopted as an adult, but he really is still a puppy in many ways - bouncy and silly. He's the happiest thing I've ever come across, and I love him dearly. But the hair and the mud (why stick to dry path when you can bounce through the muddy puddles?) is enough to drive you mad. But is very gentle and so tolerant of the children.

We've just adopted a puppy from the rescue (not a lab). This is another thing altogether - I had underestimated how much hard work it would be. The house training and the chewing - well, I don't think anything I can type will prepare you for that. It's harder work than a newborn baby.

I love labs, and would have another one in a heartbeat though. I think are perfect family dogs.

[dragonfly007]

I had a gorgeous black lab as a teenager, he was their most beautiful lovely dog but he once nearly ripped the arm of a stranger, contained our neighbour on the kitchen workshop after he came to fix a kitchen appliance (excellent guard dog) but worryingly could not go near children as they stressed him out and as such he was unpredictable and volatile.

[angelicjen]

They stink.
They will destroy your shoes and TV remotes.
They will eat your kitchen sponges and any food you are not guarding. They will dig holes in your garden.
They will regularly disgrace you on walks.
They will look at you with massive brown eyes - you will melt and forgive them instantly.
They will love you unconditionally and uncontrollably.
They will provide constant entertainment and amusement.
They will be so clever you will be very proud.
They will complete your family.
Have fun!

[Incapinka]

Personally I wouldn't have a lab. They make great fun dogs as they need to be worked but I see so many overweight ones. I have always had lurchers and they are relatively easy. They need to run each day, even if it is just for 10 minutes and are then asleep the rest of the time. They are amazing with the kids too.

My parents have always had JRTs and they have all been brilliant too.

[theaveragebear1983]

Should have said in my original post, he's a golden retriever rather than a lab.