Can we cope with a lab?

[JessiCake]

DH grew up with labs, absolutely adores them, and from his point of view it would be a lab or nothing.

DD (4) has inherited his obsession!

We have always said we WILL get a dog (DD is an only child and DH has always wanted a family dog) when the time is right.

DD starting school in Sept which was one of my main stumbling blocks (wanted her to start and settle in before taking on a puppy) so we are starting to talk more seriously about it.

BUT - we live in a terrace in London, it's by no means massive (especially ground floor), about 1300 square feet in total. And our garden is small.

We have decent parks about 10 min walk away though, and HUGE commons about 10-15 mins drive.

I work from home so would be able to be at home pretty much all day with the dog, no leaving it alone for long periods or anything like that.

But is it just unfeasible to have a lab in a small house like ours? DH's house was twice our size when he grew up with them (though back garden still small) and he was literally across the road from a big wide common.

I keep looking fondly at smaller dogs - our neighbours had spaniels which I alos love - actually, come to think of it they had 2 spaniels in a house the same size as ours so maybe 1 lab would work...! But they had no kids!

Should I be trying to steer DD off the subject of her precious golden labrador or do you experienced MNers think we can manage it, with our specific circs?

Thank you.

Smaller dogs are with considering. Labs are big and strong, even (or especially) as pups/young dogs as aren't fully trained.

Have you heard of Tollers? Some owners on here say they are fan, smaller than labs or Golden Retrievers, so more manageable

Tollers are indeed the perfect dog for any size house

We wanted something a bit smaller and more manageable than a lab and slightly less food oriented.... he also sheds less despite having longer fur

Tollers are lovely, we doggy sit one sometimes and it was ALMOST Golden Retrievery enough for me - but wasn't!!
All these suggestions are good OP and it's true that Labs can come with issues but they are lovely dogs and if that's what your DH wants give it some serious consideration

My lab stays on a farm with my DF most of the time as he owns her mother and brother. However she stays with me while I'm on holiday and it's no bother in my tiny flat - proving she gets out and exercised enough

Also a lab from show lines is generally more laid back than one from working lines.
Also don't feed Bad food unless who's want them doing the wall of death round the living room

We are on lab number 3, wonderful breed, i wouldn't have any other!
we have quite a big house and garden but to be honest they can be pretty lazy and spend a lot of time curled up sleeping, so don't take up that much space!

He gets walked three times a day, but is happy with two walks really, but they need routine from feeding times to walk times, regardless of what else is going on in your life you need to stick to their routines.

Every aspect of our life revolves round him, even what hours i work as i don't like him to be alone for too long.
They are easy to train but very boisterous and i remember being shattered when they were pups.
We had two at the same time for many years and i did love having two,our boy at the moment is five so we are going to get another next year, they are great company, very sociable but the one we have at the moment doesn't like other dogs much, and apart from his three pals we meet on walks (also labs) so try to socialise the pup as much as you can.

I've always had spaniels so when dh decided he wanted a black lab I was horrified. He has always had a gun dog but never a lab. Our boy is 10.5 now and is retiring as a gun dog as he's clipping the tops of fences as he jumps and we're afraid he may hurt himself however no one ever believes his age, he's great. We will definitely get another lab.

Don't get a cross expecting particular traits. Completely depends on which parent the dog inherits its genes from.