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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Original poster

Labrador

42 replies

elvislives2012 · 16/12/2022 07:03

Hi
I have a WWYD and I can't decide. We have been offered a beautiful two year old Labrador. She is KC registered, well trained and good with children. Her owner can't look after her and wanted to know if we could.
We have two children, two cats, Guinea pigs and a hamster. I work 50 hours a week but two days a week is from home. My husband is part time postman. We have two children 8&10 who would love a dog.
We've been talking about it for a while and it's usually me that is quite reserved and reluctant- cost mainly as they are usually thousands to buy!
The dog sounds lovely. I am a bit of a sucker for a sob story hence why we have so many animals- they are all rescues.
I'm seriously thinking yes but I have a tendency to overthink things so o can't decide. Any advice from anyone?
I'm worried about the cats as well as money and walking....

OP posts:
Aria20 · 16/12/2022 07:08

Labs are generally pretty good with cats I think and less likely to try to chase small furry animals than many other breeds so I think a lab is a good choice especially one that is already trained and good with children! Hopefully on the 3 days you are at work the dog will be ok being on its own until your DH is home in the afternoon. Labs do eat a lot and are classed as large breed dogs meaning insurance and vet plans are a bit more expensive.

Bobbins36 · 16/12/2022 07:11

We have several! Beautiful dogs, great with kids but do take stock of the dogs history before you commit - could you have a trial week looking after her?
entirely luck of the draw re cat - ours chase them and can’t get along so when we had a stay turn up and stay luckily it has been able to navigate a route (in the window upstairs!?) to its food and bed without seeing a dog. This works for us but you would have to see how your cat reacts - might be fine, might freak out! Small furries I would keep well out of reach though….

Vets fees are big these days - so consider insurance.
The dog will need walked every day for a good hour at least and can’t be left alone all day, especiallly if it hasn’t been used to this.

Dogs are just the best thing - a huge commitment and tie - but if you can give them everything they need you’ll be rewarded by by years of love and fun!

FizzyFucker · 16/12/2022 07:13

On the days you are out at work, how long will the dog be left alone? My absolute maximum for my lab being alone is 4 hours.

madrush · 16/12/2022 07:15

I have a lovely lab and a lovely but skittish cat. They live together fine - not friends but dog knows to be still and slow when cat is around and they have a curious sniff of each other calmly. Dog is not allowed upstairs but cat is, so he goes up if he wants space. Insurance, food and holiday care are all expensive. Finding time to take a long walk off lead every day can be a chore (even with two adults sharing the responsibility), but it’s mostly a good chore as it’s good for us and a lovely way to start the day. The other hassle is never staying out for more than 5-6 hours without arranging for someone to pop in for our dog. On the whole, I’d say go for it, dogs are great addition to family life. But, why are his current family really giving him up?

Original poster
elvislives2012 · 16/12/2022 07:23

Thanks this is so helpful. I have sent some more questions to owner

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KangarooKenny · 16/12/2022 07:25

I agree, 4 hours is the absolute most I’d leave mine, and I wouldn’t do it every day.
Make sure the cats can escape the dog, so a baby gate at the bottom of the stairs is a good idea.

Choconut · 16/12/2022 07:26

I think a week staying with you would be a great idea so you can see if it would work. I think Labs are great and I have friends with them and cats. They all seem to end up with arthritis when they get old, but otherwise fun and lovely - and you've missed the puppy stage when they can be quite a handful.

Original poster
elvislives2012 · 16/12/2022 07:26

Yes I like the idea of an upstairs cat only zone. I thought you'd all say don't do it!

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Original poster
elvislives2012 · 16/12/2022 07:27

I agree trial week a good idea

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EdithStourton · 16/12/2022 07:43

Is the dog already used to cats? We had high-drive gundogs with cats for years without issues, because the dogs grew up with them.

Original poster
elvislives2012 · 16/12/2022 07:55

I've asked more questions. Needs two walks a day, gentle dog no malice. Not sure about cats but very good natured. I think I'll visit her and take for a walk on Sunday when the children are at a party and my husband and I can see what she is like

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Theonewheretherewas4 · 16/12/2022 08:02

We lost our amazing lab two years ago but she was ‘nanny’ to all my dc, she had no interest in the cat or the Guinea pigs but when they started jumping and squeaking it sent her on the zoomies! Depending on the type show/working weight can be a problem they just can’t help themselves.

Blanketpolicy · 16/12/2022 08:03

If cost is a concern be aware labradors are expensive. We pay £85/month for insurance now ours is 9 years old. £12/month for flea/tick/annual vacs.

But they are brilliant dogs if you dont mind the hair

DesertSolitaire · 16/12/2022 08:20

Have you researched all the costs? Food, chews, insurance, vaccinations, flea/tick/worm treatment, dog boarding if you go away. The cost of buying a pup is just the start of what a dog costs. If I saved up everything I spent on my dog this year I'd have the money to buy a puppy so if you say you have never been able to afford that I'd question whether you can really afford a dog.

Is she spayed? Were her parents health tested (KC registered means very little), has she had any sort of vet treatment that means existing issues would be excluded from insurance?

EdithStourton · 16/12/2022 08:20

If she's working line rather than show, she'll probably have more interest in the cats...

Idratherbepaddleboarding · 16/12/2022 08:24

If you don’t want her, can I have her? Our lab is the best thing that ever happened to us! He gives us endless love (end endless hair 😂) and he’s been so good for my mental health. Ours is a working lab and he’s been fine with friends’ cats.

Original poster
elvislives2012 · 16/12/2022 08:40

Dad working mum pet. No health issues. I know why rehoming and can't say too much as this thread is outing already but suffice to say it's not because of the dog

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Original poster
elvislives2012 · 16/12/2022 08:40

She's not spayed

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Bobbins36 · 16/12/2022 08:46

elvislives2012 · 16/12/2022 08:40

She's not spayed

Would defo get her done if not planning to breed x

PloddingAlongHere · 16/12/2022 08:46

I would bring her round the house on a lead and see her reaction to your other animals. I have a lab cross and she is wonderful, I also have cats, a toddler and baby. It is about to cost is approx £400 to have her spayed, not ideal on mat leave but needs doing! My heart would be to go for it to though as I am also a soft touch for a sob storey!!

Blanketpolicy · 16/12/2022 08:49

You will need to factor in the cost of the spay as soon as possible and you will probably need to be around the house while she recovers from the op.

It really should have been done already.

Original poster
elvislives2012 · 16/12/2022 08:54

Blanketpolicy · 16/12/2022 08:49

You will need to factor in the cost of the spay as soon as possible and you will probably need to be around the house while she recovers from the op.

It really should have been done already.

I think not spayed as had planned to breed but I don't think we would be interested in that

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Original poster
elvislives2012 · 16/12/2022 09:02

Have gone back and asked if that was something they could do/ contribute to prior to us having if we decide to do it

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DesertSolitaire · 16/12/2022 09:06

Is there a good reason they've offered her to you rather than back to the breeder (it's reasonably common for good breeders to ask that pups are always returned to them if change in circumstances) or rehomed via a breed rescue?

Original poster
elvislives2012 · 16/12/2022 09:12

DesertSolitaire · 16/12/2022 09:06

Is there a good reason they've offered her to you rather than back to the breeder (it's reasonably common for good breeders to ask that pups are always returned to them if change in circumstances) or rehomed via a breed rescue?

I think that they knew us and our situation and that we had been thinking of a dog so that's why in first instance. They haven't offered her yet as I get the impression they want to vet us

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