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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 - do we adopt her?

117 replies

Primrosefrill · 03/07/2023 22:09

DH work colleague has a lab, 9 months, colleague is older and is on her own and family persuaded her to get her but it is too much work. Lab has come to stay with us for few nights to give her a break but I know my DH badly wants to adopt her.

I am not a dog person but do like certain breeds including labs. She really is beautiful but a bit smelly, VERY boisterous and licky. We live right next to a beach (very lucky) so she has been having long walks which she doesn't currently get to have. I can't help loving her tbh. My DCs are enjoying her. But I am a bit nervous that if my DH offered to adopt her, about having a house that smells like dog and hair everywhere all the time.

If you got a dog, did you grow to get past the smell/hair? Does your house smell like dog? Are there certain areas off limits from the dog that are your sanctuary?

OP posts:
JennyTheDonkey · 03/07/2023 22:15

Sounds like you'd give it a lovely life and it would fit into your family well. You'll just need to Hoover a bit more often (consider a robot vacuum potentially), mop the floors more often. If you give it a hose down/bath every now and again and wash the bedding you'll be dandy. The love I get from my lab is well worth any pongs and cleaning.

JayAlfredPrufrock · 03/07/2023 22:16

What smell?

RhosynBach · 03/07/2023 22:17

Labradors are the most loving dogs. They are quite hairy but if you get a robot hoover like pp suggests and put blankets on the sofa (If the dog is allowed on the sofa) which you regularly wash then your house won’t smell too much like dog.

nopuppiesallowed · 03/07/2023 22:20

My lovely daughter in law used to complain about the smell of my golden retriever. She now has 2 of her own. You really do get used to it. In fact, as long as the dog is clean, the coat had a beautiful, comforting smell.

Sunnydaysaredefhere · 03/07/2023 22:21

Ime a house isn't a home without at least 1 ddog..
Ours is - ahem- very homely!
4!!
Candles, zoflora and regular blanket washes. No pong at all! Check regularly with zero ddog owning dd!

Idratherbepaddleboarding · 03/07/2023 22:24

Labradors are just the best! 9-12 months is the worst age though so if you can cope with her now, she’ll soon settle down into the most amazing dog 🥰. Ours is 2 and I can’t imagine life without him. He is pretty stinky (he has really stinky feet tonight 😂) and he sheds half a dog’s worth of hair every day but that doesn’t matter when you get so much love from them and you can just hoover a bit more.

MandyMotherOfBrian · 03/07/2023 22:24

Giving a good brush on a regular basis, and a very good diet, will help with immensely with both the shedding and any smell she currently has. Two of my old girl Lab rescues were pretty stinky when they arrived and a bit greasy but giving them a far better diet than they’d been on and regular brushing meant that pretty much disappeared in a couple of weeks. Your house does not need to smell if you keep up with the cleaning and also make sure you hoover/wash dog beds, blankets etc and if you let them on the sofas and rugs make sure they are laying on something that can be washed. Pretty much every close friend I have now has at least one dog, there’s not one single one whose house smells. So, yes, of course you should adopt her 😀.
(btw getting your dog used to being hoovered really helps too, my Labs all loved it- I even bought a special hoover attachment 😂)

PennywisePoundFoolish · 03/07/2023 22:28

9 months is when a lot of labradors are in their twatador phase, so if you're already in love I'm afraid you're a lost cause!

Original poster
Primrosefrill · 03/07/2023 22:34

Ha ha I have the biggest smile on phase reading this thread 😂

OP posts:
Fuchs1a · 03/07/2023 22:41

My lab goes for a groom every 4 weeks. They wash her and blast out all the dead cost. She sheds minimally in the house.

Fuchs1a · 03/07/2023 22:42

Fuchs1a · 03/07/2023 22:41

My lab goes for a groom every 4 weeks. They wash her and blast out all the dead cost. She sheds minimally in the house.

Coat not cost

miniegg3 · 03/07/2023 22:55

9 months is around the age they become a teenager, it really is the hardest phase so if you can deal with her now she should only get calmer.
Yes they can stink and they shed all over, definitely need to hoover often! But they are lovely affectionate dogs and my favourite breed ❤️ mine stays downstairs on the hard floors and doesn't even try to come upstairs, so there's a break from doggy hair up there at least

Janedoe82 · 03/07/2023 22:58

I have a lab. Wouldn’t be without her and house doesn’t really smell.

AliceOlive · 03/07/2023 23:05

Our lab smelled lovely. We took her to the groomer periodically but not that often. Maybe 3-4 times a year.

We lost her last year and are getting a new yellow lab girl very soon; puppies were born and we get to go choose one in about a month.

LakeTiticaca · 03/07/2023 23:07

Labs make great family pets. Lovely temperament but can be lively and very greedy!! Ours only really smelt when wet , and they do need plenty of grooming but all in all they are fabulous dogs 😀

Mochacino · 03/07/2023 23:09

Run don’t walk and adopt that lab! Best decision ever and it is coming from the adult that didn’t want a dog.

keep on top of the brushing of your dog and just be mindful there will be a lot of dog hair but set boundaries for your dog. Ours isn’t allowed up the stairs or on the fabric couch so knows to stay off them. Labs are definitely not as doggy smelling as other breeds so your house will be fine.

That lab will have the absolute best life with you!! Enjoy.

Itisyourturntowashthebath · 03/07/2023 23:14

9 months old is as bad as labs get.
Feed her well, exercise her and groom her and she will smell a lot better.
Well done on your excellent find.

itsapalaver · 03/07/2023 23:20

Regular brushing is important to keep them fresh. I find most if the doggy smell comes from them slobbering all over their toys and bedding, so that gets washed regularly.

You can buy a laundry bag that stops hair getting into your washing machine.

tinselvestsparklepants · 03/07/2023 23:23

I'm two years into adopting a blank lab. I adore her. She was very boisterous to start with but has settled into absolute perfection. I can't imagine life without her, and don't want to. She brings so much joy. Along with the farts and the fur puppies but who cares - she's family. Smile

tinselvestsparklepants · 03/07/2023 23:23

Black lab!

Spudlet · 03/07/2023 23:27

Do it. Do it. 😈

9 months is a pig of an age but when they turn 2 (ime) that’s the watershed and suddenly, all the work pays off and you realise that you have a cracking dog. Before that it feels like you’re banging your head on a brick wall and none of the training is going in, but trust that it is in there somewhere and keep with it, and you will reap the benefits in the end!

Yes, they shed and if you don’t keep scrupulously on top of changing out throws and things the house may take on a bit of a canine aroma. But they are more than worth it. They’re worth it a thousands times over.

Marlaysydney12 · 03/07/2023 23:29

We have a year old male lab. He's the best! The house is a bit hairier than before but he's 100% worth it, he has such a lovely nature. It makes my day when I watch our dog play chase or catch with our 6 year old.

Milkand2sugarsplease · 03/07/2023 23:29

I feel my response only really needs to be - YES adopt him.

However, I'll write more....

I sweep around every day to remove the fur when he's moulting, 5 minute job usually when DS is eating lunch, I'm waiting for the kettle or something similar so it doesn't seem like a job.

DDog knows where he can and can't go - knows his bed and knows he can't go on the sofa unless he's invited - he's translated this to be every time he sees us with the blanket he's allowed on, he gazes at us soppy eyed until we invite him up...

Only really smells after a wet walk but that passes quickly and his coat goes beautiful after a rain wash so it's worth it.

UndercoverCop · 03/07/2023 23:30

I have family who have bassets and bulldogs both smell, labradors have a slight doggy smell but nothing bad. They're also the most loyal, loving family dog.
We don't have a family dog as we don't have the time but if we did I would have a Labrador in a heartbeat. Our family/parents dog was a lab until he died about 4 years ago and you're right you just can't help but love them

SageHearts · 03/07/2023 23:41

Where do I start with labs.. They’re super easy to train as they’re food orientated, they’re very intelligent and learn quickly. You WILL go through the teenage years when they’re hilariously funny but OMG the saying teenage dirtbag saying is so true! Keep consistent with the training no matter how hard it gets, buy a long line (you’ll need it). They’re the most adorable dogs but you do need to groom them. Buy a furminator to keep on top of their coat but be gentle with it. Labs are amazing just make sure you keep on top of the training.