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The doghouse

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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:
Original poster
Primrosefrill · 04/07/2023 03:19

Thanks everyone. Gosh it is hard not to love her. My sense of smell is really wrangling with my heart but I am not sure she really gets groomed a lot and her coat does look at bit oily on her back.

OP posts:
AliceOlive · 04/07/2023 03:28

Primrosefrill · 04/07/2023 03:19

Thanks everyone. Gosh it is hard not to love her. My sense of smell is really wrangling with my heart but I am not sure she really gets groomed a lot and her coat does look at bit oily on her back.

They aren’t usually oily! Sounds like she just needs a good bath. Can you schedule her to be groomed?

Original poster
Primrosefrill · 04/07/2023 03:45

She is not our dog yet ha ha, but yes I could! Not really oily, just her coat has like a kind of stripe down the middle?

OP posts:
BlastedPimples · 04/07/2023 06:00

Could we see a photo of her coat? Sounds odd.

Labradors are amazing dogs. So loving and patient.

They can be boisterous up to 18 months or but then they settle and are amazing.

RoyKentFanclub · 04/07/2023 06:08

Dogs smell. People who say their dog doesn’t have just become used to the smell. If you have a dog your house will in parts and at times smell of dog.

But the love you gain from having one is just immeasurable. We lost ours in September and are just at the stage where we are starting to think about another. The grief was very real and we are all still recovering.

marshmallowfinder · 04/07/2023 06:20

I'd just add, there is no need to have her on your sofa or bed at all. It creates a lot more work hair/smell wise. She can have her own beds in the lounge and your bedroom. All my dogs have done this and it works just fine. They never knew any different and never tried to get up. Just wash their bedding regularly!

sommerinthecity · 04/07/2023 07:02

This is my experience (have owned 3 black labs over my life, now got a smaller dog!) Labs absolutely stink and the moulting is insane. They are so easy to train and great with kids (watch the dogs greediness as I've known lots of people/kids getting accidentally bitten by labs because they've fed them scraps etc without teaching the dog not to snap or lunge at the food offered). They stand in the way, but are absolutely bomb proof in that you can accidentally bash into/fall over them and they don't notice (you do!).

And every lab get's referred to together with its colour. I have no idea why? Especially owners of Red Fox ones (a few in my family/friendship group) they seem ex ordinary proud of this colour - again no idea why there's loads of them about!

Seddon · 04/07/2023 07:06

You'll become accustomed to the smell. Visitors will walk in and notice it straightaway and you'll be like half the posters on here, insisting she doesn't smell at all! Grin

qwedtask · 04/07/2023 07:08

Take her to the groomers and make sure you clean her teeth, that should really help with the smell. They are a lot at 9 months, mine is close in age, but they settle down to be the most gorgeous family dog! I have an older one too.

Flibbertyjibberty · 04/07/2023 07:14

Our dog is just coming up to two - for the first couple of weeks I found the smell a bit weird and constantly had the windows open, now I'm always sniffing her lovely fluffy head so I can breathe it in. It tends to be the bedding that smells more anyway, get her a bed with washable covers and you'll be fine. But you will 100% get used to the smell and maybe even start love it! Dogs are the best

HarpyValley · 04/07/2023 07:21

sommerinthecity · 04/07/2023 07:02

This is my experience (have owned 3 black labs over my life, now got a smaller dog!) Labs absolutely stink and the moulting is insane. They are so easy to train and great with kids (watch the dogs greediness as I've known lots of people/kids getting accidentally bitten by labs because they've fed them scraps etc without teaching the dog not to snap or lunge at the food offered). They stand in the way, but are absolutely bomb proof in that you can accidentally bash into/fall over them and they don't notice (you do!).

And every lab get's referred to together with its colour. I have no idea why? Especially owners of Red Fox ones (a few in my family/friendship group) they seem ex ordinary proud of this colour - again no idea why there's loads of them about!

Fox red was the last colour to appear - when I was a kid, Labs were black or yellow and even to see a chocolate Lab was comparatively rare. Then all of a sudden a few years ago, fox red ones started to pop up (and I agree, now they’re everywhere) so I imagine your family hasn’t moved on from a “we have the newer rarer (as it would have been at first) colour, it has cachet” stage 😄

DobbyTheHouseElk · 04/07/2023 07:29

Walk away now. This beautiful dog will waste your time and your money. Your house and car will be forever muddy and doggy. I’ve always had labs. They are such loving, family friends. Nothing better than the stinky breath and the smelly feet and the best cuddles ever.

Walk away now before you fall in love with this chaotic bundle of dog.

BlastedPimples · 04/07/2023 07:33

Don't let her on beds or sofas.

Mumtothreegirlies · 04/07/2023 08:01

I used to have a lab. He was the biggest most gentlest giant and fantastic with my children. He passed away 7 years ago and I think about him every day.
personally I think they are worth every single hair and smell but I would recommend regular professional grooming and a rake brush like a furminator brush and that will take care of the excess fur issue.

miniegg3 · 04/07/2023 08:05

sommerinthecity · 04/07/2023 07:02

This is my experience (have owned 3 black labs over my life, now got a smaller dog!) Labs absolutely stink and the moulting is insane. They are so easy to train and great with kids (watch the dogs greediness as I've known lots of people/kids getting accidentally bitten by labs because they've fed them scraps etc without teaching the dog not to snap or lunge at the food offered). They stand in the way, but are absolutely bomb proof in that you can accidentally bash into/fall over them and they don't notice (you do!).

And every lab get's referred to together with its colour. I have no idea why? Especially owners of Red Fox ones (a few in my family/friendship group) they seem ex ordinary proud of this colour - again no idea why there's loads of them about!

"They stand in the way" 🤣 omg that's so true! I'm shouting EXCUSE ME a million times a day at mine, he's like velcro stuck to my side, and he has absolutely no concept of his size/weight pushing past people!
Still love him though

Original poster
Primrosefrill · 04/07/2023 08:32

@DobbyTheHouseElk Christ I think it’s too late 😭

OP posts:
Sendmymillioninaninvoice · 04/07/2023 08:35

Labradors are lovely dogs and I say this as someone who doesn’t like any dogs bigger than pommies. They have really lovely personalities. The decision is yours but I think you could do much worse. They never bite either that I know of.

LaylaLjungberg · 04/07/2023 08:36

Adopt the dog and buy a decent carpet cleaner. You’ll all have a lovely time.

Twiglets1 · 04/07/2023 08:58

We used to have a Lab and I didn't want the hair going everywhere either. We didn't let ours on the sofas, he has his own bed or would lie on the carpet in other rooms we were in. We also didn't let him upstairs so he couldn't access the bedrooms. We put up a child's stairgate for a few months until he learnt he wasn't allowed upstairs. Even after we took it down he never tried because he understood by then. We found ours quite easy to train because he wanted to please so much.

They are a lovely breed. A bit naughty when young & excitable but so affectionate and happy. Sounds like you could give that one a lovely life with beach walks, etc. But maybe you need to discuss with your partner some ground rules beforehand like whether or not she will be allowed upstairs if she comes to live with you permanently.

Mbop · 04/07/2023 09:03

There are other breeds which might be better for you. Can she ask her family to organise rehoming?

Thingamebobwotsit · 04/07/2023 09:04

Nothing really to add but the quality of food you feed makes a huge difference to the smell. Lots of labs have grain/wheat allergies so I would advise avoiding anything with any form of grain in and see how you go. We have two Black Labs and apart from when they go pond dipping they don't smell. We bath once a month or so, clean beds regularly and vacuum once a day (twice in moulting season), keep them off the beds and furniture and they are fine.

What I would say is you might find she doesn't want to hand her over for adoption when it comes to the crunch. Depends really on the underlying reason for the dog in the first place. And if the work colleague does want to rehome, make sure you really do want the dog. One of ours was rehomed multiple times to well meaning work colleagues when we rescued him. He was unbelievably traumatised and took years to build his confidence. I'm not saying this would be you, but I do just want to say Labs are unbelievably loyal... losing their family is devastating for them.

YoungerDryas · 04/07/2023 09:06

I am a non-dog owner owner and can usually smell if someone has a dog - however, if owners do bathe their dogs regularly then they don’t smell at all- I have actually asked “how come your dog doesn’t smell of dog?” And that’s the answer. I think some dogs even enjoy being washed. My mum had a dog who hated being washed though and would head out and roll in fox poo straight away to get the smell of ‘clean’ off him.

itsapalaver · 04/07/2023 09:06

Does she even want someone to adopt the dog? Or did she just need a break?

WoofWoofBeachLife · 04/07/2023 09:14

If she's available for adoption don't hesitate, keep that furry monster. Just keep her sleeping area separate from your bedrooms. Do not let her on the beds. I made this mistake and now we have our room separate with the spare bedroom and bed being doggy heaven. Wash her bedding regularly and hoover everyday, just a whizz around with thw tools will keep the hair bunnies down.
Once she gets an initial bath/groom and regular brushing she will not smell. The only smell should be the amazing biscuits feet and ears 🥰🥰🥰
Can we see a picture?

Haffdonga · 04/07/2023 09:25

Hang on everyone - is the owner actually looking to rehome her?
Seems a bit presumptuous that you've only taken the dog for a few days break and already planning to keep her for life.
In fact you could find that sharing her/ part owning her with the old owner is a good solution. You have somewhere dog can stay when you go on holiday or out for a long day and the older owner gets regular respite and doesn't need to do the long walks, vet bills are shared etc