Can’t decide on what type of dog to get? Have you considered a Labrador? In this article we have highlighted the most important points to consider whether a Labrador is the right dog for you.
Labradors are one of the most popular dog breeds out there. These furry friends are cute and an absolute joy to be with. They are trainable, social, friendly, and most importantly, low maintenance. But is a Labrador the right dog for you?
This ultimate guide will tell you everything you need to know about this breed before you can make your decision.
How Much Training Do Labradors Need?
Labradors are intelligent dogs who can learn commands faster than many other breeds. Plus, they love treats and are eager to please, which makes things much easier! Generally, it takes 4 to 6 weeks to teach basic commands to a Labrador, but it may take longer if you have never trained a dog before.
You have to start training it as early as possible so you can start when your pup is three months old. First, you’ll have to teach it some focus skills by spending time playing structured games. This is also an excellent time to begin potty training because it has good control over bowel movements by the time a dog is 12 weeks old.
Here are some other commands you will have to teach:
- walking on a leash
- sitting
- recalling
- fetching
- shaking
- speaking
- rolling over
Remember, Labs are highly trainable, but the pace at which they learn commands depends on the number of hours you’re willing to invest, how skilled you are, and how old your dog is.
How Much Attention Do They Need?
You need to spend at least 2 hours a day with your Labrador. They are social dogs, and similar to other breeds or even children, they can become depressed without enough attention.
However, if you plan out your day, you’ll be able to make the most out of your bonding time, even if you have a busy lifestyle. Here are some ways you can spend time with your Lab:
- Take it on a walk
- Play fetch
- Teach it new commands and tricks
- Tach it to swim
- Play tug of war
Can You Leave Them Alone All Day?
Labradors are highly social dogs, and they love being around their owners. You can leave adult dogs alone for long hours, but puppies need to be on constant watch.
Labrador pups can get up to mischief when they’re on their own. Since they’re full of energy, they can damage your belonging or even hurt themselves.
They also don’t have full control over their bladder at a young age, which means they can hold it for an hour at maximum. Pups who are 8 weeks old can hold their bladders for up to 2 hours, but you should allow them to relieve themselves every hour. Here is how long you can leave your dog alone at home:
- 8-10 week old puppies can be left alone for 1 hour
- 2-3 month old puppies can be left alone for 2 hours
- 3-4 month old puppies can be left alone for 3 hours
- 4-6 month old puppies can be left alone for 4 hours
18-24 month old dogs are considered adults. They are self-reliant, but you should still keep them in your company. You can leave them alone for a long time, but if you’re working 8 hours a day and there’s no one to take care of your Labrador, it can cause separation anxiety. Besides, even adult dogs can’t go that long without relieving themselves.
If you’re taking care of a senior Labrador, which means if your dog is 8 to 10 years old, it needs the same amount of care as a puppy. Firstly, senior dogs need constant toilet breaks, and secondly, every little sickness can affect them. Labs suffering from hip dysplasia will need extra support from their owners.
How Much Exercise Do Labradors Need?
Labradors are highly energetic. They need to stay active, which is why they need 80 minutes of exercise every day. If you don’t have much time, you can take them for a 45-minute walk, but it’s better to walk them twice daily. You should also consider engaging them in harder exercises 3 to 4 times a week.
If you don’t exercise them enough, Labradors can exhibit destructive behaviour. They need an activity to release their energy, or you’ll find chewed-up furniture in your house! Walks and other games also give them an opportunity to explore the environment.
They can get introduced to new surroundings and socialize with people and others dogs. Here are some activities your Lab will enjoy:
- Playing fetch
- Swimming
- Retrieving
Younger dogs require less physical activity due to their developing joints. It’s important that they don’t overexert themselves even when they’re playing inside the house. When they’re 3 months old, you can start taking them out for 20 minutes a day and increase their exercise time as they age.
Do You Need to Have A Garden To Keep A Labrador?
It’s not important to have a garden to own a Labrador, but you will have to put in extra effort to take care of your dog. You’ll have to dedicate time over the day to taking your Lab to relieve itself and to exercise. Even owners who have gardens for their dogs can end up with depressed Labradors because exercising them still takes devotion.
However, it’s best to have a yard with a fence. That way, your Lab can relieve itself and play outside without you worrying about it wandering off.
Do Labradors Chew a Lot?
When Labradors are left alone for a long time, they can get separation anxiety. This can lead to destructive behaviour such as chewing on things. Puppies who are teething do the same.
They love to carry things around and may damage your furniture every now and then. Fortunately, there are ways you can get them to reduce chewing.
- Give them enough exercise to keep them amused. When dogs don’t get enough physical activity, they can get bored and find something to entertain themselves with. They will inevitably start chewing furniture.
- You can keep your valuable belongings out of reach. You must keep shoes, clothes, and trash away so your dog doesn’t get to them.
- You need to give them toys that are distinguishable from your household items. If you give them an old shoe to chew on, they will think it’s okay to chew on every shoe they find!
- You can use a taste deterrent on your furniture. It tastes unpleasant for dogs and will keep them from chewing. However, you may still have to keep a watch on your Lab since some dogs tend to chew despite this extra measure.
- If your puppy is teething, you can freeze some of its toys to soothe its gums when the pup chews on them.
- If you find your pup chewing on something it shouldn’t have, you trade it for a toy by offering treats. You can also keep some toys only for special occasions. Bring them out when you need them to keep your Labrador occupied or when you find it chewing on your belongings.
These tips can give you a general idea of what it would be like to have a Lab around the house and whether you can take care of it or not. Labradors are excellent pets, but inevitably you will have some of your valuable items chewed up, so be prepared for that!
Can You Afford to Keep A Labrador?
Owning a Labrador comes with commitments. You’ll have to invest a reasonable amount to keep your dog healthy and happy. Here are some things you’ll need to spend on:
· Licensing and an ID tag/microchip
This radio frequency identification transponder has a separate identification number for every microchip. They are injected under the skin of your furry companion (between the shoulder blades) and are no larger than a grain of rice.
A vet or an animal shelter can scan this chip, transmitting the ID number. You’ll have to register the microchip with a pet recovery database because only then will it allow you to find your Labrador if it gets lost or even stolen.
It will cost you between $40 to $50.
· Annual vaccination shots
Vaccinations are highly important to keep your Labrador safe from fatal diseases. Without measures, it can take your dog weeks or months to recover from some illnesses. You can vaccinate your pup for a number of diseases, but the schedule differs depending on your area. Here are some common diseases that require vaccination:
- Rabies
- Parvo
- Canine Distemper
- Leptospirosis
- Canine influenza
- Lyme Disease
- Canine Hepatitis
- Kennel cough
- Measles
The total cost of core and non-core vaccines is about $130. If you’re adopting a Lab from an animal shelter, the shelter will vaccinate it for as low as $20 or even for free.
· Leash and collar
Every dog needs a collar and a leash. The collar will allow people to get it to you in case your Lab ever gets lost, and the leash will be helpful to keep it close whenever you’re taking it for a walk.
These can cost you anywhere between $5 to $30.
· Grooming products
Labradors are generally low-maintenance dogs, but they need grooming to stay healthy and clean. You will need several grooming products for that purpose:
Dog shampoo: You shouldn’t be using regular shampoo on your Lab since it may get in its eyes or dry out the coal.
Dog toothpaste: Like shampoo, you should get special toothpaste made for dogs. Dogs can swallow some of the toothpaste and get ill if you use the normal ones.
Dog toothbrushes: These are designed to get into all areas of your dog’s teeth and keep them clean. Some toothbrushes come in the form of toys that can be chewed. The chewing helps remove tartar.
Nail Clippers: whether you use guillotine or scissor-style, clippers are an important part of your Lab’s grooming.
Blunt edge scissors: These are important to cut any extra hair on your dog’s paws and around its ears.
Towels: You’ll need these to dry your Lab after every bath.
Rake/Come/Brush/Blade: These tools will help you remove excess fur from your dog’s coat.
All these tools can cost you up to $400 to $500.
· Toys and chews
You’ll have to get your dog some toys to keep it occupied. They can keep Labs entertained and clean their teeth at the same time.
Their prices can vary depending on the quality and type of toy you’re getting, but the cheap ones will cost you only $4-$10.
· Dog food
Dogs can easily gain weight and get skin or joint issues, so they need good quality food with balanced nutrition. The quality of food can help them with good muscle tone, appropriate energy levels, controlled weight, and general wellbeing.
It can cost you between $20 to $60 per month.
· Dog bed
Labradors need good-quality beds to help with joint problems, arthritis, or hip dysplasia. Senior Labradors face these issues, which is why it’s important to give them a supportive bed that can relieve the pain from their age-related health problems.
You’ll have to get a bed that’s big enough for your dog to stretch on, and it should be made from a material that’s easy to clean.
That’ll cost you $40-$60.
· Biannual trip to the vet
Labradors need to be taken to a vet twice a year to get a thorough check-up. They will get heartworm/ticks/flea preventative as well as shots. Your vet will also check for underlying diseases, which can be a problem if they aren’t spotted fast.
These trips will cost you $200 to $350. Plus, most dogs get at least one major surgery during their lifetime, so you need to save money in case of an emergency.
Overall, sustaining your Labrador’s life will cost you $1.5k per year.
Do Labradors Shed a Lot?
Labradors are low-maintenance dogs, but they can sometimes shed too much because of their high energy levels. They tend to ‘blow’ their fur as the seasons change. During the summertime, they shed their undercoat to cool off, and during winters, they shed the overcoat before producing new fur and cosying up for the cold.
If you’re thinking of getting a different coloured Labrador Retriever for less shedding, we’re here to tell you that all of them shed the same. The only difference is that the fur of a Yellow Labrador will be more visible on dark coloured furniture, and the fur of a Black Labrador or even a Chocolate Labrador will be more prominent on lighter furniture.
You need to brush your Labrador outside at least once every 3 days. You can control the shedding by giving your pup a balanced diet, appropriate baths, and proper care. Bathing it once a month is more than enough. If you do it more often, you can dry out the coat.
Why Should You Choose a Labrador?
Here are some reasons why you should consider getting a Labrador Retriever:
· They are family-friendly
Labradors are excellent additions to families. There’s no surprise that with their friendly, enthusiastic nature, they are happy living in a family. They can play with your kids or even tag along on your journeys.
If you have an active family that goes out a lot, a Lab is a perfect companion to bring along! Since they are highly energetic, Labradors are happiest outdoors, and taking them when you’re going camping or hiking will be an excellent choice.
If you and your family stay busy all day long or have to stay out of the house for the better part of the day, your dog can experience separation anxiety. Labradors love being in the companionship of their owners, so you’ll have to get a dog sitter if you’re working all day.
· They are good with children
Labradors are one of the best breeds to have around children. They have a friendly and relaxed attitude towards children and other pets. However, it’s better to have Labs around older children than younger ones.
Since young Retrievers have more energy than senior dogs, they tend to play around a lot. They can jump on a child and accidentally harm them. Still, you can easily prevent this by training your dog properly. Their high trainability makes it easier to live with Labradors.
Labradors are energetic similar to children. Your kids can spend time playing fetch or simply running around with your Lab in the backyard. Unlike many other breeds, Labradors don’t mind the unpredictable nature of kids and are fond of all the attention.
· They are social
Labradors are social dogs. They get along with children, pets, adults, and even strangers! Their nature might just be this way, but any dog can get aggressive if it hasn’t been trained properly. You’ll have to socialize your Labrador Retriever from a young age to get it to stay in the companionship of others.
It’s not the best idea to keep this breed as a guard dog. When we say that Labradors get along with everyone, that really means EVERYONE! This dog won’t protect your house from burglars but rather invite them in for a game of fetch! On the bright side, their little aggressiveness will allow them to get socialized fast and interact with new people or areas.
Conclusion
So, are Labradors good dogs? The answer is yes; they are a low-maintenance breed that’s highly trainable and loves to stay with people. Labradors are intelligent, and they’re always excited to learn new commands.
Plus, they’re social dogs that get along with children. If you’re someone who doesn’t have a lot of time, you can adopt a Labrador. There’s no doubt that it’ll make the perfect addition to your family.