If you think a Labrador might be the right breed for you, let me just say, that’s an excellent choice! There is a reason they are so popular, which you will undoubtedly find out almost immediately after bringing your new little friend home. This article is going to cover everything you might hope to know about labradors and the kind of commitment they need, by the end of this article you will be sure with absolute certainty whether or not a Labrador Retriever is the right dog for you!
What to know before adopting a Labrador retriever:
There are some common requirements that all newly adopted dogs have, but there are some consistencies that mustn’t be ignored. A Labrador is no different. There are, of course, some more specific requirements that are a little more unique to Labradors, we will cover all of those things in this next section. Here are some things you need to know before adopting Labrador retrievers:
Is a Labrador the right breed for you?
The first thing you need to know is whether or not this breed is right for you. Note that I said to know, not think. And right for you, not just the breed you want. Do you have trouble walking around, or do you live a rather sedimentary lifestyle? If so a Labrador is not right for you. Are you an outgoing person who’s very active and friendly, and is keen to explore? Well, then a Labrador might be just what you need. This article is all about labradors and their temperaments, are they right for you? This article will help you decide that.
Does your lifestyle coincide with having a dog?
When we talk about lifestyle, we generally mean activity and work-life balance. If you plan to have a dog, any dog, you need to ensure that you are home often enough to truly care for it. I hate to break it to you but if you work 60 hours a week you should NOT be getting a dog, any dog. Especially a Labrador though. They need lots of exercises and mental stimulation, if you work 60 hours and don’t plan on walking an extra 14-20 hours a week on top of that, a dog isn’t the right pet for you.
Can you afford a dog?
Being able to afford a dog is not quite as simple as being able to buy it. We are talking about adopting here, so we can already assume the initial cost isn’t going to be too high. But what about bedding, toys, a leash, treats, and of course food? A dog is for life, you need to be able to afford to pay for all of its food and necessities for about 12 years. Including medical bills. You don’t need to have all of this money on hand now, but you should be willing to allocate 10-12 thousand dollars to caring for your Labrador throughout its life. About 1k a year is a good estimate. Related post: Are Labradors expensive to own?
Why should you adopt a Labrador?
There are lots of great reasons for adopting a Labrador, the best reason, I think, is that they are so overly affectionate and willing to love that you wonder how you ever existed without him or her by your side before. A Labrador makes a very faithful companion and about as wonderful of a family pet as you could hope for. The reason you should adopt is that you are giving a dog that’s otherwise without hope or a home a fresh start. It could be an older dog or a puppy, it could be a 3-year-old lab that hasn’t ever known life outside of a shelter. You will be doing a great thing for the dog and an amazing thing for yourself. It truly is a win-win.
Click Here to Read More About Labrador’s Temperament
What to expect when adopting a Labrador:
Labradors are very easy-going dogs. They adapt their personality to their owner in an almost frightening way. They have a wonderful temperament and are generally quite relaxed about the schedule, they will comfortably fall right into your schedule or go along jollily with the chaos. Because you are adopting, it’s important to remember that your lab has already had another life, another schedule. So the time to adjust your schedule might take a little longer than a pup fresh from the breeder. Adopting might take a little longer, as finding a lab that will suit you and your family isn’t always going to be easy. Most shelters have a pretty good idea about a dog’s temperament and needs. They’ll know whether or not a dog will be okay around children, cats, other dogs, etc, and warn you. You should also be willing to pay an adoption fee and fill out a decent amount of paperwork. Related post: Are Labrador Retrievers Good Family Dogs?
Where can I find a Labrador rescue operation?
Finding a lab isn’t always easy, they are very “in demand” breeds. They are such wonderful pets that they are quite hard to come by. Which is quite nice, I suppose, it’s a good problem to have – too few abandoned Labradors. If you are truly looking to adopt, not just buy, then it’s a good idea to try and find a reputable shelter or adoption agency. Luckily, since Labradors are so popular there are lots of great resources available to help you find the right one for you. This website can help you find Labradors all over the country. It’s very cleverly done to help you find the right fit for you based on several toggles you can select. For example, a puppy or an older dog? One Labrador or a bonded pair? How far are you willing to travel? These are all good questions that you should be asking yourself anyway, this website might also serve as a little reminder for things like that to ensure this truly is the right breed for you and that you are ready to adopt a dog at all. They also provide a way for you to donate money to help care for Labradors In foster care. If you are unable to have a Labrador of your own at home, this is the next best thing.
How to choose a rescue dog:
Choosing the right dog is one of the most difficult parts of adopting. You should try to meet any potential candidates in person, you won’t have a connection with every dog you meet so it’s important to ensure you and your new family member hit it off. You have no real way of knowing the temperament of a dog unless you spend some real one on one time with it. Take it for a walk, play some games, and have a little cuddle. But there are some more serious things to consider. Does the dog seem very anxious? Is it aggressive? Some dogs come with pre-existing medical conditions that are going to be your burden. A lot of labs that get put up for adoption were intended to become service dogs but failed their tests. Service dogs can’t have allergies or medical problems that may make them behave irrationally or cause harm to their owner. Even tiny problems such as having hay fever, yes dogs can have hay fever, prohibits a dog from being a service animal.
Preparing your home for a rescue Labrador:
Before you bring home your lab there are a few things you need to do. Dog-proofing your house is very similar to baby-proofing. Put dangerous things out of reach, and put locks on all the cupboards and cabinets. Dogs are very clever, labs especially. They WILL get into your food if at all possible. They are such food-driven animals that they’ll move heaven and earth just to get into a bag of treats. Labradors are also prey-driven dogs, if you leave them alone in the yard they will attack any animal they find. If you don’t properly dog-proof your yards they will escape. And they’ll dig. A lot. This article covers everything you need to know about dog-proofing your home and yard to ensure that your dog, and your belongings, are going to be safe from harm. Accidents happen, that’s inevitable, all we can do is try and reduce the number of ones that occur. Especially ones that cause harm – not just a mess!
Click Here To Read About Labrador Shedding
Final thoughts
Hopefully, you now have a better idea about whether or not a Labrador is a right dog for you. I hope it is because Labrador Retrievers are tremendous pets and will bring you joy for years to come. Whatever you decide, good luck with your new dog. You should be proud of yourself for adopting, you’re doing an amazing thing.
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