Are labradors good apartment dogs?
Are labs good apartment dogs? The answer is not as obvious as it seems. Many think that Labradors cannot live in apartments due to their size and that these dogs are known to shed a lot of hair. This would make you think that Labradors can’t live in apartments.
But, Labradors are not the best breed of dog adapted to living in small spaces. The truth is that farmers can live in apartments, but it requires a lot of effort on the part of the owners. So, if you live in an apartment and want to have a lab, you can. But it won’t be easy.
The Labrador retriever can make an excellent pet in an urban living situation. While their size might seem like it would be too much for a small space they have many benefits that outweigh these downsides! Not only do they provide plenty of love and attention. But, these dogs are also great with children and other pets.
An adult Labrador is medium-to-large sized. They will stand about 21 to 24 inches tall and weigh 55 to 80 pounds, but don’t let this put you off; a studio size apartment might be cramped for them. Nonetheless, it’s possible if they get plenty of exercises outdoors with their owner or go on walks frequently.
Also, Labradors are notorious shedders, and can and they can leave your home covered in hair in no time. However, a daily grooming session can minimize the amount of hair these dogs shed daily.
Is a lab too big for an apartment?
An adult Labrador is a medium-to-large size. They will stand about 21 to 24 inches tall and weigh 55 pounds. A studio apartment might get quite cramped with one because they need more space for moving around (and exercising). But if you can take your outside, if you can take your lab out to the dog park, to walk and play enough. Then a Labrador would be a perfect fit. And if you don’t have time to get your Lab to burn off his energy in the park, you can always hire a dog walker to walk your dog while you work. Just remember that most apartments don’t allow large-size breeds, so plan accordingly beforehand.
How much should a Labrador walk a day?
The Labrador breed is very energetic and needs a ton of exercise to release its pent-up energy. Multiple walks per day are ideal, the minimum amount your pup should be getting is at least two 30 minutes long walks each day.
A Lab puppy should receive about 5 minutes of exercise per month as they grow up. This means that a 6-month-old pup is getting about half an hour in walking and running every day, while 9 months older gets you 45 min daily!
A responsibly exercised, happy dog is a perfect partner. Your Lab should get 45-90 minutes of playtime every day from the time they are fully grown up until their fifth birthday!
If your Lab gets enough daily exercise, then he will be calm in your apartment and will not cause any problems. It is also a good idea to train your Labrador. An obedient Labrador will be better suited to live in small spaces.
Related post: How Much Exercise Does A Dog Need?
How much grooming does a labrador need?
Labradors have short hair, which makes those who are not familiar with the breed think that they do not need much grooming. However, Labradors are retrievers dogs. These are hunting dogs that specialize in jumping into cold waters to collect prey from hunters. This is why Labradors have a double coat, which consists of an undercoat made of short, dense hairs. And the outer layer is made of long and glossy hairs that repel water and prevent the inner layer from getting wet.
Unfortunately, this makes Labradors heavy shedders, as they constantly renew their coats throughout the year. And even more so during the molting season, which occurs twice a year when Labradors change their fur to prepare for winter and summer.
Labrador shedding is a problem for those who live in apartments because the hair they shed will end up all over your furniture and clothes. But this can be solved by taking your dog to a dog groomer once a month. You should also brush your Labrador with a grooming rake a couple of times a week and once a week during the molting season. In this way, you can control the shedding of your Labrador, so that he lives in your apartment without problems.
You can read more about Labrador grooming in this post: An Introduction To Labrador Grooming
Final thoughts
Labradors are not the best dog for apartments, but if their owners take them out to the park to get enough exercise and they take care of doing the necessary grooming to control shedding. then labradors can live in an apartment. However, one thing that should be noted is that this breed sheds a lot so it’s important to keep up with brushing your pup regularly because having too much hair on furniture or clothes could be annoying.
Related post: Are Labrador Retrievers Good Family Dogs?
