Why You Should or Shouldn’t Have a Pet Labrador Retriever
Labrador Retrievers can be a loyal companion for life, but before you add a pet Labrador to your home, you need to learn about their personalities and needs. This way you can decide if one fits well with your lifestyle, and if you can give it the attention and care it will need to be happy and healthy.
Labradors are a large breed dog. They require a moderate to large amount of living space. It would also be advisable to have an outdoor area where they can exercise. Labrador Retrievers were bred as water retrievers, so try to find water for them to play in. If you are an active person, a Labrador pet will be perfect for the two of you.
Pet Labradors can successfully live in apartments if they are taken to a park or other natural area on a regular basis. The success of this depends on how big the apartment is. A studio or one-bedroom apartment is not the best place for a dog of this size. Unless you have a fenced-in yard, you should probably think long and hard before choosing a Labrador Retriever as your pet.
Labradors are intelligent dogs with a moderate to high energy level. They are also very social. This means that they need regular mental and physical exercise. Daily walks are an effective way to exercise your Labrador, although letting him run is better. Training your dog is also important. This can be done with a professional trainer, or on your own with the help of an obedience book, video, or just a little common sense.
If your Labrador Retriever doesn’t get enough interaction from you, he will rely on his own curiosity and surroundings to entertain himself. If he’s an indoor dog, this may mean some chewed-up shoes or stains on the carpet. Worse yet, frustrated or careless dogs can cause extensive property damage. They can also get sick or injured by eating and playing with inappropriate or unsafe items.
Like all dogs, your Labrador retriever will require regular feedings and plenty of fresh water. Your adult pet will need to eat two or three times a day, while a puppy may need to eat 3 or 4 times. Training them to eat at the same time as you, if it’s on a regular schedule, will be good for your pet. After a certain period of time, remove any uneaten food to train him to eat on a regular schedule, which he needs to be happy and healthy. If you can handle it, you should prepare your Lab pet’s food at home to ensure he gets the best food available. If you buy it, make sure it is of the best quality with no fillers or artificial ingredients.
Make sure your Labrador retriever gets frequent opportunities to relieve himself if they are kept inside. Adult dogs may only need to go out twice a day; however, puppies may need to go outside every hour or two, especially during housebreaking. Paper training and box training are options if you will be away from home for significant periods during the day. Keep in mind, however, that excessive crate use or frequent abandonment can lead to serious behavior problems.
Labradors are short-haired dogs, so they don’t require much grooming. Regular brushing and the occasional bath are usually enough. Your Labrador pet will like to get wet, so if you have a lake or some other body of water where you can take him swimming you will have a very happy pet. Keep your pet’s nails trimmed by learning how to do it properly at home or you’ll have to take them to the vet or an animal groomer.
Large breed dogs like the Labrador Retriever tend to cost more over their lifetime than smaller dogs. They require more food, and vet fees are often based, in part, on the pet’s weight. Large breed dogs, especially purebreds, tend to have shorter lifespans than smaller dogs. Proper nutrition, exercise, and veterinary care will increase your chances of a longer, healthier life.
A Labrador Retriever is more than just a pet. With proper care it will be your best friend, as well as your protector and helper. Be sure to consider how much care and attention you can give your new pet before committing to one. The more time you can spend training your Lab pet, the more you will enjoy it for days to come. They are intelligent animals and will enjoy as much interaction as you can give them. Do this and you will have a great companion for life.