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Labrador Puppies – The Velociraptor Truth
It’s time to welcome your newest family member, and you’ve decided a Labrador is the way to go. We couldn’t agree more! Before you start searching up labrador puppies for sale, let’s talk about labs as pets. Labradors are a popular breed, largely because of their loving, playful personalities, combined with their incredible learning capacity and their willingness to please their owners.
But should you really get a puppy?
We know it’s tempting. Labrador puppies are adorable! But cute and cuddly pups can quickly turn into velociraptor teenagers.
If you’re looking for a cool, calm, and collected dog with an established sense of decorum, we recommend adopting one of our delightful old Labradors instead.
A Clever Canine Companion
According to the top canine researchers, your dog could be about as intelligent as the average two-year-old child. That’s incredible! But it does come with its own set of challenges. Clever dogs can easily pick up on new tricks, including developing language skills and learning social cues that help them communicate with their humans. Some dogs can even understand basic maths! However, smart dogs also require extra stimulation to keep their minds busy. And that’s not to mention the challenges of a puppy with a broad spectrum of emotions and the street smarts to manipulate their way into their next treat.
Why Our Foster Carers Prefer the Old Souls
Intelligent dogs can be a handful, especially during the early years, when they’re full of energy and extremely curious about this big, wide world. The truth is, most of our foster carers prefer older Labs, between the ages of 3 and 5, and those who are settling into their senior years. Why? Because Labrador puppies can be demanding! These pups require a lot of attention, training, and nurturing to achieve their full potential and grow into the best adult dogs. An older dog might be happy to nap the day away with occasional snack breaks between snoozes in the afternoon sun. But a puppy needs long walks, extended play time, and consistent supervision. Leave them in the yard all on their own, and they might be forced to create their own entertainment, munching on your clean washing and digging up your lawn!
Labrador Stages of Life and What to Expect
So what should you expect throughout your Labrador’s life, and what could this mean for your lifestyle?
Tiny puppies are cute and snuggly. At this stage, your Lab will need lots of cuddles and reassurance. They’ll also be learning important skills, like how to eat without falling in the dish and how to take themselves outside when they need a potty break. You can expect plenty of laughter and cute photo opportunities, interspersed with toileting accidents and chewed shoes.
Between the ages of 1 and 3, your puppy will dive headfirst into their teenage stage! This is a period full of rebellion and testing boundaries. Your Lab has plenty of energy and not a lot of inhibition. Keep a close eye on things you don’t want eaten, and plan for plenty of stimulating training and exercise. You and your pup are both going to need it.
From 3 to 10, your pup is now an adult dog. During this time, Labradors are sweet, loyal, and attentive. They remain energetic and continue to love walks, play, and a good adventure. But they can also settle into a slower-paced family life. These grown-up Labs make the best pets in the world!
And from 10 to 15? You’ve got yourself a golden oldie. Senior Labradors are the sweetest creatures on the planet. Your dog is less energetic than they used to be and knows the ropes well enough to be very independent. Still, older Labs are loving and gentle.
How to Decide What’s Right for You
Think carefully about your lifestyle and what you can offer a dog.
If you want to add a Labrador to your family, consider whether you might be better suited to a mature and well-trained adult dog. Don’t be afraid to skip over the puppy stage – older Labs have so much love to give!