So, you’re in love with the idea of adopting a Labrador Retriever puppy? A wee little chocolate Lab with a cute face and a silly personality. Awwww. Do you know what we call Labrador puppies here at Lab Rescue? Velocirap-bradors! Those tiny teeth – oh boy, they’re sharp!
Before you decide to buy or adopt a Labrador Retriever, you should know what to expect. Yes, they’ll be your greatest companion and best friend, but they’re also destined to be the most demanding and rule-breaking member of the family!
What to know before buying or adopting a Labrador
Labradors are not outside dogs. Part of what makes them such popular family dogs is their affectionate, people loving-nature. This lovable trait means that if they don’t have a high amount of interaction with you, Labs become VERY unhappy. And confined to the backyard, you can also expect them to be destructive and LOUD!
In the same way that leaving kids unattended leads to unwise choices and wild behaviour, a lonely Lab is your one way ticket to chewed shoes and a dug up lawn. If you aren’t planning on your dog becoming one of the family, a Lab is not the breed for you!
You don’t like dog hair? Labrador Retrievers are champion shedders
In a Labrador household, dog hair plays many roles: fashion accessory, rustic home décor, and sometimes, accidental meal garnish. As a perpetual renewable resource in your home, dog hair will become a part of your decorative aesthetic.
Labs shed a little all year round – except for those couple of times a year when they really shed. It’s like living in a snow globe. So, if you have a problem with Lab fuzz becoming part of your dietary fibre or you’re compulsive about always dressing in black, this is not the breed for you (although adopting a black Lab can lessen the public humiliation).
Buying or adopting a Labrador means serious brush time
Labs need regular grooming to keep their skin and coat in good condition. You can easily learn to do this yourself or have your dog professionally groomed. Either way, ongoing grooming is a necessary part of owning a Lab, so be sure to factor this into your decision.
Short on a sense of humour? Rethink Labrador Adoption
Labs are born with a sense of mischief, and their goofy personalities and everyday hijinks make for endless entertainment. However, if you’re not amused by the thought of waking up to a cold, slobbery tennis ball in your face or a puppy that decides that 2:00 a.m. is a great time to play fetch, perhaps another breed or an older rescue dog might be best.
Labradors do not respect spotlessly clean homes
Muddy paws on your clothes, nose prints on every window in your house and car, and did we mention the hair? Yep, Labs are too busy living their best lives to acknowledge your strict house rules! Also, when Labs get old, some get incontinent and smelly. Enough said… If you can’t relax and enjoy your Lab in all his/her messy glory, you’ll both be miserable. And don’t bother trying to train the free spirit out of your Lab. It’s actually caused by a genetic condition known as “boofheadery.”
Labs are passionate about snacks, balls, toys, and most of all, YOU
“Live every moment turned up to eleven – or fast asleep. This is the Labrador motto!”
Labrador Retrievers are obsessed with food, balls, water, and toys. They’re passionate about snacking and have evolved the “puppy eyes” needed to convince you to share. Life with a Lab means resisting those eyes every time you eat. Unsurprisingly, they’re also prone to chubbiness, but who are we to judge?
Expect relentless ball throwing. Endless messy water play. Teddy bear massacres. Chewed everything. Labrador Retrievers do not do things by half. They also love boundlessly and will forever be most passionate about YOU. There really is no love like Lab love.
You are a couch potato and want to adopt a couch potato dog
Labs are sporting dogs, bred to retrieve game all day. They need regular exercise, especially as puppies, or they can become unhappy and destructive. If your longest walk in the past month was from the couch to your bed, perhaps a more sedentary pet would better suit your needs?
And in case you missed it, Labs like to eat. It’s kind of a thing with them. Without daily exercise, your pup will grow into an obese adult. An overweight Lab will almost certainly end up with painful arthritis and may also develop joint injuries requiring very expensive surgery.
A place for everything, then everything displaced
Did you know that Labs get their last name Retriever from the Latin meaning, “To put EVERYTHING in your mouth and dance around with it!”
This retrieving instinct is strong, even in extremely domesticated Labs, so if you object strongly to your dog happily strutting out to greet company with your underwear in his mouth, perhaps you should continue your search for the perfect breed.
You want to buy a tiny puppy full of cuteness
Not going to lie here, Labrador puppies are the cutest, clumsiest, boofiest puppies, and we love them! But… they grow so fast.
Yes, those tiny puppy days are fleeting – but mentally, they stay puppies for two whole years. That’s two years of adorable puppy wrestling and silliness – except the puppy now weighs 35 kgs!
Labs should range from about 50 to 60 centimetres at the shoulder and weigh in anywhere from 28 to 36 kgs. Overweight labs can weigh over 50 kg. That’s a lot of dog. If you cannot stop yourself from giving your dog extra treats and don’t plan on attending obedience classes, you may find yourself with an out-of-control, furry, wiggly monster with a tail that can clear a coffee table in one great sweep!
Not keen on this much dog in your life? There are wonderful, smaller breeds to consider.
That Labrador for sale is a 12-18 year commitment
Labs are irresistible – and loving owners will hopefully enjoy their company over the course of a long life. But unfortunately, not everyone understands that dog ownership is a commitment for the life of a dog.
Lab Rescue is full of dogs that have lost their homes as a result of changes in life circumstances. Some situations cannot be avoided, and our dedicated volunteers are always ready to step in and help rehome these dogs. However, if you know your future may include foreseeable life changes that would make owning a dog difficult/impossible, we strongly recommend rethinking whether pet ownership is the right choice.
You don’t like meeting new people? Your Labrador is a people person!
It is impossible to walk down the street with a beautiful Labrador Retriever and NOT be stopped by strangers. Labs are people magnets. They’re social butterflies who are ready to accept belly rubs and ear scratches from anyone and everyone. Got a problem with this? Maybe something in the guard dog family would serve you better?
Obedience school is life-changing for Labrador families
Your new family member will need obedience classes to help him become a well-behaved canine citizen. Without training, the puppy behaviour that makes you laugh could become dangerous and exceedingly annoying in an out-of-control adult dog.
Puppy pre-school, obedience school, and then constant reinforcement at home during the puppy years will make for the perfect pet Lab. It’s not negotiable.
You want to make a quick buck breeding dogs? Respectfully, BUCK NO.
For every responsible, professional Labrador breeder, there are a dozen backyard breeders with little to no idea what they’re doing. These breeders don’t know the proper techniques for placing puppies in the RIGHT homes. As a result, we spend hundreds of thousands of dollars each year rescuing badly placed dogs.
If Lab breeding is done right, it is RARELY a profitable venture. Beyond knowing the history of the parents, their health and genetic concerns, the cost of breeding properly is exorbitant. Health clearances, veterinary care, and puppy supplies are just a few of the many expenses that occur as a result of an uncomplicated litter. If you consider the possible problems you may encounter, it is easy to see why breeding is NOT (and should not be) a money-making venture!
Looking for a guard dog? Labs will trade your TV for a liver treat
Did we mention the part about Labs loving everyone? If thieves attempt to break into your home, your Lab is likely to welcome them warmly and then help carry out the silverware. If you’re looking for protection, this probably isn’t an endearing quality… Alas, your search for a guard dog will not end here.
You want a dog to love your kids – and keep them entertained
Yes, a Labrador and a child often form a loving, inseparable bond. However, the ultimate responsibility for any living, breathing creature must always fall to an adult. Children can be wonderful dog groomers, trainers and best friends, but they need adult guidance. You should also remember that Labs are big enough – even as puppies – to knock down a small child. Small children and dogs should ALWAYS be supervised when together, for both their sakes!
Should you adopt or buy a Labrador?
If you weren’t scared off by everything you just read, then yes, you’re one of us. Welcome, Crazy Lab Ladies and Gents!
Before you start searching for Labrador puppies for sale near me, consider that adoption through Labrador Rescue means you get a dog that has been properly vet checked, has spent weeks or months being cared for and trained by a “crazy Lab lady” and then matched to your needs EXACTLY. We only place Labradors with the RIGHT people. When the right dog comes along, we spend countless hours and a lot of dollars preparing them to be the ideal pet for you. When you buy a Labrador puppy, you don’t know what you’re getting. Don’t be tempted by “so cute!” when “just perfect” is coming up for adoption now.