Thinking about getting a dog (lab)! Help!

**Cricket1** · 07-05-2007, 09:36 AM

We're thinking about getting a lab. We know of a few that are looking for homes and I think they are beautiful dogs. Does anyone here have one? DH isn't completely sold on the idea, but he's coming around.

How much do you spend on dog food, etc.? Any other good tips?

**Sari** · 07-05-2007, 10:20 AM

We have 4.

Things you need to budget for:

Food - I buy a 48# bag of Iams at BJ's for about $30.00. Don't skimp on quality - get as good as you can afford. You and your dog will benefit in the long run.

Monthly Meds - Heartworm and Flea prevention are needed every month. You can get it from your vet or buy online. A 6 month supply of Heartgard for a Lab-sized dog will probably run you about $40-50.00. A 6 month supply of Advantage or Frontline for fleas will be around $60-70.00.

**baxjul** · 07-05-2007, 10:37 AM

I think that you should definitely get a dog! They are so wonderful! The companionship far outweights the monthly cost of having a faithful friend!!!

**tervsforme** · 07-05-2007, 10:42 AM

Labs are very high energy! They take a lot of exercise and will act like a puppy til about 3 years old! I don't know how much a vet is in your area, but they are expensive here. There are yearly shots and heart worm tests.

I also agree with the food. A good quality food is essential, they actually eat less of it because there is less filler it, so in my opinion it is worth the cost. Also, don't feed the quantity listed on the bag, they are way to big.

Oh,one more thing, if you travel or are gone for extended periods of time, do you have someone to watch it for you. That's a huge consideration!

**PrairieRose** · 07-05-2007, 10:42 AM

I heard something on tv the other day that said "there's no such thing as a free puppy" and I being a dog owner can tell you that this is true...

I don't have a lab but know several people who do. Be sure to read up on the breed before you get one. There's a reason that you know a few looking for new homes

. They are very high spirited, high energy dogs who need to be kept pretty busy. They are bred to hunt and work..... . Boredom causes problems. If your family will keep one busy and make it a companion you can have a great dog but a young one is a lot of work. They are chewers.....big time. Good luck and if you get one I hope you lurve it.

**Grayce** · 07-05-2007, 10:44 AM

Another thing to think of is costs of a dog kennel if you travel. Sometimes a friend can watch our dog for us but last year we had to pay for a kennel. It costs over $600 for her to stay in a kennel for 3 weeks.

**tervsforme** · 07-05-2007, 10:55 AM

Oh, one more thing, don't forget about obedience classes, especially if you've never had a dog before. It is definitely worth the money. Most classes help with potty training issues, chewing issues and will help you teach the dogs that the kids are not just his playmates, but that the dog needs to listen to the kids also.

**Cricket1** · 07-05-2007, 10:57 AM

All good points. Thanks, ladies! We don't travel much, if at all. I did hear that they are very active and we have a nice fenced in yard and two boys that love to play. I always had animals growing up--dogs, chickens, a rabbit. My dh just had cats.

Thanks for your help, as always.

**bumplett** · 07-05-2007, 11:03 AM

Labs may continue to chew until they are 4 or 5 years old (when they finally grow up a bit & calm down)

I agree with researching the breed BEFORE you bring someone home.

The high majority of dogs in shelters across the US are Labs and Lab mixes - It's not due to the dog, but the irresponsibility of the pet owner -

**marym** · 07-05-2007, 02:02 PM

My son has a lab. He is very hyper (The dog not my son! lol) The dog needs lots of exercise and attention. Read up on the breed before you get one. I have 2 newfoundlands, a very laid back breed. There is a dog out there for anyone that wants one. Don't make a rushed decision. It's a long comitment.
I love my dogs!

**itsahumanzoo** · 07-05-2007, 03:40 PM

DH had a lab, but we moved around a lot, so now the dog lives with DH's parents. He's very active, still chews things a lot. He's about 2.5 years old. DH's parents have two other dogs, but the lab is by far the best with DS. I think labs are really great family dogs. But of course you should always read up on any dog breed as much as possible.

**Tamerama** · 07-05-2007, 04:02 PM

We have a lab and YES they are very high energy as puppies..Ours is 3 and just now starting to calm a bit. Labs are very, very sweet and lovable though. We have had a cocher spaniel, a beagle and our lab and the lab has DEFINATELY been the best dog we have had!!! Great, great family pet.

**Katybird** · 07-05-2007, 04:17 PM

Well, it depends on how attached you are to current look of your furniture, your carpeting, your shoes, your window frames, ect...

. Labs are a wonderful breed and make great companions and are very smart but they are extremely oral fixated and love to chew. They will chew your furniture, and anything else that they can get to, even with lots of toys and attention, they still love to chew, it is just their nature, even as an outside pet they can be destructive-patio furniture, water hoses, plants ect... . I hate to be a nay sayer but do lots and lots of research about them before making your decision. It would be such a shame to see a pet taken from a shelter or another home and have to displaced a second time.

**mom2matty** · 07-05-2007, 05:33 PM

We have a yellow lab and he is the best!! He just turned 4. He was a digger until he was 2, hasn't done any real digging since. He is a busy dog, loves to run and catch balls. He is very loving, affectionate and loyal to all of us. He is very good with dh, he and I still seem to have issues when it comes to who is the boss, he likes to herd me around the yard and he likes to prove he is bigger and higher up on the chain of command than I am......not in an agressive way though, it is actually kind of cute!

He is very good with the kids and any kids that happen to be in our yard, I trust him completely!

We had him neutered at 5 months, that didn't slow him down a bit! I agree with feeding them the best possible food you can afford/get. He gets fed once a day and he drinks tons of water so we are constantly filling his water bucket up!

Good luck with your decision, I know we don't regret getting our lab and I pray every day that he lives to be very very old, I couldn't imagine our family without him!!

**emily_hope** · 07-05-2007, 06:47 PM

I am so glad to read this post. We have a black lab. We had another black lab that passed away. He was always pretty calm. A friend gave us another black lab and he is so hyper, he drives me crazy LOL! Everyone kept saying he would calm down in about a year. It's been almost 2 years and he is still hyper. So I am glad to see that it is not just our dog, but that that is how they are supposed to be.