Things You'll Need:
- Dog Carriers
- Dog Collars
- Dog Dishes
- Dog Food
- Dog Leashes
- Dog Toys
- Dog Treats
- Nail Clippers For Dogs
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Step 1
Choose a Lab if you want a friendly, loyal and affectionate companion. They're not good watchdogs but will bark if there's a reason.
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Step 2
Try a Labrador if you're looking for a good family dog. They're excellent with children.
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Step 3
Feel confident in adopting a Lab if you have other pets; they get along well with everyone.
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Step 4
Anticipate your adult Lab weighing 60 to 70 lbs. and standing about 23 inches at the shoulder.
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Step 5
Expect to pay between $200 and $400 for a good-quality dog.
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Step 6
Consider adopting a Lab from a rescue group. Most of these dogs are already housebroken and finished with the chewing stage. There's usually nothing wrong with the dog; the owners didn't research the breed and later discovered that they and the dog were incompatible.
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Step 7
Remember that Labs tend to be somewhat stubborn, which means that you must be consistent and patient while training them.
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Step 8
Note that Labs are enthusiastic puppies and are sometimes mistakenly thought to be hyperactive. The main reason people give up their Labs is that they're too active.
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Step 9
Be prepared to spend a fruitful 10 to 12 years with your Lab, as this is the average life expectancy of a Labrador retriever.
Comments
reagann said
on 9/24/2008 Good article. I own two Labs, and I would like to add that they can be protective (not aggressive). My black put himself between me and three steers when one of them threatened me by pawing dirt and lowering his head to charge. He has also chased coyotes from my farmhouse.
Labs are energetic and intelligent and usually get into trouble when bored or lonely. It is not a breed to leave alone most of the time. Do not get a Lab if you can not spend a lot of time with him. Obedience training is a must. They are eager to please which makes training easier. I assure you it is time well spent. Also, forget cute little squeaky toys. They last two minutes. Go for rawhide or the toys labeled for heavy duty chewing. The Lab is the number one breed in America for good reason. My "boys" are great companions.
omarg said
on 9/24/2008 i have a 2 n 1/2 old lab cross called murphy, presented to me by my late father. he is so loveing that i consider him my own brother much to the amusement of my friends n realations but who knows maybe in a past birth he was my blood brother.
MystiqueULH said
on 9/24/2008 If there is a dog kind of job to be done the Lab is the one to say "Pick me, pick me, please pick me" Labs are eager to please, eager to learn. I have a black lab and she made first place in basic obedience and she was barely 5 month old. Labs want to be in your company and want attention but will happily wait till you are done with what you need to do. They like retrieving things, so fetch is a great game for them. Mine gets the papaers every morning and loves to retrieve just about anything. She brings me her leash on comand the same with my keys and other items. She knows when I get dressed in the morning that we cant go out without my shoes and she will bring them to me knowing that without them I will not step outside. She would have made a great service dog but I am glad I got her. She has und will for many years to come brought lots of joy and happiness to my finace and me.
spayne said
on 8/6/2007 I have a 4 yr old 85lb black lab. My husband and I do not have kids yet but he loves my 3 nephews and niece. He loves going for rides and taking baths in his little turtle swimming pool. I hope he is with us many years.
shalouand said
on 12/19/2006 This is clearly posted by an amateur. Labs are not stubborn but rather eager to please and energetic. Also it has been proven through DNA studies that Silver labs are not Weimeramer/lab mixes....rather they are rare genes that result in a silvery or diluted chocolate color. The same can occur in blacks and it's known as charcoal. Do your homework before posting.