Is a labrador the right dog for me?

lip

Hi,in need of a bit of advise.Really want to get a dog for my 4 children,but am unsure about what breed.DS wants to get a lab puppy.My concern is that both husband and I work.I am gone at 8.30 and home at 3.30,a total of 7 hours.We have a large secure back garden and I will be getting a kennel for it.Just want to know from owners of labs if they think it would be a good idea for us to get one,and if not can you recommend a breed.I am hoping to get a pup in the next 2 weeks as I am off for the summer and can devote my time to training a pup and getting it used to living here before leaving it for that length of time.Any advise is greatly appreciated,thanks.

pullandbang

Might not be a great idea.
A lab is a working dog and although very affectionate, should really be allowed work - hunt, retrieve, guidedog etc.

Maybe you should consider something like a Cavalier King Charles.

liah

Try a giant breed like a Leonberger. They're known for being very relaxed and lethargic and mellow and don't require as much exercise as a lot of smaller dogs. I knew a breeder of them personally and they were easily the most docile, relaxed, sweet, loving dogs I have EVER encountered. Beautiful temper and nature, GREAT with kids and beautiful dogs to boot.

They're also "watchful," insofar that they're not aggressive at all but they know how to keep an eye on their pack and are simply intimidating in sheer size and bulk without showing teeth or resorting to any kind of attack.

Cannot recommend them enough and when I finally settle somewhere I'm definitely getting one from the breeder I know since I know they are truly quality animals.

They are a bit of a fortune to feed though, like a small horse.

MelonieHead

pullandbang wrote: »

Maybe you should consider something like a Cavalier King Charles.

Please, please do not even consider getting a King Charles if you are not going to be around during the day. Also, they are house dogs. If you are looking for a dog to live in a kennel outside then this really isn't the right breed for you.

If possible could you get two dogs so that they could keep each other company?

Munster Gal

We have a lab and she's brilliant with our 4 kids, her temperament is excellent and healthwise she's sound - 0/0 hips and clear eye certs. My only concerns for you getting a lab would be the length of time it'll be on it's own. Like alot of dogs labs can get destructive if they're left alone and bored - you may not have much of a garden left! Toys like Kongs help. They do need a fair amount of exercise, our girl gets 2 long walks a day and about a half an hour of chasing a ball which my sons or my husband hit for her with the hurley. We take her swimming once or twice a week and she loves it. Labs are professional food beggars and scavenegers so you have to be careful not to overfeed and make sure the kids don't give it food behind your back. I love labs but like all dogs they take a bit of work but the fun and affection you get back is priceless.

mairsmi

I have 2 (black) labs. As the other's have said they are a lovely breed, great with kids etc but they are in essence working dogs and when young can be very destructive. I would worry about leaving one on its own for that length of time. I've found that labs don't really quieten down until they are 2, or 3 for one of mine. They have so much energy and need lots and lots of exercise. Mine get 3 walks a day.

It might be better to look at rehoming an adult dog. A good rescue whould be able to advise you on a dog that would suit your needs (be good with kids/left on their own).

Sigma Force

People tend to get labs because they rekon they are good with kids, and they are and they are a great dog. But, they can get bored easily, so many people I've seen get little cute Andrex puppies for their kids but the novelty wears off and the dog becomes bored and fat and lazy over time.

As said King Charles are a real companion dog too and a lot of people tend to get two of them even if they are at home a lot for extra company.

Would you consider something like a greyhound, they are great couch potatoes but love a good walk as well and are gentle, there are a number of greyhound rescues and I belive some may even have pups, not sure though but no doubt the odd pregnant greyhounds gets landed in rescue.
They are such a sweet dog, lanky but loveable.

Check out irishanimals.ie for a list of rescues

molly(",)

i have one wouldnt recommend that you get one if its going to be on its own for all that time ours was left from 12.30 till 3 and each day we came home to some sort of mess !!! they need an owner who is around most of the day they are great dogs and very loving but dont be fooled by them they are hard work !! and love to chew Everything !! good luck "!!

fionav3

Labs are wonderful family pets but do need a lot of excercise. Also, as already stated they can get bored when left alone all day so this does need to be taken into consideration if you decide to get one. Cavaliers are also wonderful family pets but don't do well left alone all day, are primarily house dogs and do come with a host of health problems. Also, as GPR suggested, Greyhounds make wonderful pets (we had one when I was a child growing up and she was breathtakingly affectionate and gentle) but they do have high prey drive so you need to be aware of that. Boxers are also a great pet but very boisterous and need a lot of exercise. As with any dog, find a reputable breeder (ESPECIALLY in the case of the Cavalier King Charles, they have so many health problems as a breed) and ask them lots of questions. Also very important, research thoroughly any breed you decide to get so you are familar with the advantages and disadvantages. Being informed prevents any disappointments later on (and lessens the likelihood of an animal being given to the pound because the dog did not quite turn out as the owner expected; a very common and unfortunate problem that happens when people buy a puppy just because they think it's 'cute').

Whatever you decide, best of luck!

lip

Thanks for the feedback.Exercising the dog will be no trouble as I go for a 20 minute walk every morning and longer in the evening,also I'm sure whatever dog we decide on the kids will have him exhausted throwing balls ect.My husbands parents have always had King Charles and I think they are more of a house dog.I'll look into Leonbergers,I've never heard of that breed.Any more suggestions are greatly appreciated.Cheers.

fionav3

Lip, just a quick note, 20 minutes of a walk won't be enough to satisfy a young, energetic lab! You're probably looking at at least 35 to 40 minutes of fast walking twice a day.

liah

Just wanted to make another note in regards to giant breeds like Leonbergers and why I prefer them to some other breeds.

If you have young kids (0-12ish) I personally wouldn't recommend a lanky, boisterous, "hard-muscle" and "hard bone" energetic dog like a Boxer, Doberman, or those of other similar body types.

Why? Well, when I was a kid I grew up with big hulks of dogs that I would physically wrestle with, paws and limbs flying everywhere. Boxers/Dobes/that general form etc tend to be defined by lanky body type and how they play tends to end up in a lot of "high-fighting" or "in-your-face" fighting.. I don't really know how to explain it, but boxers especially have a habit of jumping up and knocking you over. They've long, thin, hard bodies and often more protuding claws and the like, they're quite rough to play with. Any time I would play with a boxer it was just uncomfortable. Dobermans are much the same in how they play, I remember getting knocked about the face a couple times with their paws, and I got whacked in the face with the sharp bump on the top of a Dobe's head once and it gave me a black eye and hurt for weeks. They're quite rough and sharp and hard to play with. You can't really roll them around on the ground, they always need to be on their feet and moving quickly.

I've noticed the same level of over-the-top energy with Pits and Staffies and other bull breeds. They're lovely to play with but they're hard, fast, and sharp-- not teeth, just claws. They still play bite soft enough, from what I've noticed.

If you get a thicker, bigger, more passive dog like a 'berger, they're nice and soft and cuddly to play with and they play a lot gentler with people. They have big pliable soft paws and great thick coats and just a gentler nature. They're not so bouncy and all over the place. You can roll them around on the ground and play with their mouths and touch their paws and bellies. It's just a more fun way of playing and wrestling and not so in your face and you're a lot less likely to wind up with a crying kid.

If you're going to get a young dog and you have kids they're probably going to be doing a lot of rough and tumble. Some people don't like allowing this, some rot about how you should be dominant and all, but imo I'd not want to take away the experience of physically wrestling around with a dog for play time. It's a lot of fun and creates a fantastic bond between you and your dog.

Even if you decide you're not going to allow it, chances are it'll happen while you're not around, so it's best to go with a slightly safer kind of dog.

Small dogs tend to be no fun to play with but that's just a personal bias. Terriers are nippy and toys are boring. Need something you can wrap your arms around.

Munster Gal

fionav3 wrote: »

Lip, just a quick note, 20 minutes of a walk won't be enough to satisfy a young, energetic lab! You're probably looking at at least 35 to 40 minutes of fast walking twice a day.

Agreed. Our girl is 6 now and gets 2 x 1 hour walks per day plus the half hour of 'hurling'. If she doesn't get this amount of exercise she gets all out of sorts.

lip

Hi,thanks again for your replies.I looked up Leonberger,theyr'e huge,too big for us I think.I have been getting so much conflicting advise and am still no closer to deciding what would be good for us.I was even told by someone that we shouldn't even be thinking of getting a dog if we can't be with it all day.Surely dogs aren't just for people who don't work outside the home.I was left kind of feeling guilty about it. 2 women in work have labs,1 is 4 yrs and the other is 1,both are left on their own longer than I would be out and they say they're perfectly happy dogs.Another said she has 1 who is 4 and if he doesnt get out for his walk in the morning he has everything off the line on her and digs holes ect.I'm going to the dog shelter at the weekend to see if there is anything suitable.Really want to get 1 soon as I'm starting hols next week and want to have the dog used to its new home before going back in Sept.Another suggestion I was given was a Jack Russell,I thought they were very nippy,anyone have one with kids?

fionav3

Lip, people who work can most certainly have a dog. I think what most people mean is that it just takes so much more work to look after them, especially when you already work and have such limited free time but it's certainly possible and I know plenty of people that do. It just means extra work on your part and I think that's all anyone was preparing you for. Just out of curiosity, what age are your wee ones? Might be easier to make some suggestions based on that (i.e. some of the smaller, less energetic toy breeds wouldn't be suitable where there are very young children as they're so fragile, while older children might be able to pitch in with walking an energetic lab).

lip

Hi fiona,I'm afraid this person really did mean it.I know its rubbish,but she did make me feel like I was about to do something awful.My kids are 1,5 7 and 13.My 7 and 13 year old are very good with dogs.My 7 year old plays with every stray he sees.I discourage him obviously but he doesn't see the danger and has gotten bitten a few times.This is 1 of the reasons why I would like to get 1,he might not be as eager to play with dogs he does'nt know if he has his own.Definately won't be getting a small dog as it will be outside most of the time.

fionav3

You've a fair mix of ages in your brood, Lip. So you're probably looking for a sturdy dog that gets on well with kids and doesn't mind being alone for a few hours each day? Okay, here goes;

Labs are great pets but as already said, have very high exercise requirements. They also have eternal puppyhoods (this can be a good thing though where kids are concerned). Greyhounds are also fantastic and their 'aggressive' reputations are completely undeserved! They're actually very gentle, quiet, clean dogs who love nothing more than a soft bed to lie on. They do have a high prey drive and will chase small animals so just beware of that. Beagles are fantastic with kids (often putting up with more than most dogs with regard the pulling of ears etc) but they can be very strong willed and stubborn and so can be hard to train. I mentioned a boxer in my last post but given that some of your wee ones are only toddlers, I wouldn't reccomend that now as they play hard and are very boistreous.

I'm sure others will be able to throw out more suggestions. Just remember that any dog left alone in the back garden for a few hours each day needs shelter (a waterproof kennel), a secure fenced in area so they can't roam, access to fresh water and some toys (kongs are fantastic activity toys and can keep a dog occupied for hours) so they don't get bored. A long, brisk walk before you leave for work should tire them out enough so that they don't take out any pent up energy and frustration on your yard. But whatever dog you pick, research the breed and find a good breeder. Good luck!

Skillie

I would not go for a giant breed if it was my first dog we have a Newfoundland and he is a tremendous amount of work, worth it but requires lots more care attention and patience than most dogs, plus the expense of buy one which will be dwarfed by the expense of keeping one.

We also have a Golden Retriever and she is by miles the greatest dog to ever grace this planet. she is the sweetest, gentlest, most affectionate, elegant, lady like, intelligent, sensitive and lazy dog i've had in my life. Put simply i think everyone should have a Molly in their life!!

on a side note without sparking a big outside/inside debate why are you adamant to keep the dog in the yard? You will have a better behaved, more family imbedded, socialiased and happier dog if he/she gets to spend more time inside with you in the kids. The more contact time the dog has with you and the family the better it will be for him and all of you. maybe consider best of both worlds

lip

Hi,Skillie,what I really mean by the dog being outdoors is that it will be sleeping outside in a kennel,but will be in when we're home.Are retrievers very different to labs?
Fiona,someone else recommended a greyhound too but my friends father raced them when we were kids and had 6 of them and I never really liked them to be honest,I know, that sounds awful,but don't think I could own one.My husband wants us to get a beagle,he has looked up every site he can find on them and they all say they're good family pets.Think we would have to go to a trainer if we were getting one though,like you said they are stubborn so would probably need to be trained by someone who knows about them.
Never thought choosing a dog would be so difficult.We always had dogs when I was a child but they were all strays that made our house their home.

Skillie

lip wrote: »

Hi,Skillie,what I really mean by the dog being outdoors is that it will be sleeping outside in a kennel,but will be in when we're home.Are retrievers very different to labs?

Cool like i said don't wanna kick off that debate in here cos its been had on here before and usually gets ugly!! LOL

Retrievers in my opinion are more relaxed and less high energy than labs but i'm sure some lab owners may disagree. Well worth considering them though they are superb with kids and such happy friendly dogs and very trainable etc

golden

I have both labs and golden retrievers the labs have a different menality they are more hyper but they do calm down. There is less brushing in a lab than a golden retriever if you dont get the dead hair out of the retreiver it will matt.

But there are good and bad points to all dogs. Beagles are scent dogs and will follow scent and they will howl alot even while on a scent.

handzy

Id go with a staffordshire bull terrier. They have been known as the nanny dog for years because of their tolerance for children and become quite attached to their family. They are on the restricted breed list but really dont deserve it. I love the staffy wiggle and although a blocky dog they are still quite small. But really they are so gentle with children.

mairsmi

handzy wrote: »

Id go with a staffordshire bull terrier. They have been known as the nanny dog for years because of their tolerance for children and become quite attached to their family. They are on the restricted breed list but really dont deserve it. I love the staffy wiggle and although a blocky dog they are still quite small. But really they are so gentle with children.

A staffie is a great idea actually. They are a brilliant breed to have with children.

I believe (although happy to be corrected) that they are 1 of 2 breeds the UK kennel club recommend to have with children.

lip

Hi,just want to thank everyone for their replies.After a lot of looking and searching the internet,we finally got a chocolate labrador over 3 weeks ago.He is 13 weeks and adorable,very gentle with the kids.Thanks again.

doglover1

Would you think about a Tibetian Terrier:pac:
Check out this website - http://www.siddhartha-tt.com/
They are fab dogs, as with all dogs it's the socialising when they are young are the most important things.