I personally dont think you can get a better family dog than a labrador

 

How your 3 year old will cope depends a lot on your management capabilities and his personality.
For example, how resilient is he about things like getting whacked in the face by an exuberant tail wag, or having one of his favorite toys chewed?

Labradors can be wonderful family dogs, but there will be a lot of management and training happening initially. Things DO get better, but those early months can be very chaotic. How resilient are YOU about handling one more thing on your to-do list?

Another option if you’re worried about managing a puppy and a youngster is to adopt an older dog. Many good breeders do sometimes have adult dogs available, perhaps a show prospect that didn’t work out, or a dog returned due to unforeseen circumstances. That could be something to think about.

Of course rescues also have adult dogs as well.

That said, families everywhere bring home puppies every day and figure out how to make it work. Just make sure you have plenty of support - especially from the breeder

 

I would have thought mouthing is a behaviour that all pups go through, whatever the breed. Your little one may find the pup overwhelming, so may your pup find your little overwhelming. The crate/pen is a great way to go. I have a 9 and 7 year old and they sometimes find my pup a bit overbearing and have started playing upstairs, I also have a stair gate for the kitchen where his bed is if I need him to quieten down at any point, though I never need to use this anymore at 5 months. It is a lot of work, but if you're consistent with training and a good routine from the get go he'll be out of that hard stage soon enough (although I haven't reached the adolescent phase yet! :s). I haven't had a labrador but they are well known to be one of the best family dog choices so I wouldn't worry about his breed.

 

Hello
We are considering getting a dog/puppy. We have been looking at Labradors - I'd like your honest responses please.
I have been thinking about this for several years (third child meant that it had to be delayed).
We are a family of 5 (3 children, 11, 9 and 3) and a cat. I have concerns about my youngest being able to cope with the puppy stage, whereas I think the other two are a good age. I am also a first time dog owner. My husband grew up with collies.
We have actually put a deposit on a working black labrador bitch (I'm happy with the breeder and all the paperwork and health tests etc), but I am having some concerns:

I've read a lot about Labradors being very mouthy - are they more so than other breeds?
Is 3.5 years too young to cope with this (he is at Pre-School a few mornings a week)?
How much exercise realistically am I looking at in adult? (breeder reckons half hour am and hour pm and longer walks when possible)?
Am I taking on too much?
Is it wrong to have a working dog as a family pet?

I've done my homework. I've read the Happy Puppy Guide and will be getting a crate and possible a pen too for the early days.
I look forward to your feedback.

I am not sure that a working bred labrador is necessarily the best choice for a busy pet home?

A show/pet bred labrador may be a better bet?

There is a vast difference in energy levels and if the mental needs of working line dogs are not met you may be met with mega destruction and of course toy stealing/eating not to mention that labradors consider EVERYTHING as potentially edible.

If your youngest is ill, tired, and it is pouring with rain will you still have the self discipline to walk the dog? I guess you are aware that labs are mega shedders?

 

I don't know about the UK obviously, but here the term "working line" regarding labs varies widely. Our neighbors have a "working" line lab that they do hunt with, and he does a good job, but outside of the field, he's pretty mellow and low maintenance.

 

Well Labs are the most popular breed in the country by a long way, so they wouldn't be as popular as they are if they were difficult to deal with

Yes they are mouthy but no, not significantly more than other breeds. My GSD puppy was far worse for mouthing than a Lab!

Your 3 year old will need very careful management around the puppy (or vice versa). Young Labs can be notoriously obnoxious. My youngest sister was around 4-5 years old when we got Dexter (Lab) and has fond memories of being dragged down the garden by her dungarees by an over excited Labrador puppy.

Exercise is how long is a piece of string thing. People often look at walks as being the only source of stimulation, when actually certain breeds (particularly working line varieties) thrive on training, mental stimulation and play.

No it's not wrong to keep a working line dog as a pet provided you are able to cater to it's needs. All puppies are time consuming, but working line dogs are usually a bit more robust in their needs, purely as they are bred to use their brains and need suitable outlets for it. When they don't receive appropriate outlets that is why you tend to see inappropriate behaviours creep in as the pup creates it's own entertainment.

The fact you are questioning your ability to cope is good, as strange as that sounds, because it is far better to think deeply about this now than make a mistake.

 

Personally I think that everything that we love about dogs is found in the most abundance with labradors.

Guaranteed to drive you up the wall but guaranteed to be worth it.

 

You seem to have a lot of doubt.

Are you sure you have time for a pup or the energy, after dealing with three children, to walk, train and play with a pup?

Yes, your pup will be mouthy and bitey - they all are.

 

I've read a lot about Labradors being very mouthy - are they more so than other breeds?

No. Not in my experience. I'd put terriers at the top of the mouthy list. Non of our Labs have been particularly mouthy as pups ... boisterous and grabby and bouncy ...but not nippy lol But all puppies have their difficult moments!

Is 3.5 years too young to cope with this (he is at Pre-School a few mornings a week)?

No. Not at all. As has been said, it takes a little management with young children that's all.

How much exercise realistically am I looking at in adult? (breeder reckons half hour am and hour pm and longer walks when possible)?

That's a reasonable rule of thumb I would think. Labs also adore training and retrieving and these are great additional exercises.

Am I taking on too much?

Only you can answer that! I had dogs when my family was young and I grew up with dogs when I was a kid ......

Is it wrong to have a working dog as a family pet?

I think we have to define 'working'. If we are talking 'working line' to means FT (Field Trial) parentage and a line that has been breed to compete or work, then expect a higher level of drive and energy. Bidability tends to be good in these lines though. Mine are from FTCH lines. However 'working line' also can simply refer to the slighter build of Labrador to distinguish it from the show lines which tend to be more stoically built. And yes, show dog lines tend to be calmer.

The most important criteria for me is that whatever the line, the breeders are breeding for pet ownership and that for this, early handling ( I am talking pre- eight weeks) and socialisation/generalisation is vital (some working line breeders breed in outside runs and they don't encourage this).

I love Labs ...we always have at least two somewhere in the house. Enjoy your puppy

J

 

My Lab is far less mouthy than my collie was lol. But he's just as high energy and while I can get away with not walking him for a day or two if I need to I absolutely cannot get away with not giving him mental stimulation. He climbs the walls if he can't use his brain. He's also a master criminal. If it's not nailed down he'll steal it and if it is nailed down he'll try to figure out how to unnail it so he can steal it lol. I have a 10 month old son and Spen is absolutely fantastic with him. Except for stealing his toys any chance he gets. And Jack doesn't help there, he holds them out and waves them in his face. They very nicely sat and shredded a cardboard box together a few days ago... The tail is a problem though. It's just the right height to hit a little one right across the face. And it hurts! Spen also doesn't seem to realise that if he leans against kids they're likely to topple over. He's knocked Jack down a few times already.

Young Labs (and not so young ones if the work isn't put in!) can be obnoxious thugs in my experience. They're in your face, pushy, exuberant and irritating and that "friendliness" can be a big problem alongside it. Spen is 5 now and still can't resist going introducing himself to other dogs once they're within a certain distance. If I ever have a Lab from a pup that's going to be something I work on from day 1. Thankfully he does have manners so if I do slip up he's not likely to bulldoze someones elderly poodle, leave dirty paw marks on someones clothes or steal anyones picnic but still...

 

My honest opinion....

I don't thing a working dog should be in a pet home, especially when there are young children that will have to take priority.
They take an enormous amount of time in training, exercise and brain work, and I believe owners need to have experience before even thinking of taking on a worker of any breed.
Labs are generally quite big and strong, besides being mouthy....not in my opinion the type of breed to have with little children.

I would be looking for a smaller, gentler breed....

 

"Working dog" is a bit general? there is a big difference between a working line Lab and say a working line Border Collie, Malinois, GSD, etc.......

Not sure that your definition of enormous amount of time is, but there is quality versus quantity.

Not the type of breed to have with small children is a bit of a bold statement to make given that they are by a significant margin the most popular family pet in this country.....

 

Well damn, anyone want a 5 year old yellow Lab? Have to rehome him now, I have a rugrat who takes priority.

 

Funny .....in fact....it's very funny, I'm rolling on the floor with laughter! Such wit so early in the morning...

 

I don't have working labs
I do however have working Golden retrievers which you may wish to look at, the bitches especially are a great dealer smaller than non working ones, in fact mine is only 18 kg at 2 years thats a large spaniel size, without the spaniel energy.
They are brilliant, but every pup has a puppy stage where they need to be taught to be brilliant.

The working lines are higher energy, but not like the difference between the working and non working spaniels

But equally they do have more smarts IMO and the benefits for training them with things to use a lot of energy makes them easier for me. You just have to think and plan activities. ..one good wet day activity is a cat toy mouse (smelling of cat nip) hidden under pillows or in little nooks to seek.
My dogs can happily walk 5k a day and then go to agility or flyball, but equally last week they had bad days where they got maybe 20 mins walk total in three days...I hurt my back. They are great at settling in the house...but that has to be taught

 

Never owned one. Cared for many. Good choice under the right circumstances both for the dog and the family.

 

I had one golden retriever who never mouthed as a puppy but we were very lucky. Most puppies do mouth and this isn't determined by breed. Working labs are smaller in size and especially a bitch so she wouldn't be as big and bouncy as a show type lab. If you were prepared to get the children or yourselves involved in doing agility or flyball with the dog once she's older, then a working lab would be perfect. Remember its not all physcal exercise she needs, a bit of mental stimulation goes a long way.

 

It sounds as if you have thought of most things and planned everything very well.....but you still have huge doubts.

If you are not sure, I don't think you should go ahead with this particular puppy. Maybe wait until youngest is at school full time, choose a more laid back line than a working dog and possibly offer to look after a friends or relatives (child friendly) dog when they holiday this year and see how you get on

 

If you're unsure about pooch then you can start things now, like going on two walks a day no matter the weather.

I think if it was me my main concern would be keeping the cat happy and safe around a new puppy.

When we got Barney (toy poodle) we had a two year old cat, so we ensured we did as much as we could to keep her happy, but all along we knew if they couldn't get on the puppy may need to be returned. As isolation isn't fair on any animal.

 

My GR is dual purpose, bred from working and show lines. She has been the easiest to train out of all the GR's I've had and is very eager to please. Inbetween walks and bits of training moments, she sleeps/dozes, keeps an eye on everything and is easy to live with. My last GR had a lot of working dogs in her pedigree and she was more biddable then the previous ones which were all show bred.
Trained well from the start and given plenty of brain work a working bred dog can be perfectly happy in a family home.

 

"They never lie down and pace about despite having hours of exercise every day. They haven't been particularly easy to train,"

That is a handler issue, not a dog issue.
I know plenty of working line labs in family homes, and I also know first time dog owners with working line labs and all are well rounded, stable family pets.

 

Spen used to pace and not settle. Nothing to do with his lines, everything to do with him never having been taught to just chill out. He was used to being on the go from the time he got up to the time everyone went to bed in his previous home. He learned to settle just fine. My border collie was able to chill out too. Neither have had hours on end of physical exercise, I think that's the trap many fall into, thinking they have to give them hours and hours of exercise and creating a dog who can't just relax. Mental stimulation works to tire mine out more than physical exercise does.

 

"They never lie down and pace about despite having hours of exercise every day. They haven't been particularly easy to train,"

Here in lies these owners 'mistake' shall we say. Hours of exercise are all well and good but all you're doing is exercising the body thus you end up with a dog which can happily work 10+ miles a day but which is bored out of its skull when you get home.

Don't assume that a gazillion-mile of walking makes for a happy dog, walking is essential but so is exercising the mind.

 

I didn't say hours of physical exercise..I just said hours of exercise....and that's exactly what I meant

 

One of the earliest things I taught Isla was the command 'settle down'.
The way I did it was to wait until she was naturally settling down for a snooze, easy when they are small pups as they have snoozes more often. As she went down and start to nod off I would say 'good girl, settle down, good girl' several times. Now I can ask her to settle whenever I need her too.

 

Well as the owner of a 2 and a half years old and a 11 weeks and 5 days working labs I would advise you do some homework I have had 3 weeks of sleep deprivation and my house is a complete tip as i cant take my eyes off this one when hes awake.......there is a huge bald patch in the garden as they are chasing each other 90% of the day but if you put the hard work into them you will end up with a loving loyal pet....oldest one is working when the shooting season is on as will the youngest eventually my kids are 10 and 16 and they are much better with the new pup showing him whose the boss is wouldn't have any other breed .this pic is rare as they are both asleep at the same time

 

that picture is so cute! I love them.

 

Ah well....it's ok for us experienced dog owners who know how to settle our dogs, but remember here we're talking first dog owner...

 

A first time dog owner who has done research and is smart enough to ask questions and seek advice.

Good grief, if a lab is too much dog for a first time owner, what's left?!

 

And this thread shows exactly why I don't believe in the "not for the first time owner" thing. Because it's said about EVERY breed so basically if you've not owned a dog before tough luck, you can never own one. If you do your research and are prepared to put the work in then personally I think any breed can be the right breed for a first time owner. Not much point owning something like a Cavalier in order to prepare you for a Malinois is there?

 

Both my boys are from working lines can't comment on Dodge at the minute as he's too young but Hacker is the softest lump going loves his home comforts ( they both live inside ) but when dad puts the shooting gear on he switches personality and works like a trojan........to me it's how you train them not the breed