Life with Labradors can be one of the most rewarding experiences ever.
You get a pet that’s incredibly excited to see you home, give you hugs and cuddles, and so much more!
But, living with a Lab also poses its own set of challenges that you have to be ready for.
This article will tell you about the things that you have to prepare for in your life with Labradors.
Caring for pets can seem intimidating at first, but don’t worry, it is well worth it in the end.
Energetic pups
One of the first things that owners identify with their Labrador Retrievers is how energetic they are. And, if you are here, you probably know all about the Lab’s reputation for their energy.
Life with Labradors means that you need to get used to their high energy levels.
This means taking them out on regular walks, playing with them, and making sure that they are sufficiently mentally stimulated to keep them from getting too bored.
A Labrador Retriever’s energy level is such an important consideration because not all people have the time (or energy) to keep up with a Lab.
And if a Labrador does not get chances to burn off their energy, they quickly turn to activities you won’t like (e.g., chewing on your shoes).
They might even start barking a whole lot just because they’re bored.
Take note, however, that an energetic pup is sometimes just exactly what people need.
Owning a Lab can be a great way to keep in good shape with the exercise that you’re getting from walking with them.
Plus, their energy is a huge part of what makes them so playful and lovable.
Their energy also keeps them younger even when they are into their middle years. This helps retain the youthful exuberance of an adolescent Labrador Retriever.
Space
One of the next things to know about living with a Lab is that you will need space.
Labradors need a lot of room to be able to move around and expend their energy through productive means.
However, this does not mean that you need an absurdly large home to keep a Labrador Retriever in.
There are many people who live with their Labs in their apartments and do just fine.
Just be sure that your Labrador can move around freely without bumping into too many things and breaking fragile objects.
In any case, your Labrador Retriever won’t be doing the bulk of its exercise inside. You’ll need to take them outside for playing and for walking around.
However, it is worth noting that you may need to clear up some space inside your home to accommodate them.
This is especially true when they are still puppies and are still heavily exploring the world with their curious noses.
A love for food
Of course, when talking about Labs, we can’t forget about how much they just love food! They are notoriously known for their seemingly unending stomachs and large appetites.
Their love for food is even scientifically backed by a study that revealed that many Labrador Retrievers have gene mutations that cause them to be unable to feel full.
Living life with Labradors means getting used to their love of food and learning to manage their food intake.
Because of this, Labs are prone to obesity, but more on that later on.
You have to make sure that you can afford to provide your Lab with the right nutrients to keep them healthy and strong.
Since Labrador Retrievers are a medium-sized breed and can pack on some weight, food will be a cost that you will have to live with as well.
Health concerns
Labs are generally considered to be a healthy breed. But, just like any other breed out there, they are also prone to certain kinds of health issues.
In this study on a large cohort of more than 30,000 dogs, it turns out that Labrador Retrievers were afflicted with obesity, otitis externa, and degenerative joint disease.
You may already know about these diseases, though. So, here are some other dog illnesses that might concern you:
1) Lameness
Though lameness is brought upon by several issues, it is one of the top 5 health-related concerns that affect Labradors.
Knowing how active and energetic they can be, this can be a serious hamper to their daily activities.
You cannot prevent lameness if it comes because of an unprecedented disease.
However, you can take some precautions and avoid accident-prone situations to mitigate the risks a little.
2) Periodontal Disease
Oral health is severely overlooked by many Labrador Retriever owners. As a result, periodontal disease is one of the top health issues that Labs have.
Fortunately, you can prevent it by applying proper hygienic measures to your Labradors.
Minor efforts to maintain oral health will have major effects in the future.
3) Lipoma
Lipomas are often seen in dogs that are middle-aged to older-aged. These are benign tumors that are the accumulations of fat cells.
Out of the 30,000+ Labs that were admitted in primary veterinary care in the above study, around 4.1% had lipoma.
It might not seem a lot, but this equates to around 1200 dogs being affected, which is still a considerable number.
There are also many other health concerns that may come up in your time living with your Lab.
Making sure that you can contact your vet in emergencies is something you need to consider so that your Labrador will get immediate medical attention should they need it.
Happy swimmers
One thing to note about Labrador Retrievers is that they love water. This can be traced back to their ancestral days when they were still used as fishing dogs.
Living with a Lab means that you get a lot more opportunities for playing around since your dog loves to play in the water.
It can be an excellent exercise as well and is sure to give you a lot of bonding moments.
They will love you
Most of all, living life with Labradors means that they will love you with all their doggy hearts.
Labrador Retrievers are eager to please and want your attention and approval.
With that, it is only fair that you give your Labrador a healthy amount of attention and spend a lot of time with them.
There are many things you have to think about in living with a Lab, but all of these considerations are worth it because the breed is one of the most lovable and caring dogs in the world.
