Labrador pros and cons: overview

Last Updated on June 28, 2023 by Linda Richard

It’s crucial to consider Labrador pros and cons before deciding to adopt one of these beautiful dogs. Nobody wants to invest time and effort in acquiring a pet just to discover that they aren’t a good fit for them. Check out a couple of the Labrador pros and cons that we’ve pointed out to help you in making an informed decision about whether or not you should buy one.

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Labrador retrievers characteristic

The most common dog breed in the US is the Labrador Retriever. There are plenty of compelling reasons to want them at home, starting with their approachable character and enthusiastic demeanor to their eagerness to explore practically anything. There will be plenty of love to go around for everyone in your home if you decide to adopt this breed.

Although they are larger dogs, at 70 to 80 pounds, they are still manageable for the majority of dog owners. Despite some having lifespans of up to 20 years, the majority of them only survive to be 10 to 12 years old. By encouraging longevity and lowering the likelihood of unwanted progeny, spaying or neutering will benefit animals.

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The Labrador retriever has a strong sense of balance and power in his or her body. Select between black, chocolate, or yellow when it comes to coat colors. They have an open face, mischievous eyes, and a tail that perpetually wags in delight.

Labrador pros and cons

Depending on the circumstances, Labrador retrievers can be bad or great family dog. Below are Labrador pros and cons.

Labrador pros

There are several Labrador pros and cons. Below are Labrador retriever pros.

Labradors are friendly animals

Due to their nice personalities, Labrador retrievers are the third most popular dog in the world and the most popular dog in the US. Dog personality is largely influenced by owner traits and training in addition to its genetic foundation and behavioral manifestation.

Several characteristics are used by American Kennel Club and dog researchers to categorize dog breed personalities. The following characteristics of Labradors support their reputation for being friendly:

  • warm and affectionate with everyone.
  • calm and non-violent.
  • friendly (extroverted).
  • intelligent and willing to please;
  • trainable;
  • jovial (playful);
  • defending (caring);
  • adaptable (laid-back).
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Labradors Are Quick Learners

Not all dog breeds will begin sitting within a few minutes of receiving the “SIT!” command. However, Labrador will. This is because Labradors are ranked seventh among all dogs in the illustrious list of canine intelligence and are categorized as the brightest dogs.

Fewer than five repetitions of a command are all that is necessary for your Labrador retriever to learn it. That implies that you may simply housebreak your Labrador retriever, and they will pick up commands rapidly. They are therefore appropriate as service dogs.

Dog stubbornness won’t be an issue for you. According to researchers, >95% of the time, the Labrador retriever accepts commands when they are given for the first time.

Labradors Make Excellent Outdoor Companions

One to two hours of exercise every day are necessary for Labradors because they are high-energy dogs. Furthermore, this implies that when you go on a stroll or engage in outdoor activities with your children, you can have a canine companion.

Additionally, Labrador retrievers are pleasant companions for beach holidays in the summer. When spending the summer at the beach, a Labrador retriever is a good companion. These purebred dogs are excellent swimmers by nature, and their webbed paws help them navigate the water more quickly. They are excellent breed representatives for recovering water birds for hunters.

When you and your loved ones go on a summer vacation to the beach, their talent in the water will make for a fun game of fetch in the water.

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Labradors Get Along With Kids Well

Many dog parents refer to their dogs as “babies,” implying that they anticipate harmonious coexistence between their dogs and human children. Any dog owner who adopts such a philosophy will therefore choose a dog that gets along well with their children. I give you the Labrador Retriever, which is excellent for children.

This dog won’t frighten your children during playtime with abrupt hostility or surprise bites because he is tolerant, even-tempered, and peaceful. A Reader’s Digest article ranks Labradors third among dog breeds for their lack of biting propensity, behind the Bulldog and the Golden retriever.

But keep in mind that a dog is always a dog. Therefore, even though they are sociable dogs, keep Labrador retrievers and children under your supervision while they play.

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Labrador retrievers Live an Average to Long Life

Dogs are said to have an average lifespan of 10 to 13 years. Labradors fall somewhere in the middle, with some dogs having a life expectancy as low as six years and others as high as 17. However, labs can potentially survive longer than the estimated lifespan of 10 to 12 years.

Two details attest to the potential longevity of Labradors:

Several Labrador retrievers can live up to 16 or 17 years, according to a study. If they experience a gradual buildup of body fat in the first few years of life and a gradual loss of lean body mass, Labrador retrievers can have an extended lifespan. Because of this, Labrador retrievers have been used to research human lifespan.

Two Labradors are included in a list of the 21 dogs with the longest lifespans. The oldest Labradors are at numbers 5 (27 years 98 days) and 14 (20 years 361 days). Only two other dog breeds—Dachshunds and Border Collies—appear twice on the list.

Ownership of a Labrador retriever promises many years of friendship with your dog because no dog owner appreciates watching their furry pet pass away after barely a few years.

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Labradors Get Along Well With Other Pets

Some dog breeds can’t coexist with cats, which turns the adage “like cats and dogs” into reality. However, there are some, including the Lab, that disprove the adage. Labradors have a lot of love to offer to other dog breeds. Even cats and other household pets are welcomed by their kind and outgoing personality.

Good health

Overall, this breed appears to be in good health. Breeders that are doing their jobs right will screen for problems like elbow and hip dysplasia. This breed occasionally also experiences issues with the heart, the muscles, and the eyes. Additionally, some Labrador puppies may experience a condition known as exercise-induced collapse.

A quick veterinarian checkup can identify these small problems. To make sure the most prevalent health issues aren’t present or that you can create a treatment strategy for them, you should inquire about a hip, elbow, and eye evaluation. To completely remove the possibility of a sudden collapse, you might also want to think about getting an EIC DNA test.

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Low maintenance

These generally healthy dogs are regarded as being relatively low-maintenance in comparison to other dogs. You’ll never discover a dog that requires zero upkeep; all dogs need constant dedication and attention.

To maintain a healthy coat and skin, as well as to lessen the amount of shed fur that ends up all over your house, labs require weekly brushing. Even though they don’t shed much, if you don’t keep up with brushing, it will pile. They should receive professional grooming every one to two months unless they feel confident shampooing and trimming nails at home.

What are the disadvantages of Labrador?

Despite the Lab’s numerous benefits, there are a few drawbacks as well. Learn more about the drawbacks of Labrador below, along with suggestions for overcoming them.

They retain their young traits for a while

Although they are adorable puppies with the power to sway people’s emotions with just one glance, they retain their youthful traits until they reach the age of four. That means if your Labrador retriever puppy exhibits significant levels of separation anxiety or boredom in the house throughout the day, you’ll have to deal with a lot of chewing issues.

To prevent damage to your furniture throughout these crucial puppy years, ensure there are certain amusement alternatives available.

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Dogs need to be socialized from a young age

If you want to get the most out of your relationship with your Labrador, you should begin socializing your Labrador retriever between the ages of 2-4 months by exposing the dog to a wide range of environments, circumstances, people, and animals.

They will become a well-adjusted, devoted friend as a result of early obedience training. The intelligence of the Labrador puppy may begin to work against you if you don’t get the chance to meet this demand.

Without early socialization, dogs lose their desire to please people. It is common for a solitary Labrador retriever puppy to have an introverted personality rather than an outgoing one. When they are left to their own devices, this process can result in hyperactive behaviors and an elevated risk of destruction.

They are not hypoallergenic

Individuals with dog allergies shouldn’t get Labrador Retrievers. In comparison to other breeds that shed and have dander, they are neither better nor worse. This is a drawback of owning a Labrador Retriever. Because brushing does not sufficiently reduce the allergens, they are not ideal for persons who have extreme dog allergies.

All year long, labs shed continuously. Avoid buying a Labrador Retriever if you have a dog allergy. Consider choosing other purebred dogs that only shed a few times a year or hypoallergenic dogs. There are numerous options available in a wide variety of sizes and personalities.

Shedding

Some owners will discover their homes coated in loose fur if their pets aren’t brushed and groomed regularly. Owners of Yellow Labs and White Labs will find this issue to be considerably worse because of how much more noticeable the lighter fur is.

This is something we see as a potential downside to owning a Labrador Retriever. The excess fur on Labs is much easier to manage than it is on other breeds that shed. To maintain the coat of your Labrador, brushing once or a few times every week will do.

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You need to feed your Labrador retriever high-quality dog food

The diet must take into account the high energy requirements of the Labrador retriever breed and your living choices, whether you buy professionally produced dog food or make it at home.

The cheap products that don’t provide complex nutritional requirements don’t work well for a Labrador retriever, who frequently overindulges in them to obtain the necessary nutrients. To find out which human foods are okay for them to eat and which you should steer clear of, you should consult your veterinarian.

The dietary habits of Labrador retrievers require assistance

Energy is abundant in the Labrador retriever breed. So, to meet their daily food needs and fuel their activity levels, it is in their natural tendency to consume a lot of food. Obesity may develop if you don’t take your dog outdoors for a few walks daily and some fun a few times weekly. Most male dogs cannot control their eating habits.

This drawback can also lead to turmoil during mealtimes because Labradors frequently attempt to scavenge food from other members of their pack. To find out how much food your Labrador retriever needs each day, it may be beneficial to consult with your vet.

What size are Labradors?

They are medium-large-sized dogs. They are 55 to 80 pounds in weight. Size could be problematic for several reasons. Larger Labradors can be intimidating to some individuals, including young children and the elderly when they become agitated or jump.

If you live with any extremely young kids or older relatives who could be hurt by an exuberant dog, consider in mind the size of a properly trained Lab. It could be best to choose a breed that is smaller and lighter.

In the event of an emergency or medical problems, we believe you ought to be able to lift your dog effortlessly. For the safety of both you and the dog, we advise choosing a small breed if you and the other members of your household are not able to lift anything weighing 55 to 80 pounds.

It’s important to take into account the special duties and challenges that come with owning a large breed, even though Labs and other large, sociable dogs may make wonderful family pets.

Are Labs high maintenance?

A Lab puppy and older Labrador retrievers are no more high maintenance compared to other dogs. They need to be trained, given plenty of opportunities to play, and regularly groomed. Intelligent dogs like Labradors require physical and mental stimulation.

Are Labs Hard to Train?

When compared to other breeds of dogs, Labradors are particularly simple to teach because of their high intelligence and people-pleaser attitude. Your Lab will start coming to you on its own for additional instructions or direction.

The fact that Labrador Retrievers are simple to teach does not guarantee that there won’t be any difficulties as you both get to know one another. As you move forward with training, take the time to get to know your Labrador. Since this breed is eager to please, training is easier. To ensure that your dog is attentive, always attend to their needs first.

Labradors are renowned for being quick to learn more complex tricks like rolling over and playing dead as well as for being quick to toilet train. Additionally, due to labs’ excellent recall, the effort you invest in training your dog will pay you in the long run.

Training your Lab should be as enjoyable as playing if you approach it patiently, positively, consistently, and with the perfect little treat.

Are Lab puppies difficult?

Although owning a Labrador may sometimes seem challenging, due to their often good temperaments and lack of behavioral disorders, they are easier to own and maintain than many other dog breeds. Additionally, they are incredibly gentle and adore both kids and other pets. Labrador Retriever temperament is loyal to the owner.

Any breed of dog is difficult to own since they need a lot of care from their owners and are a big burden. The fact that Labradors are the most popular dog breed because they require less upkeep and training compared to many other dog breeds.

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Conclusion

There are numerous Labrador pros and cons. To support a healthy developmental process, it is crucial to spot undesirable habits as soon as possible and to modify them through training.

Simple exercise, daily brushing, and mental stimulation are all that are needed for your Labrador to be healthy. Before deciding to adopt a Labrador, you should learn about their temperament, energy level, shedding frequency, size, health concerns, and level of trainability. I hope this guide on Labrador pros and cons is helpful.

Linda Richard

I know that all dog breeds are different, but Labradors exude a special energy, don’t they? I believe everyone deserves the unconditional love of a pet, so my main goal is to make sure you can experience it.

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