Why Labs Might not be Right for You

Labs Shed.

They shed a lot - all the time really.  Some go through heavier seasons of shedding, which means they shed more than usual during those times, which is still a lot.  Regular daily shedding on top of seasonal shedding is a lot of hair!  Don't be surprised to find lab hairs inside your refrigerator.  If the thought of having dog hair on your furniture, on the floor, on your clothes, and yes, even in your refrigerator is not what you had in mind, labs are not be the right breed for you.

Labs Chew.

They enjoy chewing.  It’s not just a puppy stage when they are teething, although it will be especially bad during this time. You MUST have plenty of hard or strong rubber chew toys and bones laying around so that your lab has easy access to them whenever they get the urge to chew on something.  Some labs are stronger chewers than others.  Some labs aren't avid chewers, but some are.  In either case, chewing is GOOD for labs.  Chewing keeps their teeth clean, and chewing even entertains them and can be considered a form of exercise.  Nylabones and Kong toys were invented for a reason.  Pick up a few next time you are at the pet store.  Labs are smart.  They can be trained to tell the difference between an appropriate chew toy vs. an inappropriate item.  Training labs the difference is really not that hard.  In fact, once the good chew toys are introduced, labs actually prefer and enjoy chewing on them rather than on your things. 

Also, please consider Crate Training your lab to save your property and sanity from ruin when you are not there to supervise your lab.

Accidents can happen, your lab may forget their training, so if the thought of a chewed up sock, shoe (socks and shoes are their favorite), couch cushion is enough to make you want to scream, labs are not the right breed for you.

Labs Get Dirty

Labs are sporting dogs.  They are not afraid of getting a little or a lot of dirt on their feet or coat.  In fact, on an exceptionally lucky day, my lab may find some irresistible smell (usually some decomposed organic matter) on the ground and roll in it until he is good and dirty and reeking.  I can always tell when he's found a prize stink, because not only will he sniff for a prolonged time, but then, he will decide that it is worth the slide and roll by taking a step back, look directly at the smelly spot, lock it down for impact, and then he will put put his sweet and clean labbie head to the ground with his butt held high in the air, and then push off and slide.  Slide and Roll again and again with great joy.  Yes, it is a bit annoying to have to clean him up when we get home, but it's a small price to pay to see his pure and simple joy in finding a worthy scent.

Your lab may even play in the mud.  A yellow or black lab will instantly become a wet chocolate lab, and they will smile the biggest labbie grin you will see when they are wet and dirty.  Your lab may and probably will track dirt into your home.  A lab's coat pretty much cleans itself when it gets dirty, and cleaning a particularly dirty lab is as easy as a quick rinse with the hose, and often times, once the dirt and debris dries, they simply slid off a lab's coat.  If you cannot tolerate some dirt tracked into your house, then labs are not the right breed for you.

If you don't find these traits endearing and lovable, then labs are not the right breed for you.

by a lab rescue volunteer and lab enthusiast