We are talking about getting a labrador..

iammarmite

Any advice? How hyperactive are they? How much do they need walking- how many hours a day etc? How many miles?

We have a old cat who doesn't really like other pets- is it a good idea? I don't think it is but obviously the decision isn't going to solely rest with me...I know my brother wants one (as do I) and my parents will more than likely give into him over my concerns about the cat who it seems they don't really care about.

I'm afraid he is going to run away if we get one I might even go as far as rehoming him so I know he is safe if they go ahead with it..

Jenny.W

dogs needs a lot of care and attention, physical and mental activity, so it's not just a question of how many miles walking these need. My first concern however would be for the cat already in situ, doesn't sound very fair if the cat wont be happy or could even run away.

Dog's are a big commitment so please think (and your family), very carefully about getting one.

Fire_Fox

Who is going to walk the dog, what happens when you and your brother leave home?

The_Economist

iammarmite wrote: »

Any advice? How hyperactive are they? How much do they need walking- how many hours a day etc? How many miles?

We have a old cat who doesn't really like other pets- is it a good idea? I don't think it is but obviously the decision isn't going to solely rest with me...I know my brother wants one (as do I) and my parents will more than likely give into him over my concerns about the cat who it seems they don't really care about.

I'm afraid he is going to run away if we get one I might even go as far as rehoming him so I know he is safe if they go ahead with it..

They are a fantastic dog, but please be sure you can give it the time and effort they require. I had a Golden lab many years ago. They can be hard work when they are pups.

krlyr

Despite the reputation as friendly, easy family pet, a Labrador puppy is miles apart from a well-trained adult Labrador.
Puppies are hard work and they need a lot of input to become a balanced dog. They need commitment - if your family cannot show commitment to their existing pet, the cat, will they have the commitment to a puppy that needs training and attention around the clock, that may chew the house to pieces, wake them up throughout the nice, mess indoors until housebroken and so on?

This article looks a good one in relation to Labrador puppies
http://www.labradorforums.co.uk/puppyguide.html

On getting a puppy
http://www.4pawsu.com/puppytruth.html

If they do go through with it, make sure they take the care to find a reputable breeder
http://www.apdt.co.uk/dog-owners/choosing-a-puppy

Another option could be to consider a slightly older Labrador that has the basics of training, is a bit calmer and easier to integrate into the house. A reputable breeder may know of an adult Labrador needing a home - perhaps a puppy they bred that the owner was unable to keep, for example. Another option could be approacing a rescue. General rescues may have Labradors or Lab crosses, or a breed rescue could be a good place to approach.
http://dogpages.org.uk/breedr.htm

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica]Retriever - Labrador

Labrador Club of Scotland Rescue
Mrs Carolyne Poulton, Tel: 01955 641379, Mobile: 07845 010031

Labrador Lifeline Trust
Mrs Joan Falvey, Newark & Trent. Tel: 01636 643140, Email: [EMAIL="hollybolly1@talktalk.net"]hollybolly1@talktalk.net[/EMAIL]
Mrs Lyn Rolt, South Oxon. Tel: 01252 873528, Email: [EMAIL="lyn.lit@hotmail.co.uk"]lyn.lit@hotmail.co.uk[/EMAIL]
Mrs Yvonne Hole, Mid Hampshire and South Surrey. Tel: 01420 477487
Mrs Pennie Medland, Sussex. Tel: 02392 253293
Anne Carter, Administrator. Tel: 01252 849560 (Office Hours)
Linda Lemont, East Surrey & East/West Sussex. Tel: 01737 823433 Mavis Pritchard, South Surrey. Tel: 01730 892532
www.labrador-lifeline.co.uk

Labrador Rescue Kent
Mrs M Hinks, Cranbrook Kent. Tel: 01580 720408
Email: [EMAIL="LabRescueKent@aol.com"]LabRescueKent@aol.com[/EMAIL]
Mrs C Malkinson, Chatham, Kent Tel: 01634 666419
Mr Mick Bingham. Tel: 01795 842480
Mrs H Howe, Tel: 01227 832380

Labrador Rescue South East and Central
Margaret Stocks, Secretary, Devon. Tel: 01237 477993
June & David Cooper, Co-Ordinators, Cambridgeshire. Tel: 01621 891860
Mindy Randell, Co-Ordinator, Hants, Surrey, Sussex. Tel: 0208 675 0746
Mrs Alison Alford, Herts, Beds, Bucks, Cambs. Tel: 01494 818168
Mr Steve Farren, Kent. Tel: 07903 267128
Mrs Janet Andrews, Norfolk and Lincs. Tel: 01508 494388
Fiona Miller, Oxon/Glouc/Wilts. Tel: 01993 778220
Christine Bailiss, Worcs/Warwick/Derby/Leics. Tel: 01455 821775

Labrador Rescue Trust
Mrs Pat Malim, Administrator. Tel: 07791 519084
Mrs Ruth Reeves, Cornwall. Tel: 01840 213120
Mrs Christine Newton, Devon. Tel: 01803 402180
Mrs Shirley Smith, Dorset, Leics, northants, Rutland, Lincs & Cambs. Tel: 01780 450820
Mrs Sheila Pratt, Dorset, SW Hampshire & SOuth Wiltshire, Somerset, Bristol
Forest of Dean, Hereford, Worcestershire. Tel. 01278 885815
Mrs C Warman, Wiltshire, Gloucester, N Hampshire, W Berkshire, Oxfordshire. Tel: 01793 487346
www.labrador-rescue.com

Labrador Retriever Rescue Southern England
Sue Birmingham, Midd Exxex, Herts, Beds, Berks, Bucks, Oxon, Kent. Tel: 0208 408 1214
Jean & Peter Henman, Sussex, Surrey and Hants. Tel: 01243 605948

Labrador Welfare
Miss J Roberts (Secretary), Sheffield, S Yorks. Tel: 01142 661756

North West Labrador Retriever Club Rescue
Mrs B Brougham, Merseyside. Tel: 01942 723847
Miss Norma Bilsland, Anglesey. Tel: 01407 831837
[/FONT]

In regards to the cat, you may be surprised by how he accepts a dog, but that could be a good reason to go for an adult dog that has grown up with cats and is likely to ignore it. A puppy is probably going to be one of the poorer combinations with an intolerant cat because a puppy will see the cat as a great plaything! It may not be necessary to rehome the cat if your parents go ahead, but you may want to consider making sure the cat has a place to escape - for example, there are several babygates on the market with a catflap sized hole in the bottom to allow cats to come and go and keep the dog contained. Allowing the cat a route in and out of the house (if it's an outdoor cat) where it doesn't have to go past the dog, feeding it in a dog-free room, etc.

marlasinger

We've got a lab puppy. He's now 10 months and we've had him since he was 8 weeks. He's quite high energy - he's from a working breed line so that may make a difference. We found him very easy to train as a pup, but they do need a lot of work and attention.

He gets walked twice a day (about 20 minutes each), and then taken on a long off lead walk at the local park three times a week.

Please don't get one unless you are 100% sure you can commit. You will need to spend a lot of time out of each day giving them attention, walking them and training, etc.

toerag33

Hi

Have you considered a standard Schnauzer? We have had labs before - they lived until a very good age. The 2 standard schnauzers we have now will likely be replaced by the same breed when their time comes. We find they have were less destructive when they were pups and 'teenagers' than the labs were. Aged 10 now they are still lively, curious but sleeping a bit more.

Both breeds have been very good family dogs.

Good luck

con1888

Please do not rehome the cat so you can get a dog. Pets are not throwaway items!! Try the cat with a friends dog first to see how it reacts. My cat isn't keen on the dog and keeps his distance but he is still happy and tolerable.

puppypants

A black lab I had as a pup, chewed through two 3 pc suites, a stair carpet and a bedroom wall!!

krlyr

Also bear in mind that if you go for a puppy, it is important not to overexercise it as a youngster. A puppy will have lots of energy but walking it 5 miles a day will put a lot of strain on its growing joints. The general rule of thumb is 5 minutes per month old - so an 8 week old pup should have 10 minutes, up until 12 weeks where it goes up to 15, and so on. So if you want a jogging buddy from day 1, again it may be better to consider an older dog.
However, it will grow up to be a dog that needs a fair amount of exercise. The Labrador was bred as a retrieving dog so is a breed used to being out on the hunt all day. A show-line will be lower energy than a working-line Lab but they're still not complete couch potatoes. Given their appetite, it can be especially important to provide enough exercise to keep their waist trim.

If you have specific requirements in terms of energy levels, lengths of walks needed, a dog that gets along with cats, etc. rescue dogs can be a superb idea because they can assess the dog in a foster home or similar and find all the traits you're after. If you do go down the breeder route, ensure you are honest with them in terms of your expectations. You may find some breeders are not willing to home a pup to you if you're after something they feel their pups won't provide but better to be told it's a bad idea than to find an unscrupulous seller who will sell a puppy to an unsuitable home and face the problem of a nightmare puppy that you've grown attached to.

Thread on exercise requirements of Labs here, may be interesting to read it from the owners' POVs.
http://www.justlabradors.com/forum/lab-chat/89421-lab-exercise-minimum-requirement.html

Welshwoofs

iammarmite wrote: »

Any advice? How hyperactive are they?

For the first couple of years, they're extremely active.

How much do they need walking- how many hours a day etc? How many miles?

The clue is that they're a gun dog. Labradors were not bred to spend their time lounging around; they're bred to be out in the field retrieving. They're energetic and should have good, long walks a couple of times a day. The Labs I grew up with used to get walked around 6 miles a day when adults, plus they were in the field during shooting season.

We have a old cat who doesn't really like other pets- is it a good idea?

If you know your cat doesn't like other pets then you know the answer to this already. Introducing a new and incredibly energetic puppy to a household with an old cat who doesn't like other pets at the best of time isn't a smart move really, is it.

I am always incredulous that Labradors are the 'go to' dog of choice for families because they are NOT cute little Andrex puppies who are angelic and no trouble at all. They're absolutely renowned for needing a lot of work and attention during the first couple of years.