My sister's thinking of getting a yellow lab puppy. Help:

Should I talk her into it or talk her out of it?

She and her kids really want a puppy, but she doesn't want all the work. Big-dog owners, please offer your opinions and adivce. Thanks!

if you can make it thru the first year to 18 months. I had a Lab a few years ago - rest his beautiful soul - I called him the million dollar dog. He chewed like crazy! He chewed 1 shoe out of each pair. Once past the baby stage, you will say it was worth it.

I miss him. If I was out working he the yard, he never left my side. When I mowed the lawn, he walked beside the lawnmower.

We have a 9 week old. My hands are getting tenderized.

Yellow Labs have a great diusposition, though. They make excellent pets.

but especially not a yellow Lab. Labs are exceptionally playful, social, smart, stubborn, and rebellious. Once they are trained they make great family dogs but they have to be properly trained or they will have all kinds of behavioral problems: jumping on people, chewing things, stealing things, and nipping. Even properly trained they need a lot of muscle time and social time. They get very lonely when left alone.

If your friend is willing and able to take the dog to a good obedience school (a full course, not just one session) and if her kids are active, then go for it. But if she's not willing to "do all the work" then she should get a cat.

"Not willing to do all the work" was my characterization. She wouldn't get a dog she's not prepared for. She's not stupid and she's not cruel.

Part of her decision depends upon trusting her teenage childrens' promise of daily committment to dog parenthood.

Til he died..broke my heart. He was the most laid back lovable dog I have ever had. Smart too. Good with kids/people. The only problem i had with him was until he was about a year old he chewed..he chewed everything. corner walls, couches, furniture, shoes..he was a "chewaholic" Bought him chew toys by the dozen..He chewed them along with anything else he could get in his mouth. I had a large fenced yard and he spent a lot of time out there. Dogs need exercise. Id say go for it, but thats just my opinion :)

Just about nothing is cuter than a lab puppy. If she gets one, and you get exposed to it, you might not be able to resist getting one of your own.

Labs are pretty energetic. I wouldn't recommend it if they are in an apartment or small townhouse/condo. However, if they have a little room, maybe a yard to play in, and/or an inclination to take walks or jaunts to nearby parks to play, go for it.

Baloney (her name) is very food motivated as are most Labs. So you have to watch how much you feed them. Also check the parents and their offspring for hip-diplasia. I'd post a pic but dont know how.

I've just learned they can't get one because the backyard fence is in disrepair. Oops. Wouldn't have posted if I'd known that earlier.

Thanks, all, for your thoughts.

This is a great choice.
Yes, the puppies are irresistible.

That said, however, they are a lot of work. Rather than digress overly much about the subject, tell your sister to read a copy of "An Owner's Guide to - The Labrador Retriever" c 1995 by Lisa Weiss Acresta, Howell Book House. There she can find out more than she wants to know. For instance, they are very busy chewers of all that interests them especially when left alone. They act like puppies until they are about three years old. Begin to train them young and keep repeating that training (esp. hunters). They need lots of physical exersize.

If she decides to go ahead with getting a lab, the next book to read is "No Bad Dogs" about training dogs gently without physical force.

BTW, my family owns six labs (in three locations). We're happy and hope they are too.

..my parents have a chocolate lab, he was the cutest little thing as a puppy, and a great dog now...but very hyper, sheds a lot, barks a lot (friendly barks, but loud)...so just keep that in mind

he swims in the pool, runs around the backyard @ about 100 mph and is the loviest doggie of all time. Tell sis to check the research on kids, dogs & mental health. Then get one!

He's huge, but gentle. Loyal and obedient, but a little needy. They have loud barks and are pretty excitable for quite some time (probably 4 to 5 years, typically). So, they are kind of high maintenance.

But, i wouldn't trade my doggie in for anything.
The Professor

I have to say that the first 4-5 months were prettty tough. Getting up in the night to take her out, cleaning up after her when she messed up, dealing with constant scratches all over my arms from "mouthing" (those little puppy teeth HURT!)...there was also damage to the house...she managed to rip some wallpaper off the wall and take some sheetrock with it (don't ask me how), she shreaded her first real doggy bed, she pulled up some carpet and shreaded it...but after all this...I WOULDNT TAKE IT BACK FOR THE WORLD.

WE don't have kids. When she turned 3 months old we put her in a rigorous weekly dog training group where she learned commands and we were given tips on how to train her in house manners ect. We kept her in a large kennel at night and when she wasn't supervised. Now she's grown into a lovely well behaved dog. We take her with us everywhere. Also SHE"S GREAT WITH KIDS!!Very gentle and loving. I'd recommend that your family member get one as long as she's prepared to the time involved in those first few months. She needs to be prepared that it isn't all fun!