If you’ve read any of my other articles, you know that I am a massive fan of Pit bulls.
But the truth is, I’m just a fan of dogs in general.
And another one of my favorite dog breeds is the Labrador Retriever.
I’ve owned Labradors for much of my life, and I do have to say that they are one of the most gentle breeds I have ever cared for.
Now:
Let’s answer the question that I get asked most about owning a Labrador-
Are Labradors Good Apartment Dogs?”
Labrador Retrievers have an excellent temperament and demonstrate extraordinary trainability. This makes them extremely adaptable to any situation, including apartment living.
They are companionable housemates who bond with the whole family, and they socialize well with neighbor dogs and humans alike.
Of course, there are some things that you will need to consider before you bring a Labrador retriever puppy into your apartment.
Firstly, you will want to make sure that the Labrador Retriever is the best breed for you and your needs.
To help you decide, I’m going to talk a little more in-depth about the Labrador retriever temperament, and provide you with some Labrador retriever facts to help you learn some more about the breed.
Also, we’ll talk a little about raising a lab puppy in an apartment, and the challenges you might face along the way.
At the end of the day, I hope to help you decide whether the Labrador retriever is the right fit for you and whether you are prepared to bring a new puppy (of any kind) into your apartment.
RELATED ARTICLE: Male vs. Female Labrador: Which is Better?
Labrador Retriever Temperament
As I said previously, labs are the best dogs. In fact, there’s little not to love about this breed.
The breed is loyal, lovable, happy, and extremely friendly.
In theory, they really are “man’s best friend.”
Labradors are amazing family dogs and are happy to tag along with their owner on any adventure.
Labs love running, swimming, hiking, playing fetch, or simply tagging along on a relaxing walk along the promenade.
They are excellent with children.
As I mentioned earlier, Labradors are also very easy to train.
They have a strong desire to please their owners and will do almost anything for a small treat.
For this reason, the AKC has listed the Labrador Retriever among the most popular dog breeds in America for 24 consecutive years.
Other Labrador Retriever facts?
Labs are the most commonly used of all breeds for guide and support dogs, and they can actually be trained to sniff out and identify early stages of cancer.
Disadvantages Of The Labrador Breed
Labs are incredibly fun-loving, personable, and easily trained.
But if you are thinking about bringing a Labrador Retriever puppy into your apartment, you’ll also want to know the disadvantages of the Labrador breed.
Anyone who is looking to get a Labrador Retriever should know that they are far from couch potatoes.
If you are looking for a calm, laid back breed of dog, the Labrador is probably not for you.
Labradors have a lot of excess energy and require a great deal of exercise.
Regular outdoor playdates will be necessary for a Labrador living in an apartment.
Chewing is another common concern, especially for a Labrador Retriever puppy.
To save your shoes and furniture, your lab will require lots of extra bones and chew toys.
As puppies, they require constant monitoring, and regular ventures to “puppy-proof” the apartment should be taken.
Also, labs are notorious for being extremely clumsy.
Running and sliding into tables, knocking over drinks with their tails, and backing into walls are some of their favorite pastimes.
In a small apartment, this can be even more of a concern.
Unfortunately, there’s not much you can do to help your dog overcome clumsiness, which is why owning a lab retriever often requires a great deal of patience and understanding.
Raising A Lab Puppy In An Apartment
So, can you keep a Labrador retriever in an apartment?
Yes, but if you want your dog to meet your needs, you need to meet their needs as well.
You should work on training and obedience with your Labrador retriever puppy as soon as you bring them home.
The earlier you start training, the easier the training will be.
As mentioned previously, your Labrador Retriever will have a great deal of excess energy and will require a lot of exercises.
For those who live in small apartments, this means regular walks, trips to the dog park, or friendly games of fetch.
Remember, a bored dog is a bad dog. Labs who are bored will find other ways to amuse themselves – by chewing a boot or becoming destructive. It’s your job to keep them entertained and tired.
And the final thing to remember when bringing a new lab, or any dog, into an apartment is that housebreaking is not going to be easy.
House training a dog in an apartment requires a great deal of patience and training.
Most trainers recommend that a puppy in training goes outside every hour. If you don’t have a balcony, this can be a lot of work.
If you are prepared to go the extra mile for your new puppy, a Labrador retriever can be an excellent choice for you.
But if you don’t have a lot of time to train your pup, you might want to consider rescuing an older dog.
Conclusion:
So, to sum up, the question “are Labradors apartment-friendly?”
The answer is yes, but you need to be fair to them.
Labradors are large dogs with a lot of energy and require a lot of attention from their owners.
If you are prepared to put in the effort to meet your dog’s needs, then labs are the best dogs you could bring into your home.
Related Questions:
Do Labrador Retrievers Bark A Lot?
Generally speaking, no. Labrador Retrievers are not considered to be a “loud” breed of dog.
With that being said, each dog has its personality, and some might bark more than others.
If you find that your puppy or adult dog is barking more than usual, the key is to determine the reason behind it (most barking occurs when your dog is trying to tell you something), and to deal with the issue quickly and promptly.
Do Labrador Retrievers Shed A Lot?
Yes. If you are considering owning a Labrador, prepare to break out the vacuum cleaner regularly.
On an outward appearance, Labradors appear to have a nice, short coat of fur.
But what many people don’t realize is that they actually have a double coat.
In other words, underneath their outer layer of fur, they also have another undercoat that helps to keep them warm.
This is one of the reasons that Labradors love swimming in cold water so much!
Unfortunately, it also means that they shed a great deal of fur.
