Labrador Retrievers are a very popular pet dog breed. They can also serve as guide dogs, subway police dogs, and search and rescue dogs, and they are well liked by the public. But before raising a Labrador Retriever, we must consider carefully. A famous American dog training expert listed ten honest reasons not to raise Labradors. The editor of Boqi.com hopes everyone will read carefully before making a decision.

Labrador Retriever

　　1. Labradors shed heavily. A female Labrador going into heat will shed seriously twice a year. Males and neutered females also shed moderately yearly with seasonal changes. These hairs stick to furniture, clothes, and roll around like tumbleweeds on your floors. When you find hair in unbelievable places, you will be “surprised.” As we say: “Dog hair sticks on everything in the house except the dog itself.”

　　2. Labradors are very affectionate with people. If you are allergic to dandruff, dog hair, or dog saliva, you might have trouble with a Labrador. While the oil in their coat controls some dandruff, not all of it. Responsible breeders and owners should let you meet the dog before selling, to check for allergies. For the dog’s sake, it’s best to find out early if someone at home is allergic. Otherwise, if you have to keep the dog outside or rehome it, this is very unfair to the dog. Labradors love people very much and should live with people; otherwise, it is like abusing them. Think more about the dog!

　　3. Labradors are not clean. If you are fastidious, you won’t like Labradors. They shed. They dig holes. They run in the mud. They chew things. They rub whatever you just brought in from outside onto your clean white walls. Sometimes, when happy, they help you clear the coffee table clutter – just a wag of the tail and it’s done! If you have a cleanliness obsession and want a dog just for show, do not raise a Labrador. You can buy a stuffed toy or even a robotic dog instead.

　　4. Labradors need a lot of exercise. Labradors are a very active breed. It’s not a problem when you are also in the mood to exercise, but the issue is they need a large amount of daily exercise to release energy. Rainy days, your overtime hours, when you are sick – your Labrador still wants to go out, run, walk, play ball, swim... basically the regular activities you usually do together. If you don’t provide an outlet for their pent-up energy... they will find one themselves! (That’s really trouble...)

　　5. Like other purebred dogs, Labradors have a high chance of inheriting genetic diseases. Hip dysplasia, eye disorders, vision problems, heart issues, epilepsy... the list is endless. Please do your homework before raising a dog! Read more material or ask breeders/other Labrador owners.

　　6. Not only genetic diseases, Labradors can also get acquired conditions. Including but not limited to: edema, PANO (long-term hip joint sprain), obsessive compulsive disorder, thyroid problems, and other immune and endocrine issues.

　　7. Labradors remain puppies for a long time. You may think, that’s great! I like puppies. Well, I mean their mentality is that of a puppy, but their body will still grow up! You will see a clumsy, silly, adorable immature big Labrador. Labradors are intelligent and not difficult to train, but as the owner you must be persistent! Labradors usually mature behaviorally after their 2 to 3 year birthday.

　　8. Labradors are sold everywhere. This is both good and bad. It means you can easily get the dog you want, but it also means many people and their friends are breeding and selling Labradors. Unfortunately, not everyone has professional ethics. They breed Labradors purely for personal profit and neglect the importance of temperament and health. Reputable breeders charge higher prices. Don’t be greedy for a bargain when buying a dog. You may buy from an unknown cheaper source and later realize serious problems as the dog grows. Most good breeders plan only one or two litters a year. They often wait years between litters to evaluate if breeding is appropriate again. If the “breeder” you know always has puppies for sale or seems to have many litters every year, they are likely breeding for profit rather than ensuring the Labrador’s health.

　　9. If you have very small children at home, Labradors may not be suitable. Although Labradors are friendly to children, like all dogs, they need some training. A puppy will naturally bite clothes, shoes, hands... Their sharp puppy teeth can easily hurt a child’s hand unintentionally. A growing Labrador often bumps into young children while playing, causing injury. As the owner, you must supervise the dog around children to prevent accidents.

　　10. Labradors shed a lot. Oh. Did I mention that? Their shedding is blocking my screen.