A new dog, and especially a new puppy, involves many household changes. Your customary activities will now always have to consider the presence of a dog. Caring for a dog is hard work – he or she is a very dependent creature who will count on you for the essentials – food, water, shelter, exercise, training, veterinarian care and most especially companionship. It is important to look very honestly at your lifestyle, your expectations and your commitment before you make a lifelong decision. Carefully evaluate the breeds you are interested in as to their match with your lifestyle. And remember, puppies require a lot of additional work; there are also a number of wonderful adult dogs looking for the right home.

Please consider the following questions as you decide whether a Labrador puppy is right for you and your family:

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Is there a place in my life for a dog?  Do I have the time, space and desire to commitment necessary to care for, train and nurture a puppy?

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Does everyone in my household agree with acquiring a puppy?   Dissension among family members will always work to the disadvantage of the puppy.

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Will someone be available during the day to feed and let the puppy out?  While puppies are young they need to be fed and exercised more frequently than adults.

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Do we have enough space to have a Labrador Retriever?   Labs are medium to large sized dogs who can fill up the room – especially when their tails start wagging!

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Are we prepared to exercise our puppy?  Labs are active dogs and need space to run and play.

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Do we have time to regularly groom and train our puppy?   Both time and willingness are needed to properly attend to the puppy's hygiene and training.

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Are we prepared that our puppy may cause some damage to our house and our possessions?  While puppies can be confined when not tended, it is almost inevitable that at some time something will happen resulting in damage.

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Have we considered the veterinarian, feed and supply costs associated with dog ownership?  It is important to be sure that a puppy will fit into your household budget. The care and feeding of a growing puppy and adult dog is not inconsequential and should be carefully considered.

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Are we prepared to take our puppy with us through all of life's adventures and changes?  Labradors can live from 10 to 16 years. Please consider carefully where you and your family may be throughout that period of time. While a puppy must fit into today's lifestyle, he must also fit for more than the next decade and a half.

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Most importantly, are we prepared to be the very best companions a Labrador puppy could deserve?  Labradors are very people and family oriented. They thrive on fun and affection and most of all being an integral member of the family. A Labrador puppy can only reach his full potential with his family's devoted time and attention.