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Is A Labrador
Retriever Right for Me and My Family?
What to consider before adopting a
Labrador ...
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. |
Your time invested today
evaluating your family's lifestyle,
preferences and expectations for a
family pet will be repaid many times
over in pleasure and companionship.
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