We are thinking of getting a labrador and I have posted on this topic before and had some great advice. I would really love to know whether it is practical to keep one in an appartment. It would have companionship all day and plenty of country walks but I wonder about how to toilet train and how to stop the carpets getting upsets on them. We have a small balcony so whilst it is little I could possibly take it straight there for toilet training would this work?
My other question is male labradors seem larger/broader on the head and body and seem to fill out a lot, we would like to get a bitch and wonder whether it is the same in this case or are they smaller and slimmer on the head and body? do labradors have an easy tendency to put on weight? Many thanks for your help

A Labrador will live just about anywhere if everything else is in order. Bear in mind that a Lab was originally bred to work all day in the field and the lack of garden would mean a lot of walking! Even worse when a young puppy because the walks must not be too long so there would need to be quite a few of them. No going for a trot around the garden!

Toilet training will be very difficult again because there is no quick pop out into the garden to spend a penny. With this all in mind then maybe an older dog might be easier.

Male Labs are bigger, just how much depends whether you are in the UK or the US! (The breed standard is different)

A bitch head is or should be slightly finer and more feminine than the more masculine dog.

Do Labs have a tendency to put on weight? YES! You need to be in control of the tin opener!!!

Regards, John

If you're in an appartment does that mean puppy would have to walk up and down a lot of stairs to go for walkies, if so it wouldn't be good for his/her hips :-(
Otherwise if you're a good dog owner I don't see why the dog would be any worse off than in a house
Jane

Hiya,

I agree with the other posters...

A Lab, I'm sure, would get on well anywhere...thought they do need a lot of exercise. So you have to be prepared for that.
The stairs, as the last poster mentioned would be a problem...you'd have to be very careful....maybe carry your pup?

With any pup, you are going to have 'accidents' on the carpet....this is part of having a puppy (the stains on my carpet had names according to which pup did it...but the carpet has now gone, replaced with polished floorboards and rugs!!)

The tendency towards weight gain would probably be a problem as, like everyone has said, Labs need a LOT of exercise.

If you think you can give a lab the amount of exercise he/she needs...then go for it!

Take care, good luck

Lisa

Just a question to ponder... have you considered getting a rescue labrador, one who is already housetrained, who's hips are not so likely to be damaged from going up and downstairs and one who is past the puppy stage of chewing etc.

I've just adopted a 4yo lab and it's the best thing we've done. She's perfect, and so so easy!

Dear All
Thank you so much for your kind comments and advice. In answer to your questions, we live in a ground floor appartment so there would be no stairs whatsoever for the puppy to have to worry about. There is also a lift that takes us straight down to the garage so stairs would not be a problem thank goodness. We have considered getting a rescue lab and have been looking into this option but somehow I worry about temperament as you don't always know their past and how they were treated prior to being placed in a rescue centre. If anybody knows of a good place to contact for a rescue lab I would be really grateful for the details. I do know of the Labrador Rescue and often check the site. Other than the above I can certainly give plenty of time to exercising a labrador as I work from home and my husband is a keen jogger so he can take her on lovely long runs when she is old enough.
Van

HI try

http://www.helpalabrador.co.uk

This is a lab rescue site all you need to do is contact them and leave your details they will match a dog to your needs

Regards
Carole

Dear Carole
Thank you for that link, I have tried it a few times without any luck. Are you sure that web page is still around? I really can't seem to get a connection to it.
Best wishes
Van

http://www.helpalabrador.co.uk :D

Lucy

aghhh I give up, hi there Lucy and thanks for sending that link through to me again but try as I might I can't get through to it. I wonder if they have changed their site or something.
Van

Van

Have you tried the link again ! It should be working ! I have just got in without any problems !!

Lucy

Hi Lucy

Think they are having a few problems with web site as I cannot access this site and have done so many times, not changed address as far as I know but i was last on it on friday night couldnt access sat at all.

carole

I believe there has been a problem on the site but it should be resolved very soon.

Best wishes, John

hi. where abouts do you live. I volunteer for labrador rescue so could give you a few numbers if it would help

Hi Rachel
Thank you so much for your offer it would certainly help to be put in contact with the right people. I live in London and if you know of anybody I can speak to that would be fantastic.
Many thanks
Vanessa