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August 1, 2009
Labrador in brownstone
Dear all,
we live on the first floor of brownstone of rent out the second one. We consider to buy a dog. So far the labrador sounds like the best compromise. What do you think about this? Would lab get along with 9 y/o boy?
Comments
Have you considered a chimpanzee?
Posted by: modsquad at August 2, 2009 12:15 AM
I am sure there are many resources to help you pick a dog for you. Labs are great with kids, but they really need some space to run around. Are you able to walk a do a lot during the day, or do you have a back yard you don't care about? Both our neighbors and we have had great luck with pound dogs. Perhaps they could advise you on the benefits and challenges of a mixed breed dog, especially when you have a child at home. But a nine year old is old enough to respect a dog and not inadvertently cause aggressive behavior. Good luck.
Posted by: Putnamdenizen at August 2, 2009 8:28 AM
Labs are wonderful dogs and great with kids. we have a 2 year old lab and she is the sweetest girl. se wouldn't hurt a fly. we also have a newborn baby, and our lab is so gentle around her. although we carefully monitor them when they are together, we couldnt imagine our lab doing anything intentionally. That being, labs need a lot pf exercise.... Good luck...
Posted by: Splenda at August 2, 2009 6:58 PM
modsquad, as a meter of fact I did, but I would need to install metal bars on all windows and FDNY was PITA about it.
Everybody else: thanks for answers. BTW if I would get lab would it be Ok to leave him in backyard (20x30' backyard with wire fence on all sides.
Posted by: bobjohn at August 2, 2009 9:33 PM
You might want to look into greyhounds. They handle small indoor spaces for very long periods of time very well and are generally well behaved.
Posted by: FenFen at August 2, 2009 9:50 PM
Labradors are great dogs, but have been bred for many generations to exhibit certain traits. I live in an area where duckhunters leave out at 5:00 AM in their camaflouge? boats in January. The labs can't wait to dive into the icy water and across the meadows to retrieve ducks. An animal with that spirit and energy is what you are considering.
It is unfair to expect a breed bred for activity and vigor to "behave". And outside unaccompanied is no place for a puppy. Dogs are social animals that thrive only with company.
Oh, and did I say that Labs chew everything?
Spend a few sessions at hillside park in Bklyn Heights. Many owners are knowledgeable and you will see first hand the various activity levels.
Remember, you are adopting a new family member, and a child will NOT take care of it, you will. Dogs have only one master. Someone will need to shoulder that burden/joy.
Posted by: brucef at August 3, 2009 1:32 PM
I have a Lab and a son about the same age. They get along fine. Labs, however, do need alot of exercise and will get antsy without it (and therefore are more likely to chew and be otherwise destruction). Keeping the dog in the backyard is not a solution to the exercise issue. I find that my Lab likes to be around our family and will not voluntarily (or quietly) stay in the backyard alone. Because of time constraints, my solution to the exercise issue is to walk and play with my dog myself 1-2x a day (relatively short walks to relieve himself and obedience exercises) and to hire a dog walker for a longer (exercise) daily walk. On weekends I take the dog to a dog park or off leash hours and throw the ball around. (They don't call them retrievers for nothing!)
I also recommend dog training for whatever type of dog you decide to get. I used Denise Herman of Empire of the Dog and highly recommend her.
Posted by: keep at August 3, 2009 2:06 PM
I would absolutely recommend against leaving the dog in a fenced yard. Your dog is likely to get bored and bark alot, which will drive your neighbors crazy. Dogs are pack animals and like to be around others. Your dog will be sad and lonely if left outside in the yard, regardless of breed.
Labs are pretty high energy until they get old. They are usually good family pets, but need a lot of exercise. Do you have experience with dogs?
Also I know you didn't ask, but I would strongly encourage you to consider getting a rescue dog at a shelter. You can get an older dog who is already trained, and won't have to suffer through the very very cute, but destructive puppy phase. Both our cat and dog are rescues, and they are wonderful pets. Our cat is skittish and scared of strangers (he just hides under the bed) but our dog LOVES kids.
Posted by: brooklynstyle at August 3, 2009 3:42 PM
Take a look at ParkSlopeParents. Someone there just posted saying they have to give up an older kid-loving puppy b/c of allergy issues. Regardless of what kind of dog you get, it really can't be left in the yard for very long - good dogs are dogs that get lots of people time. Spending time with their people (and proper socializing, training and exercising) is how dogs learn to behave in the house and not be a nuisance to you and your neighbors. A kid won't be able to do all that, there has to be an adult in the house willing to do the work.
Posted by: petunia at August 3, 2009 9:16 PM
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