Raising a Lab in an apartment?

Question

I want to get a dog I can go hiking with, I have zeroed in on a labrador retriever as a perfect choice, but am concerned about the size of the dog and my apartment. A girl downstairs from me keeps a german shepard in her apartment, which is slightly smaller than mine, and she says that its no problem so long as he gets his exercise. Is this true? Can I keep a Lab in my apartment, would it be fair to him?

Answer 1

I have a Lab and we have lived in apartments for the majority of her twelve years. All puppies are different but mine never tore up the house. She has always been a good dog, easy to train and not hyper. I used to take her to the beach with me or running (she ran, I rode my bike) daily. We still go to the beach almost everyday but now she's old, we live in a house and she just lays in the sun.
Great Dogs!

Answer 2

I can tell you from experience that any high energy dog, like a lab, is going to require LOTS of exercise to keep him happy. My boyfriend & I have a lab and we live in an apartment. She's 13 so she doesn't do a whole lot anymore but when he had her as a puppy while he was living in a huge house with his parents they had a really hard time dealing with her. Labs are just super hyper all the time. You will not only need to exercise it phsyically but mentally as well since they are an intelligent breed. Try enrolling your dog in classes like agility or, if you are an outdoorsmand, enroll in field trails. Labs love that kind of stuff. As far as size, as long as you keep the dog exercised it really won't make a difference but I can tell you that you don't want a lab that is going to be huge, like more than 80 or 90 pounds. I work at a vet clinic and nearly every lab we see that is that size has some serious health problems. People have started breeding them too big and it's not good for the dogs. Think about what they were originally used for. They are hunting companions and were used to retrieve ducks & game from the water. Would you want a huge 110 pound dog trying to climb into your boat or bounding through the underbrush while you are hunting? No way! Get your pup from a reliable breeder that is breeding labs they way they are meant to be. Ask to see the parents and about each of their health history. Most people only ask about things like hip dysplatia but other serious problems, like allergies, can be inherited. Labs are great dogs as long as you take the time to train them. Hope this helped!
One more thing, don't start running or jogging with your pup until it's at least 1 1/2 - 2 years old. Since labs are a large breed their bones take longer to grow than smaller dogs and any stress on the bones or joints when they are young will causes serious problems down the road!

Answer 3

It doesn't matter if you have a mansion with a giant backyard or a small apartment, it's good to walk a Labrador at least once a day.

It should be a given that having an apartment means you need to walk your Lab every time he has to pee/poo. Aside from that, scope out the local parks and take your Lab out for plenty of exercise (I would say about 3 or 4 times a day, once fully grown.)

Also, puppies tire easily. When our lab was a puppy, there were plenty of times that we would walk her up to the park and end up carrying her back home. But the older they get, the more energy they have to spend.

So, yes, you can keep a lab in your apartment, as long as you take him/her out not only for regular potty walks, but for exercise as well (a morning, lunchtime, dinnertime schedule works great if you work during the day, adding maybe a late-night walk on weekends.)

Also, I would suggest crate training your dog:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crate_training

Answer 4

It would be fair only if he got enough attention when you were at home and also if you took him out to get some exercise every day!!

One thing to watch out for when keeping large dogs inside-if they get bored, some dogs will be destructive. And this depends a lot on the pet's personality. Some will be very well behaved indoors, and others will not. If you do happen to have problems, there are training classes that you can attend to learn how to train the dog and prevent any further damage to your belongings!

Labs are a great pet, and awesome to go hiking with! good luck!!

Answer 5

The key thing to having a dog, any size, is exercise. You have to be able to walk the dog a couple of times a day. If you have a yard and the dog can run, that is ideal. If not, be ready for early a.m. walks and other walks during the day. A Lab may be the wrong breed for an apartment, but as long as it is allowed outside frequently, you should be o.k.

Answer 6

As long as the land lord allows it. The german shepard and lab will give each other excercise rolling around and wrestling. You two could take them both to the dog park. I would get a puppy and not an older dog that was used to a yard. You need one about 3-5 months.

Answer 7

I have a lab and she does just fine in the apartment. I take her out at a minimum of 5 times a week to the dog park and/or the beach. Labs can be very destructive if they are left inside to their own devices. They need training, because they are very smart dogs. Teach your lab to swim to help with any hip and joint problems. Also most labs like to smell and track, teach your lab fun hunting skills by hiding treats around the house.

Answer 8

Great choice of dog! Labador retrievers are great dogs and good hiking buddies.Your neighbor is right. As long as he has his exercise then it will be alright. Labs can be apartment or even inside dogs. My sister has a great pyrness and golden retriever and hes GIANTIC! He is also an apartment dog. Just make sure he gets plenty of excercise and he will be ok. As being fair....it depends. Some dogs naturally prefer be indoors even though their breed majoraly likes to be outside and visa and versa. I would think it would be ok though you will have to house train him and all. Hope i was of help to you. GOOD LUCK!

Answer 9

The only way it would be fair to your dog is if you give him enought exercise. And labs need a good deal of attention. I live in a farm house and while me and my boyfriend are at work he hangs out at home. Just a reminder a dog is a big responsibility. Something not to be entered into lightly. If I were you I would go to WalMart and pick up the book Marley and Me.

Answer 10

Your neighbor would be right. As long as he is loved, treated well, and gets to exercize regulerly then you guys will do fine. Keep in mind this though, labs are energitic and get borad easily. There could be some problems if he gets restless. Make sure he runs alot and has alot of outdoor activity because with any dog that you have, whether it is a house or in a apartment, if they get restless then it is your home that will be destryed.