Hi everyone. I was wondering what other people views on this would be.

We live in a one bedroomed flat and we really want a pet. We would really like to get a labrador.

Now if we were to get one we would get a puppy but I am worried that as the dog grows bigger it would need more space and a one bedroomed property would not be big enough for the dog and it would be cruel to keep the dog in that kind of condition.

What do you think?

I probably already know the answer but want to know what other people think.

I don't want to be cruel to the animal by keeping it in a small space all the time

Obviously we would walk him/her but for a dog to be living in a one bedroomed flat would it be cruel?

Any help will be greatly appreciated

Thank you

I would very strongly advise against a lab in a one bedroom flat! for yours and the dog's sanity. If you really really want a dog consider a very small one, or the most sensible option would be wait until you move into a bigger property

Thanks for the reply. It's just I really want a labrador - I love them. It would be more sensible to wait until we are in a bigger property so I just have to be patient.

It's a difficult one

How big is your flat? I have 2 medium sized dogs in a 2 bedroomed flat, that is quite small. They are taken out at least 4 times a day, for at least 30-40 mins off lead exercise, each walk. You would have to commit to the same at the very least, maybe more, come rain, shine, hail and snow. It is no fun in the winter, in freezing, horizontal rain.

Saying that, I know with my dogs, and alot of dogs I know, they always like to be in the same room as me, so it wouldn't matter, if I had a 20 bedroom mansion, they would only ever be 10ft away from me at the most

At first glance, I would advise against it. Labs are fantastic dogs, but can be very hard work as puppies.

It's quite big for a one bedroom to be honest

I understand that we would have to walk it in all weathers and thats fine.

I think I just really really want a pet and I have my heart set on a labrador but I don't want to be cruel to it

Thanks for the reply

Is there any way that you could perhaps "borrow" a fully grown lab for a couple of days and just get the feel of having a fully grown dog in your flat. You would then have more of an idea.
Is your flat on the ground floor and do you have access to your own garden?.

Another idea is to volunteer to do puppy walking for the Guide Dogs, that would also give you some inkling of how much space a growing dog needs.

Above all lots of time and love and plenty of walks is the main thing above anything else. After all the dog only needs one bedroom which will turn out to be yours

Would you consider an older lab?

The problem with any puppy and flats is toilet training. Until 12/13 weeks when fully vaccinated, a puppy is at risk from Parvo ect. so taking him outside is potentially risky. Even once you can take him out you'll be in & out two dozen times a day. What if he can't make it and messes in your communal areas? I know you can get 'puppy pads' but to me that is just peeing in the house.

And, I hate to say it, but a lot of reputable breeders wouldn't sell to you because you live in a flat. Labs can get some awful hip problems so you want a pup from a reputable breeder that only breeds from parents with good hip scores. Like Groucho Marx said, I wouldn't want to join a club that would have me as a member.

A lot of rescues wouldn't consider you either sadly. But some independents might place an adult Lab with you.

I don't think a flat is inherently cruel to a dog, even a lab (though I can think of breeds better suited) as long as you are prepared for several walks a day. I just think a puppy in a flat is probably a bad idea.

Lovely ideas but we don't know anyone with a labrador or another dog the size of a labrador. And to be honest I didn't know you could voluntarily walk guide dogs Thanks for the reply Oh and we are on the 4th floor.

Thinking about it it probably is a bad idea. As I typed we are on the 4th floor I realised it might be a bad idea. I hadn't realised that labradors are prone to hip problems. Thanks for all the replys though you have all been very helpful.

Do you live near a Dogs Trust rehoming centre? They often want dog walkers & foster homes. This would give you an idea of what it's like to borrow a dog & with some dogs they may let you take it home for a bit once they get to know you. Foster carers are needed for dogs that get too stressed in kennels so maybe you could foster a smaller dog to give you an idea of what it's like to own a dog.

Would you consider a lab cross? They're often found in rescue centres & are far less prone to hip problems. I have several friends who happily live in flats with several dogs. Yes it is hard work & you need a lot of commitment but it can be done with the right dogs.

Unfortunetly we don't live near a rehoming centre. I would consider a labrador cross I just love Labradors. Thanks for the suggestions. I shall have a think about it.

What about a labradoodle?

A what

I would advise against getting a Lab. They need a LOT of exercise, and being cooped up in a small flat well get them quite frustrated. If you are prepared to give them around 3 hours of exercise a day, it would help. Although a rescue would not re home a Labrador to you.

A labradoodle is a cross breed. A "designer dog", it is not a real breed. You can get anything between 90% poodle, to almost full lab. It's totally unpredictable just like it is with any cross breed.

We have a lab/retriever/collie cross and a very big Yorkie both in a one bed flat - works well for us can't see why it shouldn't be OK for you, as long as you exercise them well.

They are gorgeous dogs, I can understand why you'd want one so much . However, if you are planning to move to a bigger property, you'd be better off waiting until then and maybe getting a smaller breed, if you're wanting a dog. Labs do benefit from a lot of space and a garden - they can get pretty big and have so much energy.

I stay on the first floor in a 2 bedroom flat and i have a lab , Our back garden does connect with a huge huge field which then connects onto a farm, so she does get plenty of exercise and she is fine.

I had her from she was 7 weeks, she's 4 now and this is her just begining to mature and calm herself a tiny little bit.

Labradors are hard hard work, worth every second but very hard.

Thank you to everyone who has replied I think we might wait until we move in to a bigger property but I do appreciate everyones input and advice in to this. Labradors are absolutely beautiful dogs and I just can't wait to get one. Unfortunetly we don't have much open space near where we live so it would be unfair to the dog I think. You know what they say: 'Good things come to those who wait.'

Also Lindsay can I just say your dog sounds lovely. Your very lucky to have a labrador as everyone else is who has replied to this thread.

It isn't just about you is it? Do you think your neighbours below you would appreciate a labrador bouncing around above their heads?

I live in a ground floor flat and the couple upstairs had a lab/alsation cross and they would play fetch with the dog in the flat. It drove me nuts.

In addition, everytime they went out the dog would constantly howl. They of course didn't know because they were out

I do understand your point but we have 4 young children living above us and I absolutely guarantee the noise through the ceiling is worse than my two dogs. Give and take, tolerance is what you need in flats and also thick carpets help !

Can I ask why are labradors so much hard work, more so than other breeds of dog. Is it because they like to constantly be outside roaming?

Definitley. It sounds like you want what would be best for the dog. I'm sure, when you get one and when the time is right, you will be a great owner.

They require a lot of exercise as well as mental stimulation.

Labradors don't calm down until they are a lot older than most breeds, which makes them challenging.

An older labrador might be ideal for you. Have a look here:

http://www.oldies.org.uk/

there might be the perfect dog for you.