I may be getting a dog

[GURUving]

my supervisor is going on maternity leave, and moving from her small farm area to an apartment in another town. She wants me to have this dog. He is a 7 year old Chocolate Lab, and of course is described as the perfect pet.

I have not had a dog in many years, and then it was a disasterous experience due to the dogs needy behaviors. I have grown older, and have room for him to run, but know nothing about dogs.

Is a chocolate lab a good breed of dog?

[GURUving]

1. Who knows something about dogs?

He's seven, and supposedly likes cats.

Are they good dogs?

[prole_for_peace]

2. i believe that labs are supposed to be friendly

and smart. at 7 he should be more settled than a puppy.
i say go for it.

also, buddy, bill's (clinton) deceased dog was a chocolate lab. if you like bill that is

[Langis]

3. Labs a great dogs

I have two Lab mixes, one Pit-bull lab, and a Mastiff lab. Labs are great dogs. At least mine are!

The only down side to them is they are very hyper and destructive for the first year and a 1/2. But since this dog is 7 you shouldn't have to worry about that.

[carpediem]

4. I've never owned a lab, but

everyone who I've known who has loves them. Before you commit is there any way you could keep him for a weekend to be sure you and he "get along"? That way you could be sure and feel good about it when you say yes or would know if you needed to say no.

[GURUving]

6. Yeah!

She said I could try him out

I said, "like rent a dog?"

and she said okay.

It sounds to me like the car salesman though that says take the car home overnight and THEN tell me you don't like it.

I guess I just take this responsibility seriously. I will be taking care of Jake for quite some time.

[mlawson]

5. Please make certain that it doesn't bark a lot,

and disturb your neighbors. I have been through that before with my neighbors.... It's miserable.

[Robb]

7. Worth thinking about

Labs are a bark-y breed, but there are dozens of ways to fix that, if you make the move from day one. But a 7-year-old probably knows a thing or two, as well.

I agree with the test drive idea, see if you get along. I expect you will, they're notoriously lovey as well. Can't pull for sh*t, but they're good dogs. ;)

[mobuto]

8. Ask to meet him

Take the dog to a park. See if you connect. Chocolate labs are usually great, but some occaisonally have personality defects.

[areschild]

9. I have a Chocolate Lab

and it's the best dog I've ever had. He's the sweetest thing. I've had many different breeds, and Labs are the best, IMO.

[Ernesto]

10. I'm almost 60

Dogs are & have been one of the best thing that has ever happened to me. Take your time & realize the responsibilty of being a dog's guardian. Good luck!

[m-jean03]

11. I have a chocolab too

And he's the sweetest, most intelligent and handsome dog I've ever met, really.