Vet issues important advice to anyone thinking of getting a Labrador

Getting a dog is a big decision, and with it becomes a lot of added responsibilities. And one of the first decisions you need to make is deciding what breed to get, as they all come with different quirks and requirements.

Labradors are often ranked as one of the best dogs to get, as they’re relatively easy to take care of if you’re a first time dog owner, and also usually thrives in a family environment. However, one vet named Amir Anwary has now shared four things people should be aware of before getting a labrador, as they might not always be the best dog for your lifestyle.

“I’m a veterinarian and these are a few things you have to know before you get a labrador,” he said in his video. He then went on to share four things people should consider before getting a labrador.

1. They need exercise

“They need regular exercise,” Amir said for his first point.

He went on to explain: “So many people think that labradors are just this chilled out family dog, that is not true. They are labrador retrievers, they will literally break through a tree if they could.”

“They thrive on a lot of good quality exercise. That’s what keeps them happy and that’s what, very importantly, keeps their weight down.”

2. They shed a lot

“They’re heavy shedders,” he said for his second point. “They have a double coat, meaning that they will shed all year around, more so during season change.”

“So if you are someone that doesn’t like cleaning your house regularly, or is kind of OCD about cleanliness, a labrador is probably not the best thing for you,” Amir said.

3. Prone to obesity

For his third point, Amir shared: “They will get fat, extremly quickly.”

As most people might already know, labradors have a big appetite, and they seem to like any food they can get their paws on. However, eating whatever food comes near them also comes at a cost as it could lead to them getting obese.

“So they are one of the breeds that are genetically predesposed to picking up weight very quickly, so you have to be extremly mindful about exercise, but also extremly mindful about what you feed your labrador, because before you know it, it will be rolling all over the place,” Amir said.

4. They love to be around people

“Labradors are prone to seperation anxiety. They’re family dogs, they want to be loved all the time. They want people around them,” Amir said.

While this often makes them the perfect dogs for families with children, Amir warned that you need to look over your day-to-day schedule to make sure you don’t have to leave your lab alone for long periods of time.

“If you work all day every day, don’t get a labrador. Because if you leave them at home all the time alone, they are gonna be really sad. And nobody wants to see a sad lab,” he said.

Several people quickly took to the comment section of the video, with most viewers saying the same thing about the dog breed.

“Best dogs in the world. I have 4,” one viewer said, while a second person wrote: ” in my opinion the best dogs ever, my girl crossed the rainbow two years ago, best dog to haver walked this planet.”

As for shedding, another dog owner shared: “My lab sheds twice a year… jan – jun, and Jul – Dec!”

Always do your own research before committing to a particular dog breed.