Hello:

We are considering purchasing a Labrador Retriever. All of the research we have done has stated they are easily trained, obedient, good with children and very loyal. However, some have told us they can be very destructive and have caused a lot of damage.
We have two children, 8 and 13, so we have plenty of help and a large yard. We all would help with exercise and training. I am wondering are these dogs destructive only because they do not get the proper exercise and need to take this out in other ways? It would not be a problem for us to care for this dog, he would be left alone about 5 hours, 4 days per week. For the most part the rest of the time someone should be with him.
We have also heard positive things about the Cavalier King Charles.
We would appreciate input from owners whom have had these dogs and your opinions and suggestions, thank you

don't know anything specific about the king charles but there is a huge difference in personalties & size there.

labs are probably the most irresponsibly bred dog on the planet except perhaps chihuahua's so you would want to be very careful with any dog you are getting. many are very hyper, most are very happy, friendly, & with your kids ages there should be no problem other than the hyperness

since it would be alone 5 hours, 4 days a week I would not recommend a puppy as they need to be taken out every half hour or so & fed etc. by getting an adult you should not be in for any surprises

as you said, yes most destructive behavior comes from bordom & not nearly enough exercise

I have very high respect for suebgone's replys, so I am only giving you my opinion and what i have seen in my part of the world. The labs are one of the most popular breeds in America, especially the golden lab(most be a reason for it). They love water and if you are boating people this is a great dog, good swimmers and hunting dogs for upland bird hunting, great retrievers. They are especially good with children, for that matter all family members. Like most all dogs they can get out of hand in the growing up years digging up the yard, chewing etc. Once adults they are wonderfull companian dogs but want to be part of the family, not live in a dog house and chained to it!!!! Although I never owned one myself, but many of my friends do , I was impressed how friendly they can be, and the intelligence they showed! HTH

[wishbone]

If you could consider, look for larger dog breeds, they are mostly mellow, gentle and relaxed. Giant dogs are also well know for being peaceful and affectionate, and good for children too.

Hi, have you read Marley and me about an American labrador retriever- the American strain are a lot bigger and more active and require a lot of work the British strain are smaller more squat and are the breed most often used by Blind Associations as guide dogs as they have the characteristic docile temperament. Black flatcoat retrievers or labradors are often easier and less flighty than their lighter cousins check for hip displasier in both breeds. Greyhounds are very good with smaller breeds.

We had a beautiful black lab adopted at age 5. The prior owners moved and brought her to the MSPCA. Her name was Snoopy and she was a part of our family. She was loyal, loving, fun, and easy to please. We lost her to the pet food poisoning-she had kidney failure and died.
If I could recommend any breed for a family with children -it would be a Lab.
Our Snoopy was never destructive always loving and gentle, She even smiled.

I agree with BobSD. I am a grandmother to a Golden Lab who is now 5 years old, and he absolutely loves boating and the water, is totally playful, protective and loving around children. My daughter and family brought him home when he was 4 months old, and he was an absolute terror for the first 2-3 years with chewing things up and an overbundance of energy. I don't know if that was from lack of proper training or not, but if you can withstand the early years you will have a loyal and loving pet.

My best friend has had a chocolate lab for a couple of years now and she has 2 children just slightly younger than yours. It has been a wonderful addition to the family!
He is a very active dog so be prepared to throw the tennis ball alot! But when exercised regularly and with toys to chew and play with during time alone, they are just fine!
I am considering one myself for my next family member!!

Chocolate Labs to me are more rare, thus more expensive I would imagine. They are very splendid to look at and the most beautiful face and eyes. Just like the red doberman, and there is a blue, and I once saw a fawn color doberman and I wanted to come live with us, but my male dobie did not want another member of the family even though it was a beautiful female. Any ways my deepest sypathy to the owner of the black Lab that got caught in this food poisoning. My doberman did alot of damage in his first year but once through obedience training, I could not get over the transformation. he was the best friend I ever had, human or other,we sometimes would get drunk together and then go to McDonald's and split a double burger together. He would start at one end and me the other!.......I miss him alot

Choosing a lad in my opinion for a family can never be a bad idea. In the past i have had a golden labrador and a golden (Labrador) retrevier. Now i am not familiar with the breed in USA but in the UK - there is no better family dog. Our first was with us when our kids were born and was never a problem, she grew up with the kids and never a cross word was spoken.

We are a working family and over the years our lab and our retriever were both left alone in the house for the full working day. Apart from some small chewing incidents when puppies there was never a problem with this.

For my 2 pennies worth i would say that treat them as one of the family, lots of cuddles, plenty of games and lots of training with tons of exercise and your labrador will barely be awake. Remember they are working dogs and will benefit from training, exercise and fun. Do this for your lab and i promise you will enjoy a wonderful relationship for many many years and your children will love her. (I recommend a female for no reason other than they are said to be more loyal and less boisterous as puppies, although i know of no evidence to support this)

Terry