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Hi Zach,

From the conditions you describe, I'm going to recommend some small to medium breeds you might want to check out.

I would also like to recommend you read the book Puppies for Dummies. Don't let the title put you off, the Dummy series of books provides a lot of useful information in an easy to digest format. This book will help you understand what you can expect from a puppy and how to train it. I think it's a great book for first time dog owners.

Hopefully these suggestions will give you enough information to begin your search for a great canine companion. Good luck!

-- Contributed by: Kelly

My family and I have been thinking about getting a puppy, but there are a few conditions that have to come accordingly. First of all, our yard is so small, we are afraid our new puppy will run off to the VERY CLOSE highway, so our new puppy will have to be an inside dog besides walks. Next, we have small children so a dog that is known to resort to biting isnt a good idea. The dog has to be friendly with small children and other animals. Lastly, it cant be TOO big (...er spaniel size). So we basically need a stay at home pup that is good with kids and is pretty small. We dont know what kind of breed though. Any suggestions. LIST AS MANY AS POSSIBLE

-- Contributed by: Zach

Hi Christine,

Four seizures in five months indicates a serious condition. I honestly believe it would be best to follow your vet's advice to bring the seizures under control quickly. Recurrent seizures can cause brain damage, so it would be better to begin treatment sooner rather than later.

Thanks for your question, and best wishes for your dog's health.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

I have a chocolate lab, almost 2. He has had 4 sezures in 5 months. The vet would like me to put him on medicine, could I try changing his diet and homeopathic treatment first or should I medicate him< Thanks, Chris

-- Contributed by: Christine

Hi KK,

I actually used to be a Girl Scout leader for about 8 years.

As for your question, there is no single answer because there are so many variables involved. For example:

  • How many times a year the female comes in heat: Some cycle twice a year, others once a year.
  • How many years the dog lives.

So we could say that a dog that comes in heat twice a year and lives for seven years could theoretically produce 14 litters in her lifetime. However, this isn't a realistic estimate because it would involve the dog having a litter when she was only about six months old herself. It also doesn't take her overall health into account.

Now if you want to talk about what is a healthy breeding plan stretched over the dog's lifetime, I would say no more than three to five litters, spaced out once a year, beginning no earlier than when the female is 18 months old. I've never bred a female older than five years old, but it could be safe to extend breeding to age seven if the dog is still very healthy.

I hope this info helps you earn your badge. Thanks for your question.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

I'm working on a pet care project for girl scouts. I need to know how many pregnancies a black lab could have over her lifetime.


-- Contributed by: KK

Hi Lindsey,

Young Labs can be energetic, but they tend to settle down during adulthood. I'm not sure how this breed does around cattle, but I'm sure it's important to introduce them slowly when they are pups, and to follow up with obedience training as soon as they are old enough so they'll respond to direct commands.

If this dog is going to spend most of his time outdoors, you'll also want to provide a kennel with a water source and protection from the elements.

Thanks for your question, and best wishes. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hello, I am thinking about getting my first lab puppy soon. I have wanted one for a very long time but it was always bad timing. The perfect time is now approaching and I'm looking for one. I just had a few questions about them. It will be outside so I was wondering if they are usually bad about chasing cattle? Or anything for that fact. It will be on a farm, no where near cars, but very close to cows. And are they very hyper? Thanks

-- Contributed by: Lindsey

Hi Carol,

It's great to hear that you've had such a good experience with your first adoption that you're considering a second. Just remember that all dogs are unique, and some are easier to train than others. Still, it's worth the effort to have such wonderful and loving companions.

I don't believe there will be any significant difference in temperament merely due to coat color. It really depends on the individual dogs that were bred to create the lineage your dog comes from. Hopefully the breeders responsible for the new dog's heritage chose carefully for good temperaments.

My best advice about whether these dogs will get along is to take your female to the shelter and let both dogs interact. Watch how well they respond to each other, and see if there is any real tension. If this meeting goes well, it should bode well for living together. Keep in mind that these dogs will have to figure out on there own which one will be the alpha in the relationship, but I think there's a good chance it will all work out.

Thanks for your questions and good luck!

-- Contributed by: Kelly

i have a 6 year old black lab..female that we bought from a local rescue organization when she was 8 weeks old; she is so amazing and intelligent; i am looking for another lab and the same organization has a 6 month old male full blooded chocolate that I am thinking of buying. Is there any difference in temperament? ease of training? between the black and chocolate? Will an alpha female do better with a male or another female ?

-- Contributed by: Carol

labs are big and clumsey and yet they have the softest brown eyes that steal your heart.

i have owned one lab in my life and she was one of the highest on my list of favorite dogs, i miss her dearly.

ps if you really like labs check the book "Marley and Me" by John Grogan i loved it.


that is all

-- Contributed by: tessamae

We have an almost 2 year old Black Lab. She had a previous owner the first 1 1/2 of her life. She has been a doll. She was very good with anyone that came in the door & all kids big & small. This week she awoke to wimpering & running out of the bedroom & wiimpered all the way back. She now won't let us touch her. She runs away. She spends most of her day under our bed. What could have happened to make her act like this? She's such a sweet dog, I hate for her to be feeling like this. Thanks, Jodi

  • Honestly Jodi, this sounds like a physical problem. There's a chance she stepped or rolled on something sharp and it's still stuck in her. She might have also experienced some other kind of physical injury. The best thing to do would be to take her to the vet for a thorough examination. It may be something simple that can be taken care of very quickly, but you won't know unless you take her.

Thanks for your question, and I hope the situation can be resolved quickly.

-- Contributed by: Jodi J

i have two amazing labradors! and planning to get my third!

  • They are great dogs, aren't they? Good luck in your search for number three!
-- Contributed by: jhi

The only kind of dog I have ever owned is a Labrador. They are outstanding pets and their birding background ensures a dog with a soft mouth, easily trainable, and a love of the game fetch. Even if you don't have time for an all out walk, they are easy to exercise with a sturdy ball or frisbee in the backyard.

-- Contributed by:
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