powerstrokin247

I have finally convinced my folks to let me get a lab. Ive got a couple questions for you lab guys before i start my journey.

Mainly finacial stuff, im in college but live at home:
How much do you all spend a month on food, heartworm, other medical stuff?

Im just trying to get a ballpark on what to expect each month

Any help would be appreciated!

Thanks,
Thomas

powerstrokin247

Thanks guys

Super G Force

I would expect to spend $35.00 a month on food, that is good food like nutro. Expect another $200 a year in medical bills, check-ups etc. toys, beds, stuff like that $100.00 a year. Training collar $300.00 approx.... Plan on spending a lot of time training and spending time with dog... They need attention and good care. The more time you spend with your dog the calmer and more well behaved it will be. Take your time with training. If you get frustrated don't take it out on the dog, get help from a professional trainer/handler. Good luck. Can't see life without dog. They are great friends and great workers.

powerstrokin247

Thanks abunch man, yeah Im real excited about getting one and i absolutly plan to spend a lot of time with it. I have a big yard and it will be very well takin care of. I just wasnt sure the exact expenses to owning one. My folks always paid for it til now :-)

Super G Force

You will be fine. The food is the only expense througout the year. The rest is just once a month. My dad is the one that has the lab. I have a brittany spaniel. They are both awesome dogs. Are you getting a male or female. I prefer the females myself, but that is just my preference from my experiences with dogs. Good luck and get us some pics when you get it.

powerstrokin247

Im still debating on male or female. I have always had females in other dogs so im not sure what to go with. Are they equal in training ability?

And also flea and tick, how much does that usually run?

Super G Force

This is just my experience speaking but I have had better luck training females. The ones that we have hunted and trained did not seem to be so stubborn like the males. We have had Brittany Spaniels, Labs, German Shorthairs, English Pointers. Out of all of those the Brittany's and the labs have been the easiest to train and work with. Flea and tick $30 tops per summer. I am no expert but have dog experience so if you have anymore questions let me know.

20 slugs

I,ve got a good lab but when you say $200.00 a year in medical well I,ve dished out up to $1200 for stuff you don,t expect to happen . You play it safe with your dog but anything can happen.I also have a jackrusselxbeagle and she has cost me less then then the lab in vet bills. She hunt,s and work,s harder then the lab figure that one out good luck with your lab.

powerstrokin247

I think i have talked myself into a female b/c of things ive heard from multiple people. Im real nervous anout getting one, im affraid i might mess it up and get it gun shy or somthing, another part of me is supper excited. Thanks for the info guys, ill keep you posted if i get one. It will probably be after duck season so around Feb. 1st

sproulman

make sure you get pup that is from parents with good hips,eyes etc.
usually good breeders will have that checked and pups cost about 700/1000.
dont get a backyard breeder pup or pup from friend.
its roll of dice.
hip operations can cost 2000 or more.
i use advantix 9 for ticks, runs 65 dollars per 6 months.

if you dont have time to excersise dog DAILY,dont get one.

here is site that has info you are looking for in dog.
www.wetland-retrievers.com
here is another i highly rec for info,she is best on labs.
www.woodhavenlabs.com