We have owned dogs for years. My daughter recently moved out on her own for the first time. She recently mentioned getting a
What is the Cost of Owning a Labrador Retriever per Month? Generally, it is more expensive to own a dog during their first year as the dog needs more veterinarian care. Owning a family Labrador retriever will cost between $1,060 to $10,000 annually or between $88 to $833 a month. The most expensive part of owning a Labrador retriever is their veterinary care.
There are many different costs associated with owning a labrador retriever with labs used for hunting or other specialized purposes usually being more expensive to own.
Typical Veterinarian Expenses When Owning a Labrador Retriever
You will need to take your labrador retriever to the vet. Depending on where you live, you will need vet paperwork to get your dog’s license and tags. If the dog is a puppy, then typical costs include:
- Office Call: $45-$55
- Vaccine boosters: $45-$55
- Heartworm tests $45-$50
- Fecal exam: $25-$45
- Geriatric Screening: $85-$110
- Dental Cleaning: $75-$400
- Allergy Testing: $200-$300
Neutering or Spaying
One of the things that you will want to consider doing is neutering or spaying your lab. This is a common practice in the United States and Australia. It is a less common procedure in other areas of the world.
Unless you are very serious about breeding your labrador retriever, there are many reasons that you may want to have it neutered or sprayed. Preventing unwanted puppies is one of the top reason. There are other reasons too.
While research is starting to argue the point, many vets still recommend neutering bitches to reduce the chance of mammary cancer. Neutering the dog before its first heat cycle usually completely stops this disease. Neutering the dog before its second cycle greatly reduces the chances.
Neutering may also reduce the chances of the lab getting pyometra. This disease causes an infection in the uterus. Aggressive treatment is necessary or the lab may die.
Besides the health benefits of neutering or spaying, your dog may behave better. While there are not a lot of scientific studies to support this, it may be very effective in male dogs.
The cost of spay or neutering differs across the country. There are several low-cost clinics that may be available. Generally you can expect to pay about $50-$400. Spaying is more expensive than neutering because it is a more extensive operation.
Vaccines
Your dog should get many vaccines during their lifetime. Some vaccines that your labrador may need include:
- Bordetella Bronchiseptica- This vaccine helps stop a kennel cough by killing bacteria that is easily passed from one lab to the next.
- Canine Distemper- This vaccine helps stop distemper. Distemper spreads through the air destroying the lab’s respiratory, gastrointestinal (GI), and nervous systems.
- Canine Hepatitis- This disease affecting the lab’s liver, kidneys, spleen and lungs.
- Canine Parainfluenza- This disease can also cause a kennel cough.
- Corona Virus- Usually affecting the lab’s gastrointestinal systems, it can also cause respiratory problems.
A vet needs to vaccinate the puppy four times during its first year. Then, the lab will need boosters every one to three years after that.
You can expect to pay from $15 to $30 for puppy shots with four trips to the vet required. Most labs need the bordetella vaccine twice with each one costing about $20. Rabies shots generally cost from $15 to $30.
Another veterinarian cost that you should expect to pay with your labrador retriever is heartworm meds. These meds usually cost from $5 to $15 a month. This can be much cheaper than treating a dog for heartworms because that can cost up to $4,000.
If you get an older dog, expect to pay for heartworm testing. Mosquitoes biting labs transmit this disease. Prevention is usually best. You can get a six-month injection from a vet. You can also give your dog a treat monthly. Finally, you can choose to put an ointment on their skin.
Heartworms can be fatal for the lab. Normally, you cannot catch it early as the dog shows no symptoms. Then, the dog starts getting winded easier. Finally, fluid builds up in the lungs before it moves to the brain killing the dog. It is vital to keep your lab on medicine at all times.
Many experts recommend that you put aside $1,000 in an emergency fund to help pay veterinary bills. After all, you can never be sure when something will happen.
Food Costs When Owning a Labrador Retriever
You can expect to pay between $325 to $750 annually to feed your labrador retriever. In other words, you can expect to pay between $27 and $62.50 per month. You can choose to feed in a variety of ways.
Some choose to feed a raw food diet. It should contain 50 percent animal protein, 30 percent complex carbohydrates and 20 percent fruit and vegetables. You may need to think, however, about the extra space you need to feed a raw food diet.
If you opt for kibbles, then your dry dog food needs to match the age of the lab. While some dog foods may appear to be inexpensive, check the label to make sure they are not filled with carbohydrates. If the food is high in carbs, then you may have to feed more. The first ingredient on the nutrition label should be a meal. Think about the texture of the food as food that is harder to chew helps avoid dental problems in adult lab dogs.
Another option is to feed canned dog food. This option can be expensive. If you choose to go this route, look for a wet dog food that is high in nutrition and low in water content. After all, you are paying to ship water across the country or further.
Semi-moist dog foods are usually shaped as bacon strips, pork chops or some other meat. They often have very little nutritional value. Give them only as treats on occasion.
Training Costs When Owning a Labrador Retriever
It is important to consider what you want to do with your labrador retriever before you get one. It will determine the type of training that the dog needs.
Training of all labs is important. Group classes are generally the least expensive option. They can be a great way to socialize a young pup along with brushing up on your dog handling skills. These classes usually last about an hour. They can vary in cost from $50 to $125 for a four-to-eight-week class.
Working with a private individual is another option. Usually, trainers require a six-week commitment. They often charge between $240 and $600. Since dog trainers often teach you how to interact with the lab, choose one you are comfortable engaging with. Your trainer should be talking to you about how dogs learn, how they communicate and how to use positive reinforcement.
Others opt to send their labs to a boarding obedience school for one to two weeks. The trainer should work with the animal from four to six hours a day. You can expect to pay from $1,000 to $2,500. Trainers should outline course benefits and requirements in a contract. Many expect you to pay veterinary care if something happens during obedience school. Learn how you will know how to interact with the dog when it gets home. Some schools even offer phone consultations if you have further problems.
If you are wanting someone to train your hunting labrador retriever, then you can find options as low as $150 a month. This allows you to visit with a trainer on the phone monthly. The trainer listens to problems that you are having and recommends training solutions. Many of these trainers specialize in starting hunting labrador retrievers.
If you want someone to start your hunting dog for you, then you may need to pay about $5,500. These dogs are usually taken on several hunts. They will understand hunting concepts and know basic commands. If this is your choice, then consider the type of hunting that you plan on doing with your dog. Think about the environment you will be hunting in. Then, choose a trainer that works in those conditions.
Others choose to continue the hunting labs training to teach them to work in blinds. If this is your desire, then expect to pay about $1,000 for a month of training. Many trainers take dogs into blinds up to 500 times before returning the dog to you. Make sure that you choose a trainer who can teach you how to carry through with the training once the dog comes home.
When hiring a trainer, consider the type of trainer meeting your needs the best. Behavioral trainers work on bad behaviors by replacing them with good behaviors. Obedience trainers help your dog learn basic commands like sit, stay and lay down. Agility trainers help dogs learn to compete in agility events where the labrador retriever often excels. Vocation trainers work with the lab to give them specialized training such as serving as a seeing eye dog or searching for missing people.
Toy Costs When Owning a Labrador Retriever
Your labrador retriever can be very destructive on many types of toys. It is not unusual for owners to have to spend more on toys for labs than owners of many other breeds.
Watching your dog’s behavior can hold important clues to the type of toy that they will enjoy playing with most. As your dog gets older, their likes and dislikes may change. Since lab dogs are large, buy toys designed for large-breed dogs as they are more rugged.
The labrador retriever was first bred to help anglers retrieve fish from icy waters in Newfoundland. The desire to retrieve has not left most labs. Therefore, your dog may enjoy retrieving balls and Frisbees. If you are buying a Frisbee, then make sure to get one made for dogs as they are softer on the dog’s mouth.
If your labrador retriever tends to want to chew everything in sight, then consider getting him or her some chew toys. Get toys meant for large breed dogs as they are tougher than other options. Pick ones that when your lab decides to chew it in two cleans up easily. You are likely to find that your lab is not as destructive as you fear. Breeding allows them to carry things with their jaws and lips. Unlike most dogs who carry things with their teeth.
Dental chews often make a great choice for labs. These chews can help prevent bad breath. They are also useful in help stop plaque and tartar buildup on the dog’s teeth. Choose a treat designed for large-breed dogs as they will take longer to chew. This prevents them from swallowing large pieces at one time. If a dog swallows large pieces, then it can be rough on their digestive tract. Longer chewing also helps them clean their teeth better.
Related Questions
Now that you understand that it will cost you between $1,060 and $10,000 annually to own a labrador retriever, you may naturally have some other questions. Considering the complete picture allows you to decide if owning a lab is the right choice for you.
How Does the Price of Owning a Lab Compare to Other Breeds?Generally, after obtaining a dog, you will spend more money on a larger breed dog. That is not always the case. You need to take some breeds, like the poodle and the Lhasa Apso, to the groomer constantly. Meanwhile, labs are content with a bath twice a month, their nails trimmed and brushing occasionally.
Are labs healthy compared to other breeds?Some dogs also have many health problems requiring trips to the vet regularly. Labs sometimes develop dysplasia. Preventing it often is as simple as weight maintenance and low-impact exercise. They can be overweight, but watching their diets along with regular exercise can help prevent this problem.
How Much Does It Cost to Buy a Labrador Retriever?You can often find many wonderful labrador retrievers at local shelters. If you are looking to purchase a lab puppy from a breeder, however, expect to pay between $300 and $2,000. If you want a finished hunting labrador retriever, however, you can expect to pay between $10,000 and $15,000.
In the end, my daughter decided that she would get a labrador retriever from a local kennel. She decided since she works full-time to leave the dog there for extra training before she brings him home. I am sure that they will spend many long hours in the field hunting ducks and at the local dog park hanging out with friends. They will also spend time at home hanging out. I am proud that she decided to look at the entire picture before getting a labrador retriever.
