What age is best?
A dog without a home naturally pulls at our heartstrings. It seems unfathomable to dog lovers that any canine could be abandoned, forgotten, surrendered, or unloved. Yet that is the reality for so many dogs. And many people – perhaps you’re one of them – want to do something about it.
Some are part of a rescue organization, help at a local shelter, or invite a rescue Labrador into their own home. Although every Lab or Lab mix can’t be rescued or find a forever home, at least the attempt can be made to give as many dogs a chance at what would be – to them – a fairytale ending.
If you are interested in adopting a rescue Lab, there are some considerations to keep in mind based primarily on his or her age. There are advantages and disadvantages for every age level. It’s up to you to know what is best for your home situation and personality, so that the right match can be made for the long term.
Young: Puppy to 3 years
Pros: Labradors who fall into this age group are as dynamic as night and day. With a puppy, you get to experience the sweetness and innocence of puppy snuggles, gentle play, and overall wonder at the world. Puppies are a blank slate, full of unlimited and unknown potential, which is exciting. You are the first and only teacher; this truly is your dog through and through. There may not be anything to “fix” as far as bad training is concerned, either.
Move on to a few months or a year or two later, and your lovable, sleepy puppy has turned into a full-on adolescent. Young dogs who fall into the one-to-three-year-old category are in the midst of learning the rules – and they love to break them. Dogs of this age are still very malleable and trainable. They have a lot of energy, so if you like to exercise or have a household that already has a lot of energy and can keep up with this new canine vigor, a slightly older young dog might be just the thing.
Cons: Dogs in this age group require more time commitment and diligence. After all, puppies are puppies – they are curious, uninhibited, unlearned, and experience the world with their mouths to a great extent. Puppies like to push the limits as they enter adolescence, making them somewhat difficult to live with (think Marley and Me). Rescuing a young dog that hasn’t reached his first birthday also means you have no idea how large the dog is going to end up being. For Labs, categorized as a large breed, size varies greatly. Another consideration is the potentially high up-front health costs, particularly related to vaccines, hidden or known chronic health problems, or spaying/neutering (although most shelters and rescue organizations take care of this to some extent, depending on the age and condition of the Lab).
Mature: 3-8 years
Pros: Mature dogs still have a lot of life and love to give. In fact, they can be a good choice because they have often already undergone some sort of basic training, including house training. That’s a step up from the youngest age group. Thus, mature dogs can be left for longer periods of time and are more trustworthy to behave appropriately, making them easier to insert into an active lifestyle and schedule. They aren’t as “crazy” as puppies or adolescent dogs, yet they still have substantial stamina to work, play, and please. Mature dogs are usually up to date with their health, so the cost – barring a chronic health issue – of veterinary care boils down to straightforward maintenance. There are amazing dogs that are overlooked in this age group simply because they are no longer young dogs, or because of the leading con.
Cons: Behavior issues are often the primary reason why Labs in this age group don’t get rescued. This could be why the Lab was surrendered in the first place. It takes a patient and loving owner to help train this type of dog to his full potential, or to troubleshoot unwanted behaviors a mature dog may have acquired from other environments. Thankfully, Labs are generous hearted and more than willing to earn it for the right reward. Mature dogs are also in their prime physical shape, making them wonderful companions for some people and a bit too much to handle for others. They are strong and require exercise and mental stimulation. For some potential rescuers, this can be a disadvantage.
Seniors: 9 and above
Pros: If you’re looking for a more mild-mannered, easy-going dog, look to rescue a senior Lab. Generally, senior Labs are already trained, have slowed down a bit, and for a tragic reason have lost their homes in their Golden Years. Personality-wise, you know what you get with dogs of this age group and you already know the full-grown size of the dog. A “pro” for some people is the advanced age, not because of the reduced energy, but because of the opportunity to make a homeless dog’s final years good ones. The tight window seems to make every memory shared together that much sweeter.
Cons: Health issues are one of the larger worries. Older dogs can arrive with existing chronic conditions or physical impediments. However, all older dogs start to have health concerns at some point. Treating these ailments can get expensive. Older Labs may have poor backgrounds, perhaps suffered abuse, or were not well socialized. A senior dog that experiences pain, blindness, or poor hearing may not be a good choice if young children will be around. Labs are not naturally vicious; however, they can respond negatively in certain situations. Another issue may be that they have bad habits that will require substantial retraining to overcome, if they can be trained out at all. But for most potential owners of a rescue, the biggest concern ends up being that the time together is already short. It’s difficult to lose a pet, and some people may not want to undergo the devastation of bonding with and losing a dog in such a short time. Yet, ask anybody who has rescued a senior Lab, and they will probably tell you that it was worth it.
Our homes might be just the place to welcome a new four-legged family member, whether you already have one dog or three dogs, or have recently lost a dog and are looking for a new companion. Take into account all the other family members who live at home, such as young children or older adults. You need to make sure any rescue Lab who enters your home is a safe decision for everyone around.
There are pros and cons to rescuing a Labrador puppy, young adult, or senior. Take your time making this decision by speaking with rescue organization personnel, as they know the Labs best of all. Don’t rush into anything. Remember, rescuing a dog is a long-term commitment. You should understand what you’re potentially signing up for, even if the worst never comes to pass. Then, you and your new Lab will be happy together. It’s a win-win for everyone.
Labrador Rescue Organizations
This is by no means an exhaustive list of Labrador retriever rescue organizations, and our apologies now for anyone unintentionally omitted; but it makes for a good start if you’re looking for a breed-specific organization. You can look in-state or out-of-state for a Lab in need of a home. However, don’t forget to visit your local shelters!
Alabama
Southern Skies Labrador Rescue & Adoption, Inc. 501c3 all volunteer out of Huntsville Alabama. Incorporated in 2012 deserves to be added to your list of rescues. Rescued and adopted over 8k Labradors not to mention the Founder brought north Labrador rescue groups to the state of Alabama to save countless lives in since 2008.
California
Central California Labrador Rescue
Labrador Rescuers, San Diego
Southern California Labrador Retriever Rescue
Indiana
Central Indiana Labrador Rescue & Adoption
Florida
Labrador Retriever Rescue of Florida
Illinois
Midwest Labrador Retriever Rescue
Kentucky
Kentucky Lab Rescue
Maryland
Lu’s Labs
Michigan
3rd Coast Lab Rescue
Purebred Lab Rescue of Michigan
Ohio
Lake Erie Labrador Retriever Rescue
Pennsylvania
Brookline Lab Rescue
Rhode Island
Save a Lab Rescue
Texas
Heart of Texas Labrador Retriever Rescue
LABMED
DFW Labrador Retriever Rescue Club, Inc.
Virginia
Lab Rescue LRCP
Regional Rescues & Resources
American Lab Rescue
Labs4rescue
Lab Rescue of the LRCP, Inc.
Labrador Retriever Rescue, Inc.
Labrador Friends of the South, Inc.
Labrador Life Line: Not for Profit organization created to help owners or rescuers of Labrador retrievers who are in need of financial assistance.
