A Labrador Retriever can live from between 10 to 15 years, and sometimes longer. To get an idea how long a Lab's lifetime may be, consider how old you will be 15 years from now. Think about what major changes might happen in your life in the next 15 years, such as a marriage, children, divorce, care for an elderly person, etc. Contrary to popular belief, Labs shed. Like some dogs, many Labs drool and have gastrointestinal problems.
Labs are very active dogs.
Young Labs are voracious chewers. Labs are people-oriented dogs and need human companionship. To facilitate the bonding process we recommend every Lab owner attend some introductory obedience training. These are but a few questions you and your family need to think about and answer truthfully before bringing a dog into your home. The more you educate yourselves on dog ownership, the more rewarding the experience will be.