So I'm looking at buying a house, but trying to stay in the same area that I live in now. Unfortunately, that means I will likely end up in a townhouse. It's not my first choice, but it's my first house and I'm not expecting my dream home on the first go-round.
The house I live in now I'm renting, and the backyard is small (probably the size of a townhouse anyway) but it was not where my last dog was exercised but rather a quick potty or play area. I am used to exercising dogs via walking/jogging/hiking, playing games, doing obedience, so it wouldn't necessarily be that different from where I am now. However, I realize that a Lab will be a bit larger than my last dog, who was 52lbs.
So I wanted opinions, or experiences, from others: Is a townhouse okay for a Lab?
Last edited by doubledip1; 03-26-2015 at 06:44 PM. Reason: spelling
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barry581 (03-26-2015)
I raised Zoey in a upstairs condo until she was 2. Its not an issue unless you make it an issue. Its up to you to provide adequate exercise, etc. regardless of where you live
i lived in a basement apartment for like 5 years with Rocky an lots of young active fosters. I finally moved into and end unit town home. I have a wee bit more yard as I am at the end though. But honestly, yard is not really the main place for exercise, it's a bonus.
If you have it in your mind and in your plan to go out and find places to exercise the dog it's a non issue. In fact, sometimes I like when adopters don't have a "big fenced yard" as it means they have to get out and exercise the dog (VS the one stat put the dog outside in the yard alone and assume that is exercise).
So no issues having an active dog without a yard (or a tiny yard) as long as the owner is ready to head out daily for exercise. With a dog friendly dog with a good recall that can obviously be easier but we don'T do the dog park much anymore (like once a month IF that) anyway. we walk, do play dates, go for run and work Penny's brain. Her recall sucks again so we can probably look at doing some long line fetching but I have the yard so we do some fetching there.
Ivy
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We moved into a house with a yard, the only bonus is no more up and down the stairs on a leash to go potty, that's the only difference it made for us. It doesn't matter if I have 5000 sq foot house or 500 sq feet, they will are all practically on my lap at all times anyway
yeah rocky won't stay out in the yard alone (which is fine, I don't like leaving them out alone). Penny however, she loves to spend time outside. SHe keeps busy is appropriate ways (lays down, putters around, will toss the ball for herself and run around for the heck of it) but I keep a close eye on her. But indeed, size of the house is irrelevant, they follow me around and keep me company in the washroom
I still go outside with them for any important potty breaks (which is most of them) to ensure they go just don't have to be "in public" and don't need a leash
Ivy
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I lived in a small townhome in the UK with two Labs, and whelped a litter of pups in that house. As Doubledip said, matters not the size of the house, they will be in your lab no matter what.
Thanks! I realize that a huge yard doesn't mean you don't have to exercise a dog, besides I am pretty active outdoors anyway and it's nice to be able to have a companion on hikes and walks.
I'm also a the type of person who thinks a fish bowl is too small for a goldfish so I'll buy the 20 gallon tank for 1 fish.
Lyra we just bought a townhome last year! Two big labs and no problem!
Good luck, and happy house hunting!
Charlie and Burton
We live in a townhome as well. We have a green space out back but it is not fenced in and it's a community space. Daisy is reliable off leash so we play fetch and frisbee out there all the time. It's definitely doable!
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