If you are trying to decide if a Labrador Retriever is the right dog for you and your family then you've stumbled across the right article. Specifically, I'm going to talk about the 3 ways to know for sure which are time, space and affordability.

After reading this article you will have a better idea of whether a Lab is the right choice for you.

The first thing you need to consider is whether you have enough time to devote to having a dog. A lot of people underestimate the time requirement of owning a dog and this can be a huge mistake.

You'll need at least an hour a day for walking (ideally more) as well as regular training sessions and socialization. Labrador retrievers are an extremely intelligent breed and require a lot of mental stimulation on a regular basis. It's your responsibility to provide this by spending as much time as possible with your dog.

The second requirement for owning a Labrador is space. Ideally you have a home that has a reasonably large fenced yard. If you don't have enough space in your yard, you will need to spend even more time walking your Lab as they have extremely high energy and need to have it burnt off at the end of every day.

The third factor that is extremely important to consider is whether you can afford a Lab. You should consider both the expense of the breed (if you are going through a breeder) as well as the daily expenses of owning a dog.

Owning a dog is a long-term commitment and those veterinary bills can add up especially if your dog gets sick or has an accident. This combined with the regular expenses such as food and training programs can catch you unaware if you aren't prepared.

If at all possible you can try to get your Labrador Retriever from a shelter rather than having to shell out $1000 or more from a breeder. This is always an option worth considering as you may just be able to save a dog's life.

So before you rush out and find a Lab to call your own, make sure you consider whether you have the time to spend with him as well as the space and money for expenses. If you do your homework and plan for life with a dog in advance, you'll be setting yourself up for success with this amazing breed.