Wonderful breed with a few things to know before you commit to a Labrador Retriever

I've had my Labrador Retriever for 2 years and overall it's been an amazing experience. never met a stranger. amazing with kids. The personality of this breed really is special — friendly, outgoing, energetic.

That said, there are a few realities I wish someone had been more upfront about. needs tons of exercise was a real surprise. And chews furniture as a puppy took some adjustment. These aren't dealbreakers by any means, but they're worth knowing going in.

Health-wise, prone to obesity. We had one scare a couple years in that cost a few thousand dollars. Pet insurance is strongly recommended. But despite these things, I'd still give the breed 4 stars — the companionship and personality far outweigh the challenges.