Royal canin - A Dobermans diet advice sought please!

shudd1967

In next couple of weeks buying our new Doberman. Had a Dobe who sadly died aged 11 in December and he used to eat a tin of Pedigree Chum a Da along with some dried food, usually Pedigree Chum mix - large dog!

Now the pup thats coming is currently having the Royal Canin which I have never heard of so would like to hear some views and opinions on this food.

I know we looked after another Dobe a couple of years ago for a couple of weeks who was fed once a day on some dried food (cannot remember what) and over the first week we gave her some meat as well - she loved it and instead of messing around at meal time used to wolf in down and seemed to look forward to it. I also felt that by the time she left us she looked much healthier.

I would love to hear some points of view on giving dogs meat etc or just a dried food diet.

Thank you in advance for any advice and opinions.

Regards

Sarah

shudd1967

Forgot to say, would also be keen to hear any advice on changing a pups diet - he will be 14 weeks by the time he comes to live with us!

Frugalista

Royal Canin is one of the premium dry dog foods and has been around for many years. I used to feed it years ago and think it is an excellent food - though, no doubt, there will be plenty of posters along shortly who will tell you to buy Wagg or Dr John :rolleyes: .

However, the important thing to remember with your new pup is that the breeder will recommend you feed Royal Canin until the pup is at least 12 months old. This is to ensure that he gets the best possible start and develops correctly. The breeder will know, from experience, which foods give the best results and you should heed their advice. Talk to your breeder, ask them the whys and the wherefores about the food. Presumably they feed their own dogs on it and will tell you why they prefer it to other brands.

Rearing puppies (just like babies) should never be done on the cheap. Give your pup the best chance to develop correctly and save the moneysaving for when he's a little older .

Why do you feel you need to change his diet so soon, anyway? Have you told his breeders of your intentions? And why would you come on an internet forum and ask, rather than asking the breeders?

There is nothing more frustrating than sending a chunky, well developed puppy off to thier new home only to see them 6 months later as a weedy specimen - just because the owners wanted to save a few quid :mad: .

Not having a go at you - but buying a puppy is a two way street, you are trusting these people to sell you a healthy, well reared puppy and, equally, they are trusting you to do the best for one of their "babies". You should be asking them these questions.

shudd1967

I do totally agree, I know the breeder (friends of mine who have 11 dogs!!!!) don't feed the older dogs this stuff, I can't remember what they feed them but I know they also get Tripe (vile!) and all of them are in really good condition.

I had never heard of the stuff before today which is why I asked , our old boy was more than happy with his tin of Pedigree Chum and some pedigree dried food twice a day! But then when we started giving him this the other brands were not so promoted and I think my other half just continued doing what his family had done before with their dogs.

My main reason for asking is because I would much rather ask peoples opinions - dog lovers on this forums - who would give honest advice, not websites and companies who would rather sell their product or one that gives best commission. I am not looking to change his diet exactly, I am looking for the best for my pup, along with insurance etc etc.

I do feel nowadays you do need to get as much information as possible and make an informed choice. If this Royal Canin is the best then thats what he will have. Belive me, we are not novice fly by night dog owners, we DO have experience and it has been a big decision taking on another one so soon after losing our old Dobe, believe me, he cost us a fortune in vets bills but it was worth ewvery penny and I miss him every day.

Do want to pup to get a good start in life, same as we would do for the kids as he is gonna be one of the family!

Frugalista

shudd1967 wrote: »

I do totally agree, I know the breeder (friends of mine who have 11 dogs!!!!) don't feed the older dogs this stuff, I can't remember what they feed them but I know they also get Tripe (vile!) and all of them are in really good condition.

I had never heard of the stuff before today, our old boy was more than happy with his tin of Pedigree Chum and some pedigree dried food twice a day! But then when we started giving him this the other brands were not so promoted and I think my other half just continued doing what his family had done before with their dogs.

Do want to pup to get a good start in life, same as we would do for the kids as he is gonna be one of the family!

I wasn't having a rant at you personally - it's just that I get really frustrated with people who seem intent on changing a new puppy's diet as soon as they get them. WHY?? No-one would ask if they could feed their new baby cheapo foods.

How nice that your breeders are also friends of yours - so you'll know all your pups relations too . May I ask what part of the country you are in?
Good luck with your new babe - don't forget to post some pics :T

shudd1967

Gloucestershire! I would post some pics (we did a visit today!) but for some reason I cannot get them to upload/download (will have to visit somewhere else on this site for that!!!)

Don't worry - I understod your point, didn't make myself to clear to start!:beer:

Frugalista

Just down the motorway from me! It wouldn't be Clive & Nancy would it?:rotfl:

LucyLoo2_3

Royal Canin is a really good premium diet, I'd stick with it if you can, if you do want to change the pups diet then youn need to do it over the course of 10 to 14 days, day 1 10% new food, 90% old food, day 2 20% new food, 80% old food so on and so forth.

If you add tinned food to a dry diet you need to remember that it has very little nutritional value (you may aswell add a little warm water) pedigree 'meat' if you actually look at the ingriedients contains about 80% water and if your lucky about 3% animal deriritives (so no meat then) Royal Canin dry would actually contain more meat, than your pedigree puppy wet and dry combined, and as you need to feed less would prob work out less expensive too!

Please whatever you decide, avoid Bakers like the plague, it contains so many e- numbers and additives, i have known it to cause behavioural problems, cause skin and coat irritations, not to mention terrible wind and generally smelly dogs! I wouldn't feed it to my pigs! (if I had any!) It's also ridiculously expensive for multi coloured crap!

Dobes have enough energy of their own, they don't need e numbers, as I'm sure your fully aware! Good Luck enjoy your new pup :j

suki1964

If you are feeding a dried complete food then there is no need to add to it - you are upsetting the balance. Adding meat will be giving too much protein and remember what goes in will come out - usually in big soppy piles if overfed.

Dogs are not humans, they are happy enough to get a full tum, the same dried food day in day out doesnt faze them at all - if you want to feed a dried complete.

If you want to do variety then look at a BARF diet. Takes sometime to learn what it is your dog needs from a diet and how to source it but its cheap and easy enough once you get the balance right

hethmar

Pedigree Chum, in my opinion is total rubbish - have a google, you will be shocked what you read about it.

Both my boys are on Royal Canine skin support as they both have scratchy allergies - I add a little bit of wet food now and then when they seem to get a bit bored with it - natures menu or denes.

Have a look on Royal Canines own website. They have breed specific food - cant remember if they have doberman but they certainly do puppy foods. I usually buy mine from pet supermarket or Vet UK

http://www.pet-supermarket.co.uk/erol.html#38296x0&&http%3A%252F%252Fwww.google.co.uk%252Fsearch%3Fq%3Droyal+canine+prescription+food%26ie%3Dutf-8%26oe%3Dutf-8%26aq%3Dt%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla%3Aen-GB%3Aofficial%26client%3Dfirefox-a

shudd1967

No not Clive and Nancy - but actually he is from your neck of the woods in Bromsberrow. Beautiful Dobe! :j