I know few months till I get my pup but trying to get prepared.
Been looking into puppy food for a while now and still not 100% sure.
He will have been weaned onto Hills. Will keep him on that for a week or 2 after I get him, but don't want to keep him on hills.
Do like the look of Arden Grange but is it ok that one of its ingredients is Corn and another Beet. One site wasn't too complimentary because of that.
Is orijen a no go for a pup? Read different things about its protein being too high but i get confused lol.
Its more expesive than AG but is it really that different?
Anyone guess roughly how long a 15k sack of something like AG would last a growing Dobe pup? Willing to look at other foods but want to give him best i can afford.
Thanks

I think you have to look for what ingredients you wish to feed your pup on.

My current pup is on Orijen after he was weaned onto RC, not had any problems with it so far. They balance out the levels of protein with other nutrients, i can't really explain it but the people at Orijen are really helpful and will explain it all(or someone else on here can). He likes eating the food and i do supplement with a lot of different raw foods.

My friend works at AG and she has raised her pup of the same breed on that, large breed puppy and then moved onto the adult food of choice. She hasn't had any issues there either, if she had she would of changed brands regardless of where she worked. They too are very helpful on the phone.

All you need to do is Google both brands for their websites to obtain contact numbers.

I always feel that as a dog is basically a carnivore, a higher protein, meat-based diet is what they should be eating - it is what is appropriate for the species.

Orijen is 70% meat and 0% grain (75/0 in the case of pups), whereas most other complete dry foods are way below that and full of grains (something our canine friends are not well equipped to deal with).

Have a look at the Orijen website and make your own mind up (http://www.orijenpetfoods.co.uk/).

Personally mine are fed on AG from the start, I've found it a great food, and as one of mine can have a sensitive tummy, he's been fine it. I think it's good value for money, not the most expensive but definately not the cheapest, and it does last.

I also feed Arden Grange , if you look on http://www.bestpet.co.uk/search_results.asp?sec=264&category=Arden_Grange

or http://www.petmeds.co.uk/c-917-Arden-Grange.aspx

Thanks everyone!
Its good to have the info. Think AG is going to be the one try.
As i said he will be on Hills when i get him. Breeder feeds this as they said need to give them a good start in life. But most people seem to not like Hills at all.

have fed both AG and orijen and both are great foods thats my dogs all did well on.  I now feed a raw diet but thats a whole other ball game.

> But most people seem to not like Hills at all.

Good job it's dog food then ;)

>As i said he will be on Hills when i get him. Breeder feeds this as they said need to give them a good start in life.

If you trust the breeder is a good breeder, with experience and knows what is best for thier lines, then they must be getting good results from Hills (or they wouldn't be using it). Personally I would stick with what the breeder suggests and only change foods if you feel your pup is not doing well enough on Hills.

Many people swear by different brands of dog food or different syles of feeding, but it all comes down to what you want to feed and what is best for the dog, with the breeder being your first port-of-call for advice.

I use a dog food that is not highly rated by many people, but it's what the breeder feeds and is suiting my dog perfectly :)

>> But most people seem to not like Hills at all.
> Good job it's dog food then ;-)
>

:-)  :-)  :-)  :-)

That made me laugh what you said about it being a good job Hills is a dog food then lol.
You have got me thinking about breeder feeding Hills.
You must be right about if Hills wasn't suiting them, then they wouldn't feed it. They have a huge amount of experience breeding dobes and I do trust them. As you say maybe it suits the dobes. Ok will have a chat to them about it.

Thanks

I think that talking to the breeder is the best idea Dave. I actually dislike any type of processed food for dogs or humans BUT after many years, I've found that Proplan is a brilliant food for pet owners to grow the best possible adult out of the puppy that I give them and so that's what I wean my pups on and hope that the new owners will continue.  It really suits my breed.  Maybe that's what your breeders have found about Hills and their puppies ..... ;) :)

Yea you are probably right. Thanks

> will have a chat to them about it

When I got my pup I asked the breeder about changing food, he was more than happy to explain why they feed the diet they do, foods they avoid and reasons, through vast experience, why they avoid them, also other foods they would feed, again with experience as to why they would feed them.

I think I've read on a different thread that your breeder gives lifetime support (thats fantastic, it is amazingly helpfull being able to contact the breeder if you have any concerns/questions in the future) I'm sure they will be more than happy to give you some pointers if you explain you are considering feeding a different food. :)

You must be so excited waiting for your new puppy :)

Yes I am SO excited planning for my puppy. All going well with the recent mating I should be going to choose one early Nov!
The breeder does offer life time support which I know will come in more than handy. They have a vast knowlege of dog training and I think one of them does some judging as well.
They have a wealth of experience and as I said on another thread that is why I don't mind paying how much they charge for a puppy 'it will be worth it'
Didn't want to offend them suggesting that I did not want to not feed him on Hills for long lol.  Anyway will talk it over with them, and as has been said they will no what works and what doesn't.

Thanks again

I'm sure you'll notice that some top kennels of different breeds feed their dogs on Hills and other foods just from whats in the dog papers each week. Some of the so called 'top' foods won't always suit every dog out there.

Dave

Another vote for - talk to your breeder.  If you've chosen them well there's no reason to assume there will be a problem with food.

One of the things you can do in the meantime is make sure you have identified a good stockist for Hills.  Your breeder may have special breeders rates and will probably be willing to sell you discount bags in addition to giving you a small supply when you pick up your puppy.  You might find that people on here can recommend an online stockist but it's worth lining up a pet shop too, for emergency supplies!!  Have I remembered you are nr W-S-M?  There is a very good pet shop in Worle, nr Sainsburys and another in Worle High Street.

we get our arden grange from here http://www.netpetshop.co.uk/c-311-arden-grange-dog-food.aspx i've been messed about with with a few online people but these have been good so far and their prices seem to be about the best, they do a 6 bag special which works for us in a multi dog households saves us a fortune.