Hi ,

I am getting ready to collect my dobe puppy next weekend and was all set to change his food to Nutro Large Breed Puppy Food ( he's feed Wafcol at the mo).
However after speaking to his breeder yesterday she has advised not to use the large breed food and just go for normal puppy food with calcium supplement. My little lad is very large boned pup and I have always though that giving extra calcium was the wrong thing to do. What would you do?, I'm confused!
He will be given fresh meat with whatever complete food I decide on.

Any help would be great

Debbie

I really do think that you should continue to feed him on whatever the breeder has him on now. Breeders know best. You could be asking for trouble if you change him too soon. By all means gradually change his diet but not immediately. Calcium supplement can be added at this age so long as you only add the minimum for his age and weight.

You do not need to give any puppy a calcium suppiment if they get a balanced diet, it can cause terrific damage in big boned puppies, I have known it damage bones by building calcium deposits on them (calcification) and causing much pain.
Dawn.

Thanks for your replies,

I thought it would be wrong to add calcium and thats why I was going for large breed puppy food as it contains everything he needs.
I may contact some of the food companies today and see what they suggest.

Debbie

Hi Debbie

Whichever food you decide on do not change to it for at least two weeks. Keep to the diet the breeder has been using as this gives the puppy the one continuous thing in its life. Surroundings, sounds, people, water all change and to change its food as well can be too much for some pups and they promptly get the runs. Also do not be surprised if the pup does not want to eat all its meals, this is not unusual when they go to their new homes. Ignore it and continue to offer the same food on a regular basis and the pup will eat when it gets hungry

Dobermanns are not a large breed :) The standard says "medium sized". Every dog food company you contact will recommend their own food and give you reasons why it is the best. If your breeder is experienced and her dogs are all fit and healthy why not follow her recommendations?

If you are going to change the "balance" by adding fresh meat why not go for a completely fresh diet when bones etc supply the calcium for a growing pup?

Christine

i'm not sure I agree. I know that excessive calcium can cause serious problems but in moderation with the correct food it won't. Why are you buying from this particular breeder? If it is (and I hope it is) that you like the look of her dogs and you like the pups' mum then surely you should feel that the breeder is doing things right to get her pups to grow up well. I would follow her advice.

Joan
Take the rough with the smooth

Hi, I am buying from this particular breeder as her dogs are lovely and have fantastic temperaments ( CH dad is also great).She is also one of the few breeders that does ALL the relevant health checks. I will be showing my little lad with any luck and just want to get everything right. The puppies do already get fresh meat mixed with there complete but they have wafcol at present which is not a feed that I am familiar with. He will have a supply of food when he arrives. I will find out what Calcium supplement she using and try and order some more wafcol puppy. I just thought that Nutro was a better food to be honest.

Debbie

Hello Debbie
I am not an expert with dog food by any means but i put my Dobe pup on to Nutro Large Breed Puppy in August ,mainly because of its size she found it easier than any other,she is still on it now and looks great from it.