I use the dried food bakers complete. Is this what you mean by supermarket stuff? Should i be using something else?

I'm afraid that will get slated as one of the despicable foods.

'They' do have a point with any food with colourings in it. That's put there purely for the owner's benefit, not the dogs, and it's well known the effect colourings can have on children.

What should we go for?

Limited supply in pet store. The vet only does the science plan.

Of the complete foods, Autarky has a good reputation, as does Burns (which will deliver to your door). I've seen excellent results with Skinners, as well as Chappie.

But there are those who will try to convince people that if they don't feed raw then the dogs are being poisoned.

Basically, if your dog thrives on a certain food, then there's no need to change.
:)

Are those brands dried food?

My pals have two cats and one has developed a reaction due to the colourings etc.

Altho Murph loves bakers i dont want to giv him something that may in the long run hurt him.

Yes, they are dried complete foods (though Chappie also do tinned food as well, which is excellent for dogs needing a bland diet).

When I read posts like the one on here this very week, where someone only bred a crossbred litter because the puppies fetched more money that they would have done had she mated her unregistered bitch to a stud dog of the same breed, I think that says it all! We had just got over an argument about the desirability of crossbreeds and would think all those supporting her were left with egg on their faces! It rather proves the lie to the supporters of these designer dogs. I just hope Admin leave that post on the board as a salutary message to the supporters of rubbish breeding.

Regards, John

John, at least that poster had the honesty to say it was done for the money, not any high-flown nonsense about 'hybrid vigour' and cutesy names. But I agree, the lack of research, in mating a bitch then asking what the pups are going to be like, was mind-blowing!

Likewise the "I want to breed my perfect pet" posts ...

Eaglepack dry food  www.postalpets.co.uk  This is what i feed my dogs,along with raw and a bit of homecooked.

I'm afraid to say i wouldnt feed 99.9% of the commercial food that is available,i am extremely picky about what goes into my dogs bowls,and i'm not ashamed to say that i am a "food snob" i have done a ton of rersearch about everything my dogs eat.

I wouldnt call you a snob. You have done the research and you want whats best for your dogs.

Unfort i have enuff bakers for another month or so but will be checking out websites about the lists you guys have named.

cheers

ps i take it they do puppy options as we're looking for a golden retriever bitch at the mo

Yes my brand does a puppy version,not sure about the others???

I'm not completely sold on puppy,mature,lite etc. i sometimes think it is just another marketing ploy by the manufactures to get more shelf space. I have always put all of my dogs straight onto an adult food,puppy food has far too much protein for "Giant breed" growing bones,my dogs have all grown slowly but steadily.It wont hurt to put your golden straight onto an adult food if you so desire.

I think maybe we should start a new thread under "feeding" if you want to discuss this further :) Canine nutrition is my absolute favourite subject,i could talk about it all day and night,so dont be afraid to ask any questions :D

pmd you. thanks

Julie, I have PM'd you

A food I can really recomed is Arden Grange.  they do deliver too.  http://www.ardengrange.com/  It isn't cheap but good value compred to food with similar ingredients.

I would just like to support you Rose in what you say here. This board is a wonderful tool if used responsibly in informing potential breeders of the problems related to breeding, and the importance of getting your dog a clean bill of health, amongst other things. There are so many posters who are in the position to give sound advice, and do, but as you say there is a small minority who seem to have a dig at every opportunity. Surely the best way to educate people on being responsible dog owners is to have a forum for mature, and helpful dialogue, where people are not scared to ask advice for fear of looking a fool, and are able to come to a responsible decision with the constructive advice given.
The last time i posted on the board was almost a year ago, and i asked what i felt was a valid question on how people had found a particular product. I got a lot of wonderful feedback from many posters that i found extremely helpful, but was so upset by a couple of condescending and thouroughly unhelpful responses, i havent posted since.

Many thanks to JOHN while im here. I always read your posts, and have found your advice second to none.

I have one very good reason why people should put a lot more thought into breeding before they do it Abby her breeder didnt put a lot of thought into the breeding now Abby is15mths old is Allergic to most foods, her pancreas(sp) doesnt work properly, her folic acid levels are so high that at the royal vet hospital their machine couldnt get a reading. She is on a special diet and has to have courses of antibiotics every couple of months she cant have probiotics as she is allergic to some of the proteins in them, she will become allergic to the food she is on at the moment and eventually have to be put down due to her illness. My vet told me Abby is lucky as a lot of owners wouldnt want the problems she has or not be able to afford treatment and would either give her away or have her PTS, thats not a option at the moment as she can enjoy life to the full while we have her problems under control when things get worse we will rethink about what we will do. So far the problems we have had have cost about £2500 and rising as there was a problem with insurance every penny comes out of my pocket not that I mind as in my eyes she is perfect.
What I am trying to say is people on here give great advice and care about their dogs they only have the dogs best interest at heart. In someways I wish I had found this site before I got my dog Iwould have probably run a mile from my breeder but what would happen to Abby  but as my breeder is no help whatsoever people on here have been great.
Mary

Bless you Mary, both for your support of Abby and your support to the board!  :)
As I've said before, it's the new families of these badly bred pups that I feel sorry for and am desperately trying to protect, having met so many in the grooming parlour!!

I feel very strongly that owners of dogs that are 'purely pets' deserve dogs of the best quality possible. Why do people seem to think they deserve 'second best'?

What a very loving Mum, Abby has. She is so unlucky with her health, but so lucky to have you. God Bless you. At least by telling your story here, it might make other people think twice about breeding, before really doing their homework. I will have to stop looking through some of those classifieds ads of dogs for sale, as I am finding it much too upsetting. The people who are purposely X breeding dogs, to sell for high prices it's silly, then they are calling them RARE dogs.
Hope all goes well for Abby, and yourself. Luv Sue x

Thank you Abby is worth every penny I have to spend but it just really annoys me when I see post about breeding from their pets Abbys condition came from one of her parents her breeder wont even consider that one of the dogs are sick and I know she has had at least one other litter after Abby.
Mary

i meant PERFECT  to me ....

I know just what you mean, Jackjack - we all think our dogs are the best! :) But only about 10% of pedigree dogs are good enough to breed from (maybe one or two out of a litter, if the breeder's lucky), so it's important to make sure that the ones that are bred from are the right ones. Nobody wants to find they've produced unhealthy, untypical puppies through not doing the right research. It's nothing personal.
:)

As someone who has bred puppies, can I say that my biggest nightmare is that someone who has one of my dogs will contact me with a view to breeding. (Thankfully it hasnt happened yet) but I can honestly say that of the ones I have bred I will only be agreeable for three of them (up to now) to be bred from - and two of them stayed here. I say up to now as I have not seen some from the last litter - now 12 months old - since they were homed (I have seen pictures, but I would insist on seeing the dog).