Recently changed to Chudleys and not over happy with it and was going to try Masters, what I wanted to know is which of the masters range would you suggest me using, to feed Lab, 18 months old, not working but does have various good walks a day, so he's quite active, well he is a lab, so of course he's active!!!!

I did like the look of Skinners Rough and Ready but decided against it because of the E no's it contained.

Any advice gratefully received.

Remember, not all E numbers are bad. E140, for example, is chlorophyll - the natural green in plants!
:)

I believe citrus acid carries an E number, in fact I was told that if an orange fell within labelling regulations it would carry 3 or 4 E numbers :), a lot of preservatives being based on the chemicals found in fruit to prevent it rotting as soon as it is removed from the tree.  Of the 300 odd permitted additives all but about 40 are nature copies.  There was a very interesting program regarding this recently on Radio 4, I'm sure a search of their web site would reveal more details :)

Hi Mel.
I use Masters "Meaty Crunch" from February until October but then go onto the "Performance Plus" during the season when my dogs are working. For you I would recomend the "Meaty Crunch". Being sold for working dogs it is of course tax free. I use it as a training reward in my pet dog class and have yet to find a dog turn its nose up at it!

Regards, John

Great advice from you both thanks heaps.  I'll try the meaty crunch and consider myself educated in E numbers.  Thanks again

To John

I have read alot of your posts and you always seem knowledgeable without being patronising,
could you tell me what you think of Skinners muesli mix if you know it ?
We give it to our 12 month old Staff as her breeder has used it for a number of years on all her dogs, not had any problems but looking to give the best food to our Giorgia apart from raw of course

thanks

To John again .
Just found a posting of yours about Skinners ruff and ready ,saying that you hadnt used the muesli mix, so sorry I hadnt read this first before posting to you previously but still after your opinion generally about Skinners re additives etc. I know it is supposed to be for working dogs but Giorgia does have a lot of exercise and energy as all Staffs do so hopefully we're doing right

John is no longer posting here but if you go to messages you can send him a personal message which I'm sure he will reply to.

I'm afraid John doesn't post on here any more.

A number of gundog people that I know feed Skinners, although usually the Field and Trial variety. Their dogs always look in good condition and Skinners is one of the main brands used by working gundog people.

For what its worth, I'd be inclined to stick with a brand if your dog is doing well on it.

Often the term 'for working dogs' is on the bag so as to exempt it from VAT, rather than offering any specific benefit to working dogs. ;-)

There are plenty of people on here that'll give you some in-depth (and often conflicting) advice on different foods, and whats in them. Its not a subject that troubles me too much, as I focus more on the condition and working performance of the dog, than what goes in the bag.

thank you for that info Havoc,you've reassured me .
I'm really sorry that John doesnt post anymore. I was on holiday for two weeks at the end of Feb, must have happened then. Am I allowed to ask the reason why?

Coleystaff,

This link : http://www.champdogsforum.co.uk/board/topic/64351.html   will explain why John doesnt post anymore. Probably best not to comment as I've no intention of stirring that hornets nest up! ;-)

thanks Havoc you are a natural diplomat, I found the thread involved and I have spoken to John as well