I currently use a complete dog food that is available from supermarkets but is at the top end of that range.  I am thinking of moving to one of the more premium brands as discussed on this forum eg Arden Grange, Eukanuba etc but I wondered what the benefits would be.  And how do I know which brand will be best for my dogs?  There do seem to be some conflicting opinions and the more I read the more confused I become!

One of them is currently thriving, but a bit loopy and hyper whilst the other has a bit of a tendency to dry skin and her stools are on the loose side which is why I am considering the change.  I would be interested in any views.  :-)

i think the thing with dog foods, is that theres a food to suit everyone. theres no point feeding a dog on a high premium food if its not doing well on it. i know of dogs fed supermarket rubbish who look amazing, shiny coats and lovely white teeth, and i know of dogs fed on high premium diets with bad coats and no energy. find one that your dog likes, suits your money situation and is easily available to you. take on board all advice but remember they are usually just someones opinions.

Thanks Suz, I think I might try Arden Grange as it seems to come fairly well recommended on here.  I have mini schnauzers so they don't eat vast amounts so the price is not a massive issue.

I've seen the odd person on here talking about Laughing Dog in a favourable manner and I actually drove past the factory (just outside Dunchurch, near Rugby) the other day.  Do they still exist as their website doesn't seem to be working?  I did think it might be nice to support a local business :-)

my mums dog are on the arden grange and look good on it. i personally have my cat and pup on Hills scince plan (large breed puppy for my ridgie) some people like this and some dont. i personally find they do well on it, both animals have gleaming shiny coats, ok poos, and most importantly they love it. i mix a little natures menu through my pups to add flavour, and he gets bones and raw carrots to chew on. i can get this food easily, and they enjoy it, so i'll keep using it just now.

In most cases you get what you pay for. Cheaper foods often use cheap ingredients,and most often than not have grains/cereals as the first and predominant ingredient and very little meat and of poor quality,labelled as derivatives and by-products.
You can also get expensive poor quality food,such as the brand often found at your vets office ;)
I prefer to feed high protein,high meat,no/low grain dry foods. My favourite is Orijen.

If price isnt a factor check it out along with Timberwolf and solid Gold at http://www.zooplus.co.uk/shop/dogs/dry_dog_food/orijen/44954 They also have other decent foods.

Timberwolf is fine but then they say they can't get it. So that meant swopping the dogs again.

I use this http://www.zooplus.co.uk/shop/dogs/dry_dog_food/markus_muehle/14524 which i find suits my dogs very well. It has the benefit that it's cold-pressed rather than extruded.

Thanks everyone for your feedback.  I will spend some time looking into your recommendations on the zooplus website.  Nobody has mentioned Laughing Dog though - does anyone have any views?

Hi I tried timberwolf with mine OMG what came out the other end (clear a hall in seconds!!!) I was cleaning up for days (walls the lot!) so as you say what suits one deosn't suit another. They are all on Royal Canin and look well on it.

I used Laughing Dog for quite some time and the dogs liked it and looked good, but they did seem noisy and hyper. Not sure why?

I used Laughing dog for about a month (won it ;) ) not impressed with it at all :(   dogs didn't seem 'right' on it and far too much to pick up afterwards   wouldn't pay money for it ;)

>Nobody has mentioned Laughing Dog though - does anyone have any views?

The first ingredient is wholemeal FLOUR,then the next ingredient is a meat,not a meal,so most of that would be water before processing,so that "20%" meat could probably be halved,and the fat content is way tooo low.
Just my honest view :)

My lot are on Laughing Dog at the moment, they do fine on it .... but it has gone up in price by £6 a bag (15kg) - LD have been taken over, and they said price increase is due to increase in wheat, meat and fuel.