I have seen posts from people who think puppy kibble causes problems because of excessive growth.  I know some breeders say feed one large bag of it and then onto adult food.  At what age would you think of changing a puppy's food?

Depends on the breed. For my large dogs I feed it until 18 months, for my little ones about 8 or 9 months of age.

I switched my large dogs from puppy to adult at 6 months- same with my Boston Terriers...

I keep mine on puppy food until they are 12 months unless they are tending to do too well, so switch to adult rather than dieting a puppy (assuming I wasn't over feeding based on experience of what a puppy in my breed of that age normally eats)..

Like Brainless I use puppy food until 12 months unless they are doing too well in which case I change to an adult food. One of my youngsters had adult food from 9 months old and has done well.

It seems no-one is worried about it causing problems unless the dog puts on too much weight which is reassuring.  Thanks.

> It seems no-one is worried about it causing problems

I think you will find that is a worry and issue for giant breeds, because of their size growing too fast can cause skeletal problems.

A small to medium size breed pup will be growing at a less dramatic rate.

Normally at 6-8 months for my BCs

Although I have the same breed as Brainless I have found that because they are enthusiastic feeders some puppy kibbles are too small and they are inclined to breath them in, never sure if I would be best to change to junior or adult or perhaps to large breed puppy. Still not really decided which would be the best way perhaps you would like to give me your opinion.

Like Nova we found that once the puppies reach a certain age the puppy food kibble was too small saying this we keep them on puppy until 18ish months and change the food to a larger kibble once old enough. Most of the breeders I speak to in our breed also feed puppy until this sort of age, have you asked the breeder of your puppy for advice?

The breeder advised large breed puppy kibble and the pieces are as large as adult kibble.  She is a retriever with working lines in her so will grow into a medium sized dog.  Despite teething she seems to be able to eat anything and I have never had to soak her food.

You shouldn't have to soak any food, we only soak if they are young puppies being weaned or if an adult dog is very ill, sounds like the puppy is doing fine Id say keep up the good work and play the food thing by ear.

> You shouldn't have to soak any food,

There are many of us on CD that soak kibble prior to feeding it (for fit, healthy dogs) in an attemp to help avoid bloat.

My puppy refused to be weaned onto the puppy version of the food my adults eat, so I got her onto another good quality puppy/junior food, which she mostly eats though always with a air of 'dog food again....' She does try to snatch pieces from her mum's bowl, so I'm wondering if it's worth another try with the puppy food in that brand, or leave it for a few more months (she's only 4 months at present) and then go straight to adult. It's hard to tell if she'd actually prefer the other kibble or if she only wants it because it's in someone else's bowl!