I know that I am not the only CD member that stopped using Royal Canin a long time ago.

Today I have received a large information pack entitled "Understanding Breeders needs."

I used to order their mini adult, but it was getting just ridiculous.  It is now £39.40 which is a big drop.  Has anyone else received their bumf?

Yes and it went straight in the bin with a laugh as it's one food I wouldn't feed either to dogs or cats regardless of price. :)

Doesn't agree with mine either.  When we have won it I can just about feed it one part two 3 or 4 parts of something else so that it isn't' wasted.

Perhaps the fact that they've finally stopped the daft levels of show sponsorship has caused the drop in price. I'm another that wouldn't feed it, always sell it when I win it!

M.

> Yes and it went straight in the bin with a laugh as it's one food I wouldn't feed either to dogs or cats regardless of price. :-)

You may well be right. I usually give my kibble prizes to the local dogs home, but maybe I'm doing more harm than good! The shelter is really near where I live so while I wouldn't want to give it to mine, there's just something in me that can't bear the thought of it going to waste.

I visited Crufts for the first ever time this year and I was shocked at the level of hospitality that the likes of Arden Grange, Royal Canin etc were offering to breeders! The fancy 'lounges' they had for members of their breeder shop scheme etc! If they can afford to spend that much on marketing I'd hate to think of the profit level involved!

Certainly Arden Grange's normal trade stand is not that posh at all.

Did you see the one at Crufts? It was a two-story job with a coffee bar on top!

> If they can afford to spend that much on marketing I'd hate to think of the profit level involved! .

Trade stands are very common in business and dog food is no different from any other business. Crufts will probably be their most important event where they will meet the largest number of 'clients'. Profit is needed in any company to fund research, improvements to machinery/equipment etc etc not just to pay dividends :) Advertising in it's many forms is also very necessary.

Market forces will always prevail - if people think the food is too expensive they won't buy it - if they do then they are either wealthy or stupid :) :) :)

> The fancy 'lounges' they had for members of their breeder shop scheme etc!

I was invited up into the Royal Canin one for a cup of tea!
It was nice to have a brief sit-down and read the dog papers on the tables for a little while, and it was a lot quieter up there. The sales reps do need somewhere like that to entertain their biggest clients or sign up new ones (not that I am either!)

> I wouldn't feed either to dogs or cats regardless of price

Really Marianne - why is that?  I have just bought a sack of junior for my new pup - I was horrified by the price.  I did it because the breeder has advised me to use it but it will be the last sack I buy at that price.  I think she was offered some free initially but that offer wasn't honoured  - don't know the details.   

I don't feed it for my lot as 2 of my 3 don't do well on it - one chews his feet, gets a stary coat which drops in handfuls and smells like something died inside him and the other smells really doggy and gets a red tint

Pup seems to be doing OK on it - he does smell different to last pup - but then he is male.  I had a voucher for another small bag from Royal Canin - you have to register on their website.  This bag I have bought is going to last for ages.