I know this is probably a tired thread around these parts, but I did some searching and didn't find what I was looking for, so I thought I'd ask. We are bringing home a 4 mo old Golden puppy tomorrow and I'm doing my research on foods. Four years ago when I got my first Yorkie puppy, Franklin, I did a considerable amount of research and was an avid member of a Yorkie forum. I considered myself a dog nutrition expert and even fed the dogs prey-model raw for a little over a year. Unfortunately, that was a while ago and I know that nutrition needs can vary for puppies vs. adults, as well as large breed vs. small breed. I feel like a complete and utter newbie here!
Currently, we are feeding Acana (Orijen was a little too rich for them and they put on weight). I have always been a huge proponent of Champion Pet Foods, and even though it seems they have faced some controversies in the recent past, I am still confident that I am feeding my dogs a top quality food. Normally the dogs get grain-free but we are experimenting with the Chicken and Burbank Potato formula as I don't see a huge problem with oats as a single grain source. I was under the impression that this was an adult food. However, after looking at their website, it states that it is appropriate for all life stages. I would love to feed all 3 dogs the same food as it would make my life a lot easier. We also went to the pet store today and looked at Nature's Variety Prairie and Orijen Puppy. I tend to believe that dogs in the wild don't eat different food than their parents, and ALS foods are sufficient. However, I'm not incredibly knowledgeable about the calciumhosphorous ratios appropriate for a puppy. Particularly for a larger breed, this may be important.
SOOOO... all of that to say, of the three (Acana Chicken and Burbank Potato, Nature's Variety Prairie Chicken and Brown Rice, and Orijen Puppy)... which would you feed?
Currently, we are feeding Acana (Orijen was a little too rich for them and they put on weight). I have always been a huge proponent of Champion Pet Foods, and even though it seems they have faced some controversies in the recent past, I am still confident that I am feeding my dogs a top quality food. Normally the dogs get grain-free but we are experimenting with the Chicken and Burbank Potato formula as I don't see a huge problem with oats as a single grain source. I was under the impression that this was an adult food. However, after looking at their website, it states that it is appropriate for all life stages. I would love to feed all 3 dogs the same food as it would make my life a lot easier. We also went to the pet store today and looked at Nature's Variety Prairie and Orijen Puppy. I tend to believe that dogs in the wild don't eat different food than their parents, and ALS foods are sufficient. However, I'm not incredibly knowledgeable about the calciumhosphorous ratios appropriate for a puppy. Particularly for a larger breed, this may be important.
SOOOO... all of that to say, of the three (Acana Chicken and Burbank Potato, Nature's Variety Prairie Chicken and Brown Rice, and Orijen Puppy)... which would you feed?