When we got Max from the breeder, he was eating Purina Puppy Chow. He had very large, soft stools. I did some research, and settled on Eukanuba Large Breed Puppy Food. He did very well on it--we fed it until he was about 16 months old.

Now we feed Acana Wild Prairie, which is a grain free, high protein food.

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Dave

Our baby Loki was on Proplan large breed puppy when he came to us. We could only get that brand from the city, 40 mins drive away, or have to order through our vet, so I started adding Eukanuba Large Breed puppy into the mix very gradually. He still has an equal mix of those two & has never had GI problems on either ....certainly thriving. I also add cooked rice, cooked chicken, beef, liver, sardines, vegetables, cottage cheese, Aaffco puppy roll, or small bits of Colby cheese to kibble meal. I would not want to eat the same food meal after meal, & he has done very well on the variety. I make sure he gets the required kibble. You should always continue to feed babies on the same as the breeder & if you want to switch or mix, add new brand in very gradually as babies have sensitive tummies. Up until we got Loki, we have always got our puppies in pairs & both my DH & I think it was easier with two than with just one. Can't wait to see pics when they arrive.

Very few grain-free foods (if any, I would need to verify by e-mailing the companies) have the appropriate calcium/phosphorus ratio for medium/large breed puppies. I agree with everybody that you should stay with what the breeder is giving (I can think of a few exceptions to this though) to avoid an added possible cause of upset tummies (stress from leaving the litter being an unavoidable one).

Two pups. You will be either in heaven or going crazy in the near future.

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Thank you! I am so excited about our boys and can't wait to get them. Yes, I know it will be A LOT of work...and am happy to hear from someone else that isn't telling me I'm crazy and that they wouldn't do that! They will be 6 weeks old on Monday..I get weekly pics from the breeder so should have new ones to post any day now. I do have a few on my page though. Thanks again and I may pick your brain here and there if/when things arise!

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yes, we will stay with the breeder's food for the time being...I am not sure 100% what they are on but will ask when we get them. I think she told me puppy chow. You said in your post though, "with a few exceptions" though and am curious if that is one of them. Thanks.

I anticipate it being both!!

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If the breeder is feeding Purina Puppy Chow, I would switch to Purina Pro Plan, as the first ingredient in puppy chow is corn. I prefer that meat or meat meal is the 1st ingredient in my dogs food. The reason I am suggesting switching to Pro Plan is that it is the same company, so hopefully the foods should have some similarities.

Congrats!! We just got two 2 pups on Dec 22!! Buddy and Holly!! They are doing great! They were not litter mates so I was pretty stressed about food! Holly ended up having to change to puppy chow that Buddy was eating! And she did great! I want to get them to purina pro in the next month, but just gave them time to settle in!! Which they have!! 2 pups are twice the work!! And double the love!!!


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Pics please!!!

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I have some pictures on the " is it too good to be true thread!!!


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I think Thalie's right that the grain free foods typically have way too much calcium and phosphorus for fast growing puppies in medium and large breeds. Something formulated for slower growth (either LBP or ALS) is probably safer for GR pups.

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