HoundMusic
Posted : 3/12/2008 5:04:56 PM
mudpuppy
Interesting. So the conformation folks feed proplan. Practically all of the serious, winning agility competitors I have talked to feed raw or one of the grain-free kibbles. I don't think I've met anyone who fed proplan to their agility dogs.
Well, it's not just the conformation folks. My hounds are primarily bunny shaggers, during hunting season I run them 2-3x weekly, on average for 4hrs at a time. It takes stamina & endurance - now a huge part of this is genetics, but I've seen them "burn out" on certain diets. I don't prefer grain free kibbles because the level of protein, IMHO, is beyond ridiculous, and will ruin the kidneys of a working dog operating under terrible weather conditions (especially when running in the heat! they are at a severe risk for kidney problems stemming from dehydration and other factors on hi protein diets coupled w/ heat & this is coming from a Vet I used years ago who also hunted w/ Beagles). Anyway, raw is approx 21% protein - it's protein based, not hi protein. I do feed mine raw as often as possible, but one of many reasons I quit 100% raw was that my hounds did not ahve the level of concentration and endurance they do when the diet is supplemented with grains.
Most field trialers & hunters I know are feeding Purina, mainly Pro Plan. They've tried the cheaper foods: Diamond, Black Gold, etc. but find that their performance dogs do quite well on Pro Plan. I think the conformation people prefer the coat it produces, but it's invaluable for working dogs b/c it doesn't screw up their blood sugar levels and cause those spikes that precede "hunting dog hypoglycemia" and keeps the dogs in good body condition, muscle mass.
I've had a difficult time finding a food that produced good coats, weight, teeth, stools, mucsling, endurance - sometimes I find them, but never fails, they either work for only a few of the hounds or quit working after 3-4 months, like clockwork. Sounds like a corny advertisement, but Purina doesn't do that
:) It works for ALL the dogs and works quite well.