Dog Community

What do show dogs eat?

Posted : 12/4/2006 3:28:18 PM

So what do show dogs eat?

I was just wondering because in the Eukanuba show the winner recived a lifetime supply of Euka. Do you think that's really something they will use? When Petagree also sponsers show do they have prized like that as well, would the show dog really be feed that? For my own dog thoes are food I'd avoide, but are thoes foods better for show dogs?

rwbeagles

Posted : 12/4/2006 3:34:02 PM

Lol...it completely depends on what their handler/owner wants to feed them. Just like any other dog....some eat raw some eat kibble some eat both. Some eat without supplements and others get this that and the other.

Body condition and coat condition are important...but in the main a show dog eats just like any other dog.

Many breeders I know feed kibble and feed those that have 'breeder programmes'...when you are feeding more than 5 dogs....in some cases 20 or so..price does matter, and if the company gives you a free 40lbs bag every 6 you buy then that makes it super attractive to use. But ultimately the condition of the dogs will dictate what you feed....just like anything else.

sooner

Posted : 12/4/2006 3:34:47 PM

I think most owners do feed the foods that sponsor their shows, because they do get them free or at a steep discount. Pro Plan has breeder plans, and points for discounts, and is sold at shows. But those foods aren't any better for those dogs than they are for ours. Remember, most of those dogs are heavily supplemented and of course their coats look good, people spend HOURS on them.

cyclefiend2000

Posted : 12/4/2006 4:03:28 PM

i saw a little of the dog show over the weekend, and the best in show won a years supply of eukanuba (i think).

for the people that show your dogs, would you switch to a food just because you won a years supply (or even a few months supply)?

Cally01

Posted : 12/4/2006 4:13:46 PM

Most of the big time show kennels I know started out feeding raw or premium foods...then once the lure of the big corporations takes over they switch. There are many top breeders who do feed premium foods.

Most breeders I know feed only Eukanuba. Eukanuba sponsers the dog shows, helps out with the National specialities by providing tents, tables, prizes, toys and much much more I couldn't even begin to cover. Eukanuba also offers breeders puppy packs and brochures for new puppy owners that looks great for a breeder to send home with a new owner.

Xerxes

Posted : 12/4/2006 4:13:51 PM

The few breeders I know feed a little of everything. I know several that feed raw (which means they have to scout out show sites and coordinate well in advance for those long hauls and 4 day shows.) I also know some that feed Purina and some that feed other kibbles. Some of the raw feeders will only feed organic raw.

It's a matter of economics and what the breeders feel their dogs do best on. Some breeders even have limited sponsorships with specific companies. Like Gina said, when you've got a kennel with 20 or so dogs, the price matters...greatly. Having only two or three or 4 dogs, the majority of us (dog owners) don't have to be quite as careful with our spending.

Xebby

Posted : 12/4/2006 4:25:23 PM

for the people that show your dogs, would you switch to a food just because you won a years supply (or even a few months supply)?

Thats what I was kinda getting at[

]

I know when I get my show dog I'll feed it what I feel is best for my dog, also depends on what the breeder recomends. I was just curiouse if the big brands that sponser the shows really have a lot of influence in what show dogs eat? I've feed my dog Euka and really liked the shine in her coat but as far as everything else I wasn't happy with it. Now say I I get it for free for her lifetime then I might consider finding a way to make it work for my dog...hard to say?

Cally01

Posted : 12/4/2006 4:25:46 PM

Like Gina said, when you've got a kennel with 20 or so dogs, the price matters...greatly. Having only two or three or 4 dogs, the majority of us (dog owners) don't have to be quite as careful with our spending.

Exactly. With our Newf's while we were showing them they all ate very healthy because we only have 3 show dogs. Having only 3 show dogs we could afford to feed them raw &

remium kibbles/freeze dried/dehydrated and canned foods. Plus, we only showed the dogs, we weren't organizing dog shows etc. so we didn't need to even consider sponsorship.

One of my friends Newf's Madison (who is my dog Tori's puppy) is on last years Eukanuba calendar...and yes, she is only fed eukanuba. Her mom was fed a high quality premium food with many home prepared....the secret to Madison's success..hahaha

jenns

Posted : 12/4/2006 4:55:03 PM

The show breeders I know feed Eukanuba. One in particular runs a large kennel and has lots of dogs to feed. The cost savings from the breeder incentives can be huge. I do know the dogs are also heavily supplemented for coat condition as well.

starsenchis

Posted : 12/4/2006 5:27:56 PM

for the people that show your dogs, would you switch to a food just because you won a years supply (or even a few months supply)?

No way!! If I had to feed many large dogs, I might go with a breeder program with a company like Timberwolf Organics, but if I couldn't afford to feed that level of food, then I should cut down on the number of dogs in my care!

Show dogs are fed just like any other dogs- of course the huge majority of show people wouldn't feed grocery store food to their dogs, but a lot of them do use foods like Purina Pro Plan, Royale Canin and Iams. Quite a few also feed raw and high end kibble, though. Coat is usually a big factor, but it's hard to tell if any given food is making dogs have nice coats when so many breeders are giving their dogs coat supplements!

Laurelin_429

Posted : 12/4/2006 5:34:13 PM

We feed our show dogs Canidae right now, and no, I wouldn't switch. Of course we have only four dogs and two show... But switching off of Canidae has been bad for two of my dogs, so I wouldn't put them on anything else.

Trey's breeder had a very strict diet for her shelties full of supplements. I can't remember what brand of food it was though. (it's been 10 years) I can tell you it wasn't Euk or Purina or anything like that. And she had 11 dogs then. Though, she was interested in the performance aspect as well as conformation.

rwbeagles

Posted : 12/4/2006 6:21:29 PM

but it's hard to tell if any given food is making dogs have nice coats when so many breeders are giving their dogs coat supplements!

Actually one of the older methods of getting nice coats is to switch foods every 4 weeks. Most any food will put a "bloom" on the coat when it's first given...then the dog adjusts and it levels off.

I think people who work their dogs or do mushing etc probably add this or that based on what works best for the dogs to help it do better...just as human athletes do. And no I don't mean steroids...I mean things that increase flexibility, promote joint health, or endurance, things like that.

Plenty of people here supplement with fish oil or kelp or this or that, specifically for coat and skin issues...hardly a show dog phenomenon.

Sharon Blair

Posted : 12/4/2006 7:14:31 PM

If I won that year's supply of Euk, I'd give it to the shelter down the road.

dyan

Posted : 12/4/2006 9:19:36 PM

Bubblegum was a show dog...she lived with the breeder and was fed (as all of her Great Danes,,,show dogs or not) Diamond Pet Food.
Does Diamond sponcer shows? I'm thinking not.
One thing probably true, is these food companies are large companies and can more than afford to advertise at the dog shows. I guess it works if you put out a little money to make a lot more.

Edie

Posted : 12/4/2006 9:24:06 PM

If I won that year's supply of Euk, I'd give it to the shelter down the road.

Same here.I dont like the ingredients and my dogs dont like the taste.I tried it once and ended up returning it cos my dogs wouldnt eat it!

I dont follow the show dog circuit,but isnt it a requirement for the owners to "say" they feed >insert sponsors food< to get the publicity for their dogs. I mean eukanuba et al arent going to plug a champion dog if their owners say they feed something else are they.... If the owners say they feed their beautiful well conditioned dog on eukanuba it will make the GP want to feed it too,this way the owners dogs get recognition and euk gets a plug,wether the owner actually feeds their food or not.
The show dog world is very,very cut throat and i think some hard core showers will say and do anything if it's to benefit their dogs and get them recognised.....