[daryl shannon]

Well I think you've oppened up a big can of worms with this question. I bet you wont get a straight answer at the end of the day. However, I will give my 2 cents. I feed my 7 1/2 year old Doberman Purina Pro Plan and have been since he was just over 1yr. I tried feeding him Nutro and was not impressed at all with that brand. I also tried Science Diet. I feel the same as most when talking about the down-falls of the "Fillers" in foods. Some may not like Pro Plan but the bottom line is that my dog loves it. He is healthy and never once, when someone asked how old my boy is, do they believe me. I think it comes down to a blance between what works for your dogs and ensuring that they can live a long healthy life.

[DozerDogg]

I generally (with some exceptions) go by the old adage, you get what you pay for. That isn't universal but it's a good rule of thumb. Of course being the most expensive doesn't necessairly make it the best. I try for the low end premium foods or brands that have a good reputation from consumers. I feed Diamond Lamb and rice meal right now and it seems to be good for my buddies, and it doesn't break me when I buy it.

[UrbanBeagles]

Originally Posted by Cheetah

Expensive is not necessarily better. Take Eukanuba for example lmfao... I'm paying less for Canidae and it's higher quality, contains no by-products, potentially harmful synthetic chemicals/preservatives, corn, etc.

ROFL So very true! I'd been feeding Euk for years, its gone in the toilet bowl now, but when I last fed it, I was paying something towards the end of $48 for 40lbs. OUTRAGEOUS!!! And it was pure $*** by the time I washed my hands of it. So no, the more expensive a food is, does not necessarily mean its better.
OTOH, *generic* foods are not worth the packaging they come in. While you shouldn't have to mortgage your house to buy a bag of decent food, generic/economy foods use bottom of the barrel low quality ingredients & I'd never recommend them under any circumstances.
Pro Pac is a basic, bland diet that has no preservatives, colors, by products & is about $23 for 33lbs. I feed Evolve, which is about $1 per lb. but gives me better results than Timberwolf Organics, which was double the cost ...

[mrblackpants]

im glad i ran across this thread. i have had some questions about what to feed my 7 mo old black lab, and they have not been answered by my vet. currently i feed him pedigree complete nutrition, and he loves it. however i know they use a lot of corn, and i am not a fan of fillers. thanks everyone for bringing some light on the subject!!!

[TFTpwnsYou]

On the subject of the using "real chicken" and all. I always found it funny how they can say "complete and balanced nutrition" or "give your dog the best". The Pedigree commercials kill me....lol. I think they should label them for what they really are "good enough to keep your dog alive".....lol.

I was feeding Bil Jac. Switched to Origen, and now I'm switching to Solid Gold Barking at the Moon. The Orijen is a killer to the wallet for me.

Now on the subject of the original topic. Go with your gut on it. If you don't feel comfortable with what's in the food, don't feed it. Although the higher grade foods are much better for your puppy. There are quite a few better foods than Purina for you to look into. You also don't neccessarily have to feed what the breeder was feeding. I hope you find a food that fits your puppy well.

[FredMom]

Originally Posted by daryl shannon

Well I think you've oppened up a big can of worms with this question. I bet you wont get a straight answer at the end of the day. However, I will give my 2 cents. I feed my 7 1/2 year old Doberman Purina Pro Plan and have been since he was just over 1yr. I tried feeding him Nutro and was not impressed at all with that brand. I also tried Science Diet. I feel the same as most when talking about the down-falls of the "Fillers" in foods. Some may not like Pro Plan but the bottom line is that my dog loves it. He is healthy and never once, when someone asked how old my boy is, do they believe me. I think it comes down to a blance between what works for your dogs and ensuring that they can live a long healthy life.

I agree 100%.

[kratos88]

i think kibbles n bits is about as low as u can go. i feed mine eagle pack. it is one of the best out there. the holistic select versions they have are awesome. i doesn't have any corn in it. and the ingredients are superior to Purina and for around the same price as like Purina pro plan.

[JAYBO837]

stay away from corn&wheat fillers, try to avoid dyes.take the time to read the labels.trust me ..you will be rewarded with your pets presence longer by feeding them correctly and perhaps spending a lil more$$$...but you wont be dissapointed in the long run.

[Breeogie]

Look, you get what you pay for...with everything in life, including your pet's food.
Check out this site for more info:
http://www.dogfoodanalysis.com/dog_food_reviews/

[tippi]

HERE GOES....
my dober boy has IBD . the only food he tolerates is (ug) PURINA ONE SALMON
dober girls eat purina one salmon with half home cooked fruit veggies and meat.daily.
now.....ive given the boy one TEASPOON for 3 days of the homemade puree. last night he was so gasious and in such discomfort . he and i stayed up all night with pumpkin and trips outside. by 6 a,m, he had calmed down and feels better now, seemingl.
i can afford a dollar a pound for 3 dobermans . is there a dry food that is corn free in that price range?
and THEN what can i feed the boy to get him off purina one when he is so untolerant to almost anything? he cant even tolerate green beens. this breaks my heart!!!!
i live for my fur kids. they are my world. not even the vet has an ideas. at one time he had me given the boy PRESCRIPTION DIET.
i welcome all help and ideas!
tippi

[sheltiemom]

I don't see the problem in keeping him on Purina One salmon...he is doing well on it and it's in your budget, right? I wouldn't worry about it just because someone(s) on the internet said Purina is yucky or corn is bad...unless there is some other reason you want to switch...

[tippi]

SHELTIEMOM i sure thank you for that post. yes its in the budget. plus all three dobermans have the shinniest coats!!!! i just wish the bigt boy could have change in his life like the girls can. i make an awesome CHICKEN DINNER for them lolol

[HersheyPup]

The fact that you care sooooooooo much for your furkids means more to your boy Dobe that what kind of food he eats! I am sure by your postings that all your dogs get plenty of attention.. Dogs don't taste their food as much as they smell it, so if the Purina One Salmon smells good to him and he eats it then everything is fine.

Beats having an upset stomach, that's for sure! btw, I've compared the ingredients of Purina One Salmon and Purina ProPlan Sensitive Skin and Stomach and they are almost identical.

I've fed ProPlan SS& S with good results and will probably feed it again some day. Lots and lots of people feed it with great reviews...and even some serious show folks!

[flipgirl]

Originally Posted by tippi

HERE GOES....
my dober boy has IBD . the only food he tolerates is (ug) PURINA ONE SALMON
dober girls eat purina one salmon with half home cooked fruit veggies and meat.daily.
now.....ive given the boy one TEASPOON for 3 days of the homemade puree. last night he was so gasious and in such discomfort . he and i stayed up all night with pumpkin and trips outside. by 6 a,m, he had calmed down and feels better now, seemingl.
i can afford a dollar a pound for 3 dobermans . is there a dry food that is corn free in that price range?
and THEN what can i feed the boy to get him off purina one when he is so untolerant to almost anything? he cant even tolerate green beens. this breaks my heart!!!!
i live for my fur kids. they are my world. not even the vet has an ideas. at one time he had me given the boy PRESCRIPTION DIET.
i welcome all help and ideas!
tippi

tippi, you might want to start a brand new thread if you want your question answered. this thread started in 2006.

[DobManiac]

Originally Posted by HersheyPup

The fact that you care sooooooooo much for your furkids means more to your boy Dobe that what kind of food he eats! I am sure by your postings that all your dogs get plenty of attention.. Dogs don't taste their food as much as they smell it, so if the Purina One Salmon smells good to him and he eats it then everything is fine.

Beats having an upset stomach, that's for sure! btw, I've compared the ingredients of Purina One Salmon and Purina ProPlan Sensitive Skin and Stomach and they are almost identical.

I've fed ProPlan SS& S with good results and will probably feed it again some day. Lots and lots of people feed it with great reviews...and even some serious show folks!

My handler has feed Proplan Sensitive Stomach and the Salmon formula to my male dobe in the past. He was in food heaven, and his coat and stool were great. I food taste of the wild know, but it opened my eyes to proplan agian.

On a sidenote you might want to add some probiotics to his diet. It will improve the bacterial compisition along his digestive tract. It is also a life savor for that fragrent doberman gas, so feel free to give it to your girls as well.

http://www.preciouspets.org/natursway/mse-products.htm

[tippi]

dobemaniac....thank you for your reply!
if it aint broke , dont fix it? lol
their coats are glorious. they ahve great energy. i do feed the girls homemade mixed with the kibble daily. it just saddens me that my lucky boy has the same ole same ole. but hey, he is thriving!
i am going to have a litter next year. im doing tons of research on the EURO dogs. my bitch is right in the standard. its been over 20 years since i have had a litter.
id love to know about your fur kids!
tippi

[DobManiac]

No, I understand not wanting to cause new problems. However, I would still keep track of that website incase his problems get worse. But as long as he is healthy and happy, you better stick with the status quo.

I would love to talk about your dogs though. You mentiened they were eura dobermans. Are they imported or did you purchase from a breeder with those lines in the states? I have to confess I don't know a great deal about the european dog, but I do tend to like the cleaner look of the American version. I do envy the working drive in their dogs though. I am starting my own breeding program now and a big part of my goals is to breed drive into my dogs.

Are you breeding your own male are will you be using a stud? If so who are you interested in?

[tippi]

dobmaniac.. my females are american. my male is half euro/american.
they have the sleek and gorgeous lines!!
i am looking for a euro male for stud
my male is not intact. he is my service dog.
yes i love the prey /working drive in the euros!! hey, that link you sent me didnt work. i do want to start adding what you suggested to luckys diet.
by the way, ive seen some magnificant SERBIAN males!!

[DobManiac]

Originally Posted by tippi

dobmaniac.. my females are american. my male is half euro/american.
they have the sleek and gorgeous lines!!
i am looking for a euro male for stud
my male is not intact. he is my service dog.
yes i love the prey /working drive in the euros!! hey, that link you sent me didnt work. i do want to start adding what you suggested to luckys diet.
by the way, ive seen some magnificant SERBIAN males!!

Are you trying to breed the euro dog with your females? Or are you just looking for a dog to show and possibly breed? What lines are you interesting in?

Sorry for the stream of questions, but we don't have a lot of Doberman people on this forums. I like you have 2 females and a male. Dawn is four years old and spayed. Dusk is 2 1/2 and a male. I am currently working on finishing him, but he won't be bred. Ollie is my little girl, she just turned 12 months. I hope to breed her in a couple of years if she passes all of her health clearances.

She will be my first breeding. Luckily, I have several great mentors.

[Patt]

Originally Posted by sheltieluver4

Well could yall give me a little heads up on what yall buy yalls dog/puppy? Thanks i kinda need ideas

Since you asked.....

I feed Innova or Wellness brands. As a pup Gracie was fed Innova puppy food, than later I switched her to the adult version. I rotate the foods, so now they are on Wellness Simple Solutions Venison. When they are finished with the bag I will rotate to SS Duck and than back to Innova again.

The Dog Food Project is a very informative site. Also check www.dogaware.com

Good luck!