What’s the best food?

Foxhole762

Foxhole762

New member
Hey all,

New to forum and new to the Brittany breed.

I have a young pure tricolor Brittany that I plan to hunt with soon. The breeder had her on diamond puppy food. I’m getting ready to transition her into the bigger adult size kernels and would like to know y’all’s thoughts on what’s the best food for these high energy critters.
 
Something to consider here.

Rotating through different kinds of dog food is not a good thing, so the one you select should be readily available.

Also, read the labels. Lots of people just buy pet food based on the front that has a wolf and a salmon on it. Don't get sucked into that marketing.

That being said, I use Purina Large Breed. I have a Labrador, not a Brittany.
 
Foxhole762 said:
Hey all,

New to forum and new to the Brittany breed.

I have a young pure tricolor Brittany that I plan to hunt with soon. The breeder had her on diamond puppy food. I’m getting ready to transition her into the bigger adult size kernels and would like to know y’all’s thoughts on what’s the best food for these high energy critters.
Click to expand...
You have opened a potential can of worms. This subject gets beat to death and everyone has their own ideas, feelings and experiences. Basically it boils down to which food your dog likes and does best on. I've had Brittanys for 30 years and have fed numerous different foods. I always seem to come back to Purina Pro Plan. It's a good solid food that you can't go wrong with. As with any food you need to have your dog on one particular food for several months to evaluate how it's working for you. Don't be switching every month or two.

Where are you located and where is your Brittany out of?
 
Dakotazeb said:
You have opened a potential can of worms. This subject gets beat to death and everyone has their own ideas, feelings and experiences. Basically it boils down to which food your dog likes and does best on. I've had Brittanys for 30 years and have fed numerous different foods. I always seem to come back to Purina Pro Plan. It's a good solid food that you can't go wrong with. As with any food you need to have your dog on one particular food for several months to evaluate how it's working for you. Don't be switching every month or two.

Where are you located and where is your Brittany out of?
Click to expand...
I like Purina pro plan, but it's expensive.
 
I know a guy who’s in with law enforcement and retrieves deer hit by vehicles. I know of guys feeding snow geese to their dogs. I use diamond natural adult beef and rice, and I’ll mix Inukshuk in during hunting season…26/16, maybe some 30/25…I buy from a reseller nearby. Diamond is $1 per pond, Inukshuk is about $1.65/lb. I have 3 labs.
 
I don't believe there is a "best" dog food although I think some are better than others. I've tried a large number of different dog foods over the years....some good...and some didn't work well at all. My dogs ultimately decide what they like and I try to stay with it. Regardless of brand, I look for 4 things in a dog food.:

- My dogs like to eat it. I have a Vizsla that has a strong opinion on what tastes good and what sucks.
- The food is readily available locally and out of state where I hunt.
- I prefer high calorie food. Something with at least 450 kcal per cup.
- I like 30/20 performance type food while they are young and hunting but 28/20 would be fine too.

Right now I am feeding my hunting dogs Nutrisource Performance 30/20. My soon to be 13 yr old Vizsla is retired and she gets Nutrisource Lamb & Rice. I tried PPP Salmon & Rice 30/20 and Innukshuk 30/25 before going to Nutrisouce. We had some issues with Purina and my male Vizsla hated the Inukshuk. My dogs like Nutrisource. No drama at feeding time, good coats and no stomach issues, so I will buy Nutrisource until something changes.

Every dog is different. Find what works for your dog and try to stay with it. Change foods if your dog has issues with it, not out of curiosity or based on what somebody else is feeding. Ask me how I know.
 
Dakotazeb said:
You have opened a potential can of worms. This subject gets beat to death and everyone has their own ideas, feelings and experiences. Basically it boils down to which food your dog likes and does best on. I've had Brittanys for 30 years and have fed numerous different foods. I always seem to come back to Purina Pro Plan. It's a good solid food that you can't go wrong with. As with any food you need to have your dog on one particular food for several months to evaluate how it's working for you. Don't be switching every month or two.

Where are you located and where is your Brittany out of?
Click to expand...
Ya I figured as much. I just know things change and science changes food, so I figure if there is a common denominator for food decision making then it would be helpful. Pro plan is nice and I’ve used it with my tick hounds but man that stuff has gone up in price.

My Brittany came from Tecumseh Michigan
 
gim said:
Something to consider here.

Rotating through different kinds of dog food is not a good thing, so the one you select should be readily available.

Also, read the labels. Lots of people just buy pet food based on the front that has a wolf and a salmon on it. Don't get sucked into that marketing.

That being said, I use Purina Large Breed. I have a Labrador, not a Brittany.
Click to expand...
Good points. The marketing can get ya.

Thanks for the tips!
 
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FWIW, when cost is an issue there are some brands of dog food that aren't household names but can provide some level of value. Not saying they are the "best" but I know two, small dog breeders in the midwest that have switched their dogs to these brands with good results. Both sell #50 lb bags of dog food under $40 and are available from local feed stores. One switched from Pro Plan and the other from Innukshuk and both are happy with the switch.

Extreme Dog Fuel – Quality Dog Food for your pet

extremedogfuel.com extremedogfuel.com

SpecialtyFeedsValu-Pak

www.specialty-feeds.com www.specialty-feeds.com
 
I like pro plan and a couple years ago when supply chains went crazy it could still be found. I agree above start on a quaility food and don’t switch unless something major pops up.
 
My vets recommendation. "Feed a mid priced food that is readily available, avoid the really cheap and really expensive". He feeds Purina Pro Plan. but used to feed Eukanuba to his pack. I feed Nurtiscource, and have fed PPP.
 
If you travel a lot like I do pro plan is the only one that makes sense since it can be found almost everywhere. Also it seems to have less recalls than some of the other brands.
 
I've always fed mine Purina One (now 30% protein) and they have thrived on it. Every store, Walmart included, seems to carry it. The last thing you want to happen is to run out of the dog's usual food and not be able to replace it immediately. That's why I've never given any consideration to feeding a brand that is hard to find or has to be ordered. My two cents worth.
 
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Foxhole762 said:
Ya I figured as much. I just know things change and science changes food, so I figure if there is a common denominator for food decision making then it would be helpful. Pro plan is nice and I’ve used it with my tick hounds but man that stuff has gone up in price.

My Brittany came from Tecumseh Michigan
Click to expand...

I'm feeding my 9 year old Brittany PPP Adult +7 Chicken and Rice. Just bought a 34# bag and it was $77.48. But that bag lasts me about 3 months. So about $25/month or less than a buck a day. My dog is sure worth that.
 
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