Peter Maniate

Thank you Peter.

Appreciate all birthday wishes but the ones from my fellow Newf lovers are extra special. Thanks folks.

Happy Birthday Peter!

:music: Happy Birthday from across the miles Peter :music:

Ronnie

wishing you the happiest of birthdays ,
jacqui,x

Thanks for the birthday wishes, Peter. I just figured out where the PMs were... getting older not smarter, ha! ha!

Thanks Jacqui,

Newfondly,

Peter

a very happy birthday to you ,
jacqui,x

Hi AC,

Guess I didn't understand what info you were seeking

The Acana puppy food for large breeds is not grain free but more importantly it is low in omega 3 (less than 1/3rd of the amount in Acana Pacifica) which is important for the skin and coat of Newfs. They have an unique coat amongst canines and high levels of omega 3 are crucial. Even with the Acana Pacifica and Orijen 6-Fish, many Newfie guardians have to supplement with fish oil.

The Orijen Puppy is very good in its latest formulation and meets the base criteria of being grain free, red meat free, high in omega 3 and significant fish content. It is however low in taurine.

Orijen Puppy Large is also low in taurine and a tad low comparitively in omega 3.

Newfondly,

Peter

Hi Peter,

Let me quote you then address:

You said “I'm not allowed enough characters (maximum of 1000) in this format to even begin to explain what is wrong with each brand of dog food.” - I didn’t ask for each brand of puppy dog food only the 2 from Champion, maybe I wasn’t clear enough if that’s the case I do apologize.

You said "I don't mind your questions but I am frustrated that my key point of choosing the right food and ignoring the marketing labels is not coming across." - I assure you it is coming across but only as an opinion from you so far since the facts indicate that both mentioned puppy kibbles from Champion pet foods seem to meet and exceed your own criterias. I am puzzled as to why you advise changing over to Acana Pacifica and Orijen 6 fish immediately when so far based solely on the stats/facts it would not appear needed when feeding Champion’s puppy kibble.

Thanks for your advice and patience,
AC

Hi AC,

With regard to your first question, the objective is to keep the puppy's growth within the guidelines for minimum and maximum rates. Adjustments should not be normally made by going to a less nutritious food but rather by adjusting the quantity fed.

I'm not allowed enough characters (maximum of 1000) in this format to even begin to explain what is wrong with each brand of dog food. As I indicated earlier I judge each food by its appropriateness for Newfs based on the ancestral diet of the breed rather than on the marketing labelling. My current first choice recommendation is what I am using for my current litter, Orijen 6-Fish. However I am also advising my current adopters as appropriate to use Acana Pacifica if needed to control loose stools and Orijen Puppy if they need a more appetizing food.

I don't mind your questions but I am frustrated that my key point of choosing the right food and ignoring the marketing labels is not coming across.

Newfondly,

Peter

Hi Peter,

Ok so just to make sure I understand you correctly then there is no need to try and slow down the growth of Newf puppies like some people have suggested to us and you believe that giving them a high protein kibble is best (30% or more)at this stage.

So except for the puppy/large breed puppy kibbles from all manufacturers including Orijen and Acana being “marketing gimmicks” as you put it, what exactly is wrong with them per se? Since the puppy kibble from Orijen and Acana come with protein levels at 30% + and quality ingredients. For reference purpose of our discussion: Acana Large breed puppy food is 33% and Orijen large breed puppy food is 38% crude protein (min.).

I hope I am not coming across as arguing here, I’m just trying to understand what the logical reason would be not to give the puppies puppy kibble instead of adult kibble right away.

I look forward to your feedback and advice,
AC

Hi AC,

Since 1982 I have been raising pups on high protein kibble (30% or more) and there has been no sign of too rapid growth in the young ones. This is now documented by the growth charts on my website. Litters 44 and 45 were fed Orijen Puppy (not Puppy Large); litter 46 was fed Orijen 6-Fish; litter 47 got Acana Pacific and the current litter is on Orijen 6-Fish.

Instead of blindly trying to slow growth in a puppy, I choose to monitor the pup's growth instead against growth guidelines and only fix a problem if there is one. The standard I use is 2 - 5 lbs growth weekly based on a three week moving average from 12 weeks of age to six months; thereafter, zero to 2 lbs weekly.

Newfondly,

Peter

Hi Peter,

Since the ultimate goal here is to have them grow at a slower rate so they could grow into their bones/structure sort of speak, I'm curious, aren't the higher levels of protein in Orijen 6 fish or Acana Pacifica as opposed to the large breed puppy from Acana too much for the little guys during the first 6 months?

The difference protein wise between Orijen 6 fish and Acana large breed puppy food is rather large, maybe I’m missing something here.

Thanks for your advice and patience,
AC

Hi AC,

If you're worried about soft stools, then you should go to Acana Pacifica which is the Acana brand version of Orijen 6-Fish.

Also, please be aware that these feeds are rated for "all life stages" based on AAFCO standards which means that they meet all criteria for puppies.

Newfondly,

Peter

Hi Peter,

Thanks for the feedback Peter, we'll follow your advice then as soon as the Acana bag is a little closer to being empty. I hope the Orijen 6 fish doesn't bring us back to soft stools again.

Thanks
AC

Hi AC,

Unlike most Newf guardians I see designations on food bags such as "puppy", "puppy large", adult, etc. as marketing gimmicks. I assess the various feeds based on ingredients, analysis and actual testing on my Newfs.

With regard to Acana, only one product is on my Approved Food List for Newfs and that is Acana Pacifica. Unlike the Orijen products which with one exception all contain significant fish, Acana is limited to only one that I can recommend. With this in mind I would suggest that you change your puppy over to the Pacifica or to Orijen 6-Fish.

Newfondly,

Peter

Hi Peter,

We have a 12 week old Newf puppy that is presently on Acana's large puppy food after trying Orijen's large puppy food but getting too many very soft stools.

We were going to keep him on the Acana puppy food for several months at least but recently a couple of people mentioned to us that they usually switch their Newf puppies to adult food at 14 weeks old. How do you feel about this early switch?

We would of course switch to the adult free grain Acana or try Orijen 6 fish as we have been big fans of Orijen 6 fish with past Newfs.

Thanks
AC

I agree Ina; 1946 was a good year to be born. Thanks for the good wishes.

Newfondly,

Peter

1946? Such a..Vintage Year! Party On! ina