Feeding the Working Boxer Part 1
Grain-Free, Freeze Dried, Raw Diets, oh my!
There's never been a better time to be feeding your dog than now. There is a mind boggling array of choices in today's dog food market, enough to confuse the experienced dog feeder. Similiar to our organization, the dog food industry is in the midst of a dog food revolution! In this article I will be presenting you with diets that have worked for my Boxers for years. Whether you are breeding or preparing for one of our working trials, I hope you find something here that will benefit your Boxer. In short, a quality diet equals a quality of life for your BOXER.
Before we go on further we have to acknowledge some facts about the dog; 1. Dogs for all intensive purposes are wolves, at least from a genetic stand point. Their DNA differs by less than 1%. If we can all agree on this point, then I can pose the question, "When is the last time you saw a Wolf, Coyote or a Lion for that matter grazing in a field of Corn? Wheat? Rice? or Soy? I didn't think so.
Dogs like Wolves are predators, physically they are designed to hunt down prey animals. Their jaws are designed to tear flesh and crush bone. In recent years, I have come across an alarming number of dogs suffering from illnesses and allergies that I whole heartedly believe come from thier grain-based commercial diets. If we thrive on a diet consisting of raw foods such as fruits, vegetables and a variety of meats, which helps us grow while building our immune system. Why would our dogs be any different? We are at our healthiest when we avoid processed foods; fried foods and sugars. The same with dogs, which are more sensitve to their diet than we are.
Using this logic, coupled with experience, I have learned a lot in regards to what works and what doesn't with my Boxers. Rule of thumb, think natural, think meat! Dogs are carnivores, they thrive on protein rich foods. Meat and organ meat specifically is what dogs do well on. Dogs do not have the ability to break down vegetable matter in its raw form. They just don't have the enzymes to do so efficiently. This is why when you feed a "cup" of your popular commercial dog food, what comes out the other end is usually "2 cups". This is because little of the food is being absorbed and used by the body. As grains run through their bodies, they absorb vital moisture which taxes their system, exlaining why many grain based dog food eaters have dull coats. The coat is the first to show signs of a weakness in the diet.
Being carnivores, dogs thrive on meat and I recommend organ meat. Dogs naturally prefer it. This is why, carnivores gut their prey. You never see a nature show where wolves or lions are fighting over a leg after making a kill? Predators go for the gut and entrails, which are valuable sources of digestive enzymes and beneficial bacteria which help them break down its meal, enhancing nutrient and vitamin absorption from their prey.
This is a list of dry kibble that I recommend and companies that supply raw foods. I will detail feeding regiments and recipes as well.
Not all foods are created equal. Pay attention to meat content and then where the company sources their ingredients.
Dry Dog Food
1. ACANA dog food
2. ORIJEN dog food
3. ZIGNATURE dog food
4. NUTRISCA dog food
5. BACK to BASICS
6. TASTE of the WILD
Raw Food Brands
1. Green Tripe
2. Primal
3. Bravo
4. Vital Essentials
5. Tuckers Raw
There's never been a better time to be feeding your dog than now. There is a mind boggling array of choices in today's dog food market, enough to confuse the experienced dog feeder. Similiar to our organization, the dog food industry is in the midst of a dog food revolution! In this article I will be presenting you with diets that have worked for my Boxers for years. Whether you are breeding or preparing for one of our working trials, I hope you find something here that will benefit your Boxer. In short, a quality diet equals a quality of life for your BOXER.
Before we go on further we have to acknowledge some facts about the dog; 1. Dogs for all intensive purposes are wolves, at least from a genetic stand point. Their DNA differs by less than 1%. If we can all agree on this point, then I can pose the question, "When is the last time you saw a Wolf, Coyote or a Lion for that matter grazing in a field of Corn? Wheat? Rice? or Soy? I didn't think so.
Dogs like Wolves are predators, physically they are designed to hunt down prey animals. Their jaws are designed to tear flesh and crush bone. In recent years, I have come across an alarming number of dogs suffering from illnesses and allergies that I whole heartedly believe come from thier grain-based commercial diets. If we thrive on a diet consisting of raw foods such as fruits, vegetables and a variety of meats, which helps us grow while building our immune system. Why would our dogs be any different? We are at our healthiest when we avoid processed foods; fried foods and sugars. The same with dogs, which are more sensitve to their diet than we are.
Using this logic, coupled with experience, I have learned a lot in regards to what works and what doesn't with my Boxers. Rule of thumb, think natural, think meat! Dogs are carnivores, they thrive on protein rich foods. Meat and organ meat specifically is what dogs do well on. Dogs do not have the ability to break down vegetable matter in its raw form. They just don't have the enzymes to do so efficiently. This is why when you feed a "cup" of your popular commercial dog food, what comes out the other end is usually "2 cups". This is because little of the food is being absorbed and used by the body. As grains run through their bodies, they absorb vital moisture which taxes their system, exlaining why many grain based dog food eaters have dull coats. The coat is the first to show signs of a weakness in the diet.
Being carnivores, dogs thrive on meat and I recommend organ meat. Dogs naturally prefer it. This is why, carnivores gut their prey. You never see a nature show where wolves or lions are fighting over a leg after making a kill? Predators go for the gut and entrails, which are valuable sources of digestive enzymes and beneficial bacteria which help them break down its meal, enhancing nutrient and vitamin absorption from their prey.
This is a list of dry kibble that I recommend and companies that supply raw foods. I will detail feeding regiments and recipes as well.
Not all foods are created equal. Pay attention to meat content and then where the company sources their ingredients.
Dry Dog Food
1. ACANA dog food
2. ORIJEN dog food
3. ZIGNATURE dog food
4. NUTRISCA dog food
5. BACK to BASICS
6. TASTE of the WILD
Raw Food Brands
1. Green Tripe
2. Primal
3. Bravo
4. Vital Essentials
5. Tuckers Raw