This schedule is an Addendum to our Contract / Health Guarantee.
The head of Orthopedic Surgery at Colorado State University, along with other veterinarians and breeders, suggest that puppies of large breeds should be fed adult-formulated food (NOT high performance - an adult-formulated food should be 25% or less protein and between 12% and 16% fat. Do not feed this puppy any food that does not meet these guidelines or the hip and elbow guarantee will become null and void.
Puppy-formulated foods encourage too much growth in the large breeds, and this is one of the contributing factors of most of the bone diseases that appear in our large dogs: hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, etc. Please note: diet is not what causes the bone problems, (it is known that dysplasia is genetic) however, more recent studies suggest that diet and environment have a role in a puppy developing dysplasia, if the puppy would have been a border-line candidate for it. Studies have shown that after four months of age, puppies will reach their full potential of growth while on the adult-formulated food, but their bones will have the proper chance to grow strong and healthy.
Do not feed your puppy by the “free-choice” method (i.e., fill his bowl up and let him eat as much as he wants, whenever he wants). The amount of food will vary from puppy to puppy, but what you want is a puppy that stays on the thin side (not so he looks unhealthy!). You do not want him fat or even pleasingly plump!! DO NOT ADD CALCIUM TO YOUR PUPPY'S DIET, UNLESS DIRECTED BY YOUR VETERINARIAN. What you want to avoid is promoting too much growth too soon.
During the house training period, it will be easier to feed the puppy at scheduled times.
Give the puppy water about an hour after each meal. This not only makes for easier house training, but prevents the puppy from gorging himself with water before he eats. Allow the puppy 15 - 20 minutes to finish his meal, then remove his dish. Do not allow him to return to the same meal. If his does not finish a meal, remove his food and feed the rest to him at his next scheduled meal.
Eight - Twelve Weeks: |
250 mg. Vitamin C per day. Feed three times daily, approximately 1 to 1 ½ cups dry dog food depending on the puppy's weight |
Three - Six Months: |
500 mg. Vitamin C per day. Feed two times daily, increase dry dog food as needed. During the teething period, the puppy may go off his feed temporarily. A hard chew toy helps. |
Six Months - Adulthood: |
1000 mg. Vitamin C per day. Two meals daily. Increase dry food as needed. By now, the puppy should be completely house trained and fresh water should be available at all times. Have your veterinarian check him for worms, keep his shot record up-to-date with boosters once per year. |
In the past decade or so, most dog owners have become more aware that their German Shepherd Dogs need a good diet for optimal health. However, most of us have been so inundated with "this brand is better than that brand" by the media and pet food companies that many people are confused as to what constitutes a "good" food.
After many years of trying many different brands of food for our pets, we have found that a "fixed formula" pet food is the best. A fixed formula food is one that no matter what the price of the ingredients, the food is made the same each and every time. Grocery store foods are not made that way. Whatever is cheapest when the pet food company goes to make their food is what is in there the most. Corn is something that many foods contain as it is a cheap filler. However, corn is not easily digestible by cats and dogs. Therefore, in our opinion, corn should not be in there at all!
Dog and cat food should be a meat based formula. A good, fixed-formula food is essential to good health. As with humans, we are what we eat. It goes without saying that if your dog has a good diet, there may well be less health problems - thus fewer vet costs AND longer life spans.
Over two years ago, we came across a company that sells, what we believe to be, the best pet food on the market today! All of their foods are formulated by a nationally-recognized holistic veterinarian. Life's Abundance offer very high-quality foods, supplements and treats and training treats --- at not-so high prices (comparable to Royal Canin [which we used to feed] and other premium dog foods). Dogs and cats do so great on this nutrient rich food and love the treats. In fact, I believe in this dog food so much I now offer a full five year health guarantee on our German Shepherd puppies, if my puppy buyers feed Life's Abundance dog food exclusively! We believe that Life's Abundance food and supplements assists our dogs and cats to live healthier and longer lives.
Life's Abundance Holistic Pet Food
Feed Life's Abundance for 30 days and if you don't see a difference, Life's Abundance will give you your money back!
- No Steroids
- No Hormones
- No By-Products
- No Artificial Colorings
- No Corn, Wheat or Soy
- No Chemical Preservatives
We also use and highly recommend Life's Abundance Daily Nutritional System for Dogs AND Life's Abundance Agility Supplement. It is a requirement of our 5 year Health Guarantee that our puppies continue to receive Life's Abundance Daily Nutritional Supplement AND the agility supplement as a condition of the Health Guarantee
We feed and recommend Life's Abundance dog food. Have your dog take the taste test, you will never turn back.
About Life's Abundance, visit their web site.
Life's Abundance Premium Health Food is made with select ingredients, including high-quality chicken and catfish meals, whole grains, nutritious vegetables and fruits, omega fatty acids and much more. Life's Abundance never uses corn or wheat products and never use artificial flavors or colors. With Life's Abundance, you can be confident that you are feeding your dog advanced nutrition.
Life's Abundance's holistic veterinarian has created not one, but two masterpieces of canine nutrition! We now offer premium canned dog foods formulated especially for breakfast and dinner. Your dog will flip for Turkey & Shrimp Breakfast in Broth, a savory omelet-inspired serving of turkey, shrimp, eggs, red skinned potatoes, red bell peppers and cheddar cheese. And at the end of the day, they'll relish the delectable Chicken Crab Dinner in Sauce, featuring organic chicken, crab, eggs, carrots, red skinned potatoes, peas and apples in an appetizing sauce.
Dr. Jane recommends feeding our canine companions twice a day. To stress the importance of feeding two smaller meals per day, instead of one large meal, she has created two absolutely delicious recipes Turkey & Shrimp Breakfast in Broth and Chicken & Crab Dinner in Sauce. These two new gourmet meals will tantalize your pup's taste buds and satisfy their innermost cravings for wholesome nutrition.
Perfect as mouth-watering toppers or as delectable, standalone meals, these superb recipes feature deluxe assortments of real turkey, shrimp, chicken and crab plus vegetables and fruit. Every serving includes optimal amounts of essential vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and omega fatty acids.
And Life's Abundance never, under any circumstances, use artificial colors, artificial flavors, corn, corn gluten, wheat or wheat gluten in any of our foods. Best of all, you will have the comfort of knowing that when you provide these premium health foods, you will be helping your dog to build a better health foundation for long-term vitality and wellness.
Never before has canine nutrition been this appetizing!
Tasty Rewards are wholesome nutritional training treats made from New Zealand-raised chicken and venison.
They're loaded with proteins, minerals, vitamins and essential fatty acids. And, like all of our foods, supplements and treats, you'll find no added chemical preservatives or artificial coloring.
With Tasty Rewards Training Treats, discipline can be delicious!
Dogs can’t resist the rich aroma of our delicious, hickory-smoked pig snouts. Packed with high-quality protein, Porky Puffs chewable treats are non-greasy and contain no chemical preservatives or flavors. And with no artificial colors, you won’t have to worry about hard-to-remove stains in your carpet!
They are easily digestible and therefore a safe alternative to rawhide, which can cause choking, throat irritations and potentially dangerous intestinal blockages.
Since the digestive system is the first line of immune defense, treating your dog to a Porky Puffs won’t put a strain on his or her health, like other highly-processed products on the market today. You’ll feel better providing a treat they’ll love, while helping to maintaining a healthy digestive system. And Porky Puffs are appropriate for dogs of all ages.
Give your sweet pup something to be truly thankful for – yummy Porky Puffs!
Porkhide Bones are safe and healthy alternative to rawhide treats. Rawhides are cured with harsh chemicals (like ash-lye solutions and bleach) and are known to cause choking, throat irritations and intestinal blockages. Why risk the safety of your precious pup on an inexpensive product, when there's a better option?
Our Porkhide Bones are gourmet chew treats made with 100% natural pork skin and have a lasting, mouth-watering flavor your dog will love! These yummy treats are naturally high in protein, low in fat and are highly digestible.
The shape of the bone fits inside the mouth for maximum contact, which helps promote healthy teeth and gums. And they are safe for dogs of all ages. Your dog will love these safe, healthy and delicious treats!
For more information on dog food and other products, please click here to visit Life's Abundance web site. I had my dog's make the taste test and they love the food!
We feed and recommend Life's Abundance dog food. It is a condition of sale for owning one of our puppies.
Read testimonials from Breeders that made the switch to Life's Abundance food.
