FEEDING OUR LABRADOR RETRIEVERS:
Feeding our labradors is something we also take pride in. I believe they have nice coats and skin because of the quality food we incorporate into their diets. Our primary food for them is either Solid Gold brand dog food or Black Gold Premium brand dog food. Both of which we use as a main ingredient in their diets. On a daily basis, our labs will get a mixture of one of the two dog foods listed previously, fish, and raw eggs. The fish we use is either sardines, jack mackeral or salmon. However, when we feel the need to change their menu a couple of times a week, they will either get beef, venison, chicken or turkey instead of fish. We also include raw or cooked vegetables two to three times a week.
For snacks, our labs will get apples, bananas, Solid Gold treats or hot dogs cut and diced up, raw or dried. I often use the hot dog treats for training purposes. A typical meal usually looks like this for our dogs, before being mixed together.
This is SOLID GOLD dog food, raw eggs and salmon.
BLACK GOLD DOG FOOD:
We typically use Black Gold Premium Dog Food in our feeding program. However, if Black Gold is not available, we will use the Retriever Brand Dog Food available at TSC stores.
Black Gold Performance Blend Dog Food
HIP DYSPLASIA AND VITAMIN C LINKS:
We are also sure to include an Ester-C tablet in their diets daily. I give them Vitamin C for their joints and muscles and it helps with rebuilding cartilidge. I've included a couple links below for reading about the benefits of Vitamin C in our dogs' diets. Most store brand/bought dog foods lack the vitamin C and minerals dogs need. From the research I've done, I believe Vitamin C is essential to our pets' health. Our dogs' diets may differ from what you prefer to feed your dog, but I am sure if you read up on natural foods vs. store bought dog food, you may change your mind about buying a store bought dog food for your precious pet.
We've found that the price is not that much higher either.
"Cyberpet.com" (This link is a testimonial from a breeder who's experienced no hip dysplasia and has done lots of research in regards to the disease.
I like this one best because it makes complete sense to me and more and more I see breeders who include vegetables in their dogs' diets resulting in no HD.
In addition, we have watched some detailed movies that related to Scurvy being due to lack of vitamins and minerals in a human's diet.
Scurvy and HD have relatively common symptoms such as loose joints and loss of cartilidge. Scurvy is a result of lack of vitamin C in the body).
"Filadog.com" (This is another very helpful website that tells about Scurvy and HD).
"LapDog.com" Reference Material and a strong belief for Vitamin C supplements in our large breed dogs.
"LabradorNet.com"
"PetEducation.com"
"Workingdogs.com"
"OFA - The Dysplastic Joint"
"OFA overview 2006" Booklet - Health Databases and Selective Breeding"
I emailed the OFA and asked them the following questions and they responded with:
"Read the "OFA overview 2006" booklet to answer your questions." (the link is above)
- Do OFA clearances guarantee a dog to be free of Hip Dysplasia?"
- Do OFA clearances on a sire and dam guarantee a puppy that you buy from a breeder to be free of Hip Dysplasia?"
- For what reason is getting your dog's OFA clearances better than just having a quality x-ray done on your dog from your own professional vet?
- Do your dogs have to be microchipped before getting clearances? If not microchipped, then do they need an ID of some sort to get clearances?
- What percentage does genetics contribute to a dog having or getting hip dysplasia?
- Does diet, exercise, the environment play a role in hip dysplasia?
I also wrote them in regards to their stats listed on their site. Here is my letter to them:
Dear OFA,
After reading through your stats for the labrador retriever it seems to me that 12% is not a very high number of dogs that are contracting this “disease”. So it leaves me with a few questions for your organization.
BREED:
LABRADOR RETRIEVER
RANK:
82
NUMBER OF EVALUATIONS:
208931
PERCENT EXCELLENT:
17.6
PERCENT DYSPLASTIC:
12.0
I was wondering the following:
Of the 12% that were dysplastic,
How many were severely dysplastic?
How many were above the age of 5 years old?
How many were fed store bought dog food?
How many were “outside” dogs and not kept in the house?
How many of these labradors had injuries to their joints in their lifetime?
Are these questions you can help me with in regards to your stats? I am trying my best to understand your guidelines and to find out whether there are other factors that play a role in hip dysplasia. Any information you can provide to me will help me out tremendously.
Thank you,
OFA STATS link
OFA Stats on Hilltop Countryside Barnburner
"Genetic Screening Tests are x-rays..."
"Vaccination Schedules"
WORMING TREATMENTS:
We do not give our pups any medicines for fleas that include pesticides.
We keep them on cedar bedding and give them 2 baths before going home with an oil based shampoo and conditioner (Sentry brand).
We also start de-worming treatments on the pups from age 3 weeks until they go home with the brand name, Pyrantel.
All pups are born with worms, so we do our best to try and keep every pup worm-free before going home.
However, we encourage continued use of the Pyrantel until at least 12 weeks of age, giving 1 tsp. every other week from age 8 weeks to 12 weeks.
Please understand that all pups are BORN with worms, so your pup can have worms when they go home with you although we do our best to keep them from this.
Our vet gives a dose of STRONGID or Panacur dewormer when the pups get their first vaccinations as well.
DOG FOOD RATINGS WEBSITES
5 STAR DOG FOODS LIST
SOLID GOLD brand BARKING at the MOON, it received 5 stars
BLACK GOLD brand Signature Series, it received 3 stars
A valuable website for learning about dog food.
|
