sas

Hate the bloody things. Walk around a corner and there is a dog coming at us 10 metres in front of its owner who has no control over it. They are not a 'tool', they are a piece of equipment for lazy people who can't and won't train their dogs appropriately.

Sounds ike an overtired puppy that needs 'you' to put it to bed in its crate. Puppies don't always know when they need to go to sleep, they need us to help them with that sometimes.

LOL I seriously have no idea why so many Greyhound folk people feed their dogs absolute crap when they expect performance out of them. I know alot of them are feeding Coprice and then Roo mince - really makes no sense to me at all. I have heard some of generation ones coming through putting the best into their dogs to get the best out rather than feeding crap and having to give every supplement under the sun.

Not really, kind of goes against the principals of it all, I'm not sure that it would be a positive thing digestion wise.

I currently feed Dr Billinghurst to my Dane, I was using Country Comfort BARF but they'd always itch on it. And with my sensative skin dog I am using the Augustine Approved receipe: http://www.augustineapproved.com.au/recipes.php

I was under the impression that the Oats in VAN was just there as roufage (mmm how do you spell that!) and nothing else.

Maybe just keep the dog on a double dose of Pet Ark Calm and consider crate training so the dog has what it believes is a safe den during storms?

Awesome!

The phos:calc is important. Protein isn't unimportant but it's not just about the protein which alot of people think itis. Our research has shownthat Australian Great Dane breeders generally like to keep their protein levels generally below 26% and that is inline with the reccomended matrix – that's not to say below 26% isn't ideal though. Royal Canin have a Giant Breed formula that was clinically trailed and has a higherprotein level. As we learn more and trial more we're going to start feeding differently in the future which I think is a natural progression. The protein should be made up of high quality, animal-based sources and fat around the 12-14% mark for puppies. During clinical studiesthey found that there was nodifferences found among the high, normal and low protein groups for the heightat the shoulder. The differences inprotein intake per se had no demonstrable consequences for calcium metabolismand skeletal development. Previousstudies suggest that the following dietary matrix is most ideal for growingDane puppies: Protein: Under 26% Calcium: Approx 0.80%, Phosphorus: Approx 0.67% Fat: Approx. 12-14%.Calc/Phos Ratio: 1:2:1

Well just work out the new ratio and see if you're happy with it. Merchants change their ratios from time to time.

I said it was a low qualiety diet. Plenty of Breeders feed it, it doesn't mean they are a bad breeder. Like anything with knowledge comes change, not many people are really look that indepth into the ingrediant panel yet or simply feed it because they get it discounted or free - I mean why else would you feed GMO corn and a kibble with 3 low quality fillers in the top 4? May I then ask your opinion about what you consider the best kibble out at the moment for dane pups? Holistic seems to do well. Holistic Select Lge & Giant Breed Puppy Protein: 24% Calcium: 1.0% Phosphorus: 0.80% Fat: 14% (Calc/Phos Ratio 1.3:1) Price: 13.6kgs for approx $118.00

SAS, the document you linked me is fantastic and very informative - thank you for that. My choice of Holistic Select is indeed one of the suitable options listed on the document with appropriate calc/phos levels. May I ask why Advance is not recommended on that document? It is recommended in that document It is... AdvanceTotal Wellbeing All Breed Protein: 26% Calcium: 0.62% Phosphorus: 0.51% Fat: 15% (Calc/Phos Ratio 1.2:1) Price: 15kgs for approx $108.00

I said it was a low qualiety diet. Plenty of Breeders feed it, it doesn't mean they are a bad breeder. Like anything with knowledge comes change, not many people are really looking that indepth into the ingrediant panel yet or simply feed it because they get it discounted or free - I mean why else would you feed GMO corn and a kibble with 3 low quality fillers in the top 4? The only reason I started looking in depth because I kept seeing dogs who were fed what I thought were low quality ingrediants being sickly dogs, didn't look great or didn't seem to grow well etc. Now, in saying that there are plenty of dogs fed the absolute crap sawdust kibbles that look ok, although given it's not doing anything good for them you'd have to wait for the coming years to see how it all panned out. You wouldn't feed your kids the crap off the floor if you could afford better....why spend over $2,000 on a pup and give it a disadvantaged start....doesn't make sense huh.

My personal stance on it is yes do your research so you know when your Breeder gives you the diet sheet and you see something on there you disagree with you can have that discussion with your breeder. Buying a puppy isn't reglion isn't not about blind faith, I believe everyone should ask questions and not just get "Because" answers but actual factual answers. Our Great Dane Owners Guide was put together with factual infomation, clinical studies, information from breeders in the game over 20 years - I'd like to think it's some pretty solid info to use as a research base. Giant Breed diets are commonly confused as being all about the Protein level - but in fact it's about the phos:calc ratio. I don't believe many Vets really have a right to comment on Giant Breed diets as it's not something they're school in extensively unless it's something they set out to research themselves. We end up with a number of messed up dogs because Vets have told the owner to put the dog on an inappropriate diet as well as calcium supplements which is a big no no. 6 month old puppy gone wrong... Some conformation issues here granted. This puppy was fed an incorrect diet reccomended by the Breeder.

And in regards to Advance I think it's a low quality diet, it uses GMO corn (I have asked them directly) and the first 3 ingrediants after the 1st one being chicken (for Total wellness) is all cheap fillers. We only get one chance to grow these Giants properly and set them up why not do it with the correct phos:calc ratios and with high quality ingrediants - Danes are hard enough to grow as it is.

Perhaps, with all due respect if people could just leave the food reccomendations to the Dane folk as Dane pups need a very specific phos:calc ratio

Raw diet for a novice is not reccomended. Being a rescuer I see the results of incorrect diets to this breed and it's heartbreaking.

Great Dane owners don't really feed either of those products to their puppies. If you have a look in the link I provided you you will see a feed survey in there and you can see what people are feeding. Stick to the Advance, it'll be fine unles syour puppy doesn't do well on it then you can speak with your breeder and chanhe it.

Great Dane puppies need a specific phos:calc ratio to grow properly and without this you can come up against many problems. Growing a giant breed isn't easy and it's needs repeated checking in with your breeder if you're a novice so you can send them photos of your dogs legs and feet etc. If you have a puppy coming home next week from a reputable breeder then I would suggest to feed your puppy what your Breeder reccomends, ask them to send you their feed guide. They know what works best on their lines. We have a free Australian Great Dane Owners Guide here and it has a big section on diet: http://www.greatdane...reat%20Dane.pdf

I'd reccomend you return the dog as well or ask a rescue who can work with the dog to take it. The dog isn't the right fit for your home.

Here's what we use: Anti Yeast Bath & Rinses Gallon of water (3.78 litres) Cup of Vinegar (I use White) Cup of Lemon (or don't use if you have a darker coloured dog you don't want to risk lightening its coat colour) 20 drops of Pure Peppermint Oil - myst be pure, get from a Healthfood store not cheap shop etc. Yeasty ears - use Witch Hazel on cotton wool. Yeast foot bath Gallon of water (3.78 litres) 1-4 Cups of Vinegar (I use White) We do the foot bath first then bath the dog and finish with the rinse.

Thanks, I'll order the book :) I have one dog that has been eating it for yonky donks and no dramas. The question came because my other dog was seen eating it also.

I think it's bloody brilliant and long over due. Too many rescues are taking dogs out of pounds that should not end up with inexperienced foster carers or the general public. I got sick of people attacking us (GDRR NSW) for not taking Danes and Dane x's because their temperament was not suitable to us / our carers / general public, get sick of hearing you can't test a dogs temperament in a pound environment...you 100% can. It's time excuses stopped and rescues such as PR's are stopped dead in their tracks, they make us look bad and the general public won't trust us anymore. I cannot stand PR's way of dealing with things.... http://www.gumtree.c...ogs-/1016105620

Yeah my research came up blank! The plant has been here for 3 years and nothing has happened to them from what I'm aware of and if my research comes up blank then I'm not going to worry too much I think unless I can find something to make me think otherwise.

Can you advise what minor eye problem you want to use it for?