debsvirgo

Hi Ruth If i was you and i had lots of food - rather than waste it and just change - decide which food she will change to and mix it in with the food you have and then you will get a gradual change over and not upset her tummy. I did this when i changed my pups and their poops were just as good as if they were on the supercoat when they had fully changed over - i'm a poop watcher and if it looks good - not too soft and not too hard then in my opinion the food they are eating is good. Hope this helps. Debs

I do - they are good fun and so very loyal and clever, don't think i will ever be owned by any other breed :p Debs

Sorry but i disagree. If your large breed puppy grows too quick (which is what these high protein foods - puppy foods promote) you will have excess pressure on the bones. However if you control growth by still using a decent food with a protein content of around 22% less pressure will be added to the bone growth - hopefully reducing HD. Puppy feeds are usually 26-32% protein content which is too high for a large breed as they are less active as a puppy than say a Jack Russel that is happy to run around all day and would need the extra energy in a puppy food. I would definately not feed puppy formula foods to a large breed past 6 months of age. Debs

Hi I have Newfoundlands and my 2 pups Charlie and Tia have just passed the 6 month line - they are now off Supercoat puppy and are on a Working Dog kibble - still 22% protein - they have been on it just over a week - they love the change and simply woof it down, think they may have been a bit bored withSupercoat. But my main reason for change is the protein content which in reducing this should still see growth but at a controlled rather than fast rate, which i prefer in large breeds. Being from the UK i have had to find new feeds for my bears and Cobbers Working dog has been great in my older dogs - they have nice coats/skin and teeth - so i am staying with this for the pups as it seems a good food for my other dogs. I tried loads of different feeds but this one seems really good and only $22.45 for 20kg. In your breed - very similar to Newfy - he has probably nearly reached his target height for breed anyway and will just fill out and broaden as he reaches maturity - i would consider changing him over gradually now - or speak to your breeder see what they suggest. Hope this helps Debs

Misty Blue just loving it in the kitchen - bless him

After the operation

As promised before the operation

Misty Blue had the stitches removed today tht were holding his eye shut - the other stitchs from the operation are the dissolving type, the vet was very pleased with the way his eye looks and it's great to see him back with two eyes again - bless him he has been so good. Only one problem now though - since he has been inside with us for the past 5 days he barks contantly when we put him outside!!! Guess we have gained a house dog lol At least he's on the mend now - pics to follow in a mo regards Debs

Well Misty Blue has had his little operation - he is now banging into everything with his new Elizabethan collar!!! We have to keep him apart from the other 2 pups for 5 days - should be fun as they are just the other side of the back door!!! He checked his other eye and could see no obvious loosness and feels that it was probably injured play fighting! He is having fun running around and banging into things - lets hope he is ok - he seems fine though. regards Debs

Hi renay I have to starve him from 7.00pm tonight and take him in at 8.30am tomorrow, can't do the pics till later o/h has the camera at work!!! Debs

Hi Ellz/Renay Misty Blue is fine - it was his 3rd eyelid that has popped up - vet seems to think one of the other pups may have caught it playing!!! He is booked in tomorrow for a little operation to tack it back into place - bless him. Had him weighed while we were there 21.2kg age 13 weeks 6 days!!! No fat on him he is a big lad!!!! I will get a piccie of him for you in a mo. regards Debs

Hi Ellz I have him booked in at 10.20am so let you know how we get on. regards Debs

Hi Ellz Your great when somebody needs advise - could be the teething that has caused it then - would you wait to see if it fixed itself or just go the vets and get it sorted? regards Debs

Thanks Ellz It does seem to look like that condition - i first noticed it yesterday afternoon - he was fine this morning but it has appeared again this afternoon. I will see how he goes tomorrow - but looks like a trip to the vets!!! Do you have any idea what causes it? regards Debs

One of my 13 week old boys has got a pinkish fatty looking blob of skin in the corner of his eye- like an extra eyelid but at the bottom inside corner appear - any ideas what it could be? It has just appeared overnight, when you rub his eye it disappears for a minute then appears again Any advise or help would be great regards Debbie

Use the raised bowls. My newfies have never had bloat or splayed feet. The raising of the bowl will definately help his stance while eating - if worried give him smaller portions of food at different intervals. Fast eating greedy dogs will take in air with their food which will add to the Bloat problem - read the link above its very informative. regards Debs

I stand to be corrected Bloat The above site is really good - i was always told elevated bowls reduced bloat - you live and learn regards Debs At least this should correct his feet - just beware of bloat then!

Raising his bowl is a must! At least he is young enough to hopefully correct this - please raise his food and water. An old table with 2 holes cut into it would suffice but it must be adjusted as he grows. have the bowls just below his mouth so he just leans forward rather than bends down to eat. Give it a couple of months and he should be good. I would never give any supplement to a large puppy he will get enough goodness from his puppy food. Extra supplements will just cause problems later on in life. let us know how he gets on in a couple months regards Debs

Raising his bowl is a must! At least he is young enough to hopefully correct this - please raise his food and water. An old table with 2 holes cut into it would suffice but it must be adjusted as he grows. have the bowls just below his mouth so he just leans forward rather than bends down to eat. Give it a couple of months and he should be good. I would never give any supplement to a large puppy he will get enough goodness from his puppy food. Extra supplements will just cause problems later on in life. let us know how he gets on in a couple months regards Debs

Most common problem for feet splaying is if your dog is fed in a bowl on the floor!!! You must in all larger breeds feed from a raised feeding bowl - this also helps food go down at the right angle and prevents bloat in deep chested breeds. Do you feed on the floor or raised? This goes for water as well it must be at a correct height for your dog. I use horse feeders with the metal hooks on the back for water with my Newfies - i have always fed them raised and have never had a problem with their feet. Hope this helps regards Debbie

Hi I have just brought my first grooming table and hydrobath for my Newfoundlands that absolutely adore the Dam!!! My next purchase will be 2 chairs for sitting on when i start showing and i have half paid for a 6 berth doggy trailer. Will be all set then regards Debs