Merrirose Posted January 15, 2011 Share Posted January 15, 2011 Will anyone share what they feed their show dogs? Any "must have" supplements you swear by? Do you have a fitting routine or do you let the dog naturally condition itself? How often do you bath/groom for a short haired breed and do you use any type of coat enhancers or conditioners? Do you use a normal parasite control program or worm more frequently when keeping your dog in peak condition? Do you keep a dog in peak condition the whole show season or let it drop off a little and then bring it back up again? Any tips or tricks you can share with me? Thanks in advance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandra777 Posted January 15, 2011 Share Posted January 15, 2011 Would have to depend on the breed. At all breeds shows most dogs are not shown at their true peak fitness, as a general rule they carry a fraction more weight (in some cases WAY more ) to make them look more asthetically pleasing - dogs at peak fitness with no fat over their bodies tend to look a bit stark for most people! I show Staffords and for non specialist judges mine tend have more cover on them than they have for specialist judges - but not the huge amounts of fat you see on a lot, being mistaken for "substance'' My crowd are unlikely to be wormed more than once a year (except tiny puppies) and then only if a fecal sample shows there's actually worms around. I would like to 100% raw feed but don't at the moment, about 80% instead. They get no supplements, only good fresh meaty bones and a moderate quality dry. Occasionally one of them needs a bit of help when having a bad hair day and I have a coat shine product for that, otherwise a good brush, good food and a healthy dog is all that's needed. They are in peak condition 3 or 4 times a year for the Stafford club shows, the rest of the year not so much. Road walking, free running and a happy life are the ''secret'' tips here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crisovar Posted January 15, 2011 Share Posted January 15, 2011 Will anyone share what they feed their show dogs? Any "must have" supplements you swear by? Do you have a fitting routine or do you let the dog naturally condition itself? How often do you bath/groom for a short haired breed and do you use any type of coat enhancers or conditioners? Do you use a normal parasite control program or worm more frequently when keeping your dog in peak condition? Do you keep a dog in peak condition the whole show season or let it drop off a little and then bring it back up again? Any tips or tricks you can share with me?Thanks in advance. Feeding, wow, huge subject, you feed whatever keeps your dog at his healthiest, you feed what suits your dog. What I feed may well not suit your dog. IMO a well balanced diet that keeps your dog at its healthiest and in suitable condition is all you need. Worming etc is all just basic health care IMO and they are kept parasite free regardless. I really don't think there are any secrets. Fitness depends on your breed, if you are going to show a GSD at specialty level it is a whole different ball game. The whole thing is a huge subject, my dogs could step into the ring after just a scrub up, because I like to keep them that way and our lifestyle suits them and show prep would be no biggie. Some breeds or lines may take extra work to get them looking fitter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RallyValley Posted January 15, 2011 Share Posted January 15, 2011 What breed of dog do you have? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OSoSwift Posted January 15, 2011 Share Posted January 15, 2011 I aim to keep my dogs in peak fitness all year round as I like the way the look when they are like that. I only show rarely. I tend to have mine leaner and fitter than a lot of other people (who don't race them) have them. I feed a good quality dry food and sardines, cottage cheese, meat, odd bit of dog sausage, yoghurt etc. They get fish oil and EPO around every second day and glucosamine as they run and play hard and I jump them for agility. They have free running and play on 5 acres, I lead walk them and all throw balls toys etc for them to chase. They get ran next to a bike a couple of times a week as well. I believe in cross training. I use Plush Puppy shampoo, but may try another recommended brand when I finally run out of this one. Afte they are washed I put Plush Puppy Reviva coat on them. Their coats always look nice, but being a single coated, shorthaired breed it is much more simple than a coated breed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SkySoaringMagpie Posted January 15, 2011 Share Posted January 15, 2011 Royal Canin and RMB/oily fish. I do not supplement, the dogs have naturally beautiful shiny coats (credit to the breeder there). There is also more and more research coming out to support the idea that supplementation can do more harm than good. I keep mine lean and in top running condition. As others have mentioned, many will keep a show dog fat, and in a short coated one it can take the place of sculpting a coat to give a desirable outline, etc. Normal parasite control, everyone is wormed on the first day of each season (ie, winter, spring etc - not bitches seasons). Unless there are worms present, I don't see any value in bombarding the dogs system with wormers. If they are constantly picking up worms, then you have environmental problems you need to deal with. I don't really distinguish between condition for show and condition for life. I dislike fatness and lack of fitness in my breed, and so I keep them fit, muscled and lean because it's what I prefer and what I want for them for a healthy life. My dogs don't get to sit on the couch eating chips and drinking beer during the off season. A LOT of this depends on the breed you are showing. People expect different things from a bulldog than they do a greyhound. Talk to the breeder of your dog. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boxagirl Posted January 15, 2011 Share Posted January 15, 2011 I have a Sibe. He lives on acerage with 7 other dogs to run around with to keep him fit. However I also do sledding with him, and am biking him now to train him up for ET. He gets fed 3 times a day, Proplan dry food, tiny bit of natures gift wet food. He gets a coat supplement to help with sheds. During sledding season his food is increased, and he is also fed chicken carcasses to maintain his weight- he seems to loose condition during sledding season. He is bathed the day before a show- so generally once a week. I use plush puppy seabreeze oil every second bath to condition his coat- no conditioner. He is blow dryed with a strong blowdryer to get out excess fur. We aim to keep him in condition all year round- but his condition varies with the activities he's performing. This year my aim is to increase his fitness (and mine) so he can get his ET, to increase his endurance for Sledding and also the showring. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Merrirose Posted January 15, 2011 Author Share Posted January 15, 2011 Thank you to all who have replied! I've learnt some things already! Very interesting Sandra777 that you prep you dogs slightly differently for a specialty show, It makes sense. LOL @ the image of SkySoaringMagpies Salukis sitting on the couch drinking beer and eating chips if they were allowed. Boxagirl your Sibe looks gorgeous! Id love to try an ET one day though I dont think IM fit enough haha! OsoSwift have you got a pic or can you give me a link that shows the condition you keep your dogs in? I love the fit look. RallyValley Whippets are the breed in question. Crisovar interesting point about different lines fitting up easier than others, had not considered that. I use Tuffrock with my show horses religiously, does anyone use the Tuffrock canine formula? I will drive my breeders MAD with questions Im sure!! I am interested in hearing about other peoples opinions & methods. Thanks again!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShesaLikeableBiBear Posted January 15, 2011 Share Posted January 15, 2011 We feed either Nutro or Black Hawk, both super premium dry. Although we did feed a home-made diet for approx 15 months for some reason they started getting the runs, so we went back to dry. All ours are house dogs We give Royal Jelly and Salmon oil capsules daily. Although we are on acerage we have a fairly large house-yard in which they get sufficient excercise, and we play ball with them when it's not too hot. We use both Plush Puppy and Isle of Dogs shampoos Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OSoSwift Posted January 15, 2011 Share Posted January 15, 2011 If you click the My WHippets little linky thing in my sigi you can see my dogs there People think I am nuts. I look at them and if they look a smidge over weight I cut their food down until the look right again, or bump it up. Rommi has recently had 8 weeks off due to injury, but is starting to get definition back now thank goodness, hate the unsculpted look. Lewis is nearly two and finally starting to hold the muscle definition I like. IT does come a little with maturity as once Rommi was around the same age she held her definition better. I have been told I need a little more cover on them for the ring, but I am resisting as I don't get to shows very often. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Merrirose Posted January 15, 2011 Author Share Posted January 15, 2011 Thanks Hesapandbear for your reply. OSoSwift great website with lots of useful info. I really like how your dogs are conditioned. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OSoSwift Posted January 15, 2011 Share Posted January 15, 2011 Thank you I like it when people recognise what I am trying to achieve. Makes up for the skinny dog comments from the general public Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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