Hi Everyone,

We're due to collect our 8wo Bullmasstiff pup this weekend (cant wait). I'd planned to introduce him onto a grain free food such as (Orijen, TOTW) however, I've now read various stuff that says puppies especially, shouldnt have too much protein and would benefit from 'some' grain and a lower protein content. I've also read that too much protein can cause agression in dogs??.....surely this is a load of poop?

...soooo confusing. Think Im making the right decisions one minute and then I find information that makes me question it! Im just really confused now.

1 There is lots of stuff to read out there
2 No dog can benefit from grain, as there is no proven need for carbohydrates in a dog's diet.
3 There is no scientific evidence to link levels of protein with aggression

What does your breeder say?

They've been great but are happy to feed JWB and think thats a perfectly good food for a dog to be on. (I know it's a pretty good middle of the road option & by no means a 'bad' food but I'd prefer to feed cereal free).

It's not proteins which are a problem it's carbohydrates.

David Kronfeld, Ph.D., Dsc., MVSc., author of numerous papers on dog foods, takes a strong stand against carbohydrates in the canine diet, more than most other canine diet experts. Whereas many experts feel that carbohydrates should be limited (but not totally eliminated) to help stave off health threats such as obesity and diabetes, Dr. Kronfeld said, “Carbohydrates are most important for dogs in two situations: puppies just coming off mother’s milk and lactating bitches.“ He continues by saying that carbohydrates need not be supplied to adult dogs, even those working hard, as the liver is able to easily synthesize sufficient glucose for utilization by the body.

Even with this view many puppies are weaned and do well with no carbohydrates in their diet.

I did a quick google for "David Kronfeld carbohydrate" and came across this link which gives an example situation High carb diets and behavior by Liz Palika which hints at a possible aggression issue with carbs, not protein.

Another link regarding carbohydrates is Carbohydrates | B-Naturals.Com Newsletter

In my mind, dogs are carnivores and as such are biologically designed to process protein and fat.

So that's the rant over.. Personally I would try the food you recommended and see if your dog handles it well. If not try others taking care to introduce new food slowly. All dogs are different and for each food one copes with well, another may not. If you haven't already you may find the The Dry Dog Food Index useful.

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Thanks Goblin I'll check out your links. Sixstars Dry Food Index was what first opened my eyes to good and not so good feed options. I've been obsessed with checking out ingredients and my own research eversince!

You could always have a look at some of the good quality wet foods. IMHO wet is far more natural than dried.
Perhaps Naturediet, Natures Harvest, Natures Menu, Wainwrights to name a few
I would keep her on JWB for a while when you get her as she's used to that and will be dealing with a lot of changes. Her food may be the only thing that remains the same. Letting her settle in on her exisiting food will give you time for a bit of research and decide what you feel will be best for her.
Sounds like she's going to be a v lucky girl

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"Life is mostly froth and bubble, Two things stand like stone,
Kindness in another’s trouble, Courage in your own”

When settling in a new pup it would be advisable to continue feeding what the breeder is currently feeding so check what they are feeding. The moving in is a stressful time for the puppy and switching food can increase the stress. After the pup is settled you can start to slowly introduce the new food, mixing it with the old, gradually increasing the amount given and reducing the old. You should do this slow changeover whenever switching dry food.

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I'd just assumed the longer I leave him on it the harder it will be for him to change over where as if I introduced it slowly straight away, I thought it might be less noticable to his little system & him to adjust to?

I would continue with whatever the breeder has recommended as they know their lines.

Also it is a mastiff so you will have to be extremely careful what you feed and the protein levels because you don't want them shooting up and messing up their growth plates.

So ideally the protein level should be no more than 26% till 6 months of age then down to no more than 23% - so effectively that means at 6 months you should have changed over to adult food.

You should also get up to speed with bloat (for info only). Feeding and exercise are very important issues in a breed like this. I have Great Danes which are a cross between Mastiffs and Greyhounds so I am speaking from experience.

Gosh I never knew that Great Danes were the product of crossing a Mastiff with a Greyhound!

You learn something every day.