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NFT: Any of you have giant-breed dogs? Question about diet, etc

Beezer : 10/23/2020 1:12 pm
Years ago had a female Great Dane (Luca Bratzi), about 125-130 pounds, and fairly lean. Great dog, but ate regular old dog food. Been a while so I can't recall what.

More recently had a big mutt (possibly Saint Bernard/rotty/shepherd-ish) - he was a Humane Society rescue who turned out to be the best dude, all-time. Adopted him at 90 pounds at 1.5 years. Fluctuated between 100-110 as a grown fella. He developed seizures around age 4, then we switched to an all-natural diet (loved chicken, eggs, potatoes, carrots, that sorta thing). He lived to 10, and passed 2.5 years ago.

Ready to adopt again. Reaching out about a little fella who is a 2-year-old Spanish mastiff. They say he's 170 pounds - looks a little sedentary in pics - doesn't look active, even for the larger breed. Thinking 150-160 once he's up to speed, active, etc.

Anyhow, I'm starting to read about food options for the best health for guys like this, cost factors of all natural, etc. Not cheap, of course, Any hybrid diets. Wondering if any BBIers navigate this path with bigger pups who typically eat, eat, then eat some more.

Thanks!
Great thread.  
ATL_Giants : 10/23/2020 2:33 pm : link
We have a Great Pyrenees mix. Not quite as big as your pups, but we've learned a few things.

-If you feed kibble, always mix with some water. Something about dry kibble absorbing moisture in the dog's stomach and bloating.
-Get a slow feed dog bowl to prevent wolfing down the food.
-Follow the weight to food volume ratio on the bag. It'll feel like your under-feeding him, but it's a good guideline.
-We do give bits of bits of vegetables & raw diet as in-between snacks / training rewards.

Good luck, would love to hear more about how it goes with your new family member. :D
My wife now makes food for our dogs now.  
Jim in Forest Hills : 10/23/2020 2:35 pm : link
I know, we're those people. Mix of turkey meat, veggies, rice, stock. We used to feed Blue Wolf when we bought food.
Guys, thanks.  
Beezer : 10/23/2020 2:58 pm : link
For Archie (my most recent guy), after the seizures started I went to almost all raw. Mixed chicken with the soft bone in, potatoes, carrots, eggs ... added a small amount of kibble for filler.

Guessing this guy (waiting to hear back about him), at a current 170, will take roughly 3-ish pounds of food a day. So with sales on chicken, it's not as daunting as it might initially seem. And the difference (coat, smell, demeanor, hip health) seemed to be very good with Archie.

Appreciate the input.
You may already have this but if not  
Tony in Tampa : 10/23/2020 3:56 pm : link
I thought it my helpful
BARF - ( New Window )
Boerboel  
Archer : 10/23/2020 4:54 pm : link
I presently have a 135-140lb Boerboel (South African Mastiff) and I have had large dogs for over 40 years

I will preference my comments by acknowledging that Bruce is extremely active and he is very lean. He needs a lot of protein and calories to maintain his weight.

I feed him raw chicken turkey duck with vegetables that is supplemented with vitamins

I get frozen patties from Goffle Road Poultry Farm in Wyckoff

After exploring many options Goffle offers frozen patties at a reasonable price.

They have a variety of mixes





My chihuahua  
oghwga : 10/23/2020 5:40 pm : link
Took two months to finish an $11 bag of food. I have nothing to add except God bless you big dog guys. They are awesome but I can't imagine what 3 pounds of food going in produces every day. You must need snow shovels to clean up after them.
My 80 lb Lab (healthy) is a chow hound.  
Kev in Cali : 10/23/2020 7:51 pm : link
I've just fed her the same $$$ grain free food for the past 10+ years, but her stool is always like tootsie rolls and easy to clean up. If the clean up sucks from bad diet....may suggest trying to find a diet that produces good stool that's easy to clean up after and stick with it.

Three large dogs produce a lot of poop, I feels ya : )

I loved our big dogs -- we used to have Great Danes  
gidiefor : Mod : 10/25/2020 8:49 am : link
but they don't live very long and it's too much heart break in a short period of time for me
fed 2 decent raw foods  
bc4life : 10/27/2020 6:49 pm : link
Robert Abbady & K-9 Kravings - both were good. Vet and others have told me that there is no compelling evidence that raw is better.

One thing to watch for  
montanagiant : 10/27/2020 11:56 pm : link
We lost Gracie our 5-year-old St Benard a few years back due to her stomach flipping. She had eaten her dinner and started playing and rolling around with the kids right afterward. As explained to us her stomach while full of food flipped around on itself and bound it up at both ends. there was no indication until about 4 hours later when we could tell she was in distress. Ran her to the vet but at that point, there was nothing he could do.

It's called GDV and broad-chested dogs are at risk for it. They recommend that you feed them smaller portions throughout the day and no playing for 1 hour after eating. Also do not feed them from an elevated bowl.

Love the Giant Breeds and it's a good thing you are rescuing

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