Iza, great post! We have been feeding raw for years also. chicken/beef and
tripe along with a good kibble.
Have not had to many issues with it also.
It is not for everyone, yet this is what we believe to be the best for our dogs.
There can be many factors for down pasterns: genetic, food, parasites are also
a factor.
Leslie
-----Original Message-----
From: Iza Ackerman <izaackerman@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: dmarc-noreply <dmarc-noreply@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>; gsdworkingline
<gsdworkingline@xxxxxxxxx>
Cc: showgsd-l <showgsd-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Thu, Sep 10, 2015 12:00 pm
Subject: [ SHOWGSD-L ] Re: Our dogs are herding dogs
Keep Posting ? OK – I have fed raw (or semi-raw) forever (long before it
became “popular”) and the only time I had pastern problems was WAY WAY back
when I bred into a particular person’s lines. Feeding raw forever I have not
had the problem again. Actually, I think feeding raw might help pasterns (or
any other problem a dog might have) – it is the natural way. But feeding JUST
chicken or JUST tripe, is not the way. AND, I just love the dog food ads –
“contains real meat/chicken” – so why not feed the dog real meat/chicken ?
Because it is ever so much easier to dump some kibble in a bowl. However, I do
feed puppies some kibble cuz I know not everyone is going to feed like I do.
Not looking to start a food-fight. These are just my opinions.
Iza Kabuska-Ackerman
www.Karizmashepherds.com
AKC Breeder of Merit
Breeder of a Canadian Grand Victor, an American Grand Victor,
and many more beautiful dogs !
From: mailto:dmarc-noreply@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Thursday, September 10, 2015 11:11 AM
To: gsdworkingline@xxxxxxxxx
Cc: showgsd-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [ SHOWGSD-L ] Re: Our dogs are herding dogs
There ar e lots of health studies done, and going on. We the GSDCA support
a great deal of the programs. Our parent club was the first supporter of OFA.
Ed gave his puppy raw when he was young. The rest of the litter was on
puppy or adult chow. I think that is why the pup has a weak pastern, but there
is no way to know. Everyone told him to get him off the raw, but it might have
been too late.
The dog food companies spend millions of dollars on research to find the
best food. And then some people feed raw. We give Kierk a raw chicken leg, but
it is to clean his teeth, but it is also to help his breath. But, we make sure
he gets commercial dog food every week as well.
Keep posting.
Evan
-----Original Message-----
From: gsdworkingline <gsdworkingline@xxxxxxxxx>
Cc: showgsd-l <showgsd-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Thu, Sep 10, 2015 8:06 am
Subject: [ SHOWGSD-L ] Re: Our dogs are herding dogs
Thank you, Evan. It is all so confusing!! I have heard the high protein
argument being the cause of health issues too. Yet, I have also heard that raw
seems to be the cure for everything and that is practically all protein!!! What
to believe?
I use to breed Champion Arabians and Stakes winning Thoroughbreds. My
philosophy was to treat them as horses right from birth. They don't know they
are expensive or valuable. I always turned my out 24/7. I didn't feed high
grain diets...barely any grain at all but lots of high quality hay (not
alfalfa). The other breeders would critique me as they would hot house their
babies and feed high grain and oil diets to protect them. My horses were sound
and had great feet as they moved over hard ground, rock, and gravel not soft
bedding/grass. They were healthy and sound metabolically. Never had problems.
I am a big believer in exercise and a natural lifestyle for animals.
Has a genetic study ever been done regarding the health problems that plague
our breed. Is there some database to keep track of downed pasterns that don't
come up, mega E, seizures, GI problems, allergies, etc. It would be helpful to
know, for example, if all or most of the GI and allergy problems are
environmental.
Sarah Minsk-Eduardo
Von Whitehall German Shepherds
"Preserving the classic
German Shepherd Dog"
Member of GSDCA and Signer of Breeders Code of Ethics
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