Dog food guide 2020

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DOG FOOD GUIDE

Working dogs are ‘amazing animals and elite athletes,’ Marlborough vet Stuart Burrough says.

Caring for their mates Working dogs are best mates to many farmers, indispensable to all, Gerard Hutching writes.

R

ecent decades have seen a sea change in attitudes to caring for what Marlborough vet Stuart Burrough describes as “amazing animals and elite athletes”. Where once farmers might have fed their dogs throwaway lamb offcuts, and left them in kennels at the mercy of the elements, a rising tide of awareness is setting new standards for their care. Practice manager at Atkinson and Associates in the northern King Country town of Piopio, Cathryn Christie, confirms a shift in attitude from her observations over the last 10 years. “It wasn't uncommon 10 years ago to see very thin farm dogs that were not regularly wormed, they weren't fed enough and it was poor quality food sometimes. They got injured regularly and didn't last very long. There are still dogs like that out there but they're the exception to the rule when you see them these days.”

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A dog’s working lifespan varies, depending on the terrain. On steep hill country five to seven years is maximum, after which it might be sold to someone with an easier farm. Christie knows a number of nine-year-olds still working and are valuable parts of the team. Financial self-interest is one of the chief drivers of the transformation. Central Otago station manager Chris McDonald points out a well-trained dog can be worth anything between $8-$10,000 and therefore any measures that extend the working life of their second most valuable asset (after a vehicle) are welcome. McDonald has six dogs for the Patearoa 20,000 stock unit farm, and he treats them like part of the family. He says most farmers are caring, some appreciate them more than others. “It depends on your upbringing, if you come from an environment where people treat their dogs well, so will you.” He says some dogs get a good pat during

Marlborough vet Stuart Burrough.

the day at some stage. Some people hardly pat a dog at all, it's just a tool to them. “For my own situation, care hasn’t changed a lot, I’ve always kept them well housed and well fed.” McDonald says some farmers buy a dog and trade them, others will have them from pups to when they die. In the past a dog might get old and it would be put down but now a lot of people value what the dog has done within their lifetime. Continues

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“They treat them to a damn good retirement - which they should get.” A typical day starts with giving the dogs a run before loading them on to the dog box on the ute and heading off to work. In spring, lambing is the most important job and for that he uses only the three heading dogs rather than the boisterous huntaways which come into their own herding sheep in the yards.

SOPHISTICATED CARE Central Otago station owner Chris McDonald sees vets as being at the forefront of dog health and wellbeing. He says care has become more sophisticated. Equally, farmers are more prepared to spend a lot of money to rehab a dog if it is injured. Two vet practices – The Vet Centre in Marlborough and Vet Service Hawke’s Bay - are helping to spearhead the newly launched Wallago Dogs programme. It is the brainchild of Elanco technical vet Kirstie Inglis. She is also an animal wellbeing representative for the company. The aim of the initiative is to improve the services that vet clinics offer to farm dog clients. Inglis’ interest in New Zealand farm dogs was sparked 15 years ago when she migrated from the United Kingdom. “Already animal health was a pet passion, and then I met these cool breeds the huntaways and the heading dogs – and got to know about the station life. “It just blew me away, how important the bond was between those working dogs and farmers out on those remote stations all day.” Working in a vet practice, she and colleagues used to do annual dog runs where within a three-day time period they would vaccinate as many as possible. She laments they did not get enough time to properly examine the dogs but notes that has changed to an extent, with some practices doing a good job of giving dogs the health care they deserve. She says if a vet practice sends out a dog animal expert rather than the farm vet who normally doesn't do dogs, and they do a nose-to-tail exam like one for a pet dog, they can pick up and foresee health problems a lot better. “Better than doing the frantic ‘let's cram all the dogs into three days a year in the area’,” Kirstie says. With that in mind, in concert with Stuart Burrough of the Vet Centre in Marlborough and Caroline Robertson of Vet Service Hawke’s Bay, she has developed sets of resources practices can use.

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Burrough and Robertson describe it as a process of sharing their intellectual property. In their own way they have been doing Wallago dogs for several decades but they never gave it a formal name. Robertson says the first impetus used to be vaccinating dogs and trying to get herd immunity, but that has expanded out to improving overall animal health. This is trying to give people an easy way of starting a process. When faced with something new, the hardest thing is to get started. “We're giving them a push, it's a good thing for business, clients and the animals,” she says. Burrough says the resources are aimed at practices which have not yet developed a working dog health programme, and to give them the tools and confidence to get started. He likens a thorough clinical examination to an annual warrant of fitness check for the car – it will pick up preventable problems.

ANOTHER YEAR’S WORKING LIFE “It's better for farmers if they can get another year's working life out of their dogs by dealing with problems before they develop, but also has benefits for the practice which earns income from follow up procedures that were identified. It’s a win:win.” Atkinson and Associates’ Cathryn Christie says the new frontiers of dog care lie in drugs, nutrition and kennel care. There is an increasing use of antiinflammatory drugs to ward off stiffness. Where in the past farmers used to wait until arthritis slowed dogs down, now they

Kirstie Inglis: ‘It just blew me away, how important the bond was between those working dogs and farmers.’

are being more proactive by putting them on anti-inflammatory drugs. “It might just be given as a pulse therapy - perhaps when they've got a big day to get them through - or as they get older it might be a more constant course. There's one product (Trocoxil) which you can give once a month and that's been a game changer for working dogs because farmers aren’t always compliant at dosing daily.” Big strides have been made in nutrition. Dogs used to be fed mutton no matter the quality, but one of the upsides of the better prices farmers are being paid for livestock is that the practice has largely stopped – “a godsend for nutrition”, Robertson says. In comparing dogs to elite athletes, Burroughs says the All Blacks would not try and perform on “rubbish”, whereas diets of high levels of protein and fat not only give them more stamina but stronger bones. Specialty dry food diets do not come cheap. For example the Royal Canin mobility diet costs almost $200 for 15kg but farmers will feed their good older dogs on the nuts instead of dosing them. Burroughs says the old dog can keep going till the younger one is ready. Only in its infancy, the Wallago programme is hosted on a website vetsafe.co.nz.

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Summary of general information provided by dog food suppliers Product name

Type

Refrigeration needed?

AAFCO status Ingredients list (first 3 only)

Acana Prairie Poultry

Formulated

Chicken meal (25%), steel-cut oats (23%), fresh chicken meat (5%)

N

BlackHawk Working Dog Adult Formula

Approved

Lamb meat meal, beef meat meal, oats

N

Champ Max Biscuits

Formulated

Wheat, meal and bone derived from beef and lamb, animal fat

N

CopRice Working Dog Adult Beef

Formulated

Beef & chicken meat with by-products, rice, cereals

N

CopRice Working Dog Adult Chicken

Formulated

Chicken meat with by-products, rice, cereals

N

CopRice Working Dog Puppy

Formulated

Chicken & beef meat with by-products, rice, cereals

N

CopRice Working Dog Senior

Formulated

Chicken meat with by products, rice, cereals

N

Dogpro Original Working Dog

Formulated

Wholegrain cereals, real meat beef, mutton/lamb & chicken

N

Dogpro Plus Working Dog Active

Formulated

Wholegrain cereals, real meat beef, mutton/lamb & chicken

N

Eukanuba Premium Performance

Approved

Chicken, chicken by-product meal, corn meal

N

Game On

Formulated

Kangaroo meat, wholegrain cereals, poultry meats

N

Hills Science Diet Adult Active

Formulated

Whole grain corn, chicken by-product meal, pork fat

N

K9 Natural Frozen Beef Feast

Frozen raw

No

Beef, beef liver, beef tripe

Y

Mighty Mix Frozen + Large Dog

Frozen concentrate

No

Fats, meats & products derived from meat (beef, mutton, pork), salmon, cereal

Y

Mighty Mix Frozen Concentrate

Frozen concentrate

No

Fats, meats & products derived from meat (beef, mutton, pork), salmon, cereal

Y

Mighty Mix Large Dog Formula

Formulated

Cereal, meat products and fats (beef & mutton), honey

N

Nutrience Performance 30/20 Formula

Formulated

Chicken meal, oatmeal, chicken fat

N

Pedigree Working Dog Formula

Formulated

Meat & meat by-products (poultry, beef &/or lamb), wheat, wheat bran

N

Possyum Supreme

Formulated

NZ Possum meat, lamb & beef, semolina

O

Premium Greyhound Racer for Endurance, stamina & speed

Formulated

Wholegrain cereals, real meat beef, mutton/lamb & chicken

N

PRO PLAN Performance All Sizes All Ages

Approved

Chicken, animal fat, brewers rice

N

PRO PLAN Performance Extreme 32/30

Approved

Chicken, fish, animal fat, oats & wheat protein

N

Royal Canin Endurance 4800

FEDIAF

Dehydrated poultry protein, animal fats, rice

N

Superior Chunky Original

Formulated

NZ beef & lamb, semolina

O

TUX Energy

Approved

Cereals &/or cereal by-products, meat & animal by-products & fats derived from beef/sheep/poultry/goat or venison

N

TUX Energy Extra

Approved

Chicken, beef products, fats (dehydrated chicken and beef protein, beef fat which may contain sheep, venison and goat); cereals and cereal products; natural flavour and vegetable oil

N

Ultra Active Working Dog

Exceeds

Beef meal, ground corn, dried blood

N

Wag Garlic & Rice

Formulated

Chicken, lamb, rice

Y

Wag Original

Formulated

Chicken, beef, lamb

Y

NOTES • AAFCO status: Approved-has passed independent AAFCO testing, considered non-toxic, a complete and balanced diet. Formulated-good intent to meet AAFCO standards but not AAFCO tested. • FEDIAF:- indicates the product complies with the European Federation of Pet Food Manufacturers’ (FEDIAF) standards. AAFCO standards. • Ingredients are listed in order of proportion, highest listed first. Only first three are listed in this table. In general, where the first is a high-quality ingredient, the shorter the full list, the higher the food quality. • Mighty Mix recommends feeding their frozen concentrate with Mighty Mix large dog formula, either together or alternately. • All products listed are claimed to be complete and balanced diets

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Kibble Pet roll Biscuit

Made in

North America

Y

Yes

NZ

N

No

Australia

O

Once opened

France Canada USA

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Summary of daily rations recommended by dog food suppliers Product name

25kg highly active dog required/day

Pack/price details

Grams of food/day

$/day

Pack size (kg)

RRP ($)

Acana Prairie Poultry

335

2.84

17

149

BlackHawk Working Dog Adult Formula

478

3.2

20

134

Champ Max Biscuits

510

1.33

25

54.99

CopRice Working Dog Adult Beef

400

1.4

20

69.99

CopRice Working Dog Adult Chicken

400

1.4

20

69.99

CopRice Working Dog Puppy

Age dependent

Age dependent

15

59.99

CopRice Working Dog Senior

400

1.4

20

69.99

Dogpro Original Working Dog

450g

1.8

20

80

Dogpro Plus Working Dog Active

450g

1.8

20

80

Eukanuba Premium Performance

355

2.28

20

127

Game On

600

1.8

20

80

Hills Science Diet Adult Active

297

2.67

20.4

183

K9 Natural Frozen Beef Feast

500

4.87

20

194.99

Mighty Mix Frozen + Large Dog

288.5

1.36

25 + 20

101+103

Mighty Mix Frozen Concentrate

225

0.93

25

103

Mighty Mix Large Dog Formula

352

1.78

20

101

Nutrience Performance 30/20 Formula

347

2.06

15

119

Pedigree Working Dog Formula

500

2.09

20

83.5

Possyum Supreme

400

2

2

9.98

Premium Greyhound Racer

450

2.25

20

100

PRO PLAN Performance All Sizes All Ages

508

4.06

20

159.9

PRO PLAN Performance Extreme 32/30

543

4.82

18

159.9

Royal Canin Endurance 4800

550

3.81

20

137

Superior Chunky Original

400

1.51

2.2

8.3

TUX Energy

490

1.5

25

76.5

TUX Energy Extra

410

1.7

20

84.5

Ultra Active Working Dog

200

1.25

20

125

Wag Garlic & Rice

1200

2.96

3

7.39

Wag Original

1200

2.96

3

7.39

PRICES CAN BE MISLEADING • Different bag sizes make the price for each bag irrelevant. Price per kilogram also has little relevance because daily rations vary widely between products. The calculated cost for each dog per day must be balanced against food quality, which should be the major consideration for working dogs. • For hard-working farm dogs, energy is an important factor in assessing rations. A 25kg dog has a resting energy requirement (RER) of about 820kcal per day. For dogs’ mustering, it’s more likely to be three to five times their RER, equating to about 2500kcal4000kcal. • This is a wide range but then so is their workload. Knowing the ME of a specific food means a daily energy requirement (DER) can be used to determine the daily ration of a food needed to provide this energy. • Daily ration (kg) = DER (kcal) /ME (kcal/kg) • For example, the daily ration of 4000kcal/kg to provide 2500kcal: DER = 2500 / 4000 = 0.625kg or 625g. NOTES • A dog’s nutritional requirements vary with size, age, workload, reproductive status and climatic conditions. • Daily rations quoted are those recommended by suppliers and may be based on different nutritional assumptions. • Monitoring body condition is the best way to fine-tune ration sizes for a particular food. • Farm dogs should ideally have a condition score of four on the Nestle Purina Body Condition System: • Ribs easily palpable, with minimal fat covering. • Waist easily noted, viewed from above. • Abdominal tuck evident. • Recommended retail prices from suppliers may vary from those seen at retailers, and bulk purchasing and specials reduce costs. Prices may vary from those in this table. • Prices include GST.

A puppy’s nutritional needs BY: SCOTT WILLIAMS It is estimated that it can cost about $40,000 to provide adequate feed and care for a working dog over its lifetime. As such, it makes economic sense to take whatever steps are necessary to optimise the health, performance and longevity of your dog. Like human nutrition, diet can have a significant impact on health and life expectancy. For young dogs, a balanced diet means a lot more than providing a rich source of protein and energy. It is providing the right combination of more

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than 40 essential nutrients in the right amounts, carefully matched with the levels of protein and energy they need to match their rapid growth. Puppies have different nutritional requirements to adult or senior dogs. Providing optimal nutrition throughout the puppy stage will ensure they have the very best start to an agile working career and a long, healthy life. The puppy stage can vary from nine to 24 months, depending on breed. Some working dogs are considered to reach adulthood at about 12 months of age while

other larger breeds like the Huntaway can be growing for at least 18 months. Specific puppy nutrition is easy to justify during early development (up to three months) because the rapid growth is visible to the owner. However, the importance of continuing to provide specific puppy food is often overlooked during the juvenile period, which can last from six months to 21 months. As a result, many owners transition their juvenile dog to adult food too early. However, as there are still important changes occurring in the body Continues

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CHOOSE BRAVECTO — LONG LASTING FLEA & TICK PROTECTION IN A SINGLE DOSE IT DOESN’T TAKE LONG FOR A FLEA BURDEN TO DEVELOP WITH TEAMS OF WORKING DOGS • One dose of Bravecto lasts the entire flea life cycle.1 • A great choice for dogs with flea allergy dermatitis. • Safe for use in dogs from 8 weeks of age and 2 kg bodyweight. • Safe for use in breeding, pregnant and lactating dogs, as well as ‘ivermectin sensitive’ Collies. • Bravecto chew for dogs treats and controls demodectic and sarcoptic mange, and ear mites. REMEMBER TO TREAT YOUR FARMS CATS TOO

Visit bravecto.nz to find out more 1. The average flea life cycle lasts 3-8 weeks.

ACVM70 No’s: A011019, A011261 & A011446. Schering-Plough Animal Health Ltd. Phone: 0800 800 543. www.msd-animal-health.co.nz NZ-BRV-200900005 © 2020 Intervet International B.V. All rights reserved.

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changing diets too early may impact the dog’s optimal growth and development. Inadequate nutrition during the juvenile stage can leave dogs susceptible to poor growth rate (low levels of zinc, iron, protein or Vitamin A), poor bone structure (imbalance of calcium, phosphorus and Vitamin D) and reduced stamina (low levels of iron, fat and protein). It is strongly recommended they are fed a specific puppy diet until they have completed growing. Supplementation of specific nutrients is not recommended due to the high risk of overdosing or upsetting the balance of nutrients, which can cause lifelong and irreversible issues. For

example, while a deficiency of calcium can cause soft bones and increased fractures, an excess of calcium can cause joint problems and osteoarthritis in later life, especially if it is not balanced appropriately with phosphorus. Optimal nutrition is more important than maximal nutrition, meaning it is vital to not overfeed a puppy. Obesity can cause health issues throughout life. A scientifically-formulated puppy food takes the guesswork out of what nutrition to provide the pup, including the volume of each meal. When choosing what food to buy, look for high quality ingredients, such as

meat and brown rice, which are highly digestible, and for elevated levels of essential fats, DHA, zinc, manganese and Vitamin A. A good choice is a ‘complete and balanced’ ration formulated specifically for puppies. • Scott Williams is CopRice’s nutritional and technical manager for companion animals.

Massey University says there are minimum levels for all of the essential elements in the AAFCO (American Association of Feed Control Officials) regulations. New Zealand pet food conforms to these standards. – Editor.

Summary of nutritional information provided by dog food suppliers Fat (%)

Protein (%)

Fibre (%)

Carbohydrates (%)

Moisture (%)

M Energy (k/cal kg)

Acana Prairie Poultry

17

29

5

29.5

12

3493

BlackHawk Working Dog Adult Formula

22

32

3

23

10

4090

Champ Max Biscuits

15

20

2.5 max

40

10

3200

CopRice Working Dog Adult Beef

15

25

3.8

37

12

3850

CopRice Working Dog Adult Chicken

15

25

3.8

38

12

3850

CopRice Working Dog Puppy

15

29

3.8

36

12

3550

CopRice Working Dog Senior

10

24

4.5

43

12

3200

31.3

10 max

3768

33.2 DM%

9

Product name

Dogpro Original Working Dog

11

23

2

Dogpro Plus Working Dog Active

15

25

2

Eukanuba Premium Performance

20 min

30 min

4 crude max

17

30

2

Hills Science Diet Adult Active

27.2 DM%

31.7 DM%

1.8 DM%

K9 Natural Frozen Beef Feast

Game On

3600 4211

37 min

35 min

2.6

3.7

8 max

5269

Mighty Mix Frozen + Large Dog

53

25

5.1

11.7

31.1

5800

Mighty Mix Frozen Concentrate

53

25

5.1

11.7

31.1

5800

12

23

1.9

42.3

11

3729

20 min

30 min

3.0 max

23

10 max

3920

15

24

2.5

45

9

3600

8 min

21.5 min

1.09 max

65

No data

4000

15

25

2

PRO PLAN Performance All Sizes All Ages

21

30

3 max

31.1

8.5

3900

PRO PLAN Performance Extreme 32/30

30

32

2 max

22.6

7

4640

Royal Canin Endurance 4800

30

32

6

15.9

8 max

4549

Mighty Mix Large Dog Formula Nutrience Performance 30/20 Formula Pedigree Working Dog Formula Possyum Supreme Premium Greyhound Racer for Endurance, stamina & speed

10 min

21 min

1.1 max

62

No data

4000

TUX Energy

18

20

4 max

46.4

8.7

3750

TUX Energy Extra

20

25

4 max

36

8.5

3840

Superior Chunky Original

15 min

30 min

4 max

No data

10 max

3187

Wag Garlic & Rice

28

39

3.7

17

Dry basis

4400

Wag Original

28

39

3.7

18

Dry basis

4350

Ultra Active Working Dog

NOTES

• Content of fat, protein and other ingredients may be specific i.e 20%; or vague i.e at least 20% or up to 20%. • Fat provides the energy for endurance work. Veterinary Enterprises Group (VetEnt) guidelines say hardworking farm dogs should have at least 20% animal fat. • Good-quality protein is needed for repair and recovery. VetEnt’s recommends a minimum of 30% animal protein. • Fibre is the indigestible carbohydrate portion and as a general rule should not be more than 10%.

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• Carbohydrates are needed for sprint type energy. • Energy: Farm dogs get most of their energy from fat. Energy may be quoted as “energy”, “gross energy”, “digestible energy” or the most relevant, “metabolisable energy (ME)” which is the energy available to the dog. Energy requirements should consider the intensity, frequency and duration of work. • The consensus of most veterinarians is that a working dog’s diet should be based on high fat and protein and “low” or “low to moderate” carbohydrate. • Nutritional data is presented on a drymatter basis.

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Grant McMaster General Manager, Closeburn Station Central Otago

Farm life is unpredictable. 72

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With the right food, you can rely on your dogs every day. Grant McMaster has been a farmer for over 40 years. He knows only too well how uncertain farm life can be. Black Hawk Working Dog has been developed specifically for New Zealand working dogs. Packed with 32% real meat proteins and 22% high quality fats, the formula promotes strong, lean muscles and provides sustainable energy throughout the day. ®

® Black Hawk and other associated trademarks are registered trademarks of Masterpet Australia Pty Ltd.

Since Grant has been feeding Black Hawk Working Dog to his dogs, he’s noticed a real difference – “you can see them improving in their muscling, their coats are shinier and they have more energy.”

Available at your rural vet clinic.

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workingfarmdogs.co.nz

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