A stick for our own backs ?

[Naj]

Sorry, it's a failing of mine. Do carry on.

Naj

[kent]

There is undoubtedly the over humanisation of dogs aspect but one really should not discount anything. I can very much prove my food intolerance and can actually say when it started - I cant see why dogs wouldn't be effected if something was interfering in our food supply chain, they might even be effected more adversely due to the fact we give them what we don't want.
Never been much physically weak about me

[Cynic]

I wonder why so many eat shit ,there own and others ?

[Naj]

Sorry, I was referring to Newf's post, Kent. I've no doubt you've a food intolerance, & are very, very strong.

[HeidiK]

Our current farm Collie, was chewing a dead leg (sheep) when we went to see her as a tiny puppy. Her breeder didn't feed puppy food and the food was just thrown on the ground and eaten by the puppies and cats, all at the same time!

But scraps? Do other people actually have food left after their meals?!

[newf]

Yes ! that is why Newfoundlanders are all slim and their dogs all big and hairy.

[Springfield Pointers]

I think people have sacrificed common sense for convenience when it comes to feeding dogs. They trust the marketing of "science diets" and forget that dogs systems are not designed to eat grains.

A stick for our own backs? Indeed.

[Ada C]

I really Ioved reading about Newfoundlands in Newfoundland!

I often think when new-to-the-UK breeds start to be brought over here (I know Newfies have been around for many years) by the show community, or bunches of enthusiasts "Well, impressive dogs - but I'd much rather see them in their country of origen, doing what they were bred for, than trotting down the High Street!"

Slightly off-topic, but picking a dog that was bred for your own climate and purposes is surely a sensible starting point?

[Naj]

There is some new research that shows that dogs have genetically adapted to incorporate carbs in their diet as a direct result of the domestication process, which makes sense to me. The research didn't go into whether one is better than the other, simply that they have adapted to digest carbs.

Naj

[newf]

I agree Naj. It would be logical that the thousands of years of domestication would evolve digestive issues from a diet of raw meat. So, it must be something else or a combination of factors: no natural selection in breeding; chemical exposures causing sensitivities; or even additives in commercial dog food. Who knows ?