Protein and growth - Q for Burns ?

Basil

Hi,
I don't want to start slating burns dog food as Basil was very happy, healthy and had a great coat on it.... but he was slender and lacked bone.
He has been off it now for 1 month and at 2 1/4 has had a very visible growth spurt (a bit of height and broadening of width on bone not just fat Cool

).

I am curious to know from people who have always fed burns from puppy through to adulthood if you too have a smaller, less broad labrador (relative to it's parents for example)?
I fed burns because I had read the low protein was good for slow growth rate and better for joints. Basil was a huge puppy but his growth slowed dramatically at 6 months - the same time we moved him onto the adult version with only 18% protein. Was it inhibiting his growth??
But then labs do slow in growth anyway at 6 months Confused

Basil could just be a slow developer but given his recent spurt I can't help but make a connection to the low protein levels in his burns diet.

I'd really appreciate anyones else experiences as I can't decide whether to ever switch back to it or indeed ever feed a future pup this brand.

Feebarn · Posted: Mon Jun 09, 2008 6:41 am Post subject:

I'd be quite interested in this topic too.... as we have a very slight pup too who has been fed on Burns since 6 months. He was always a chunk before that. Not that i am complaining .... in all honesty... I'd prefer him slimmer than to have problems as an adult. He was about 23 kilos at 6 months.. and is only just 26 kilos now at a year.

Its an interesting point though... if he is slight now... how will his bones fair as an adult! We have just bought the active version of Burns as it was a heck of a lot cheaper than the chicken and rice we were feeding him, with very little difference in ingredients. It has a much higher protein level - 26% I think. So we'll see if there is any difference.

_Vicky_ · Posted: Mon Jun 09, 2008 7:59 am Post subject:

Well in a nutshell yes - Ruby was weeny weeny lab and fed burns until she was two years old. Lilys breeder feeds her dals burns adult but not the puppy for that reason.

_Vicky_ · Posted: Mon Jun 09, 2008 8:01 am Post subject:

ps I think that is a purposeful (is that a word oh well its monday) trait though as bigger built dogs with HD in the breed would benefit from slow growth wouldnt it but I think maybe for labs such as Ruby and Basil and slighter breeds such as Dals it isnt quite right? Dunno really

Basil · Posted: Mon Jun 09, 2008 8:05 am Post subject:

Sorry Vicky do you mean Lilys breeder feeds the puppy rather than the adult (so the higher protein food) or the other way around? Confused

Or adult food because she's aiming for slighter build dogs? Confused

I suppose what i'm asking is 'has anyone fed Burns and still managed to grow a broad boned, chunky dog?' Laughing

Is it even possible on burns?

Kimbley · Posted: Mon Jun 09, 2008 9:12 am Post subject:

Yorkie was fed on Burns from a puppy and was a super slow grower. We put him on Arden Grange for about 3mths last year and this seems to be were he filled out.. Though he's now back on Burns because AG didn't seem to suit him.. He's currently 32kgs and still lean looking at just three days older than Basil!

_Vicky_ · Posted: Mon Jun 09, 2008 9:22 am Post subject:

Basil · Posted: Mon Jun 09, 2008 9:39 am Post subject:

Yes it does thanks Tori and thanks Kimbley - interesting that Yorkie also had his spurt when not being fed Burns

He's going to be 'off' burns for about another 6 weeks (we can't get it here anymore) so I think we'll just see how it goes.

If the growth spurt continues then I think I may think twice about feeding Burns at all again.

AngelaC · Posted: Mon Jun 09, 2008 9:43 am Post subject:

Have you let Burns know about the growth spurt on another food and what age the dogs were? I would be interested to hear what they have to say. I have fed Burns in the past but only to fully grown adults. I did try a little of the puppy dried food with Minnie but it upset her tummy.

BBB · Posted: Mon Jun 09, 2008 9:45 am Post subject:

Hi,

My boy has been on Burns adult from 6 months and although I wouldn't describe him as big boned he is still developing nicely at 10 months.
Current weight 31kg, height 24"
At 6 months.....20kg, height 21"

However.... After seeing one of his litter mates last week, who was a fair bit smaller at 4 months, is now what i would definitely describe as larger boned, 4kg heavier and probably 1/2" taller! Has been fed on natures diet.

So, we will have to see what the difference is when they are both fully grown. Is it down to diet or genetics? At the moment diet is definitely producing a noticeably different result.