I am a hobby breeder myself. I’m curious your reasoning for breeding a dog that has familial hypothyroidism? We test for it in German Shorthaired Pointers prior to breeding. My rule of thumb on deciding whether to exclude a dog from breeding is kind of a three strikes you’re out or one big strike (which for me would be a major medical issue like hypothyroidism) and you’re out. But I’m always curious what makes a breeder decide to use or exclude a dog. It’s always a learning process for me.
I’ve been feeding Orijen 6 Fish, which I’ve been very happy with. But it’s so dang expensive. Wish I could find something that I like as well that isn’t as expensive.
*Familial* hypothyroidism is an effect, not a cause.
His dam was low thyroid due to poor pre-natal care and incredibly junky food all of her life.
It is not genetic, congenital, inherited or auto-immune.
Dr Dodds said there was no reason he could not be bred, if I ever chose to do so which is not highly likely.
Halla was raised on Orijen Puppy and did famously well on it.
However, her hydrocephalus killed her at just shy of 8 months.
If the dealer were closer to us, I’d have Seven eating, too.
I like Origen and it’s not really ~that~ much more than what I pay now.
I bet feeding more than 4 dogs with it could rack up the bills pretty fast, though.
Have you given Taste of The Wild “Pacific Stream” a shot?
It’s about $50 a bag.
My dogs liked it but I use High Prairie because Dobermanns just do better on a “beef” based food, in general.
The Ibizan and Portuguese Podengo Medio seem to do well on it too although I do supplement with salmon and sardines occasionally as they have a greater need for iodine.