Ronnie Smith on Performance

The Smith family name is synonymous in the bird dog world for many reasons. For generations they have trained some of the finest dogs that consistently challenge for field trail champions and produce superior finished dogs for the foot hunter. Ronnie Smith carries on his family lineage in a very proud tradition. According to his website "Through generations of hard work and dedication, Ronnie Smith Kennels has developed a trusted and proven name in the bird dog industry. The Smith family has a history of raising and training fine bird dogs. Ronnie’s late father, Ronnie Smith Sr., was a well-respected dog trainer. Ronnie’s uncle, Delmar Smith has received the honor of being inducted into the Field Trial Hall of Fame. Ronnie and his cousins, Rick and Tom Smith, continue the Smith family tradition. Bird dogs are not only a business for the Smiths, they are a passion and a way of life. Our training format brings dogs' inherent prey drive to a pinnacle and then begins to mold that natural instinct in to the desired behavior of a confident, mannerly bird dog. Through the development of conditioned responses and learned behavior we are able to produce dogs that are proficient in heeling off lead, handling on cue, and confidently working birds."

I recently had the great fortune to interview Ronnie via email for northUpland. His response to my questions regarding performance, nutrition, and conditioning should be considered an invaluable resource. Here is Ronnie's round up on what makes his gun dogs great!

Following quotes by Ronnie Smith...

"We feed solely Purina Pro Plan Performance. In the summertime, we train all breeds of upland pointing and flushing dogs and in the winter we are guiding hunts in some of the most rigorous country in the state of Texas. We've had great success with this feed with all breeds and all physical requirements."

Pro Plan Performance formula is by the far the top selling food for sporting dogs  in the United States. It is a 30/20 mix, meaning it contains 30% protein and 20% fat. These are considered optimum percentages for working dogs of any breed and age. In fact, Pro Plan Performance is considered an "all life stages formula" meaning it can be fed from to puppies all the way seniors. Click on the bag image for complete info directly from Purina.

When asked about food rations(portion size) Ronnie went on to say...

"Obviously we are constantly monitoring the body condition of each of our dogs. When they are under physical strain, they will need a few more calories to their diet. Brittanys under high physical demands may need as much as 4 1/2 cups, while a maintenance ration may be 2 cups. A high strung pointer who is active in the kennel and running hard in the field may need as much as 6 1/2 cups to maintain perfect body condition. A maintenance ration for a less active pointer may be 3 cups. Bottom line is that you need to monitor your dog's condition and the physical strains he is under and adjust your feeding plan accordingly."

In a follow up question about conditioning and fitness regiments, Ronnie responded...

"Our exercise programs vary. Some of the tools we use to get our bird dogs in shape for a season of guiding hunts include running, swimming, and roading." (Terminology: "Roading" is an effective form of strength training. It is done by safely harnessing dogs off an ATV using an outrigger and allowing them to naturally run alongside and pull against the ATV in motion) "We find the more fit our dogs are going in to season, the fewer injures they tend to have during season.We believe in order to get the best performance with a dog, you have to have them both physically and mentally fit. They have to be thinking birds as soon as their feet hit the ground and their bodies have to be able to withstand the rigors of the country and the demands upon it."

 In my own brief dealings with Ronnie during this interview process I can honestly say he is an genuine as they come. He was extremely receptive to my questions and open to helping out all follow hunters get the most from their dogs! Ronnie is a stand up guy and his reputation as a first class dogman is true. I thank him tremendously for his time.

Ronnie Smith Kennels is known the world over for producing quality bird dogs while maintaining the utmost of professionalism. If any of my readers are looking for a top notch trainer, look no further. His fees are modest, but rest assured, his facility, training skills, and attention to making good bird dogs great are all first class. Also, Ronnie and his cousin, Rick Smith, travel the country every year during their very popular seminar series. Click here for a list of dates and locations. In the end,  I very much enjoy Ronnie's training motto "A dog is like a book, just read!" It is very simple, straight forward, and to the "point"! Yep, that pun is completely intended!


Thank you for reading my blog and please contact me if you have any questions or concerns. Leave a comment or email me directly at northupland@yahoo.com


Best of luck out there. -Mark

Images used in this post courtesy of Ronnie Smith Kennels and Nestle Purina.  

Dog Food Rating Formula

Recently, I came across a grassroots piece of research on dog food. It is the first and foremost ever "dog food rating formula" based solely on quantitative metrics. I was overwhelmed with excitement. Someone had finally taken the initiative to put ingredient ranking to paper and conceptualize a system of scoring. It is truly a step in the right direction to realistically rate overall dog food quality.

It is very obvious that this women has devoted considerable time developing her food rating formula. I applaud her for her efforts and support the future development of such systems. Her name is Sarah Irick. Her methodology and commitment to this formula is unbelievable. She should be honored for such an achievement. I hope she doesn't mind but I am posting her quotations as well as her formulaic breakout without asking permission first. We simply don't have time to waste getting this to more owners. I feel she would understand. As gun dog owners, we represent the last bastion of working dogs in this world. Our dogs are bred not only as loving companions, but to fulfill their genetic code brought on by ancient man who first domesticated wild dogs to help them hunt. The addition of the domesticated dog to the human hunting pack indeed contributed, and possibly catalyzed, the perpetual evolution of humanity as a whole. If you care about your dog, this is truly an important piece of work! Thank you Sarah for your time and service to those who wish to proliferate canine healthy and welfare.

According to Sarah..."There are so many different types of dog food on the market and so many different opinions about the best ingredients, manufacturing processes, supplements, etc that choosing the best food for your dog is definitely a challenge. Below you'll find a system that will help you 'rate' or evaluate, any dog food by taking a close look at it's ingredients, and doing a few simple calculations. It will help you find the best food for your dogs' individual needs. So relax, the confusion ends here! If only there was a way to do a basic dog food analysis, taking into account the dog food ingredients over many different types of dog food. Preferably one that doesn't require a degree math or science! Well, actually there is such a way of making dog food comparisons - and I'm about to show you exactly how to do it!

Start with a grade of 100 points, then …

For every listing of "by-product", subtract 10 points

For every non-specific animal source ("meat" or "poultry", meat, meal or fat) reference, subtract 10 points

If the food contains BHA, BHT, or ethoxyquin, subtract 10 points

For every grain "mill run" or non-specific grain source subtract 5 points. If the same grain ingredient is used 2 or more times in the first five ingredients (i.e. "ground brown rice", "brewer's rice", "rice flour" are all the same grain), subtract 5 points

If the protein sources are not meat meal and there are less than 2 meats in the top 3 ingredients, subtract 3 points

If it contains any artificial colorants, subtract 3 points

If it contains ground corn or whole grain corn, subtract 3 points

If corn is listed in the top 5 ingredients, subtract 2 more points

If the food contains any animal fat other than fish oil, subtract 2 points

If lamb is the only animal protein source (unless your dog is allergic to other protein sources), subtract 2 points

If it contains soy or soybeans, subtract 2 points

If it contains wheat (unless you know that your dog isn't allergic to wheat), subtract 2 points

If it contains beef (unless you know that your dog isn't allergic to beef), subtract 1 point

If it contains salt, subtract 1 point


Extra Credit(add to score)...

If any of the meat sources are organic, add 5 points

If the food is endorsed by any major breed group or nutritionist, add 5 points

If the food is baked not extruded, add 5 points

If the food contains probiotics(bacteria cultures), add 3 points

If the food contains fruit, add 3 points

If the food contains vegetables (NOT corn or other grains), add 3 points

If the animal sources are hormone-free and antibiotic-free, add 2 points

If the food contains barley, add 2 points

If the food contains flax seed oil (not just the seeds), add 2 points

If the food contains oats or oatmeal, add 1 point

If the food contains sunflower oil, add 1 point

For every different specific animal protein source (other than the first one; count "chicken" and "chicken meal" as only one protein source, but "chicken" and "fish" as 2 different sources), add 1 point

If it contains glucosamine and chondroitin, add 1 point

If the vegetables have been tested for pesticides and are pesticide-free, add 1 point

Scoring94-100+ = A
86-93 = B
78-85 = C
70-77 = D
69 & Below = F

Well, although this may sound a little tricky, I promise that once you've analyzed a couple of different varieties of food, you'll be able to make some very useful dog food comparisons.
Then you'll be in a much better position to make dog food comparisons and be sure that you're giving your precious pup the very best, safest, healthiest and appropriate dog food.

Here is a list of popular dog food brands and how they rated out using her system...
Authority Harvest Baked / Score 116 A+
Bil-Jac Select / Score 68 F
Blue Buffalo Chicken & Brown Rice/ Score 106 A+
Canidae / Score 112 A+
Chicken Soup Senior / Score 115 A+
Diamond Maintenance / Score 64 F
Diamond Lamb Meal & Rice / Score 92 B
Diamond Large Breed 60+ Formula / Score 99 A
Dick Van Patten's Natural Balance Ultra Premium / Score 122 A+
Dick Van Patten's Duck and Potato / Score 106 A+
Eagle Pack Holistic / Score 119 A+
Eagle Pack Holistic Chicken / Score 114 A+
Eagle Pack Large and Giant Breed Puppy / Score 94 A
Eagle Pack Natural / Score 94 A
Eukanuba Large Breed Adult / Score 83 C
Eukanuba Natural Lamb and Rice / Score 87 B
Hund-n-Flocken Adult Dog (lamb) by Solid Gold / Score 93 A
Iams Lamb Meal & Rice Formula Premium / Score 73 D
Iams Large Breed / Score 83 C
Innova Dog / Score 114 A+
Innova Evo / Score 114 A+
Natural Balance Duck and Potato / Score 114 A+
Nutrisource Lamb and Rice / Score 87 B
Pedigree Adult Complete / Score 14 F
Pet Gold Adult with Lamb & Rice / Score 23 F
Pro Plan Natural SElects Turkey & Barley / Score 103 A+
Purina Beneful / Score 17 F
Royal Canin Bulldog / Score 100 A+
Royal Canin Natural Blend Adult / Score 106 A+
Sensible Choice Chicken and Rice / Score 97 A
Science Diet Advanced Protein Senior 7+ / Score 63 F
Science Diet chicken adult maintenance / Score 45 F
Science Diet for Large Breed Puppies / Score 69 F
Timberwolf Organics Lamb and Venison / Score 136 A+
Wellness Super5 Mix Chicken / Score 110 A+
Wolfking Adult Dog (Bison) by Solid Gold / Score 97 A

Without question Sarah has it down to pure, blue collar science. Her metric rating system is well thought out and concise. I hope this helps breakdown what foods are beneficial and those that lack what your dog needs to not only perform better in the field but to live a long and happy life.

Best of luck out there. -Mark

Is Corn Bad?

Corn on the cob is as American as apple pie. If you believe written history, gracious Native Americans first introduced harvested corn to Pilgrims at the first Thanksgiving dinner. For generations since, corn crops have been cultivated by hard working American farmers across this country's heartland. By the turn of the 20th century corn became a substantial source of agricultural wealth throughout the United States. As most will agree, corn is warm and buttery, making life feel good and wholesome as it passes across our lips. Ironically, we derive more nutritional value by eating just one slice of your grandmother's cinnamon coated apple pie recipe than we do by downing ten ears of corn!

Proof: Corn Free Diet = A Healthy, Happy Hunting Partner!

Like those of us who walk upright, our four legged hunting partners find the nutritional value of corn equally unrewarding and anything but beneficial to their diet. So the question remains...why do some dog food companies include corn or corn variations as their main ingredient? I will tell you why. Because some dog food companies in this country are cheap and corn is the cheapest "real" ingredient available. More so, your dogs overall health is inconsequential and unrelated to their return on investment..a.k.a the corporate mantra called ROI. Sad as it is but very true.

Is corn bad for dogs? The answer is: not really...BUT it doesn't do much good either and can possibly cause further health issues then just nutritional deficiency

Factoid: whole corn has a natural cased cellulose shell. Left as a whole kernel, corn is indigestible. Any human who has taken a look at their own waste the morning after after eating an ear of corn for dinner would completely agree. Basically, the cellulose shell creates a wall blocking all the nutrients "inside" the shell from becoming digested. The process of mashing and dehydrating corn down to "meal" or "ground" only changes it's appearance, not it's composition. It should also be pointed out that corn is directly related to many forms of allergens in sensitive dogs. Breeds such as boxers, pointers, labs, and bulldogs are more highly probable candidates for corn related allergies. Allergic reactions can come in the form of excessive dry skin, chronic hot spots, chronic eye discharge, and far too many digestive irregularities to list here in this one post!

The filler called "cellulose" is still there and still equally indigestible. Yes, the inside portion of corn or the "meat" is a marginal source nutrients. Like other grains, corn is a carbohydrate and fiber food. Eighty-one percent of the solid material in the corn kernel consists of sugars, starch, and dietary fiber, including insoluble cellulose and non-carbohydrate lignin in the seed covering and soluble pectins and gums in the kernel(non nutritious ingredients related to the shell) Corn has a small amounts of vitamin A, the B vitamin folate, and vitamin C. Corn is a moderately good source of plant proteins, but zein (its major protein) is deficient in the essential amino acids lysine, cystine, and tryptophan. Corn is low in fat and its oils are composed primarily of unsaturated fatty acids.

When taken into account, the ratio of cellulose shell material to nutrients in the average gram of dog food "corn meal" results in a digestible ingredient that is extremely low. Hypothetically speaking, if milk was the only thing of true substance and a manufacturer ground up the plastic bottle holding the milk all together as one product and called it "milk meal" you have the working equivalent of what corn meal is to dog food. Sure the milk is there but the "filler" is the cellulose or "plastic" containment taking up 19%(as we learned prior) of the overall formula. Remember, those are ingredients that can not be converted into nutritional sources for any animal on this planet! For any kid who has ever swallowed one of those small green army guys(yes, I have!)...those things are not digestible! That is corn cellulose in a nut shell. No pun intended!

The bottomline is, low grade dog foods loaded with low grade grain products such a corn, wheat, and soy cheapen the product. A dog's intestinal tract and stomach process food 6 times quicker then humans. It is imperative to supply them with food that is able to be quickly digested. That only comes from high quality ingredients! In the end you will need to feed less if you invest in a high grade dog food! The result to your wallet and the benefit to you dog is spending almost the same for feeding him or her a top quality food!

I don't know about you guys but corn or corn in any form as a primary ingredient doesn't sound like something I want to feed my dog. I urge each of you to look at your dog food bags and read closely. There are some major dog food manufacturers out there who load top five ingredients with corn or corn related ingredients. Ask yourself...is this something I would want to feed myself as the majority of my own diet, let alone my dog's? Then go ahead and purchase a better food!

Best of luck to each of you out there. -Mark

The Holistic Gun Dog

Holistic and gun dog aren't words that flow together easily. To me, Holistic conjures up names like Sunbeam and Moonshadow practicing psychedelic medicine in black lit rooms while swaying to the beat of The Dead or The Doors. So how does the holistic dog food movement of today fit into our world of hard charging pointers, muddy retrievers, and filthy flushers? As twenty first century hunters and dog owners, we are residing in the dawn of canine enlightenment. Time is ripe to investigate the possibility of feeding our trusty hunting dog seriously top quality food. But first we must free our minds from all the marketing hype and worn thin standards that have been hand fed to us for years. There is a whole new world to be investigated out beyond the myths and legends of the past. Let's take a magic carpet ride as I try to shed some light on the holistic dog food movement happening around us. Be forewarned, the following facts will benefit the health and overall well being of your four legged hunting partner. As a positive consequence it will likely extended his or her life and athleticism in the field. All aboard the yellow submarine. Like Hendrix once asked, are you experienced?

It is long overdue that gun dog owners start seeing the big picture in HD clarity. 100% natural, holistic, and/or organic based food formulas have a place in our gun dog community. It is up to us as responsible owners and the leaders of the next generation to realize this. The fortune 500 have corner stoned the gun dog food mantra for decades. They have the big bucks to produce advertising campaigns that push the average hunter/owner towards their product. Glossy, full page ads show majestic breeds in well positioned action shots that adorn hunting magazine pages. Like all savvy marketing and advertising execs, pushing the right buttons when it comes to delivering the "live the lifestyle" or "be the brand" type advertising is why they get paid heaps of cash. This is not to say their product is not good but why is it that only a few major players are the standard of sporting dog foods? Is this solely because the longevity of their product and bank roll of the company? I was a huge advocate for many years of one particular brand. But then again, I am always a sucker for flashy advertising and openly admit to my own hardheadedness when it comes to change. For a long while it was difficult for me to finally accept the hard truth of what I was really feeding my dog and the truth was not good.

Proof of legitimacy is not found in today's advertising. Truth is only discovered by proven facts founded by quantitative science and then witnessing the results firsthand.

In the case of dog food, truth is found by analyzing Guarantee Analysis and Product Ingredients from two different companies in a side-by-side comparison. Company "A" is one of the mega players in the dog food industry and is a national leader in sales to the sporting dog consumer. They have been around for eons. A massive portion of their marketing and advertising budget is dedicated to proliferating their message to the hunting community. Company "B" is a relatively new, independently owned company who specializes in 100% natural, holistic ingredient food. They have never advertised in any hunting media nor have marketed within the hunting community. They are, however, strong proponents of all breeds and support all sporting dogs for their inherited working ability.

Before you go any further, I highly suggest you read my post titled Performance Dog Foods. It will instruct you how to properly read both types of listings. Please note: Guaranteed Analysis and Ingredient Listing below are for foods labelled and classified for retail sale only as a comparable chicken based "large breed adult formula" from both companies in question. Information has been taken directly from the each manufacturers public information website.

The Mega Company "A" Ingredients
Large Breed Adult Formula
Chicken, Corn Meal, Ground Whole Grain Sorghum, Ground Whole Grain Barley, Chicken By-Product Meal, Chicken Flavor, Dried Beet Pulp, Dried Egg Product, Chicken Fat (preserved with mixed Tocopherols, a source of Vitamin E), Fish Meal, Potassium Chloride, Brewers Dried Yeast, Fish Oil (preserved with mixed Tocopherols, a source of Vitamin E), Salt, Flax Meal, Sodium Hexametaphosphate, Choline Chloride, Calcium Carbonate, Fructooligosaccharides(Prebiotics that aid in digestive health), Minerals (Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Oxide, Manganese Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Manganous Oxide, Potassium Iodide, Cobalt Carbonate), DL-Methionine, Dried Chicken Cartilage, Vitamins (Ascorbic Acid, Vitamin A Acetate, Calcium Pantothenate, Biotin, Thiamine Mononitrate (source of vitamin B1), Vitamin B12 Supplement, Niacin, Riboflavin Supplement (source of vitamin B2), Inositol, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (source of vitamin B6), Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid), Vitamin E Supplement, Beta-Carotene, Rosemary Extract.


The Small Company "B" Ingredients
Large Breed Adult Holistic Formula
Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Whole Ground Brown Rice, Whole Ground Barley, Oatmeal, Tomato Pomace (natural source of Lycopene), Natural Chicken Flavor, Chicken Fat (naturally preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Whole Potatoes, Peas, Flaxseed(natural source of Omega 3 and 6 Fatty Acids), Whole Carrots, Whole Sweet Potatoes, Blueberries, Cranberries, Barley Grass, Dried Parsley, Garlic, Alfalfa Meal, Dried Kelp, Yucca Schidigera Extract, L-Carnitine, L-Lysine, Glucosamine Hydrochloride, Chondroitin Sulfate, Turmeric, Dried Chicory Root, Oil of Rosemary, Beta Carotene, Vitamin A Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B1), Riboflavin (Vitamin B2), Niacin (Vitamin B3), d-Calcium Pantothenate (Vitamin B5), Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Biotin (Vitamin B7), Folic Acid (Vitamin B9), Vitamin B12 Supplement, Calcium Ascorbate (source of Vitamin C), Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement, Iron Amino Acid Chelate, Zinc Amino Acid Chelate, Manganese Amino Acid Chelate, Copper Amino Acid Chelate, Choline Chloride, Sodium Selenite, Calcium Iodate, Salt, Caramel, Potassium Chloride, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bacillus subtilis, Enterococcus faecium(bacteria cultures activated on ingesting the food and help to maintain normal bacteria balance in the lower intestine. They aid in digestion and reduce the occurrence of diarrhea, contributing to colon and rectum health)

Company "A" Guaranteed Analysis
Large Breed Adult Formula
Crude Protein: 23.00 % minimum
Crude Fat: 13.00 % minimum
Crude Fat: 16.00 % maximum
Crude Fiber: 5.00 % maximum
Moisture: 10.00 % maximum
Omega-6: 2.4 %* minimum
Omega-3: 0.3 % minimum
Glucosamine: 375 mg/kg minimum
Chondroitin Sulfate: 35 mg/kg minimum
Company "B" Guaranteed Analysis
Large Breed Adult Holistic Formula
Crude Protein: 26.0% minimum
Crude Fat: 12.0% minimum
Crude Fiber: 5.0% maximum
Moisture: 10.0% maximum
Omega 6: 2.25% minimum
Omega 3: 0.10% mimimum
Glucosamine: 400 mg/kg minimum
Chondroitin Sulfate 300 mg/kg minimum

From a pure ingredient stand point it is very clear to see a remarkable difference between the two large breed adult formulas. Remember, ingredients are listed by weight from highest to lowest in the listing. In my opinion the first 3-5 ingredients are critical in determining how effective they truly are. Also remember, any ingredient called "Meal" is just ground dehydrated product. I will, as I sure my dog will, take Chicken Meal over Corn Meal as the number two ingredient. Corn of any form is just a low grade, difficult to digest, source of carbohydrates. Chicken Meal on the other hand is a huge source of pure protein and is high digestible. Also, Company "B" uses no by-products in their ingredient listing where as Company "A" listed Chicken By-Product as the fourth heaviest ingredient in their formula which left me scratching my own head and started me on my way to rethinking what food I should be feeding. I also liked the fact that Company "B" had a huge level of Chondroitin(300mg/kg) per serving over a slim Company "A" Chondroitin level of only 35mg/kg. The more joint and cartilage support I can supply my dog the better. I know he will absorb as much as he needs and expel the rest.

Lets talk money. I first considered the monthly dollar difference a major concern when making the switch. I am sure the average gun dog owner thinks the same. A 40lb bag from Company "A" costs $51.99(price found at the nearest national pet food retailer). A 30lb bag(largest produced) by Company "B" is priced the same(found at same retailer on 2/17/10). OK, so a ten pound difference might seem like a lot. It did to me. But I tried the switch anyway. Come to find out, my 65lb/3y.o. pointer named Dewey needed to eat less everyday. He was able to digest(process needed nutrients better) more and needed to consume less to feel full. On average and over the course of the six weeks past his food transition phase Dewey went from regularly eating 2.5 cups a day of Company "A" to no more than 2 cups per day of Company "B". A general rule of thumb is a 40lb bag of dry dog foods contains approximately 100 cups. OK, freaks and geeks out there I realize this is NOT an exact science! Pounds and cups are incomparable units of measure and the size or volume of the actual food kibble size might skew this one one or the other. But for the sake of an economic comparison we are fairly accurate. Here is the breakout. Sharpen your pencil and break out a calculator...

40lb. of dry dog food = 100 cups(est.)
30lb. of dry dog food = 75 cups(est.)

If both bags cost $51.99(current retail value at time of posting)...

40lb bag costs $0.52 per cup
30lb bag costs $0.69 per cup

=difference of $0.17 per cup
The nutritional absorption of Company "B" resulted in a decrease in the amount I needed to feed Dewey daily. Please keep in mind this comparision is based on daily maintenance ration size(low work days!). The same comparision varibles held true during high laod work days, i.e. hunting/conditin/training

Daily Serving Comparison2.5 cups daily serving needed of Company "A" 40lb bag = 40 daily servings per bag
2.0 cups daily serving needed of Company "B" 30lb bag = 37.5 daily servings per bag
Cost Comparison Results
End equation results in +$1.73 per bag overall total variance per bag quantity to feed Company "B" holistic formula over Company "A" comparable adult large breed dog food. The bottom line is, I need to feed LESS but spend MORE at time of purchase for LESS quantity but the end result is only a total difference of $1.73 extra per bag of dog food purchased! That's amazing!

Proof always lies within the tangibles. The quality of ingredients found in the overall formula of the food clearly shows that holistic, 100% pure natural dog food are worth their weight in gold. If you care about the health and well being of your favorite four legged friend than feeding a truly natural/holistic based diet is a must.

I did a lot of soul searching and finally realized I had been putting my own ego in front of my dogs overall well being. This is not to say my dog or past dogs were not healthy but I never stopped to ask myself...could they be better? Currently, Dewey maintains the same healthy weight at 65lbs. I am most impressed by his increased recovery time and overall stamina in the field. He was always a high energy dog but seeing his ability to recover quickly after a long, stressful hunt and work equally as hard the following day is very impressive. His coat and fur are consistently shiny and I have stopped needing to give him any vitamin supplements as I had in the past(that alone is a $25 a month saving!)

When hanging around fellow hunters these days the topic of dog food always seems to arise. I let them know I made a drastic change. My dog and I no longer run with the pack. We run further and harder than the rest of them now. Those who have hunted with us nod their heads and quietly agree. But then again, my dog is now a holistic hunter. Peace and love my brother!

Best of luck to each of you out there. -Mark

Healthy Gun Dog Treats

Walk into any local pet store today and the sheer number of different dog treats is astounding. Gone are the days of only a few different treats offered by longtime brands that churned out bland, bone shaped biscuits. Today, flashy packaging and colorful displays line the aisles with hundreds of choices for your trusty bird dog to snack on between meals. In this post I will focus on one manufacturers that I recommend and hopefully help narrow down your search. This company makes all of their products right here in the good old U.S. of A! All are made with quality, wholesome ingredients that will not only make your dog wag his tail in delight but also pack nutritious supplements that benefit all highly active sporting breeds.

Zukes, A small Durango, CO company was founded in 1995 and has been consistently producing an assortment of the finest dog treats on the market. According to their website; Unlike other treats that are comprised of unrecognizable 14 letter ingredients, Zuke's is formulated to provide the specific nutrients your dog needs. Our products include the finest meats, premium grains, fruits, vegetables and oils available. With Zuke's treats you'll never find any harsh preservatives like BHA, added animal fat, nasty by–products or artificial colors or flavors. In other words, we don't put anything in our products that we wouldn't eat ourselves. I highly recommend and use all Zukes products but my top picks are their "Z-Fillets" and "Power Bones". Their Z-Fillets will make any dog jump up and go crazy in edible anticipation. Just the fresh smell from opening the bag with have your dog by your side in a millisecond. These treats are 100% pure, premium meat resulting in a high protein snack for added strength, health, and vitality. Their "Power Bones" are exactly what they sound like. According to their website; they are like an energy bar for people but for dogs. I could not agree more! These are the perfect treat to pack in your hunting vest and use to recharge your gun dog on those long treks into the backcountry...or when you realize both of you are 12 miles from where you parked and the walk back now seems even further! Again, please click on the image link to visit their website. Zukes website.

Without doubt there are now hundreds of other great manufacturers making treats in this world. I have focused on only one brand since I believe in only writing about what has worked successfully for my own dogs in the past and present! Next time you are in your local pet store take a little extra time to find a treat that will not only satisfy your dog's craving for the munches, but one that is also a healthy supplement to his or her diet. Your dog will love you even more...and if your lucky, hunt for you a little harder on your next trip to the field.

Best of luck to each of you out there. -Mark