Since we're picking Molly up an week from today. I wanted to be prepared and buy right food. Right now, Breeder feeds IAMS-large breed to pups. But I read that Puppy Chow-large breed formula comes highly recommended. So, which is best?? I looked at IAMS and it has some omega oils which is not recongized by dog food group. So, any advice'll be appreciated!!

-Jonathan

I'll be blunt - Puppy Chow is crap, so is Dog Chow. If those are your only two choices for dog food, I'd go with Iams. But, if other higher quality pet foods were available - I wouldn't even consider either of these two pet foods.

Iams/Eukanuba used to be an excellent food, until it was bought out by Proctor and Gamble - thats why Iams is now sold every where. Iams is now a cheap grocery store food. P & G and changed the ingredients in the food so they could afford to put it and *ANY* store that sells any type of pet stuff.

If you puppy is on Iams right now I'd stay there obviously the breeder sees these pups as doing ok on it so let them get real established before making any change. That way it will give you lots of time to decide a good quality food that you will stay with. Changing food can be very upseting on the digestive system especially in young pups.

Linds_Jonathan

I think you "opened a can of worms" on this one :D LOL. "The great food debate"... Most have strong reasons why they feed their "Babies" what they do (as they should) :)... And thats just it, some dogs go great on a type of food that others would not...

However I do think that the general consensus is that Puppy Chow... Not so good.

Few Links:
http://www.lab-retriever.net/board/showthread.php?s=&threadid=3471&highlight=food

http://www.lab-retriever.net/board/showthread.php?s=&threadid=3495&highlight=feeding

http://woodhavenlabs.com/dogfoods.html

What about same brand that Puppy chow and dog chow is under but in purple bags?

My parents uses IAMS for their 2 dogs. The older one is in perfect health. Vet said she'll live 5 or 7 more years of her life! She's 12 right now. and 2nd one which is puppy. She eats IAMS puppy formula. Seems doing really well. Beside, I read more about omega oils. they're good for dog skin. Iams large breed has those.

I think reason IAMS's everywhere because IAMS want to let people to be able to buy their products anywhere and make more profilt. Gotta think their ways. :-) I don't believe in dyed dog foods like kebbles, etc. Those are harmful!

I do not think that ANY of the purina grocery store brands are going to be very good. Many people use their higher end product, Purina Pro Plan, which is NOT carried at grocery stores, but many people would debate that that also is not a good food. I would consider a Purina Pro Plan product, but would never consider one of the grocery store versions. Ever. Same with Ole Roy or the dreaded Kibbles and Bits. Ugh.

Re Iams, yes indeedy they are certainly in it to make money and that is one of the reasons that once they went bigtime, the quality of their product went down. Nonetheless, I would feed that over the Purina any day of the week. Many dogs do well on Iams also.

I agree with Labracorn. At the very least, stick with what your breeder is feeding for a while, or else yo will end up with one sick pup. When they are newly come home, their lil systems are pretty fragile.