If you have decided to share your life with this wonderful breed you will want to find the best dog food for German Shepherds. A good place to start is to consider the characteristics of these dogs so we can find the perfect nutritional balance. The breed is also known by other names including the abbreviation GSD and Alsatian.
What do we know of the German Shepherds’s history.
Its not surprising that the German Shepherd Dog originated in Germany where farmers were trying to standardise a breed of dog for herding sheep. This process continued throughout the 1890’s and culminated in 1899 when Max Von Stephanitz developed the breed standard. The ‘job specification’ this dog needed to fill was primarily herding sheep and protecting flocks from predators. The dog was a powerful animal wolf like in appearance with a strong herding instinct. The GSD is also very fast and has a good sense of smell. As breed popularity grew, the GSD spread in numbers around the world. Due to anti-German sentiment during WW1, the dog was renamed in Britain by the Kennel Club and was then known as the Alsatian Wolf Dog. The name Alsatian comes from the French region of Alsace which borders with Germany. However although the dog is still sometimes referred to as the Alsatian, it is once again commonly known as the German Shepherd Dog.
The Key Points of the German Shepherd.
The GSD is a favourite breed and it’s popularity has remained high. They are very attractive medium to large dogs and are highly intelligent. There appearance commands immediate respect and will ward off intruders without so much as a growl or bark. They are widely used as guard dogs throughout the world due to their strength and somewhat intimidating and wolf-like appearance. They are not used so much these days as herding dogs despite originally being bred for that purpose. They are used for a variety of purposes by police forces, military and security personnel internationally. The breed is known to be intensely loyal and has been known to lay down their life for their family. They are not welcoming to strangers who will have to win the dog’s trust. When they relax with their families they can be as playful and funny as any other breed.
Do German Shepherds Make Good Pets.
Very many German Shepherds become working dogs either with Police, Military for Security personnel. In the right hands they can also make extremely good pets able to live with families. They are notoriously protective of their owners and loved ones, having been known to give their lives in order to save their closest.
They are energetic dogs that require plenty of exercise to keep them stimulated physically as well as mentally. Ideally you should devote two or three hours of your day to your GSD for exercise and mental stimulation. Since they are big powerful dogs that are wary of strangers, it is essential that they are properly trained and socialised. A GSD that is not trained properly will likely be unruly and can be very dangerous indeed.
What is The Best Dog Food for German Shepherds
Having looked at the characteristics of the breed, we can think about the best food for German Shepherds. A key point is that they are large, high energy dogs. Their powerful muscles will demand plenty of best quality protein to maintain their mass. Protein is best served up in the form of top quality red meat, poultry or fish. Their diet should also comprise of some fruits and vegetables to provide vitamins and minerals for proper function and wellbeing. Inactive and older dogs will require 1250 to 1500 calories per day whereas more energetic GSD’s will require 1500 to 2100 calories per day. That’s a lot of energy and a fair amount of food. GSD’s can have sensitive skin so they will need an adequate amount of Omega6 and Omega 3 fatty acids. These are not only good for the coat and skin, but also support the immune system and joints.
Is there anything Else to Note?
All breeds have similar basic needs as far as diet is concerned. We have seen that German Shepherds are powerful and energetic so they need plenty of calories and protein. Poor quality ingredients should be avoided at all costs and it is recommended to provide dog food without grains. Some of the best known and largest brands are generally the worst products to feed your dog as they invariably contain poor quality ingredients and grains such as wheat, soya, barley and sorghum. These are not ideal foodstuffs for dogs and you should seek products that include vegetables and fruits rather than grains.
Canagan Adult Tins
Canagan Adult tins are a complete wet food available in a variety of recipes for your Border Collie. The food is freshly prepared to a recipe specially formulated by experts. Canagans have devised their wet food to deliver nutrition close to a dog’s ancestral diet. It has the correct ratio of protein to carbohydrate which is highly beneficial to Border Collies. Canagan contains a myriad of vegetables and botanicals dense in nutrients. The recipe will stimulate your Border Collie’s taste buds and give them an abundance of highly digestible protein demanded by their evolutionary needs.
Luna & Me Perky Turkey
Luna & Me Perky Turkey is a complete wet food specially formulated for working dogs. It is ideal for pet Border Collie’s too. This gentle meaty recipe is made from the very best fresh ingredients together with carefully selected superfoods. The ingredients include fresh turkey, heart, liver and beef green tripe. It provides an easily digestible protein which is gentle, satisfying and nourishing for your dog. All meat ingredients are butcher quality and British. The food is supplied in convenient frozen patties which minimises preparation and thawing time.
Fifi Beaumont’sSuperfood Duck with Parsnip, Beetroot, Orange, Asparagus and Pumpkin.
This delicious complete grain free dry food recipe from Fifi Beaumont’s includes a high content of freshly prepared duck rich in amino acids, vitamins and minerals. The recipe includes five carefully selected superfoods which boast a high density of nutrition. These are parsnip, beetroot, orange, asparagus and pumpkin providing vitamins and fibre to maintain your Border Collie in good health. This recipe contains naturally occurring collagen to support joint health, skin and coat. It also includes prebiotics to support a healthy gut flora and digestive system. There are no grains in any of Fifi Beaumont’s recipes and no fillers or unnecessary ingredients.
