richc12 84 Posted September 9, 2009 Report Share Posted September 9, 2009 in terriers you often see ads for strong boned pups.... having recently bred my border bitch to a stud who was heavier boned than her, hoping he will add extra bone to the pups... was wondering, is extra bone something you breed for, and can it be achieved through a higher quality diet... the pups are all fed on a BARF diet and are strong and healthy... was just wondering if there was anything i could add or you folks would advise re: strong bones from 8wks to 1 year old.. thanks in advance.. rich Quote Link to post Share on other sites
skycat 6,174 Posted September 9, 2009 Report Share Posted September 9, 2009 Bone is obviously something you can breed for as only a very malnourished animal will fail to develop the gentically inherited amount of bone it should end up with as an adult: however, it is not just the size of the bone you need to look at, but the density and strength too. Pups reared on a diet lacking in calcium (knew a bloke who reared a litter on almost entirely ox heart and tongue and three of the pups at a year old all broke legs when running: tests confirmed that they were very defficient in calcium and their bones had not developed the density they should have done. To look at them they were normal, but the tests proved otherwise) are always going to be at risk as adults. A good BARF diet should give a pup all it needs and there is some indication to show that adding extra calcium to a diet already sufficient in calcium can cause more problems: this was found when people with giant breeds like St Bernards gave their pups far too much extra calcium in the belief that they would create stronger bones. It didn't, and deformities in the leg bones started showing up. Something I've noticed since feeding raw food is that pups do grow a little bit slower than those fed on the high protein complete foods, but they seem to be far more robust, take knocks better and are generally healthier with better immune systems. If your dogs are on a good all round diet with plenty of red meat as well as bone and fat then I wouldn't worry. Add a good vitamin and mineral supplement if it makes you feel better, (I do!) LOL Quote Link to post Share on other sites
richc12 84 Posted September 10, 2009 Author Report Share Posted September 10, 2009 thanks for the reply SKYCAT .... good informative read there ive seen pups reared just on dry food and i feel that BARF is the way forward for me... the pups have just turned 10wks and are about 3.5kg not at all chubby, fit and strong.... from your post i feel i'm doing the best i can for them, i'll leave the rest to mother nature and see what the sire put in... thanks again.. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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