Gun Dog Forum

big steve46

I feed Sportsman Mix 26-18. My 40 lb Llewellin keeps his weight year around, and has plenty of energy and stamina. Stools are good.

big steve46

There are allergies, and there are sensitivities. Allergies usually have an antigen/antibody reaction, and are usually protein related. Sensitivities are related to chemicals affecting the nervous system, and can be in the food source or elsewhere. It may be important to differentiate the two types ...

big steve46

For a few years, I have fed "Sportzman's Mix" in the blue bag. It's priced at less than 60 cents a pound, is a 26-18 product, and works well for my Setter. It's a good feed that should be quite sufficient for most working dogs.

big steve46

For any pups I ever had, I never bought a puppy feed. As long as they can chew the kibble, use an all age quality feed.

big steve46

When I brought my Llewellin puppy home nearly five years ago, I never fed him a puppy formula, but simply fed him a good quality 26-18 formula that had a small kibble. He has done well since. Sometimes, owners get caught up in the marketing scams and believe THEIR dogs need something special, but th...

big steve46

I agree with Ezzy.

I also found that giving calcium supplements to pregnant humans was a good idea for fetal development and ease of delivery. I'm not a Vet so not sure of why the difference with dogs.

big steve46

I feed "Sportsman's Mix" (26-18 blue bag), and I pay slightly over $28 tax included for 50 pounds. Good energy, good stools, and good coat.

big steve46

Looks like a very good feed. My hyper Llewellin does well on a good quality 26-18 formula(sportsmans mix), and it costs about 56 cents a pound tax included. Most average activity dogs need no more than what I feed, but the feed you describe is fine if that's what you want. If the amount is adjusted ...

big steve46

Us old Illinois guys are showing our lack of intelligence according to some. I think we wasted our time going to school since what we learned just doesn't add up anymore. Hope your Lew is still alive and fit. I know Charlie's GDP is still able to get around and my two Britt's are getting old but do...

big steve46

I haven't been on here for quite a while. Doesn't seem much has changed. When I was a kid, my dad fed his hounds coon carcasses in the winter and hog pellets the rest of the year. They did well, and lived to be old. To me, it's more convenient and cost effective to use a good dry feed using good obs...

big steve46

A remedy I figured out many years ago that worked well is straight H2O2 (hydrogen peroxide) poured directly on a couple of times a day. It worked well, and the problem was gone in a few days. I mentioned it to my Vet friend some time later and he confirmed that it was as good as anything. This was s...

big steve46

Pyloric stenosis is a great idea. Also, at least in humans, I believe there are many cases of "reactive pyloric stenosis," where food is not allowed through due to poor digestion or problems in the stomach. What ever, it seems there is some kind of "blockage," and perhaps time and more maturation wi...

big steve46

Broad-spectrum digestive enzymes would be my first choice, and secondly changing feed. If the food is digested better, the flora will take care of itself, but adding yogurt would be a plus.

big steve46

Could be a blockage, at least a partial blockage in the gut. There could even be a necrotic area there. I'm not a Veterinarian, but it sounds like another Vet opinion might be in order.

big steve46

It could be a fungus and none of the meds would have helped that, or some plant in the yard. with a plant though, you should have seen a quicker response to the steroids and benedryl. Another consideration might be a chemical sensitivity from something in the house.

big steve46

You didn't mention which tests were done for thyroid. Insist on a full panel, including antibodies, not just TSH. Some individuals produce enough ( or are supplemented enough) to raise TSH levels to normal range, but cannot convert T4 to T3. T4 needs to be converted to T3 in order to be used at the...

big steve46

Using a 26-18 Sportsman's Mix or something similar will cost less than 60 cents a pound, and will last nearly 50% longer than Ol'Roy Premium. Hence, more cost effective. Paying a dollar a pound or more for feed is likely only beneficial to the owner's mentality.

big steve46

Thyroid tests can be in the low normal range and the dog may need treatment. Like humans, the test ranges may be too wide.

big steve46

Very nice pictures SN! They don't get much better than that! There's no other dog that match the beauty of a Setter.

big steve46

When i was first hunting over 50 years ago, when someone mentioned a "birddog,' they were talking about either a Setter or an E. Pointer. Now you have all these "off- brands" and "stub-tails" that produce arguments of which is better . Personally, I feel Setters Rule especially for the ones of us wh...

big steve46

Since I have not been posting much, it appears threads like this "have gone to the dawgs!" :lol: :lol: You need to issue an executive order, starting with Purina Mills makes PMI (Purina Mills, Inc., duh), Exclusive and Red Flannel, among other foods and Nestle Purina makes the Dog Chow series, ONE,...

big steve46

Since I have not been posting much, it appears threads like this "have gone to the dawgs!"

big steve46

I would never use puppy feed in the first place. Therefore, the sooner the better as long as it's small kibble. Use a good quality adult or all age with say a 26-18 ratio or so with the first ingredient being a good meat or meat by-product.

big steve46

I consider Ezzy an expert, but I also consider experts the ones who have fed dogs for many years and pay attention to ingredients, performance, coat, and stools. Experience and expertese are both important and no one person has all the answers. Likely, there is an individuality of need that a small ...

big steve46

Pro Plan Performance - Black Gold - Sport Mix (black bag). All good feeds that I have used that your dog should do great on. Those three plus Tuffy's, Loyall, Diamond, and several other reasonably priced feeds will work very well and seem to be the feeds of choice for active dogs in our area. I sel...

big steve46

My feedstore was out of Loyall, so I picked up a bag of 26-18 Sportsmix. Dogs are doing fine, and as is usually true, most dogs do well on most good feeds. I knew some of you young guys would finally see the light. :P :roll: :wink: :lol: Haven't seen you post for a while, everything ok with you. Ez...

big steve46

My feedstore was out of Loyall, so I picked up a bag of 26-18 Sportsmix. Dogs are doing fine, and as is usually true, most dogs do well on most good feeds.

big steve46

All of us old Veterans thank you, and we thank the Veterans who serve now or who have recently served.

big steve46

Dr. Dodd is generally correct I think. Keep in mind she is from California I think. Different parts of the country have different needs re vaccinations. I think she states that in articles I have read of hers a few years ago. The point is well taken that vaccinations may be done to excess frequently.

big steve46

Check out Loyall. Also, most performance dogs do well on most good feeds.

big steve46

I would recommend Jim YerYar of Midland, Indiana. He's where I got my Llewellin. He actually hunts wild grouse with his dogs. He's honest and reasonable.

big steve46

Each to their own, but I wouldn't want to pay over .85 a lb for their best feed. I assume it may cost a wee bit more since it's imported from Ireland.

I guess if you are Irish and have plenty of money, go for it. I'll stay with American feeds that are likely superior.

big steve46

Dog feeds have been discussed extensively here, and I would assume feeding a working beagle would be no different than feeding a working birddog. Therefore, what's the cost of the product and a list of the first five ingredients? That's a start for discussion.

big steve46

I haven't done any deep thinking about this, but maybe you just can't believe what some labels say. Other things are more important as we have often discussed. Certainly good quality ingredients in the right amounts are important.

big steve46

Use a small kibble good adult feed that the puppy can handle. Start before the pup is weaned, and don't use a puppy feed. It doesn't have to be 30/20, 26/18 or so is fine.

big steve46

All you said was corn is a good food source. What makes it a better or worse food source than any other ingredient? The GI for corn is high, but that doesnt necessarily equate to energy. I am not looking to start an argument, but if yall know something I dont then please share. :roll: I was just gi...

big steve46

I wouldn't feed a feed without corn to a performance dog. Of course they will work great for the little lap dogs. Look and see what the trial dogs and hard hunted dogs are fed and you will see my point, it works and has for years and years. Ezzy Care to elaborate? I have read about it and I cant se...

big steve46

I wouldn't feed a feed without corn to a performance dog. Of course they will work great for the little lap dogs. Look and see what the trial dogs and hard hunted dogs are fed and you will see my point, it works and has for years and years. Ezzy Care to elaborate? I have read about it and I cant se...

big steve46

jlp8cornell wrote:Ezzy: I looked it up. Loyall and River Run are from the same manufacturer- Nutrena. Nutrena is owned by Cargill......

True. Loyall is made in the K.C. area at their main plant.

big steve46

I kinda feel sorry for the owners of "stub-tails" and "off-brands." Bet they are kinda envious about now.

big steve46

A good dog is a good dog, but SETTERS RULE!

big steve46

Yogurt or a probiotic is a good idea, but you might simply try cutting the volume of the feed 10-20%.

big steve46

R.I.P. Mr. Dunn.

big steve46

As long as the kibble is small and the puppy can chew it well, there's no need for a puppy formula. A good adult formula is all you need because the puppy cannot read the label.

big steve46

Ryman Gun Dog wrote:Where did you get that beautiful Dalmation

This is why city people should not be allowed in the Grouse woods

It would have to be a city person to ask that dumb of a question!

Beautiful picture by the way.

big steve46

Either an E. Setter or a L. Setter would work well. It's hard to tell by their looks. My L. Setter is not the prettiest, but he's a birdfinder, has medium range, and is a natural retriever.

big steve46

I have high hopes for Molly and like her breeding. I might in the future sometime breed her but am not sure yet. Hunter will be getting fixed in the next 2 months. I will be deciding on Molly by end of next summer. Jesse Most experienced, sensible dog people would advise you to neuter only after th...

big steve46

Steve, I've been looking, we had one open up here reently that only lasted a month before they shut down. something to do with not payiong their bills..... go figure. I was hoping the Rep. would have got back to me and gave me a heads up on another reasonably close location. Don't mind a bit of a d...

big steve46

My Orscheln's store will not take coupons printed off the computer. I cut them out of Gundog and PDJ. Anybody with any extra's please feel free to send them to me. On a sadder note. I may have to dump Loyall and go on another dog food search. I spent years feeding my dogs ProPlan and they jacked up...

big steve46

I pay no attention to any of these dog food analysis or comparison sites, in fact I won't even read them anymore. I saw a long time ago that most, if not all, are biased and have an agenda. The real proof is with ingredients that 90+ per cent of dogs do well on and have done well on for years and y...

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