The following is what we do and/or our recommendations only. Each dog and family is different. We strive to educate our families with our experiences and try to help them find the best way to feed their dog!
Poodles are naturally slim (most of the time). Aussie's on the other hand, tend to gain weight more quickly. In our experience a poodle is much pickier with what and how much they eat, and they just tend to stay on the leaner side. Australian Shepherds love to eat as much as you will feed them and if left to their own devices, can end up looking like a foot-stool if their activity level is not high enough.
With this information you can assume that some Aussiedoodles will have higher metabolisms than others based on which parent breed they take the most after. Our own Mama Millie can be very picky with food, but packs on the weight easier than her Daddy Toby (the poodle). (Her Mama, Angel, is part of our friends breeding program and is on a diet currently). Activity level greatly influences how much they need to eat. Below we have posted the ideal body composition of dogs. This of course can vary by breed. Asking the vet at the dogs routine appointment is a great way to access the ideal body mass for your individual dog.
Click below for the Proper Body Weight Chart
We currently have 7 dogs living in our home. With three kids and chickens to also feed, we need a quick and yet nutritious way to feed our pack and puppies!
In comes dog kibble. This dried form of food for dogs was first created in the 1800's. Commercially, it became much more popular in the 1950's.
We have used a number of dry kibble brands in the past. Currently we are using Muenster Pets and Diamond for our breeding dogs and our puppies. We made this decision after research and honestly, some experience of digestive issues with our dogs, and health problems other breeders have suffered in their stock with other popular brand(s).
We have been very happy with Muenster Pets and are confident at this time to recommend it to our puppy families. They allow you to add toppers for flavor and health benefits to their kibble. We currently choose to add the goat milk powder to our pups kibble and have used the probiotic topper in the past also. Our dogs and puppies love their freeze dried elk and beef treats. Below are the two we use the most:
For our adult breeding stock:
In our research soy and flax seed is not the best option for fertility in breeding stock. There has also been some discrepancy in opinions on feeding peas to dogs you wish to reproduce. For this reason , we try to avoid flax, soy and peas! We found this formula and have been very happy with the litter size and health of our dogs. We usually add toppers for variety about once a day. Our adult dogs are fed twice a day, approximately 2 cups each feeding for our standard sized adults (30-60lbs).
For Our Puppies: (You can also add the Goat Milk Topper under CUSTOMIZE if you would like)
Most puppies should be given free access to dry kibble (unless in crate or you can also take it up a couple of hours before bed time). At this age they need the calories for good growth. If you notice your pup eats too quickly, or does not seem to know when to stop eating, you will need to adjust this of course. Below we will list some options of slow feeders that may help. Feel free to top the dry kibble with some of the toppers we list below. It would be best to limit the toppers to 2-3 times a day. Of course, your pups will be getting a lot of treats while training and such. Take this into consideration as part of their daily food intake.
Slow Feeder Bowl
*cost effective quick option is a muffin tin (like that used for baking cupcakes)
Cost effective DIY topper ideas:
Yogurt (Plain- NO XYLITOL)
Eggs- our dogs have enjoyed cooked and raw (except Daddy Toby- he always prefers his cooked)
Peanut Butter- All natural....NO sugar substitute ( NO Xylitol, NO Birch Sugar)
Pumpkin- fresh cooked or Canned 100% pumpkin
Fresh Bone Broth (many of the grocery stores brands contain onions and garlic---try to avoid these)
Organ meats- Cooked liver is a fave
Other Feeding Options:
We have had families in the past choose to feed raw, or home cooked foods. We have done limited research on these. Our dogs do enjoy some raw frozen raw chicken feet at times from our own small flock and some organ meats, so little goes to waste in the processing of poultry. We have had families provide us with links that they have found helpful and want to provide you with those also. Please research your options well before making a decision for your dog and family.
https://www.barkandwhiskers.com/Â -- specifically Dr. Karen Becker gives good info and you can subscribe to an email on that website that has great information
https://fourleafrover.com/products/kibble-fixer-dog-food-topper This food topper they add just a small portion that contains critical nutrients for the dogs in case the cooked/raw diet might be missing anything
Other Dog Food brands we have used with no ill effects:
Diamond Puppy
Diamond Naturals
Merrick Puppy Can Food- Chicken and Beef
Wholesome Salmon Sensitive Skin and Stomach
Aussiedoodles are Water Dogs!!
One of our last litters of mini Aussiedoodles (Roxy X Poe 2024) have LOVED to play in their water bowls. This has led to some creativity in giving them access to drinking water while also saving our floors, and the floors of their new puppy families. Below are some resources we like if you find that your Aussiedoodle takes the "duck hunting" heritage a little too seriously when it comes to wanting to swim in any available H2O.
No-Spill Water Bowl
What our pups are used to drinking from
Floor protecting mat
If you are a Mills River Doodle family, please feel free to share ideas and feeding that has worked for your Aussiedoodle! Reach out if you also notice any sensitivities or diet restrictions that your dog develops. This helps us keep record of our parent dogs and the pups they produce and also advice for any future dog owners that work with us!
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