[PyrNet-L] RE: puppy food switch

[Jack Mowery <jack.mowery@asc.mhmr.state.tx.us>]

I have a problem with this.  Using human nutrition as an example, let me
explain.  

We, here in the late 1900s are significantly taller and larger than the
people of the late 1800s.  In fact, the farther back you go the smaller the
people seemed to be.  The largest suit of armor ever found was 5'8".
Genetically, we have not changed significantly.  You can't breed taller
people (using pretty much random chance) in 100 years, so where did the
extra height and muscle mass come from?  Better childhood nutrition,
particularly more protein and calcium.  Our forefathers simply did not reach
their full genetic potential because of the lack of childhood nutrition
available to us now.

Are we stunting the growth of our dogs?  

To me the best way to determine when to make the switch would be to chart
the growth of our pups.  You keep a record of weights (if not heights,
also), do you not?  Seems to me the time to change over would be when the
growth curve starts to level out (assuming the dog is getting sufficient
exercise and not just putting on just fat).  This allows the nutrition the
dog needs to fulfill the potential nature promised him at birth.

Jack Mowery and Belle (gaining almost a half pound a day) of the Amarillo
Mountains

Date:	Mon, 12 Jul 1999 23:00:55 EDT
From:	Pyrpaws@aol.com <mailto:Pyrpaws@aol.com> 
Subject:	Re: [PyrNet-L] Question about food:

We never feed puppy food after the weaning stage.  It is out theory, and
seems to have been proven, that there is less occurance of panosteitis if
the growth rate is slowed ssomewhat.  We have had fewer cases and less
serious cases of pan since we stopped feeding puppy food years ago.