How to Select the Best Dog Food for Doberman Pinschers
The elegant Doberman Pinscher is a regal dog. Its imposing looks belie a heart that is deeply loyal and a dog that expresses great affection to those it loves most. Sophisticated of appearance, the Doberman is a true athlete, possessing the stamina and the intelligence to excel at any number of disciplines including dog performance sports such as obedience and Rally as well as Schutzhund.
The Doberman was originally intended to serve as a guard dog and continues to wear its courage and bravery like a badge of honor. However, the Doberman is devoted to its family upon whom it lavishes all of its love freely.
In spite of their appearance that many mistake for menacing, the Doberman is a gentle soul. Though they will defend home and hearth if called upon to do so, the true Doberman prefers to enjoy a peaceful life. A dog that bonds deeply to its family, the Doberman is exceptionally sensitive and prefers to be near to those it loves.
A breed of deep intelligence, the Doberman requires daily mental stimulation to remain content. The Doberman is a dog with energy to burn each day, and thus, should be exercised consistently. This also assists with achieving and maintaining a healthy body weight. If not kept physically and mentally satisfied, the Doberman can be prone to developing nuisance behaviors.
As a large breed dog, the Doberman Pinscher can be predisposed to developing the life-threatening condition known as bloat. Though it is not yet known what factors must combine to produce this problem, it is generally accepted that eating too much and too quickly may be contributing causes. For this reason, Dobermans should be fed a large breed food formulation if possible since this type of food has larger pieces of kibble to encourage careful chewing and swallowing.
The Doberman Pinscher is not prone to weight gain so long as the dog receives appropriate exercise on a daily basis. Since hip dysplasia can be a problem in this breed, it is very important that the Doberman be kept at a healthy weight. The best dog foods for Doberman Pinschers should contain a minimum of 18 percent protein and 5 percent fat.
Choosing the Correct Calorie Count for Doberman Pinschers
Determining how much of the best dog foods for Doberman Pinschers to feed a dog can be as challenging as selecting the food itself. The best course of action for dog owners is to consult the suggested serving sizes listed on the side of the diet’s packaging. This can be used as a starting point with adjustments made to reflect the dog’s weight, age, appetite, and activity level.
Though the Doberman is a highly active dog breed, it still should not be free fed. All food should be measured and all intake monitored to help achieve and maintain an excellent body condition.
Dietary Requirements for Doberman Pinscher Dog Foods
Doberman Pinschers are natural born athletes and require a diet based on a lean meat to fuel their daily energy reserves. Whole meats are the best option, but meat meals are also an excellent choice for concentrated high quality protein. By-products are not of sufficient quality for the active Doberman Pinscher, and as such, are best avoided entirely.
Plant-based proteins such as corn, wheat, and soy can be very difficult for the Doberman Pinscher to process and utilize effectively. They have also been linked to food sensitivities in many dogs. As a result, foods containing these ingredients are best left on the shelf. Other ingredients not suited to the needs of the athletic and regal Doberman include chemicals, additives, preservatives, artificial flavors, and colors.
To achieve healthy digestion and support a strong immune system, Dobermans need high quality carbohydrates in their diet. These can come from several different sources including whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. The primary importance of any carbohydrate included in a diet for the Doberman Pinscher is its amount of fiber and antioxidants. Doberman Pinschers that have expressed a sensitivity to grains may do best on a grain-free diet.
The best dog foods for Doberman Pinschers place a high emphasis on healthy fats obtained from premium animal origins. It is from these essential fatty acids that the Doberman obtains support for coat and skin health and fuel for strong energy reserves. The best options for these fats are animal-based and include such foods as chicken fat and oily fish. The plant-based oils coconut, canola, and safflower also offer a powerhouse punch of the essential fatty acids the Doberman requires for good health.
Supplements help a diet to be its most effective. The ideal supplements for the Doberman Pinscher include glucosamine, chondroitin, prebiotics, and probiotics.
Things to Look for in the Best Dog Food for Doberman Pinschers
Here is a basic list of the most important things to look for in the best dog food for a Doberman Pinscher:
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Lean meat-based proteins heading up the ingredients list
The best diets for Doberman Pinschers base their entire recipe on a lean meat. Whole meats are the best option, but meat meals are also an excellent choice.
By-products and the plant-based proteins soy, corn, and wheat are best avoided entirely as they can trigger allergic reactions in the sometimes sensitive Doberman Pinscher.
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Prepared without the addition of chemicals, flavorings, fillers, or mystery ingredients
Chemicals, fillers, artificial flavorings and colorings, and mystery ingredients provide no nutritional benefit to the Doberman Pinscher. Diets which include any of these items in their formulation are undesirable for this breed and can lead to skin issues or future allergic reactions.
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Enriched with probiotics and helpful supplements
Every food can benefit from the inclusion of supplements to help improve its overall efficacy for dogs. The ideal supplements to look for for the Doberman Pinscher include prebiotics, probiotics, glucosamine, and chondroitin.
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Meets AAFCO nutritional requirements for a complete and balanced food
All foods appropriate for the Doberman Pinscher should bear the AAFCO seal of approval, indicating it meets the standards for a complete and balanced food.