What makes a good quality dry food?

[Chedi]

Dylan is currently on Skinners Field and Trial Puppy, which we've had absolutely no problems with. He's a perfect weight, growing very well, great coat, and he loves the stuff so no fussy eating (although, he is a slow eater compared to my parents springer ).

But that only goes up to 9months of age, and Dylan will be 8months old tomorrow.

I keep looking at loads of different brands to see what we could move onto next and make sure he's getting the best food for him - but I don't really know what I'm looking for....

Thanks in advance

[black taz]

lots of other threads on here about dry good, but general recommendations tend to be:

james wellbeloved
Burns
Royal Canin

i give both mine Hills Scientific and they are both in fantastic condition on it.

[Nicola]

If you're happy with the Skinners and he's doing well on it why don't you just put him onto the adult version? In terms of quality it's probably middling but if you're happy with it and he's doing well on it and enjoys it then why do you want to change him? If you do want to look at other brands though as well as those Black Taz has suggested you could also try Healthy Paws, Orijen, Arden Grange and Barking Heads which are all good quality dry foods.

[Chedi]

I was looking more into how much protein, fibre, oil, ash etc. should be in a good quality dogs food, particularly for a junior aged dog - not for just the brands.

The things that putting me off Skinners, is that the next type of food I can only buy in 15kg sacks

[lisalh]

The things that putting me off Skinners, is that the next type of food I can only buy in 15kg sacks

Get a big plastic bin to store the food in and yo will be surprised how quickly you will use a bag- I worked out the maths on the food we were using when I had just the one dog and even though the bag seemed huge at first the saving was worth it and now I am a 2 dog house there isnt any point in getting a smaller bag.

BTW Fred was on Skinners puppy and junior food and did really well on it at first but after a few unrelated health issues he is now on Arden Grange- I gave up trying to read all the diff quantities of everything in dog food as some foods suit your dog and some foods dont. If you worried about the large bag get a small one first to try him on it and then get the larger bag if he takes to it.

[Chedi]

I've just been looking at the price of the 15kg for Crunchy, and its about £10 cheaper than what we pay for Puppy... so I feel a bit better with it. I'm just a tad worried he wont 'like' it, as he can be a tad fussy with the puppy stuff - but it is tiny peices now he's grown so I guess it could be hard for him to eat?
I wish I could get a small bag, but unlike their puppy and sensitive food, they only do sacks.

[Victoria25]

I've just been looking at the price of the 15kg for Crunchy, and its about £10 cheaper than what we pay for Puppy... so I feel a bit better with it. I'm just a tad worried he wont 'like' it, as he can be a tad fussy with the puppy stuff - but it is tiny peices now he's grown so I guess it could be hard for him to eat?
I wish I could get a small bag, but unlike their puppy and sensitive food, they only do sacks.

Could you email them and ask for a sample?

[silly milly]

i think i must be a very cruel doggy mummy!

we buy waggs - ( £7.00 for 15kg, on offer at morrisons, or we usually get it from costco ) have done for years, the dogs are fine. good coats, clear eyes etc and lots of energy.

we dont show or work them - they are pets dogs.   sometimes they decide they dont fancy the food, or are not in the mood for it.  when this happens, we lift the bowls and put them down later.  they wont go hungry.  we did the same with our daughters when they were little! 
we also suppliment with raw chicken wings, rice and gravy and leftovers sometimes.