This is probably the most frequently asked question that we hear. We have a theory. Pay for good quality dog food now or pay more in expensive vet bills later. Today there are many choices. We are currently feeding Natural Balance Ultra Premium. You can't get the foods we feed at the grocery store and they costs a bit more, but we think it is worth it.
We practice a rotation of foods. Every 3 to 4 months we rotate proteins and brands. We usually rotate through California Natural, Natural Balance, Natures Logic and Innova. This doesn't mean there aren't other dog foods that are good, it just means these are foods that our dogs do well on.
Bottom line when it comes to commercially prepared dog foods it is all about how your dog does on the food. If your dog has a dull dry coat, is exceptionally gassy, or has loose stools, we would recommend trying a different high end food.
We also make our own dog food. It is time consuming and not for everyone. Our basic food is a combination of raw and cooked meats and vegetables. It is not a complicated process but it is a lot more work than going to the store and buying a bag of commercially prepared dry or canned dog food. The flip side is in my opinion it is a lot more natural and a healthier diet to feed a dog. Because we travel to various to show our dogs, for convince, our dogs get fed both dry and home made. Dry because it is easier to travel with when on the road showing dogs and home made because it is healthier. Our dogs have no problem transitioning back and forth between the two. My believe is the raw varied diet helps populate the intestinal tract with beneficial bacteria leaving no room for the bacteria that causes problems to populate. If you would like to know more about how I make this feel free to contact us.
Dental Care
A tooth extraction costs about $600. You can prevent this if you take the time to do some daily or weekly maintenance. Your vet will be glad to show you how to brush your pups teeth. If it is done regularly from puppy on, they don't seem to mind, especially if you use the liver flavored paste. We have a friend who uses a human battery operated tooth brush and it works great. You can get the tooth paste and dog brush at your vet or at most pet stores.Grooming
Schnauzers are a double coated breed, which means they don't shed. (No dog hair to wipe off your clothes or furniture.) Because they don't shed, people with allergies often don't have a problem with this breed. To keep them looking their best you do have to groom them on a regular basis. About every six to eight weeks keeps them looking good. If you want to do it your self The American Miniature Schnauzer Club has some great tips. Follow this link for tons of info on miniature schnauzers. www.amsc.us