Feeding our Golden

Question
Please help ! We bought 2 Golden retriever puppies last September. Since then we have spent an absolute fortune on 'the best' food (dry nut type) but because we have 2 we find we're buying big bags 15-20 kg every fortnight. we want to start them on cheaper food now but we don't want them to lack any nutrients. I have researched this but i seem to be getting very mixed answers such as all commercial foods are bad for them, or the best would be to cook real food for them but i cant see us having time to do that! we're really confused - please help !

Answer
In all your research, did you find any real comparison tests of how dogs did eating various diets?  As far as I know, there aren't any available to the general public.  None of those advocating premium chows and alternative diets have any proof dogs eating them are healthier.  I know the various large service dog schools have evaluated different chows and are all feeding one of the common brands of dog chow.  Iams is widely used, and I know of schools using Pro Plan, Science diet, Purina 1, and Eukanuba. These are large, successful programs managed by trained, experienced professionals.  When a service dog is no longer able to work, it is replaced for free with a new dog that it cost the price of a fine automobile to train.  You really think if all the allegations about commercial dog chow were true, they would be feeding such diets? I have personally seen thousands of these dogs over the years, following some of them through out their whole career.

So I say pick something readily available that you can afford.  What is more importantthan the chow, is to keep the dogs lean, and make an early switch to adult chow.  Your dog definitely should be narrower at the waist than the hips and chest. You should be able to easily feel the ribs, but not see them.  Each dog is different.  Standard recommendations are a good place to start, but each dog must have its food and exercise adjusted to its individual needs. Here is a link to a good illustrated guide, http://www.longliveyourdog.com/twoplus/RateYourDog.aspx

As for cook real food, see http://www.avma.org/press/releases/070404_homemade_diets.asp