Standard Poodle Puppy Feeding

Question
QUESTION: How long should I feed the puppy version of my dog food to my Standard Poodle puppy? The food she is currently is getting is made by Blue Buffalo.

ANSWER: Hello Bob,
Most Std Poodles will continue to mature until they are at least 1 1/2-2 years old.  There isn't alot of difference between the Puppy and Adult versions of Blue other than a few ingredients (I am comparing the Chicken and Brown Rice versions) and the Glucasomine and Chondrotin supplements.  With those supplements, its best to wait until a puppy is at least 1 yr old, and even then G/C doesn't as much prevent joint problems as much as it helps once the dog is showing signs of problems.  Also, Dog food companies tend to put just enough supplements in the food to say its there, the amount found is usually not enough to benefit the dog.  
So with that being said, if your dog is doing well on the puppy food, you can keep her on it until around 1 1/2 yrs.  Because the ingredients are for growing puppies, I would switch her to Adult food by 2 yrs old at most.  

I hope this helps you some.  If you have other questions for me about this, or other questions in general, please feel free to ask.

Thanks for using AllExperts.com,
Kim

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Kim,

Thanks so much for your prompt response to my question. I have a follow up one as well. My wife and I have two Standard Poodles and the older one is 5 years of age. The puppy seems to like the older dog's food better than her own at some times. The older poodle is on Blue Buffalo as well but the Large Breed Adult version. Will she get enough nourishment from the adult version or do we need to separate their food? The puppy is 35lbs and we are concerned that she is small for a Standard. She is 19" at the shoulders and as stated she is 35lbs. Is that about where she should be in her growth span?

Answer
Hello again,
The Adult Large Breed food won't hurt your girl, but the chunk might be a bit big for her right now.  The adult versions are not too much different from the puppy variety as far as the nutrients go.  The main thing the Large Breed adult has in it is the Glucosamine and Chondrotin, for hips and joints.  If she likes it and her weight is doing ok on it, you can let her go ahead and eat it.  
You never said how old your Standard puppy is, but they will continue to mature until 1 1/2-2 yrs of age.  She should get her full height around 9 months or so, but some will fill out and gain abit more height until 1 yr of age.  

If you would like to send me a picture of her, I will look at her a little further, Send it to my e-mail at MsTopkdog@yahoo.com