Dog Food and Poop Question

Question
Hi.  This is my second time asking you (thank you for answering my previous question).

I have two shih tzus (male and female - both 5 months) and a male yellow labrador (4 months), all intact.  My question is regarding their food and poop.

I feed my shih tzus puppy dog food and they eat it fine and their poop is fine (very firm, twice a day and few in quantity).  I feed my labrador the adult food of the same brand and his poop is slightly less firm (but not runny).  The lab's poop is also much more in quantity (3-4 times a day and much more in quantity) and much much smellier.  Is this breed-related or dog-food related?

Also, I've been reading articles and forums in the net regarding nutritional requirements for lab puppies.  Some say protein should be controlled while others say large protein content is ok.  Which is which?  Will the amount of exercise that I give my lab (I walk him 20-25 minutes per day) determine the protein content?

Also, is it true that higher protein content in dog food result in smellier poop?

Finally, I live in the Philippines where pet population is not much of a problem.  Is there any reason for me to spay/neuter my pets (which you advocate)?

Thank you.


Answer
I wish I could remember how productive Lucky was.  I do remember feeding him 6 cups of the same Pro Plan similar Labs maintained good body condition on 3-4.  But I don't remember if he produced more stools.  Also over feeding leads to larger, softer stools.  I would change him over to an all life stages food now and maybe the rest too.   Switching to an adult chow for the larger breeds at 4 months, slows growth and helps develop sturdier joints.  Check the label of most adult foods and it will say ''suitable for all life stages''.  You could stick to the same brand or a different one.  There is more to it than the protein level.  A food can have a relative high total protein content and still not be excessively rich if the amino acids are not properly balanced.  The ones in excess are just burned for energy or excreted.  Calcium is critical for large breed puppies.  It must be less than 1.5% by analysis, not minimum.

There is an unlimited amount of nonsense around about dog food.  One thing that is true is that the more corn and other grains, the more you have to feed, and the larger, softer the stools.  That doesn't mean the dog isn't getting the nutrients it needs, just that clean up and disposal is more work for you.  Many dogs lead long, healthy lives on corn based foods.  I do think the meat based foods, especially lamb, are smellier.  Proteins have a certain sulfur content, and most sulfur compounds smell terrible. H2S and SO2 are very bad.  Different dogs react differently to foods.  I think it is more a matter of individual body chemistry than breed.  

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

While population control is behind spay/neutering, there are other good reasons.  Here is a link to the AVMA's position, http://www.avma.org/animal_health/brochures/spay-neuter/spay-neuter_brochure.asp