Redpaw dog food

Question
Hello,

I was curious if you have any thought on Redpaw dog food (redpawfeed.com). My 11 week old Golden Retriever puppy has been fed this kibble since that is what the breeder was feeding.  He seems to be doing well on it, likes it, and has good stools.  It's not the easiest feed to get as its only available a couple hours away (though I could probably get it when driving in the area which i will likely do frequently enough).  Thanks.

Answer
Among those answering dog questions on the net, it would be hard to get a consensus the sun came up.  When it comes to food, the closest thing I have ever seen to one is to stick with what the breeder was feeding at least for a while.  I am not familiar with the Redpaw,and I found their site long on hype and short on facts.  This is common.  Beyond the ingredients and if it is AAFCO tested, there are very few facts out there.  What I would do is pick up one big bag of it which should last until the puppy is 4-5 months old.  Keep it in an air tight container to keep it from losing nutrients.  Then if it is a puppy chow, switch to an adult chow with at least the same base protein and carbohydrate.  You should be feeding a puppy chow now. Switching to an adult chow for the larger breeds at 4 months, along with keeping them lean, slows growth and helps develop sturdier joints.

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

If you read my profile, you would have seen I raise puppies for service dog schools.  They are in a far better position to know dog care than anybody else.  Who else breeds over 300 dogs a year and X-Rays every one of them after a year old?  They have excellent results with the early switch to adult chow.  They feed common breeds such as Pro Plan and Iams.