Nutritional Needs for 7 week old American Bulldog

Question
We are getting a 7 week old American Bulldog puppy today and are a little puzzled about what the breeder has been feeding her. He swears by feeding the puppies the same kibble as he feeds all his other dogs. The product is made by Canidae. They don't make a "puppy Chow". They have something called "all stages" and suggest that you just feed twice as much during the first 6 months. I've always thought that puppies ate puppy chow. Any thoughts?

Answer
Canidae is an excellent product.

I do not feed my puppies any kind of puppy food either, and I haven't for well over 25 years.

They are fed twice a day, and that amount is increased over a period of time until they are getting at least twice as much food as the adults. (Do the "feel" test; feel the ribs easily but do not see them.)

Most arguments say that puppies need more protein, calcium, etc. as adults, never thinking about the fact that a puppy that is eating twice as much as an adult is thus getting twice as much protein, fat, calcium, calories, etc. as that adult.

I feed Eagle, and they used to recommend (their) puppy food until the age of five months... and then putting the puppy on adult food. Eventually they changed that recommendation to twelve months, and when I asked why, I was told, "because that is what the public has been brainwashed into believing they need to do."

So save your pennies and follow your breeder's recommendation. The puppy will do just fine!

Karen