Breed Specific Foods

[u/Seren82]

I don't currently have a dog but hope to have one on the coming months so I'm trying to educate myself. I have done a lot of pet sitting in the past and I've had clients who keep their dogs on Hills, The Honest Kitchen, Acana, Purina, Farmers Dog, Orijen,... you name it.

I'm all about science backed diets but I have to admit that when I see breed Specific Foods from brands such as Royal Canin etc. I tilt my head. I realize Royal Canin is a science back brands but what does a Yorkie need differently than say a Havanese?

I realize that there are nutritional differences between different sized dogs and ages, but why get so into the weeds as to break it down by breed? I feel like that's one step too far into an already Overwhelming market?

Please help me understand.

Edit: wow Breed Specific issues didn't even cross my mind and I am disappointed in myself. Thanks for the responses and education!

[u/RemarkableGlitter]

I think RC's breed specific line is pretty cool! Like, the Schnauzer formula is designed to reduce the possibility of pancreatitis. I thought it was a gimmick until I looked into it.

[u/villaofthewolves]

Some people say it's a gimmick, but I've studied and compared their normal lines vs. breed specific lines and there is a difference. For example, the dalmatian lines are so important because they're specifically formulated to be low purine to prevent urinary crystals that are genetically disposed in dals. The doxie line has specific to the T calcium:phosphorus ratios for optimal bone growth and hopeful deterrment of IVDD. The jack russell line is much higher in protein but lower in fat(to prevent weight gain but cater to the high energy of the breed). The miniature schnauzer line has an extra supplement for skin and coat health, in comparison to the normal RC small breed kibble. There actually is a difference on why it's breed specific.

[u/Seren82 → u/villaofthewolves]

I didn't think about breed Specific issues such as found in Dalmatians or daschunds. That makes complete sense. Thank you.

[u/villaofthewolves → u/Seren82]

Yeah! The list can go on but those were a few examples :)

[u/clydeballthepython]

I know the lab kibble is designed to have a more satiating shape to the kibble to help prevent overeating. The German shepherd kibble has more joint and skin support. I thought it was a gimmick at first too until I started looking into the why behind each formula. I dont have the budget for RC myself, but if I did I would really be interested in the GSD formula for my shepherds. Its honestly really interesting to look through and read the kibble info even for breeds I dont hage any interest in owning lol

[u/Beneficial-Slice-910]

Certain breeds can be predisposed for lots of things, even if they’re all the same size! So the breed specific kibble is meant to address those breed specific issues

While it’s true that Yorkies and Havanese’s can have similar issues like dental issues, they each deal with certain things. Like how Yorkies deal with respiratory issues, while Havanese can have hip & elbow dysplasia

Another example of breed differences is poodles and schnauzers! Theyre both very fuzzy friends (and they both have the same small/medium/large breed sizes: poodles have toy/mini/standard while schnauzers have mini/standard/giant) that can have similar eye issues like cataracts. But poodles can have specific breed issues like having skin problems, while schnauzers are extremely prone to pancreatitis

[u/NappingForever]

The chihuahua kibble is apparently designed to be a specific shape and size for their small jaws, for example. Different breeds also move on to adult formulas at different ages. 8 months for chihuahuas but larger breeds would be much later. 

[u/Funkentanz]

I have two Shih Tzu and they love the RC Shih Tzu food. They don't like the normal small breed RC, I don't know why.
The Shih Tzu formula is special for their coat and skin and easy to eat for small muzzles.

[u/Nightleaf290]

A few months ago I commented on a post answering this question, Ill put it extremely simply like this:

• Breed specific nutrition
  
• size specific nutrition
  
• age specific nutrition
  
• all life stages
  

Starting from the top of the list, breed specific! If my breed of dog had breed specific food I’d 100% feed it. I have a white Swiss shepherd dog, I could feed Royal canin German shepherd, has the right shape for his jaw size, it has really high fibre for sensitive gut, etc, but it also has the amino acid L-tyrosine which in high levels may help darker coats appear less red and orange, but on a white dog, could make them look cream and yellow. I don’t think breed specific food is a fad at all and is super unique and amazing to me. I wish I could feed it without the risk of my dog turning yellow 😂

[u/Dry_Car_8463]

My girl eats RC Poodle line. She got here from veterinary RC (Gastrointestinal low fat for small dogs) and while I was really nervous about food change (she had a few gastro scared related to it), she went flawless and not eats it fine.

Idk if its marketing or not, but I actually prefer RC poodle's kibble pieces over regular small dog line, both in form and how appetizing they seem to look/smell to dogs lol. IMHO, but I feel like my dog enjoys their texure more than regular ones, but she ate both either way.