Suitability of various food mixtures for breeding and rearing of beagle dogs. 3. Methods and results for the Ingelheim team
Schrank, H.; Wilk, W.; Knappen, F.; Galle, O.
Arzneimittel-Forschung 26(11): 2065-2072
1976
ISSN/ISBN: 0004-4172 PMID: 1037250 Document Number: 105897
Two different modes of nutrition during breeding and rearing of dogs are investigated to determine which of them has the better effect. The use of a complete feed for breeding and maintenance (Altromin H) was compared with the use of a special breeding feed (Zahn Z), respectively, together with a special maintenance feed (Zahn H). A palatability test was made, a 2-year test for the effect on breeding, observation of weight gain and food consumption in the rearing phase on all the dogs of the strain Chbi:BEAGLE. The palatability test showed no preference for either diet. Initially, on changing diets, the dogs ate more of whichever new food was given. From 22 parameters which characterize the breeding effect the only statistically significant difference determined was an 11% higher consumption in the Altromin H group. Although in the rearing phase the food consumption in the Altromin H group was higher, male dogs in the younger age group made more weight gain on the special food (Zahn Z) and older bitches fed Altromin H were heavier for a time.