Reading the sled dogs sites for their feeding methods is a good place to start when working a dog. Hundreds of years ago the sled dogs were fed huge amounts of fat because the whale blubber was what was there for the dogs. When sled dogs became competitive athletes man decided he would re-invent the wheel. Fed those dogs like humans with carbs and proteins over time the dogs went to squat. Through research and trials it was found the dogs performed better on a higher fat percentage in their feed.

Few bulldog people are in a climate where they can match the fat content of the sled dog folks. At the same time few bulldog people allow their dog to sleep outside in freezing to sub freezing temperatures while in competition. The fish is nutrient dense. It takes time for the gut to digest and assimilate fish. For the bulldog guy in the rural south this leads to running hot. For the sled dog guy in the great northern lands it means the dog will maintain body heat through the night. Then that 'slow churn' of the fish nutrients is also great for muscle recovery.

Chicken is far better digested and far better assimilated. Chicken backs and chicken necks do wonders. I try to max the amount of fat for each dog. They are all different. The dogs body and demeanor will tell a lot about how he needs to be worked but his daily dumps dictates his diet, if that makes sense. The fat content can be increased slowly over time til the stool gets loose. Back off. As the work increases the fat content can track with it. Some dogs can get as much as 50% of their carbs from straight chicken/beef fat. What works best is when it is in a fatty/soupy (broth) mixture.

The dog works off of fat and the proteins provided are mostly used for recovery. Two meals usually work best a fatty/soupy brothy meal 10-12 hours prior to work. A protein heavy supplemented meal right after work. Both dialed in for a certain weight on the dog.

Again, CYJ is spot on. I'm a carpet mill guy at heart but the table builds a different dog. Mine was a little small, just a hair short of 15', outdoors and a little too free but even missing those points I'm sold.

The car analogy always works best. No one builds a pro-mod or top fuel dragster and then uses pump gas for fuel. Dogs no different.

EWO