Au Chatelet Great Danes - Danois - Elevage situe au Quebec (Canada)

At first, BARF originated from Dr Ian Billinghurst first book "Give your dog a bone".
The first time this acronym was used, it was standing for Bone And Raw Food.
Today, Dr Billinghurst promotes the acronym BARF to stand for
Biologically Appropriate Raw Food.
You can access Dr Billinghurst web site here

Au Chatelet Great Danes believes in raw feeding for their dogs.
Althoug we are aware that raw feeding is not for everyone.
Because raw feeding is SO EASILY SCREWED UP,
instead of feeding a non balance raw diet
we prefer people feed a top quality kibbles.
So this is why we highly recommend the Blackwatch feed program, by Linda Ardnt.

All puppies out of Au Chatelet must be fed the
Blackwatch feed program
while being into their puppyhood.

Although we truly believe in raw feeding, all-meat diets are NOT balanced.
You cannot feed a diet of just meat to your dog and expect it to do well.
Your dog needs bones and organ meat as well to obtain the proper nutrients.
This is especially true for our giant breed. The ratio "calcium to phosphorus", the most important ratio, must be kept in balance. Moreover for a great dane puppy growing.

Why raw feeding is our choice for our dogs

Like their closest ancestor the wolfs, our dogs differing only 1 % - 2% in their gene sequences from them, are opportunistic carnivores. This being said, it means they thrive on a diet that is almost exclusively a meat-based one. With very few carbohydrates. If we accept the idea that they are carnivores, then this implies they are not “herbivores” nor “omnivores”.

An herbivore, like cows and sheep, have a long digestive tracts designed to ferment and process vegetation ( think about danes who are prone to bloat: you don’t like the idea of fermentation!).

An herbivore has flat molars to grind vegetation. And when it comes for breaking down the cellulose found in plant material, it has the capability to break it down on its own. His stomach has the enzyme cellulose to break down the cellulose that holds all the nutrients of the plant material.

These are herbivores !

The omnivore, on the other hand, has a medium digestive tract. This way it can digest both vegetation and animal proteins.

It has then the flat molars and sharp teeth developed for grinding and tearing. It need both the vegetation and the animal proteins to achieve complete nutrition.

We are omnivores!

The carnivore is the category into wich our dogs fit in perfectly!

Our dogs have very short digestive tracts. This is necessary when it comes about digesting quickly animal proteins and fats. A short digestive tracts equals one-third the length of an omnivore.

Our dogs have sharp, blade-shaped molars designed especially for slicing, shredding and tearing. Forget about those flat molars design exclusively for grinding! Our dog’s jaw are not design for moving sideways, like a chewing cow.

Carnivore don’t have digestive enzymes into their saliva. We, humans, have the amylase in order to help breaking down complex carbohydrates.

In order to quickly break down proteins, a carnivore has a higher concentration of hydrochloric acid into his stomach. Its stomach acidity is about pH 1, compared to humans at pH 4 to 5.

This fits to a T to our dogs!

Thus a meat based diet requires that dogs have a length of their gastro-intestinal tract design for it.
Which they have.
They also require teeth and jaws desing too for it.
Wich they have.
In order to break down starch, they need digestive enzymes for this.
Wish they don’t.

Why all of this talking about who is what you might ask??????

Mainly because feeding based on the wrong characterization can create breakdowns of unimaginable variety and portion.

So our carnivore dogs thrive when they consume diets high in the best quality animal protein and fat, rich in vitamins and minerals, low in carbohydrates and fibrous materials, and devoid of plant-based protein.

To be continued.......!

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Links about raw feeding

The Top 50 questions Most Frequently Asked BARF Questions Newcomers Ask! Part 1
http://www.njboxers.com/faqs.htm

More Most Frequently Asked BARF Questions Newcomers Ask Part 2
http://www.njboxers.com/more.htm

B-Naturals, February 2003, Fresh Food Diets for Dogs
http://www.b-naturals.com/win00.htm

B-Naturals, Spring 1999, Anatomy of a Carnivore
http://www.b-naturals.com/spr99.htm

The Comparative Anatomy of Eating, by Milton R. Mills, M.D.
http://www.geocities.com/RainForest/2062/ana.HTML

Bones of Contention
http://www.wellpet.org/nutrition/bonesofcontention.htm

10 Secrets Commercial Pet Food Companies Don't Want You to Know
http://www.raw4dogs.com/10-secrets.htm

Raw Feeding 101, by Bill Carnes
http://www.skylarzack.com/rawfeeding.htm

Ingredients 101, Meat and Bone Meal
http://www.ingredients101.com/meatbm.htm

Raw Meaty Bones, by Tom Lonsdale
http://www.rawmeatybones.com/

Switching a Dog to a Raw Diet
http://rawfed.com/myths/switch.html

Natural Feeding, Recipe for Carnivores, by Russell Swift, DVM, Classical Homeopath
http://www.mypetsfriend.com/

Raw Food Diets: recipes ideas on Shirley's Wellness Cafe,
http://www.shirleys-wellness-cafe.com/sampleraw.htm

Nutrition for Companion Carnivores, by Betty Lewis
http://home.earthlink.net/~pawsreflect/nutrition.html

http://lepusreg.tripod.com/NRS.html

Very important web site for search
USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference

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Recommended Reading

"The BARF Diet" - Dr Ian Billinghurst MRCVS and his web site
A reference on raising your dog on a natural diet with emphasis on raw meaty bones

"Give Your Dog a Bone" - Dr Ian Billinghurst MRCVS
A reference on raising your dog on a natural diet with emphasis on raw meaty bones

"Grow Your Pups with Bones" - Dr Ian Billinghurst MRCVS
A reference on raising your dog on a natural diet with emphasis on raw meaty bones

"Switching to Raw" - Sue Johnson and her web site
Simple easy to follow guide for switching your dog to a raw diet. Available directly from the author through the web site.

"The Nature of Animal Healing" - Martin Goldstein, DVM and his clinic web site
Published by ALFRED A. KNOPF, New York 1999; ISBN 0-679-45500-0; Good book with an excellent section on Vaccinations/Nosodes.

"The Ultimate Diet - Natural Nutrition for Dogs and Cats" - Kymythy Schultze and her web site
C.C.N., A.H.I., 1998, Published by Hay House Inc., Carlsbad, CA ; Tel. 1-800-654-5126 ISBN 1-56170-636-1. This book is much like the other two leading RAW/Species-appropriate books (Billinghurst and Pitcairn), but it leaves out the grains and dairy (except eggs).

"The Encyclopedia of Natural Pet Care" - C. J. Puotinen

"Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs and Cats" - RH Pitcairn, DVM, PhD & Susan Hubble Pitcairn and the web site
RODALE PRESS, 33 EAST MINOR STREET, EMMAUS, PA 18098, U.S.A. - ISBN 0-87857-395-X (paperback). this book is a good read for those who are really leery about these methods. Dr. Pitcairn is a practising Veterinarian who has written this book specifically with the novice in mind, who likely only has a few dogs or cats and who may have problems reading or following Juliette's book.

"The Complete Herbal Handbook for the Dog and Cat" - Juliette Levy
ARCO PUBLISHING, INC., 215 Park Ave.S., New York, NY 10003 - ISBN 0-668-06578-8 - first published in 1955, Revised edition 1991. This is the book for those who are feeding more than 1 or 2 dogs and are ready to delve into a somewhat more complicated feeding program as well as Naturopathic remedies. This book has a great deal of information about Natural Rearing, Breeding/Whelping, use of herbs, etc. A MUST READ BOOK FOR THE BREEDER ESPECIALLY!

"The Complete Herbal Handbook for Farm and Stable" - by Juliette de Baïracli Levy
FABER & FABER LIMITED, 3 Queen Square London WC1N 3AU - ISBN 0-571-13205-7 (paperback). Similar to the previously noted book, except mostly applicable to farm livestock. There is a chapter on Sheep-Dogs.

"Holistic Guide for a Healthy Dog" - Wendy Volhard & Kerry Brown and their web site
ISBN 0-87605-560-9. How to naturally feed and care for your dog, including overviews of several alternative healing arts such as homeopathy, acupuncture, chiropractic, etc.

"Food Pets die For" - Ann Martin (excerpt)

"Raw Dog Food" - Carina Beth MacDonald and her web site

"DOGS - Homeopathic Remedies" - George MacLeod, MRCVS, DVSM, Vet FF Hom.
ISBN 0-85207-218-X, A must have book for those who wish to treat their dogs with homeopathic remedies at home. Invaluable reference book.

"It's For The Animals! Natural Care & Resources" - Helen L. McKinnon and her web site

"Herbs for Pets" - Mary L. Wulff-Tilford & Gregory L. Tilford
Bow-Tie Press - ISBN 1-889540-46-3. An excellent book to use as reference material with information on just about every plant used medicinally, with descriptions, locations, recipes for use, including contraindications, alternatives & adjuncts. An excellent book for those wishing to use herbs as a medicinal support.

"What Vets Don't Tell You About Vaccines" - Catherine O'Driscoll.
ISBN 9 9523048 3 X. A must read book before beginning any vaccination schedules!

"Animal Wellness" magazine: http://www.animalanimal.com/

"Keep Your Pet Healthy the Natural Way" - Pat Lazarus.
For the Novice or helpful hints for the expert.

"Natural Healing for Dogs and Cats" - Diane Stein.
A number of members use this book and have extolled its value. Includes Crystal therapy, yoga; contains invaluable information about all aspects of natural health taken from a huge variety of sources

"How to Have a Healthier Dog" - Wendell O. Belfield, DVM.

"Let's Cook for Our Dog" - Edmund R. Dorosz, BSA, DVM.
OURPET'S INC., PO BOX 2094, FORT MACLEOD, ALBERTA TOL 0Z0 - ISBN 0-9696884-0-7. Practical, easy to understand approach to dog nutrition and feeding including: basic dog nutrition, food requirements, proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals, commercial dog foods, nutritional diseases, traditional feeding, bulk recipes, fresh natural recipes, feeding nursing bitches, puppies, orphans, the senior dog, etc.

"Four Paws Five Directions" - Cheryl Schwartz, DVM
A Guide to Chinese Medicine for Cats and Dogs. ISBN 0-89087-790-4

"Reigning Cats & Dogs" - Pat McKay.
Her phone number is 1-800-975-7555.

"Keep your pet healthy the natural way" - Pat Lazarus
ISBN # 0-87983-388-2. It is a Keats/Pivot Health Book. It emphasizes a natural diet but most of the book deals with case histories from veterinarians.

"CALMING SIGNALS; On Talking Terms With Dogs" - Turid Rugaas.
Web Site: www.turidrugaas.com

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Mailing lists/ Discussions about raw feeding

BARF-lite - BARF Diet Support (Yahoo Group)
http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/BARF-lite/

CarnivoreFeed-Supplier · Carnivore feeders and feed suppliers (Yahoo Group)
http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/CarnivoreFeed-Supplier/

SeniorRawFeeding · This is a list that is dedicated to feeding a raw diet to senior dogs. (Yahoo Group)
http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/SeniorRawFeeding/

K9Nutrition · Dog Nutrition and Health (Yahoo Group)
http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/K9Nutrition/

Raw Food Diets Bulletin Board at SitStay.com
http://bbs.sitstay.com/postlist.php?Cat=1,2,3,4,9&Board=rawdiet

K9Kitchen · dog diets raw cooked allergies disease (Yahoo Group)
http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/K9Kitchen/

Raw Breeder (Yahoo Group)
http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/rawbreeder/

RawChat (Yahoo Group)
http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/RawChat/

RawDogCanada (Yahoo Group)
http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/RawDogCanada/

Volhard · The Volhard Nutrition List (Yahoo Group)
http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/Volhard/

Wellpet (Yahoo Group)
http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/Wellpet/

WholesomeDane (Yahoo Group)
http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/WholesomeDane/

Recipies

Satin Balls - How to put weight on a dog - The satin ball recipe

BARF menu

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