We start all our dogs on Diamond puppy food. Diamond Puppy Formula Dry Dog Food addresses their special nutritional needs. This kibble contains chicken by-product meal, whole grain ground corn, wheat flour, chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols), dried beet pulp, egg product, flaxseed, natural chicken flavor, fish meal, salmon oil (a source of DHA), salt, vitamins, minerals, and more. Has DHA for brain and vision development Contains omega fatty acids, antioxidants, and proper levels of protein and fat for growth and development 31% crude protein 438 kilocalories/cup; 3,973 kilocalories/kg. For puppies through 12 months and pregnant or nursing adult dogs. This is the food your pup is eating, and you DO NOT want to switch your puppy’s food for at least the first few weeks. The adoption process is extremely stressful on the puppies, and you want to make sure you keep this the same.

The most important thing to know about German  Shorthaired Pointers is that they are a high-energy breed. You must  provide them with the appropriate energy requirements for the job they  are expected to do. Your German Pointer also needs an unlimited supply  of fresh, clean water. The body can't store water, and its means for  conserving it are limited. How much water does your German Pointer need?  At least 1 ounce of water per pound of body weight each day, even in  cold weather. Hot weather or vigorous exercise can double or even triple  that requirement. 

The Main Course Protein content may be derived from beef, chicken or other animal products--or  solely from plant sources, if its a vegetarian food. Some ingredients,  such as meat by-products, meat-and-bone meal, or animal fat, probably  won't sound too appetizing to you, but they're nutritious and safe for  your German Pointer. Finally, keep in mind that nutritionally balanced  dog foods always contain some plant products. Dogs love meat, but  they're actually omnivores--they can use the nutrients found in both  plant and animal foods.  Dry food is the least expensive commercially  available dog food. Its bulky and takes longer to eat than other foods,  so your German Pointer may feel fuller after a meal. The crunchiness of dry food promotes dental health by reducing plaque  accumulation and massaging the gums.  Canned food is more expensive than  dry food, which makes it more costly if used as a sole diet for German  Pointers. Its taste and concentrated energy make it a good  supplement to a dry-food ration for underweight dogs or those recovering  from illness.

Is it okay to jazz up your German  Pointers commercial dog food with a little people food? Yes, as long as  your tasty additions don't exceed 10 percent of your buddy's daily  caloric intake.  Some of the different foods currently available  include:

Natural-preservative or preservative-free foods:  Dog foods were once kept fresh by the addition of artificial chemicals,  such as BHA, BHT and ethoxyquin. Because some consumers were concerned  about the safety of these compounds, manufacturers replaced them with  natural preservatives, such as vitamin E (sometimes listed as mixed  tocopherols) and vitamin C. Interestingly, most so-called natural  preservatives are actually artificially synthesized. Preservative-free  dog foods are also available. These products must be stored in a cool,  dry environment and used promptly to prevent spoilage.

Organic foods:  If you're concerned about pesticide and chemical contamination of food  products, you may want to feed your German Pointer an organic dog food.  Be aware, however, that the definition of organic may be subject to some  interpretation, at least for pet foods. The term usually indicates that  the foods ingredients were grown without the use of artificial  chemicals or pesticides, but it may be difficult--if not impossible--to  determine if the food meets the more stringent requirements that govern  the labeling of human food as organic.

Vegetarian foods:  Dogs can get along quite nicely on vegetarian dog food, as long as the  food has been properly formulated to provide complete nutrition. These  products allow vegetarian owners to maintain their dietary principles  when feeding their dogs. Vegetarian foods are also useful for dogs with  meat allergies. 

Food for Growth

                   The nutritional needs of   German Pointer puppies  differ from those of adults, especially with regard to   protein, energy  and the calcium-phosphorus balance. Protein is especially   important  for puppies because its essential for muscle and bone growth. 

Dry puppy foods usually  contain at least 26 to 27 percent protein,   while adult maintenance  foods usually contain at least 20 to 21 percent.   (Premium brands of  both types of foods usually contain higher levels of   protein--up to 30  percent or so for some puppy foods.) During growth we feed a   28- to  30-percent easily available protein diet. This is   essential for growth  and muscle development.

Puppies also differ from adult dogs in their requirement   for calcium and phosphorus--minerals that are  important for proper skeletal   development and growth. Completely  balanced puppy foods are formulated to   provide the appropriate  amounts, so supplementation isn't usually necessary (and   may even be  harmful). We feed Diamond, ProPac or NutriSource puppy food for the  first year of life to our young dogs and recommend that you continue  with either of these for the first couple weeks and slowly introduce  your preferred puppy food by slowly mixing more with the  puppy food on a  day to day basis over a period of a a week to 10 days.. 

Puppies have small stomachs and high metabolic rates,  so they need to   eat several times a day in order to consume adequate  amounts of nutrients.   Puppies younger than 6 months old should be fed  at least three times a day-if unable to do this feed enough food that  the puppy will not run out before the next feeding but not too much that  it becomes stale. Puppies 6 months old   and up can be fed on an adult  schedule of two meals a day.

Obesity--the   most  common canine nutrition-related health problem--can increase your German    Pointers chances of developing diabetes, liver disease and  pancreatitis   (inflammation of the pancreas). Obesity can also  aggravate pre-existing joint   problems, such as hip dysplagia.  Excessive weight can overwork your German   Pointers heart and hinder  its breathing. Exercise is more difficult, which   increases the  likelihood of continued weight problems. Dogs often gain weight as they  age because their metabolism slows down   and they become less active.  Obesity can result if the diet is not adjusted to   compensate for these  changes. Most foods for senior dogs have less fat and fewer   calories  than food formulated for younger dogs. Many contain added fiber, which    adds bulk without increasing calories.

Not all senior dogs are overweight. Some, especially active dogs like   German Pointers, maintain  near-optimal body condition well into their senior   years. Other dogs  actually lose weight as they age. Weight loss in senior dogs   may be  caused by decreased food intake, which often accompanies chronic health    problems--dental disorders, diabetes, cancer, heart or kidney disease,  and many   others. Some older dogs don't want to eat because their  senses of smell and   taste are less acute. Others eat seemingly  adequate quantities of food, but lose   weight because they can't digest  food or absorb nutrients efficiently.   Underweight senior dogs benefit  from foods with added levels of high-quality fat   to increase  palatability and boost energy content.

The ability to metabolize protein decreases with age,  so the protein   requirement of senior dogs--even healthy ones--is up  to 50 percent greater than   that of younger adults. Inadequate protein  intake can have significant health   effects, such as muscle wasting,  weakness and immune-system impairment. To   prevent protein  deficiencies, most senior foods have protein levels that are as   high  as those in puppy foods.

Use your eyes and hands to tell if your German Pointer is too fat. When   viewed from above,  your four-footed companion should have a waist--an   indentation in the  flank area. When you run your hands over your German Pointers   body,  its okay if you feel some padding, but you should be able to easily feel    your dogs waist and ribs beneath it. 

Weight problems are easier to prevent than they are to treat. Instead   of feeding your German Pointer  free-choice (allowing it to eat as much as it   wants whenever it  chooses), follow the food manufacturers recommendation, then   adjust  the amount depending on your dogs response. Limit between-meal treats;    veggies are good low-calorie choices. Make sure your German Pointer  gets plenty   of exercise--preferably vigorous exercise, but even daily  walking will help   maintain a trim profile. 

If your German Pointer is just a bit overweight,  cutting back on its   food, eliminating treats and increasing its daily  exercise may be all it takes   to slim it down. If its obese, however,  you'll need to consult your veterinarian   about a weight-loss plan,  which should include a complete check-up, as well as   dietary and  exercise recommendations.