What to feed your dog *Brittany Spaniel*

The Brittany Spaniel is a breed that originated in the northwestern side of France during the Middle Ages. However, the Brittany Spaniel has ties going back to when the Norman nobles conquered England in 1066. Since the northwestern side of France was a very popular hunting ground, they were developed as a hunting dog mainly to retrieve birds. The first images of the Spaniel breed was first seen in the 17th century, then the first written record came in 1850. Around the early 1900’s the first Brittany Spaniel that we know of was breed using English Setters and then later official named a breed.

The environment the breed would of been brought up in would of been a swamp. The native foods would of been poultry, fish, beets, potatoes and some grains. Some people believe that the grains was the factor that made the difference between the Brittany Spaniel and English Springer Spaniel nutritional differences. Brittany Spaniel can utilize a higher starch and carbohydrate to protein ratio, but unlike the English Springer it doesn’t do well with corn, barley and wheat.

With Brittany Spaniel you should look for all-breed commercial dog foods with poultry, lamb and beet pulp. I would avoid beef / horse meat, by-products as well as any corn, barley, wheat or soy products.

What to feed your dog *Saint Bernard*

The Saint Bernard is originally from the foothills of the Alps, sharing a very similar history with Sennenhunds *Swiss Mountain Dogs*. They grew up on the farm as working companions, but in 1660 they were taken to a hospice in the Swiss Apls and it was here that they became the iconic rescue dog. The monks from the Hospice du Grand St. Bernard saw some special characteristics in this breed that made them special for this job. To add their thick coat and heavy fat layer helped provide warmth  in the long exposure to the cold elements. Some of these same physical characteristics determine their unique nutritional requirements.

The native food supplies for this breed would of been mutton, goat, dairy, wheat and low ground vegetables. If you are looking to feed your Saint Bernard, we recommend you go with lamb with wheat and potatoes. You should avoid rice, soy, yellow corn, avocado, horse meat and beef.