Sagittarian

Do you mean what size? They have only imported 2.7kg bags to date. If you mean what line - they vary between those estimates. PM me if you need exact info.

Hi Choc! I love Artemis Maximal. The main diff being that Max is single protein, being chicken. Primitive being multi protein - plus, 4% less protein. I imagine it would come down to the doggie in question. Sags

Thanks Poodlefan. I am passionate about nutrition (so I have a good job lol). It's funny how much one evolves in thinking and knowledge over time - I am always so excited about new products if they look this good. Okay, there are five lines in the country. Puppy, Adult, Small Adult, Ocean Fusion, and Primitive Natural. The latter is grain free - it is similar to Orijen - without the irradiation. I like the inclusion of sweet potato as a lower GI carb than potato, and there is the inclusion of cottage cheese, as well as all the other yummies (see link earlier on). I've just tried Evie on the Ocean Fusion. It contains no meat products - even the fat content is fish so will be great for those doggies that just can't cope with meats. She likes it a lot, which is a good sign. RRP ranges from about $44 to $48 - I guess this will vary from outlet to outlet depending upon their own pricing structure. So, as I said, it is expensive, however, for dogs that have special needs or as part of a BARF, VAN or other natural type of diet, it has a great place. Hopefully, the importer will introduce the bigger bags soon, but I guess it will depend upon demand. Sags

I'm back at work today so will come back with some further info. It is expensive though, I do need to warn you. Sags

Just an update - we finally received the range yesterday and I have to say I'm impressed with the ingredients. Going to use my test dummy dog (Evie - okay, she's not a dummy lol) on the Ocean Fusion as she's a big fish fan. Sags

We have the patterned Rogz range at 25% off at the moment. PM if you have any requests. Sags

Would be worth you considering Artemis dog food - I will check ingredients at work today as from memory most do have fish meal, but will let you know. Otherwise - what about something like Vets All Natural? Comes as the premix basis of the food - I've just started a batch for Evie. Soak for 24 hours then add your meat of choice. Simple and a lot of dogs do very well on it. That way you can add organic or free range meat and know the source is an ethical company. Must be incredible in Antarctica! Sags

Hopefully Artemis Australia will respond to this, but in the interim: It is imported. There have NEVER been problems with this food. I use it with my old girl and she thrives on it. Making a product in Australia is no guarantee of quality. While your experience of Nutro (USA) may not have been good, overall that product was excellent. I'm personally not thrilled with some of the changes that Masterfoods have made to some of the Australian formulas. At the end of the day, some dogs will do well on some foods, some better on others, and if it works well for the dog, then that is what matters. Sags

When I moved to NZ in 1982, I basically arrived with 3 St Bernards and a bit of cash (young and stupid). I did have a place to stay, but was moving into my own house the following week with next to nothing to my name. Thanks to my beautiful girl, Keli, that soon changed. She won Best Exhibit in Show at Rotorua KC Champ show on our first weekend in the country. The prizes were great: a complete crockery set, a set of towels, a stand fan, and saucepans. Great timing! I just redid my kitchen cupboards and found so many things we've won in the past: Beautiful glassware A small oven Blender A crockery set (different from above) Matching serving plates (really decent ones) Krosno We've won multiple PP20's, sof crates, a TV, and so on. Cash. Lots of food! But, like many, our beautiful sashes are the things we love and remember the most. I've seen some dog trailers as prizes but never won one! Great thread! Sags

We won a Liberty dryer in the 90's for Best Exhibit in Show in Canberra - the dryer is still brilliant! Sags

Keep in mind that it is generally a "best by" date, not a "use by" which are quite different. Fresh - never past its use by. Kibble - will stay fresh quite a long time past its best by but as with anything, check for freshness and use quickly. Any store that sells a past best by product at full price should not argue about returning it. If it is clearly marked as such and discounted, then it is fair enough. Sagws

Sorry - missed this question earlier. It was at the shop in Sunbury - actually not our closest one but have been there a few times lately for other things in the area (such as banking). Noticed this pm the advert had gone, so hopefully whoever it was gets some nice homes. :-)

That's true. The breeder more than likely vet enquiries the same way regardless of the source. I don't know any breeders of that breed in the area (not that I know everyone lol) and it was only a mobile number and no name. And I'm wondering if this is normal for where we live, as I just saw a similar advert for Labs! That had a bit about the hips and elbows of the parents. Maybe I've just never read community notice boards closely enough?? Sags

Agree - this sounds really good and a vet clinic would be a good place to promote a litter. We get asked constantly for referrals for litters of all breeds, so it is really clear to us that the average buyer still can't easily find a reputable breeder. Good to see such positive responses. :-) Sags

Interesting - in the past a lot of people have been very anti the idea of breeders using papers or various online resources. It certainly is one thing to provide a lot of great info, a well written advert that clearly outlines the breeder's thinking. What though about the breeder who can't sell their litter, perhaps has bred without having any waiting homes, and then find they have no outlet other than the local supermarket? I think what surprised me was that the adverts I see for "blue" staffies (rare of course), mixes, oodles etc are generally handwritten, ready-to-go-for-cash and this particular advert was the same. There was no name attached, no prefix, guarantee, information about parentage or back up service. Just a pic and handwritten info about the basics. Yes, it is nice they are VCA registered. But is a supermarket the best place to promote a litter from anyone, let alone a VCA registered breeder, unless there is a whole lot more information available? Sags

One of the kids wanted to look at an advert for an x box or similar on the community board in our local Coles. Noticed one posted there with a pic of some really cute pups. They are for sale, are VCA reg with all vet checks etc. I guess it is no different from advertising in the paper - but am interested in other people's points of view on this. Normally the pups for sale on these kinds of boards are mixes or BYB. Sags

Good for you - it just sounded as though you were feeling all at sea when you said you were too afraid to sell most of the time. Maybe you meant something else? It is up to store management to ensure that any talks given by companies are not just a "sell my product" thing. We encourage lots of questions, lots of two way communication and a healthy dose of common sense. Sags

Wow Grumpette - Zephyr is so grown up already!! Evie, much to her disgust, is in her soft pen under a ceiling fan, with the evap on her. Well, she likes the cool, just not being inside. Would rather be under a tree but she turns 10 in a few days and I'm not about to leave her out there! Sags

I'm sorry but no training can hardly make for your own confidence, let alone the customers! We train our staff and it is ongoing. We expect them to do their own research and reading as well, and keep learning. The result is that our staff have a good comfort level when dealing with a cross section of consumers - and, the consumer gets good information. And, if one of us isn't as knowledgeable about one area (for me that is around birds), then there is always someone who has more experience to call on. At the minimum, maybe your employer should consider letting some of the suppliers do some staff training. Most of the petfood companies will, along with the pharmacutical companies. Sags

Keep in mind that if a meat is specified such as "chicken", it is the pre-processed weight that is counted. Take the moisture out and with a lot of foods, the chicken would actually be a minor ingredient. Chicken meal (as an example) is already dehytrated so the meat content is more accurate. Some companies will tell you the percentage of meat v percentage of grain/cereal if you ask. At the end of the day, it is what your pup thrives on and enjoys, and that may take a little bit of experimenting. There are plenty of great options out there! Sags

It is imported by Premium Pets - Kitkat you'd know them as Aquatopia or bayfish. www.bayfish.com.au (I think - don't quote me!) http://www.earthbornholisticpetfood.com/pr...tural/index.php Link to the food. It is a new range of holistic foods that includes a grain free variety. We will be stocking them later in January and a call to the importer would be the quickest way to find out who might stock them. Anyone already selling Pro Pac would be your best best. I have to say I'm pleased to see some new products. We've just received delivery of Pro Pac's small adult and puppy and their Sensitive which is so like the old Nutro Sensitive (maybe a little better!). Sags

Okay, the new Earthborn Holistic range, including Primitive Natural, are in stock with the supplier in Qld. Downside is that they only imported 2.7kg bags. :-( Sags

Will try to get a date for you - it isn't long. :-)

No - the beef tallow is one of a number of things some companies spray onto the kibble to enhance the flavour. Animal digest is another common one. On its own beef tallow is not an issue - unless you have a dog with beef allergies and the inclusion isn't listed. Sags

Perhaps. But for some dogs, it might pay to factor in what one of their representative's told me: Quote... The Pro Plan Sensitive Skin & Stomach is coated in a beef tallow. unquote Not an issue if chicken is the problem - and maybe the formula has changed again, that was about 2 years ago. Sags