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In recent years we have also seen a change in the interest in puppies from breeding where multiple generations have been fed this way, which shows that this is not just a temporary trend, but people have really started to think.
We came into feeding a natural raw diet in 2011 when we brought Ewa BB home, she was our second BMD female. We weren’t complete beginners, however, a lot of the health, diet and general care issues of a large breed had passed us by. Although we fed her a premium brand kibble, the problems soon became apparent. A poor quality dull coat, when black was no longer black, and the first hot spot in the summer. Therefore we started to search, read and consult. We came across the word BARF, which at that moment became our personal synonym for the Hope that could really help our Ewie.
And so it was.
Since then our entire pack has been in the B.A.R.F nutrition programme: Ewa BB, Yogi and Maya in the past, now veterans Bebe and Manette, younger Gretka (lives with our son), Helen, Milo, Borgia and youngest Basha, and as might be expected many of our offsprings, which makes us well pleased.
We believe that we as dog owners should take a more active role in the important decisions regarding the health care of our best friends.
A healthier dog often means:
We also started keeping statistics on the diet of our offspring years ago, which may one day have some telling value. Today, when we look at the “evolution of our Bernewa’s BARF bowls” over the years, we can observe enormous changes. Currently, we can say that our dogs have normal values of blood tests, not only in terms of the much mentioned calcium and phosphorus ratio, but most importantly we know that quality food not only heals but also keeps our dogs in a balanced condition in combination with reasonable breeding.
We know we have embarked on a long journey of discovery, the goal of which has been to have a house full of healthy veterans.
Time will test our dreams, as might be expected.
If your dog struggles with allergies, has weight issues, you are constantly dealing with his digestive problems, has a poor quality coat, feeding raw dog food may be one option to help your four-legged friend. There are a lot of prejudices and also some vets may not identify with your intention. But it's all about choice and you have to make that choice yourself.
We made a few mistakes in the beginning, and it should be emphasized that an unbalanced, improperly prepared diet can harm your dog. However, luck favours the prepared - as long as you follow the basic rules, you shouldn't go wrong.
There are three names associated with our “barfing” that we must not forget. Mrs. Kateřina Novosádová, a breeder and an author of the book “Feeding your dog with a natural diet”, Czech veterinarian, a breeder and an international judge MVDr. Milan Štourač, CSc and last but not least Dr. B” – Dr. Ian Billinghurst, the founder of BARF – a veterinary surgeon, an acupuncturist and a nutritionist – the author of the pioneering book “Give Your Dog a Bone” (1993) and many others.
On reflection, his statement “Nutrition… it’s absurdly simple”, is proving to be more than true after years of feeding our dogs a raw diet.
Our primary protein sources include beef, pork, chicken, and fish, complemented by nutrient-rich organs, especially green tripe, chicken feet, and cartilage.
For carbohydrates, we offer millet, rice, wheat flakes, potato, red lentils, and buckwheat. Seasonal vegetables like carrots, lettuce, spinach, broccoli, and cauliflower, along with a variety of fruits such as bananas, apples, pears, and watermelon, provide essential vitamins and minerals.
We emphasize natural nutrition and supplement less than in the past, focusing instead on diverse menus that deliver balanced nutrients. However, we do include necessary supplements like vitamin B-complex during tick season, vitamin C, and active natural humic acid powder.
Our dogs also enjoy the benefits of various oils, kefir, other sour milk products, goat milk, and eggs, ensuring a well-rounded and enjoyable diet.
At Bernewa, our commitment to natural, wholesome nutrition is the foundation of our dogs’ health and welfare.