A Dogue is Only as Healthy as its Surroundings

A major factor in what sets our breeding program apart from many others is our philosophy on the subject of nutrition, supplements, type of diet, exercise, health & quality of life. Physical conditioning/exercise, mental health & nutrition are paramount to an animal’s life expectancy as well as the quality of life that they lead.

We believe in using only the finest dry foods developed by companies with a long history of successes & on site research and development areas. We use only dry dog food products that are free of wheat, soy & corn byproduct. The dog food company of choice for us is Precise ® pet food products.

In addition to a staple diet of dry kibble (Precise ® Foundation), we give them regular roughage to aid with digestion and select servings of human foods that are lean and low in fat to add variety and supplemental nutrients, especially for nursing mothers.

Our select human foods include, but are not limited to: eggs from our organic free ranging chickens (prepared a variety of different ways), brown rice, lean beef, raw chicken parts/necks, beef bones (ground & whole), carrots as treats and homemade broth to be mixed in their dry food.

Along with a well-balanced diet, we also recognize the need for essential vitamins, nutrients and supplements through daily doses of only the best ingredients. To this end we provide the following:

  • NuJoint Plus ™ is a supplement for Healthy Joints & Bones which includes Glucosamine, Chondroitin, MSN & Vitamin C
  • NuVet Plus ™ is for Healthy Skin & Coat which includes all the essentials including Vitamins A, B, B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B12, C, E, Zinc & Whey Protein!
  • For information on obtaining NuVet Labs ® products please visit our home page and click on the NuVet icon, order with confidence through their secured site.

Given all of the above ingestion of food and vitamins, let us not forget about the importance of 'activity' and exercise as part of a dogue's daily regime. In order to ensure proportionate growth, stability and general endurance, it is imperative that all of the dogues receive daily doses of exercise and play, ­ these 'kids' love to play!

Our home is located on acres of rolling terrain & hills in the natural, quiet, country setting of Afton, MN. We are just West of the beautiful St. Croix River that divides MN & WI and just East of the Minneapolis/St. Paul metro area. Adjacent to us, is several hundred acres of protected woodlands, agricultural farmlands as well as two of Minnesota's most beautiful state & county parks. As you might guess, we utilize these resources as natural playgrounds to fully exercise the 'kids' several times each day. They absolutely thrive here in the great outdoors.

Given our flexible work schedules we are afforded the unique opportunity to play the role of 'stay-at-home' parents, whereby we get to spend a great deal more time with our Dogue De Bordeauxs.

Below is a list of additional things we do to ensure that our 'babies' are getting optimal exercise while minimizing stress to their bones or joints:

  • We do not utilize conventional kennels - Our 'babies' have over 6500 square feet of indoor living area to take advantage of.
  • Our 'kids' are not chained to doghouses or housed in cramped quarters, cages suspended from the ground or in a remote warehouse setting (these types of setting severely affect the emotional development of a future canine companion).
  • They enjoy unlimited opportunity to sleep indoors with us, on one of the six decks that adjoin our home or upon one of their designated 'doggie pillows' or near one of the fireplaces in the cooler MN winter months.
  • Our 'kids' are never kenneled/crated 24/7. Our walks consist of moderate to brisk paces, which vary daily, thereby ensuring that they are utilizing all of their muscles.
  • We take them to the river for regular swims, both as a refreshing break and to work those muscles that are not fully utilized on walks.
  • Our 'babies' are often walked individually as well as in a group to ensure their exercise periods remain stimulating and enjoyable, which also gives each of them their required & essential 'one on one' time.
  • Our 'kids' do not sleep on cement slabs, which have been proven time and again to be of great detriment to the joints and bones of large breed dogs, as well as significantly contributing to various forms of bone & joint disease.
  • Our puppies are walked separate from the large 'kids' (except Mama) to prevent possible injury to their developing joints, bones & muscles.
  • And most importantly, because 95% of our 'kids' reside with program families, the 'kids' that reside here & in our progrma family homes receive the optimal possible percentage of human to canine contact.

These are just a few of the things that we believe serve to set us apart from the 'backyard breeder', 'commercial breeder', 'puppy mill' or 'want to be breeder'. If you would like to discuss any of these practices or have additional questions, please do not hesitate to contact us for further information.

Updated & Revised: September 2009