redbull said:
Too much energy from fat can contribute to the acceleration of muscle and tissue development without corresponding skeletal growth. This imbalance can lead to potential skeletal problems."
This is exactly what I mean. You have to look at the individual food. Believe me, some companies are selling a LARGE BREED PUPPY or GROWTH food, but it may still have to much fat and protein in it. This sounds terrible, but some (not all) just want the $$$, puppy and growth food is more than adult. Also some just don't know, this is a fairly new topic. But overall what people who believe this are saying is that large breed puppies need to stay away from the extra fat and protein in growth or puppy foods, as it can have a major impact on how the bones and muscle develope.
With our breed of dogs (and other large breeds) being prone to hip and elbow dysplasia, and arthritis, some vets normally recommend that you switch to a quality adult food at 4-6 months. A lot of breeders also suggest feeding large breed puppies only adult food to control their growth. You would have to talk to your vet or breeder. This is a controversial topic for most. I
personally feed large breed puppy food till 5-6 months and then switch to adult. My breeder didn't feed puppy food at all, she made their food. Probably better than any of the commercial foods.
Royal Canin is a good food, but it's not great. I would put it with Nutro Natural. Lots of fillers, but a good natural food.
Here's a couple articles on puppy food. These are breeders with their own experiences. I have a million of these saved, also just by talking to people I trust I have decided it's best not to feed puppy food for too long.
http://www.daneangelnetwork.org/puppyfood.htm
http://www.bcrescue.org/puppyfood.html
Also, there was a study done on Labs (I have to find it, I know I have it somewhere). This doesn't have to do with puppy food, just feeding in general. Half the labs were fed twice the amount of food(group A), than the other half (group B) for a number of years. The group A group looked physically healthier in our society. They had more meat on their bones so you couldn't see their ribs. The group B group you could see their ribs and in our general society taste most people thought these dogs were under weight. The Group B dogs lived an average of 2 years longer and had fewer health problems than the "healthier looking" group A dogs. Makes you wonder. People always think that my Jaz is underweight. She is very active so she does burn more than the average dog, but she is actually very healthy! She may not look as good as a beefed up dog that 'society' views as healthy, but in terms of health, she's an A+.
