Suggested products
Health - Supplements & first aid
Puppy Vitamins - 8 weeks to 18 months/2 years of age
Pick One -
NaturVet VitaPet Puppy Daily Vitamin Chewable Tablets
Pet Honesty Super Vitamin Plus
Pfizer Pet-Tabs or Pet-Tabs Plus (Zoetis)
Doc Roy's Daily Care/Extra (Revival Animal Health)
NaturVet VitaPet Puppy Daily Vitamin Chewable Tablets
Pet Honesty Super Vitamin Plus
Pfizer Pet-Tabs or Pet-Tabs Plus (Zoetis)
Doc Roy's Daily Care/Extra (Revival Animal Health)
Adult Vitamins - 2 years of age +
Pick One - *Optional based on diet
Doc Roy's Daily Care Extra or Daily Care (Revival)
Pet Honesty Super Vitamin Plus
Pfizer Pet-Tabs or Pet-Tabs Plus (Zoetis)
Doc Roy's Daily Care Extra or Daily Care (Revival)
Pet Honesty Super Vitamin Plus
Pfizer Pet-Tabs or Pet-Tabs Plus (Zoetis)
Joint Supplements - 3 months +
Pick One - (alphabetical)
Dasuquin with/without MSM
Doc Roy's Aches Away/Plus
Grizzly Liquid or Pellets
Glycoflex Plus
Synovi G4
Dasuquin with/without MSM
Doc Roy's Aches Away/Plus
Grizzly Liquid or Pellets
Glycoflex Plus
Synovi G4
Cranberry Supplements
Nature’s Bounty Cranberry Softgels (human product)
Canine brands - Doc Roy's, Solid Gold, NaturVet, PetHonesty, ZestyPaws
Canine brands - Doc Roy's, Solid Gold, NaturVet, PetHonesty, ZestyPaws
Pre/Probiotic & Digestive Enzymes
Nature's Bounty Probiotic (human)
TummyWorks
TummyWorks
Salmon Oil - 8 weeks to 1 year of age
I specify SALMON OIL for my puppy buyers for the first year of life. Studies have shown this aids in your puppy's cognition and development. Salmon oil is also great for skin and coat. Look for WILD, NOT Farmed, Salmon Oil; a preference for USA (Alaskan) sources or from Northern cold waters such as Norway.
Any brand will work, look for great sales on Chewy from time to time. Buy one pump style bottle (of any brand) and then refill it with cheaper by the ounce gallons or sale sizes.
Icelandic Pure offers a Sardine/Anchovy Oil that is supposed to have equal or better EPA/DHA numbers though I have not tested it on puppies.
Any brand will work, look for great sales on Chewy from time to time. Buy one pump style bottle (of any brand) and then refill it with cheaper by the ounce gallons or sale sizes.
Icelandic Pure offers a Sardine/Anchovy Oil that is supposed to have equal or better EPA/DHA numbers though I have not tested it on puppies.
Fish Oil - 1 year of age +
After they are 1 year old, you can switch to any type of fish oil blend. Some popular formulations are Krill, Sardine, Anchovy, Pollock or just "Fish". Be sure to look for wild caught sources and sustainable brands.
Super Crate Treat Ideas!
Here are a few ideas of what equals "super treats" in our household. We use alot of these for crate training, especially as a super yummy reward and snack for crating while we leave when they are very young.
Duck Feet - We prefer to feed these frozen; buy them from a local Asian grocery for your best prices.
Pig Ears - Raw, frozen or dehydrated. Calculate price per ear for fair price comparisons. Check your local butcher, grocery store meat counter and Asian grocery for deals.
Tripe Sticks - Dehydrated for this chore. Yes, they will still stink to high heaven.
Marrow/Soup Bones - Refillable! Ask @grocery store meat counter. Only feed them raw/frozen/fresh - NEVER cooked.
Duck Feet - We prefer to feed these frozen; buy them from a local Asian grocery for your best prices.
Pig Ears - Raw, frozen or dehydrated. Calculate price per ear for fair price comparisons. Check your local butcher, grocery store meat counter and Asian grocery for deals.
Tripe Sticks - Dehydrated for this chore. Yes, they will still stink to high heaven.
Marrow/Soup Bones - Refillable! Ask @grocery store meat counter. Only feed them raw/frozen/fresh - NEVER cooked.
Canned Tripe - Emergency Food/Appetite Enhancer
Always keep a few cans of canned tripe on hand. It is an amazing appetite enhancer for when your BRT won't eat. If they won't eat the canned tripe (and they normally would), you should be calling your Veterinarian!
Canned tripe stinks. Stinks. Stinks. It's also expensive at about $3.50 a can. Two good brands are PetKind and Tripett.
Canned tripe stinks. Stinks. Stinks. It's also expensive at about $3.50 a can. Two good brands are PetKind and Tripett.
Ear Wash
Blue Power Ear Wash (aka the Purple Stuff) - click on the name to open the recipe file.
Zymox Ear Cleaner
Most commercially available brands such as Nature's Specialties, NaturVet, Vet's Best, Vetricyn.
Zymox Ear Cleaner
Most commercially available brands such as Nature's Specialties, NaturVet, Vet's Best, Vetricyn.
Teeth Cleaners
Zymox Oratene Breath Spray
Pet Kiss Dental Gel
Edible Dental Chews - look for VOHC approval
NEVER RAWHIDES
Pet Kiss Dental Gel
Edible Dental Chews - look for VOHC approval
NEVER RAWHIDES
First Aid - Topicals
I keep several products, each with different active ingredients, in my first aid kit. You need to be able to recognize the type of infection and root cause if you're going to be your own Vet. If you're not sure, ask the experts (your Veterinarian)!
Vetericyn spray or gel
Also - Triple antiobiotic gel, Anti-itch cream/gel (hydrocortisone), Iodine/Betadine, Medicated foot powder/spray, etc.
Vetericyn spray or gel
Also - Triple antiobiotic gel, Anti-itch cream/gel (hydrocortisone), Iodine/Betadine, Medicated foot powder/spray, etc.
First Aid - Medications
Hydrogen Peroxide (to induce vomiting)
Canned Pumpkin (binder, moisture, diarrhea/loose stools)
Rice (binder, diarrhea/loose stools, ulcer/heartburn)
Canned Chicken (ulcer/heartburn, mix with rice for recovery diet)
Canned Broth or Bouillon Cubes (moisture, salt encourages drinking)
Peanut Butter (no Xylitol/Birch Sugar, great for hiding pills)
Canned Pumpkin (binder, moisture, diarrhea/loose stools)
Rice (binder, diarrhea/loose stools, ulcer/heartburn)
Canned Chicken (ulcer/heartburn, mix with rice for recovery diet)
Canned Broth or Bouillon Cubes (moisture, salt encourages drinking)
Peanut Butter (no Xylitol/Birch Sugar, great for hiding pills)
First Aid - Supplies
Self-adhering bandage (Vetrap)
Gauze rolls
Non-stick gauze pads
Digital thermometer (dedicated one just for the dog)
Vaseline (for thermometer insertion...)
Disposable gloves
Gauze rolls
Non-stick gauze pads
Digital thermometer (dedicated one just for the dog)
Vaseline (for thermometer insertion...)
Disposable gloves
Grooming
Shampoo, Conditioner & Brushing Sprays - Show & Pet
Shampoo -
Clarifying formulas
Isle of Dogs No 54 Clarifying Shampoo (Orange oil)
Earthbath Dirty Dog (Sweet Orange Oil)
Color Enhancing -
CC Black On Black
IOD Black
Skin Issues -
Tropiclean OxyMed Medicated
Conformation Showing - Pick 1 Volumizing & 1 Crisp or 1 Dual Use
Volumizing - Isle of Dogs, BioGroom (Extra Body)
Crisp - #1 All Systems, K-9 Brand, Chris Christensen Spectrum One
Dual Use - Artero Vitalizante, Isle of Dogs Lush Coating
Conditioner - Optional, use varies
Artero Protein &/or Keratin
iGroom Pro Keratin Leave-in
Brushing Sprays -
Nature's Specialties Sheablast Conditioning Spray (too much makes the hair soft)
iGroom Magic Detangler Conditioning Spray
Artero Matt-X (use too much and it leaves a film, use sparingly)
Clarifying formulas
Isle of Dogs No 54 Clarifying Shampoo (Orange oil)
Earthbath Dirty Dog (Sweet Orange Oil)
Color Enhancing -
CC Black On Black
IOD Black
Skin Issues -
Tropiclean OxyMed Medicated
Conformation Showing - Pick 1 Volumizing & 1 Crisp or 1 Dual Use
Volumizing - Isle of Dogs, BioGroom (Extra Body)
Crisp - #1 All Systems, K-9 Brand, Chris Christensen Spectrum One
Dual Use - Artero Vitalizante, Isle of Dogs Lush Coating
Conditioner - Optional, use varies
Artero Protein &/or Keratin
iGroom Pro Keratin Leave-in
Brushing Sprays -
Nature's Specialties Sheablast Conditioning Spray (too much makes the hair soft)
iGroom Magic Detangler Conditioning Spray
Artero Matt-X (use too much and it leaves a film, use sparingly)
Beard Wash (aka No Rinse Shampoo)
Any brand of no rinse shampoo should work as a beard wash.
Pick the one with the smell you like - remember expensive doesn't mean better.
Pick the one with the smell you like - remember expensive doesn't mean better.
Grooming Table, Arm & Noose
For home use if you don't need a table to fold up and out of the way, the BizChair Kids Rectangular Activity Table 24"x48" is a nice lightweight and sturdy table at a (normally) affordable price. Spraying the top with a can of truck bed liner (home improvement stores, @$7/can) or gluing rubber matting on top improves the traction.
For show, I like both tables listed below. Height issues are a personal preference. I'm 5'3" so I need a table that will reduce down more than most fixed height tables on the market. It's ideal to have your BRT's topline be directly across from your shoulder level, especially if you'll be doing your own show grooming. An easy guesstimate for table height - put your arm straight out and measure to the floor. Take this number and subtract your BRT's expected adult height. That gives you (roughly) the height of table you'll need as an adult. You can get your BRT's expected adult height from your breeder (it will depend on the heights of the parents and sex of your puppy).
Simple Groom 48" Adjustable Height Table - offers a custom upgrade to the lightweight option
Champagne 48" Tables - both fixed (high and low) and adjustable height options
If you get a table, you'll likely also want a Grooming Arm. For some, this is optional though. We train our BRTs to stand on the table, with or without an arm/noose holding them there. It's a "perch" of sorts. We like the arms with lots of adjustments so they can work for all different ages/sizes. The Flying Pig Heavy Duty Foldable Grooming Arm 48" Height is believed to fit the BizChair adjustable height plastic tables (as they are thicker than a traditional grooming table).
Nooses are what holds the dog to the Grooming Arm. We like the soft fabric of the White Pine brand as it won't damage a show coat.
White Pine Grooming Noose
For show, I like both tables listed below. Height issues are a personal preference. I'm 5'3" so I need a table that will reduce down more than most fixed height tables on the market. It's ideal to have your BRT's topline be directly across from your shoulder level, especially if you'll be doing your own show grooming. An easy guesstimate for table height - put your arm straight out and measure to the floor. Take this number and subtract your BRT's expected adult height. That gives you (roughly) the height of table you'll need as an adult. You can get your BRT's expected adult height from your breeder (it will depend on the heights of the parents and sex of your puppy).
Simple Groom 48" Adjustable Height Table - offers a custom upgrade to the lightweight option
Champagne 48" Tables - both fixed (high and low) and adjustable height options
If you get a table, you'll likely also want a Grooming Arm. For some, this is optional though. We train our BRTs to stand on the table, with or without an arm/noose holding them there. It's a "perch" of sorts. We like the arms with lots of adjustments so they can work for all different ages/sizes. The Flying Pig Heavy Duty Foldable Grooming Arm 48" Height is believed to fit the BizChair adjustable height plastic tables (as they are thicker than a traditional grooming table).
Nooses are what holds the dog to the Grooming Arm. We like the soft fabric of the White Pine brand as it won't damage a show coat.
White Pine Grooming Noose
Clippers, Blades & Guides
Heavy Duty Clippers - Be sure to buy a heavy duty motor, especially if you'll be doing a pet cut or clipping down the entire jacket (body) at any point. Artero Spektra is a good choice as of October 2022.
Blades - You *may* want A5 interchangeable blades in sizes 5, 7, 10 and 30. I suggest buying 2 sets. I also strongly suggest the purchase of a Toe Blade.
*If your clipper has a special adjustable blade, such as the Artero Spektra, get 2 of that special blade instead.
Guides - Buy a set of blade guides (plastic or metal/plastic combs). These are mostly used when doing a pet cut. *If you know what length you like, there are some nice blades that will cut to longer lengths as well. For example a 4FC or 3/4" (19mm) size. *Some clippers will come with these as part of the kit - bonus!
Blades - You *may* want A5 interchangeable blades in sizes 5, 7, 10 and 30. I suggest buying 2 sets. I also strongly suggest the purchase of a Toe Blade.
*If your clipper has a special adjustable blade, such as the Artero Spektra, get 2 of that special blade instead.
Guides - Buy a set of blade guides (plastic or metal/plastic combs). These are mostly used when doing a pet cut. *If you know what length you like, there are some nice blades that will cut to longer lengths as well. For example a 4FC or 3/4" (19mm) size. *Some clippers will come with these as part of the kit - bonus!
Shears (aka Scissors)
Shears are mostly for those showing their BRTs. However, you can also do your own modified pet cut with a combination of clippers and scissors. You'll be looking for an 8 inch set including a straight, a curved and a thinner, chunker or blender. We suggest the Purple Dragon brand of shears found on AmazonSmile for both pet owners and those undecided if they will be doing their own show grooming.
If you're looking for professional grade, you're already committed to show grooming, it's best to find one (or better yet two or three) vendors at a show selling professional grade shears. You'll need to try the fit and feel and weight of them in your hand. Personally, I like the Kenchi brand but I have friends who prefer Utsumi or Geib, etc.
If you're looking for professional grade, you're already committed to show grooming, it's best to find one (or better yet two or three) vendors at a show selling professional grade shears. You'll need to try the fit and feel and weight of them in your hand. Personally, I like the Kenchi brand but I have friends who prefer Utsumi or Geib, etc.
Grooming Tools - Brushes, Rakes, Combs
You'll want to own one of each of these types of brushes- and you may end up with more...
Slicker - Tuffer than Tangles makes a great knock off of the Chris Christensen BRT Slicker, (get the long soft pins)
Comb - Resco (#80/85) Ergonomic and a must-have, worth it for the name brand.
Dematting Rake (Pins) - I like the padded gel handle version of these.
Dematting Rake (Teeth) - The original Mars Coat King is worth the price. Get a smaller one with teeth further apart.
Nail Clipper - I prefer the sideways cutting style, NOT the guillotine style.
Nail Grinder - I love my Groomers Best Friend Micro DiamondG Rotary Tool, Enhanced bit, Big Casey size.
Slicker - Tuffer than Tangles makes a great knock off of the Chris Christensen BRT Slicker, (get the long soft pins)
Comb - Resco (#80/85) Ergonomic and a must-have, worth it for the name brand.
Dematting Rake (Pins) - I like the padded gel handle version of these.
Dematting Rake (Teeth) - The original Mars Coat King is worth the price. Get a smaller one with teeth further apart.
Nail Clipper - I prefer the sideways cutting style, NOT the guillotine style.
Nail Grinder - I love my Groomers Best Friend Micro DiamondG Rotary Tool, Enhanced bit, Big Casey size.
nutrition - kibble
Currently, I use kibble diets as they are easier to transport and acquire. Balanced Raw diets are a valid alternative.
Avoid kibbles which source their protein from legumes and their derivatives as there is a connection to Diet Induced Dilated Cardiomyopathy in Canines. For breeding dogs, avoid foods rich in phytoestrogens which can affect breeding cycles.
If using a kibble with a protein higher than 30%, we suggest mixing in a kibble with a lower protein at this time.
For example, combining Fromm Gold Large Breed Puppy with Sport Dog Brand Cub Puppy.
Several kibbles we suggest (in alphabetical order) -
If you have a kibble you would like us to consider, please email me at [email protected]
Updated Kibble List - October 10, 2022
Avoid kibbles which source their protein from legumes and their derivatives as there is a connection to Diet Induced Dilated Cardiomyopathy in Canines. For breeding dogs, avoid foods rich in phytoestrogens which can affect breeding cycles.
If using a kibble with a protein higher than 30%, we suggest mixing in a kibble with a lower protein at this time.
For example, combining Fromm Gold Large Breed Puppy with Sport Dog Brand Cub Puppy.
Several kibbles we suggest (in alphabetical order) -
- Diamond Naturals - Protein & Rice formulas, also Senior Dog Chicken Egg & Oatmeal
- *Not the other recipes nor the grain free formulas.
- Farmina Ancestral Grains - Codfish & Orange, Chicken & Pomegranate
- First Mate - Pacific Ocean Fish Meal, Ocean Fish, Wild Pacific Caught Fish & Oats
- Fromm Four Star - Chicken a la Veg, Duck a la Veg, Highlander Beef Oats & Barley, Salmon a la Veg, Zealambder
- *Not the other recipes nor the grain free formulas.
- Fromm Gold - Large Breed Puppy Gold (teal), Puppy Gold (pink), Adult Gold (black), Large Breed Adult Gold (green)
- * Not the Heartland Gold versions of these formulas.
- Nature's Logic (Original & Distinction) - rotate proteins (millet, flax, high Ca:Ph ratios)
- Purina Pro Plan (PPP) - PPP has recently been reformulated and more formulas "qualify" as foods I would feel comfortable feeding. Please note they have also redesigned the look of the bags.
- PPP Sport Performance 30/20 - Chicken & Rice or Salmon & Rice
- PPP Puppy 28/18 - Chicken & Rice, Lamb & Rice, Shredded Blend Chicken & Rice
- PPP Sport Active 27/17 - Chicken & Rice
- Redford Naturals (Protein & Brown Rice formulas)
- Royal Canin Giant Puppy
- Sport Dog Food (the Brand)
- Victor Purpose Nutra Pro - (millet, flax, Ca:Ph 1.5:1)
If you have a kibble you would like us to consider, please email me at [email protected]
Updated Kibble List - October 10, 2022