Welcome to the 1st Eukanuba Breeder Newsletter.  You can look forward to receiving your copy 4 times per year and as it's packed full of useful information we know you'll love it.  Happy reading.

Eukanuba Breeder Team set a president with the countries 1st Eukanuba Dog Showing Workshop.

The UK Breeder Team strive to provide you, our customers, with new and innovative ways to enhance your canine expertise. Together we hope to help improve your chances in the show ring. Which is why we developed the Eukanuba Dog Showing Workshop. We were confident that you would help us make it a success and on a cold Saturday morning in late February over 100 Breeder Club Members and dog show enthusiasts met at The Kennel Club, Stoneleigh for the 1st Dog Show Workshop of its kind it the UK.

The day included talks by four expert speakers –
 

Mich Dale – Grooming
Zena Thorn-Andrews – Judging
Mike Gadsby - Handling
Kellie Ceccarelli – Nutrition

Focusing on the future of Dog Showing -

Alongside the event, Marina Scott and Helena Hutchings held a successful Junior Handling Training Day. We were overjoyed with the amount of youngsters who took part in this important element - showcasing just how bright the future of dog showing will be.

All visitors were able to ask the opinions of the experts and here a just a few of the fabulous comments from just a few of the workshops attendees –

“Fabulous hope you do this again”
“Thank you for such a novel experience”
“Looking forward to the next one”
“Learnt a lot and can’t wait to start re thinking my showing approach”

DON'T MISS OUT, GRAB YOUR WORKSHOP OPPORTUNITY WITH THE EUKANUBA BREEDER TEAM –

Watch this space for information on the 2nd Eukanuba Dog Showing Workshop. We’re already organising a 2nd work shop, and rest assured we’ll let you know the time and place very soon so you can save the date in your diary.
 

INTRODUCTION
The goal in breeding should focus on the generation of an adequate litter size of healthy viable puppies reflecting the genetic potential of the mother. The reproductive process does not begin at mating, but several weeks ahead of this when ovarian follicles are being recruited for the upcoming reproductive cycle. So, prior to breeding the mother should be in ideal health with good muscle tone and a slight degree of body fat to help promote a healthy hormone system that will positively influence reproductive success.

WHAT AND WHEN TO FEED?
It is always important to feed a high quality diet. The recommended diet is one that is highly digestible and high in energy (3800-4000 kcal/kg), has animal-based protein (e.g. chicken and egg, which supply all the amino acids for muscle and organ development) with a protein level of 28-32%, a fat level of 18-22% with a balance (5-10:1) of omega-6 and 3 fatty acids (for cell membranes and hormones), as well as the essential vitamins and minerals (for bone development). The omega-3 fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) needs to be present to help with puppy brain and eye development. Eukanuba Professional Premium Performance or the Eukanuba Professional Puppy Small Breed and Puppy Medium Breed are good choices to feed. Approximately two weeks prior to breeding the mother should start the diet. The exact amount of food required varies from dog to dog, however to avoid over-feeding the caloric intake should be similar to maintenance levels.
During the first 5 weeks of pregnancy continue to feed the diet at the standard maintenance level; the developing puppies are only 2% of their final birth weight at day 35. From 5 to 6 weeks onwards the food intake should be increased slightly each day (divide into multiple servings) to achieve a 25 to 50% increase in her normal needs by the end of week 6-7, the exact amount depends on the litter size and the size of the mother. Maintain this +25-50% increase until the end of pregnancy because 75% of foetal growth takes place in the final 3 weeks and from day 45 the skeleton starts to become mineralized.
It will be necessary to closely monitor the mother during the latter part of gestation to ensure that she is gaining sufficient weight. A general guide would be to target a 25-30% weight gain by the end of pregnancy.

CONCLUSIONS
While nutrition is only one component of managing the mother, it is one of the most (if not the most) important. Thus by providing optimal nutrition, you can take a great step forward in helping achieve a successful outcome to produce a healthy litter of puppies and to have the mother in optimal condition ready to start her lactation period (this will be dealt with in the next issue). By feeding a premium complete and balanced diet you are assured that the mother is receiving everything she needs in each meal.

If there are any concerns about the pregnancy then consult your veterinarian.

We asked you what we needed to do to improve our Eukanuba offering. You told us you wanted the same outstanding quality nutrition (100% complete and balanced with chicken as the number one ingredient) with improved communication of ingredients and benefits, and improved taste. We took this to heart and addressed all these points, the result is Eukanuba Extraordinary Nutrition.

On taste, Eukanuba is now packed with a taste that more dogs love. In tests, 3 out of 5 dogs chose new Eukanuba versus previous formulas. Importantly, true to our nutritional principles this was achieved without any added artificial flavours, colourants or preservatives so now more dogs can enjoy the benefits across all our breeder formulas.

Over 40 years of experience in canine health and nutrition combined with a thirst for innovation and scientific knowledge has led Eukanuba to the development of the Vital Health System now included in all our products. The VHS provides clinically proven ingredients across six key performance areas, Strong Defenses, Skin and Coat, Lean Muscles, Optimal Digestion, Strong Bones and our DentalCare System. Importantly, it is also tailored to life stage and all our puppy diets include special ingredients for Puppy Growth and Development (Calcium) and Puppy Learning (DHA). You can find out more information clearly displayed on our newly designed breeder packs.

Our comprehensive range of products is designed to meet your every need, from puppy diets including our popular Puppy range (Puppy Start for all breeds and Puppy tailored to breed size) to Adult tailored to breed size, Breed Nutrition diets, and our Premium Performance diet.

As you are aware, the nutritional demands on breeding bitches are very high. Ensuring your breeding bitch is in optimal health prior to mating, and during pregnancy and lactation, is essential to help achieve a positive outcome. That’s why we principally recommend feeding Premium Performance to pre-breeding (two weeks before mating), pregnant and lactating bitches.

Made with our highest quality animal proteins, Premium Performance has 30% protein and 20% fat providing both the building blocks and energy required to help deliver a healthy litter as well as sustain your bitch through this nutritionally demanding time. Complete and balanced, it contains vital ingredients for developing fetuses such as docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), essential for brain and neural development, fatty acids for cell membranes and hormones, and vitamins and minerals for bone development. For these reasons, many breeders now regard Premium Performance as a key diet in their nutritional regimen.

Finally, whatever your needs as a breeder, Eukanuba continues to provide a selection of services from which you can take part and benefit. From puppy packs for you to give to new puppy owners, training seminars and the Eukanuba World Challenge, there is something for everyone.

Eukanuba is pleased to announce the launch of the Eukanuba World Challenge 2011. This globally recognised, prestigious event is, this year, celebrating its fifth anniversary. The excitement for breeders, owners and handlers to qualify their dogs and be nominated for participation is set to build up throughout the show calendar year. In 2011 another new qualifying event has been introduced to the Eukanuba World Challenge and will take place at the FCI Americas and Caribbean Section Show in Guatemala. The Eukanuba World Challenge grand final will be hosted at the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship on 17th &18th December at the Orange County Convention Centre in Orlando, Florida. Courtesy of Eukanuba, 42 of the world’s top winning dogs will be afforded the opportunity to travel to Florida and compete for the highly coveted title “Eukanuba World Challenge Champion 2011” along with the prize money of $10.000. The runner up and first runner up will each receive $3,000 and $2,000 respectively and the winning country’s Kennel Club will receive a $5,000 recognition prize.

A Great Concept.......An Outstanding Success
Eukanuba, The AKC & The FCI Benefiting Dogs Worldwide.

Jose Luis Ibanez, Eukanuba EMEA Breeder Manager says “We took a great concept, worked with the AKC, the FCI and their member Kennel Clubs, and utilising their extensive “Dog Show” expertise along with Eukanuba’s premium nutrition heritage, we have created a first class event. The Eukanuba World Challenge brings together all of these talented, foremost organisations making it possible for breeders, owners and handlers with their outstanding dogs to experience, first hand, a superlative event.”

American Kennel Club Chairman, Ron Menaker comments "The Eukanuba World Challenge has grown earning a great reputation in the sport of purebred dogs, and being recognized for its outstanding quality of dogs which continues to "wow" the spectators. We are delighted, once again, to host it again at the AKC/Eukanuba National Championships 2011. The American Kennel Club prides itself in presenting the only International competition in the USA with thanks to our good friends at Eukanuba and the FCI along with their member Kennel Clubs. We would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the FCI on their Centenary this year."

Hans Muller, President of the FCI comments "The FCI views the Eukanuba World Challenge as a very important event in the global world of dogs and is delighted to see and be part of its momentous success. The FCI will be celebrating its Centenary, one of the main celebrations will take place at the FCI World Dog Show in Paris. The well established working relationship between Eukanuba, the AKC and the FCI has flourished; year on year, going from strength to strength. The FCI firmly believe that by working in harmony with other important organizations, it will serve to benefit dogs worldwide."

For more background information on the Eukanuba World Challenge and to know how you can qualify your dog go to www.eukanubaworldchallange.com
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The FCI has the pleasure to remind you about its four 2011 Special Shows:
 

• 6-8 May, Dortmund (DE): FCI Centenary Winner Dog Show Title: FCI Centenary Dog Show Winne
• 7-10 July, Paris (FR): FCI Centenary World Dog Show Title: FCI Centenary World Dog Show Winner
• 1-4 September, Leeuwarden (NL): FCI Centenary European Dog Show Title: FCI Centenary European Dog Show Winner
• 12 November, Brussels (BE): FCI Centenary World Champion of Champions
  Title: FCI Centenary World Champion of Champions.

The FCI Centenary World Champion of Champions is part of the events organised during the FCI Cynological Days, which will take place in Brussels on 11-12 November,  the other events being:

Symposium: Dog and Man: Knowledge and Prospects
Venue: Hôtel Le Plaza, Brussels. 9 a.m.-5 p.m., November 11th.

FCI Centenary Gala Dinner
Venue: Le Concert Noble, Brussels. From 7.30 p.m., November 12th.

A couple of years ago, the FCI started a very successful partnership with Eukanuba. Different projects have been developed, the best known being the Eukanuba World Challenge organised on a yearly basis, in which a vast majority of the FCI members have competed.
 

Available soon…
Another very interesting project, which will be out shortly, is the production of a JUDGING MANUAL which will prove to be a most useful tool for judges. More will be disclosed in appropriate time but we want to warmly thank Eukanuba for their contribution in those two nice initiatives. Other ideas are under consideration and we shall hopefully be able to carry them out in a near future.

Welcome to COBBY, the FCI’s brand-new mascot !!!

A couple of months ago, our President, Hans Müller, had an excellent idea: the Olympic Games, the FIFA World Cup, all major sports events on the planet have their own distinctive sign, their noticeable image, their Mascot!!! The word was uttered!!! The FCI is 100 years and for this major event the FCI deserves and should have a Mascot he said!!! The train was on its way!!! The FCI Board was very enthusiast at this innovative idea and contacts were taken with the best manufacturers of cuddly toys and with different artists to have our Mascot designed and produced.
 

COBBY is our new official Mascot and it will join us in any future communication plan or actions. COBBY will be associated to the FCI for the years to come. We had 3,000 of them produced in smaller size (12X15 cm) and they will be on sale on the FCI stand in Dortmund, Paris and Leeuwarden. The FCI members are also welcome to order a certain number of COBBY for distribution upon their shows.
 

Q - My dog is very fussy and will only eat home prepared food how can I switch him to a super premium diet like Eukanuba?

A - Feeding a home prepared food may sound like a good idea but there is always a risk that it is not complete and balanced enough for your dog. A superpremium diet like Eukanuba is complete and balanced as well being highly digestible and containing key ingredients such as the prebiotics FOS, needed for a healthy intestine and a DentalCare System to help reduce tartar build-up. The best advice is to slowly wean your dog off its homemade food over a period of 5-6 days. Start by adding a little of the Eukanuba (20% of the daily portion) to the bowl to replace some of the home cooked food and then gradually increase its proportion so that by 5-6 days you are feeding 100% Eukanuba. To help this transition process you can add a little warm meat gravy to the kibbles, but once your dog is eating 100% Eukanuba then there is no need to add anything extra.