EVERY DOG BREED IS UNIQUE!

The FCI (the international dog breed register) lists almost 400 different breeds! This incredible variety within a single species is the result of selection, over the course of many centuries, by dog owners and breeders, on the basis of the dog’s natural physical and behavioural aptitude for certain activities. This explains why today we have herding, hunting, guard, assistance or simply good natured pet dogs.

Looking more closely at specific breeds, the Labrador Retriever for instance, we can see that his waterproof coat and protective layer of fat help him swim and fight off the cold water, while his natural instinct is to retrieve.

Every breed is unique, even though they all belong to the same canine species! Based on this statement, Royal Canin has been developing unique products to meet the specificities of every dog breed.

For over 40 years, Royal Canin vets and nutritionists have been observing the specific characteristics of dogs and cats, while at the same time establishing very close links with animal professionals and breeders worldwide, listening to them carefully and examining their comments.
The advances made in recent years in the understanding of individual breeds and their characteristics have led to a greatly increased knowledge of different nutrients and their benefits.

• 1980: Creation (worldwide innovation) of the 1st growth food for large breed puppies (AGR)
• 1990: Nutritional revolution, with the first nutritional responses which took the diversity of dog size into account (RCCI)
• 1997: RCCI Size: the first nutritional programme in the world to consider, the rapport between the size and weight of different dog breeds as well as their age and activity levels.
• 2009: Innovation continues with new breed specific products.

Research and development is a way of life for Royal Canin – close relationships with dog professionals and particularly breeders are ongoing, and they enable us to continually improve our understanding of the breeds and study other nutritional programmes which will enable us to meet identified needs. Royal Canin has also studied the maxillo-facial characteristics of each breed, to develop kibble size, shape and texture and adapt them perfectly to individual canine jaws and teeth. Brachycephalic (flat-faced) dogs illustrate this nutritional precision perfectly – specific kibbles for these breeds are designed to be easy to pick up, to encourage crunching and slow down swallowing speed, to optimise the mechanical brushing effect on the teeth as well as improving digestion.

Specific nutritional needs can now be met, thanks to the action of targeted nutrients. As a result, Royal Canin has been able to develop food formulas perfectly adapted to certain breeds through the rigorous selection of individual nutrients. For instance, the formula for the German Shepherd encourages optimal digestion by providing very high quality ultra-digestible proteins.

Each Breed Health Nutrition formula is perfectly adapted to the specific needs of the breed concerned:

• Digestive safety and cutaneous barrier reinforcement for the German Shepherd
• High energy content and muscle maintenance for the tireless Boxer
• Tailormade kibble and muscle maintenance for the Pug
• Ideal weight management and joint support for the Labrador Retriever
• Increased energy levels and joint support for the Great Dane

One breed, one age = one food!
Breed is not the only major factor affecting fundamental nutrition needs – the other key issue is age.
A puppy will always have higher energy needs and a more sensitive digestion than an adult dog.
These elements are taken into account in the development of product formulas, and the further research advances, the more precise Royal Canin’s responses become.

In India, the following breed answers are available*: