Protein plays an important role in keeping a working dog in condition. It supports muscle and tissue across the working season, it forms part of the enzymes, hormones and antibodies the body runs on, and it supports normal recovery. A dog cannot store protein the way it stores fat, so it has to come from the daily diet.
Protein is not the main fuel for a day in the field. That job belongs to fat, which carries roughly 8.5 to 9 kcal per gram against protein’s 3.5 to 4. A dog’s ability to burn fat for energy is what separates a working dog from a dog at maintenance. Protein’s primary job is to support condition and recovery.
How protein supports a working dog
Adequate protein supports:
- Muscle maintenance and condition
- Muscle and tissue condition after work
- Bone and body mass
- Normal nerve function
- Normal cell renewal
- Skin condition and coat quality
Protein does not power the work. It helps keep the dog in the condition the work demands.
How much does a working dog need?
The right protein level depends on your dog’s workload, its age, and where it sits in the season. A dog in full work, a dog resting through the off season, and a growing pup all have different needs. The Alpha range spans 19 to 30 percent protein, so you can match the working dog food to the job.
Plan the change before the season
Any diet change takes time to settle, so move your dog onto its working ration ahead of the season rather than on the opening day. Dogs burn a mix of fat and carbohydrate for energy, but the body cannot switch to using more fat overnight. It takes roughly eight weeks to build up the enzymes that burn fat efficiently. This is called fat adaptation. Start the working ration eight weeks before the season so your dog can use the fuel in the food from the first day, rather than spending the early weeks catching up.
Matching the food to the dog
For dogs in the off season, or those resting from work, Alpha Working Maintenance sits at the lower end for protein at 19 percent. It holds condition on a dog that is not earning a ration that is higher in protein & fat.
At the other end, Alpha Performance runs at 30 percent protein, formulated for hard-working dogs that need a higher-protein dog food to hold condition and support normal recovery.
The Alpha Range
Get the nutrition right and it helps your working dog hold condition and recover across the season. View the full range to match the right food to your kennel.
