OUR LATEST ARTICLE:
REAL FOOD FOR REAL DOGS
NATURALLY SELECTED BIG DOG ESSENTIALS
EVOLVED IN NEW ZEALAND
BUILD CONFIDENCE TO LEAD BIG DOGS
OUR LATEST ARTICLE:
REAL FOOD FOR REAL DOGS
NATURALLY SELECTED BIG DOG ESSENTIALS
EVOLVED IN NEW ZEALAND
BUILD CONFIDENCE TO LEAD BIG DOGS
Dogs are omnivorous carnivores, meaning their bodies are built for meat first, supported by natural fats and limited plant matter. The closer you feed to this ancestral model, the stronger your dog’s body and mind will be.
Start with these essentials:
Quality Animal Protein The core of every meal. Choose real meat like beef, lamb, venison, chicken, or fish. Protein builds strength, repairs muscle, and fuels focus.
Healthy Fats Support energy, skin, and brain function. Look for natural sources like salmon, sardines, eggs, or flaxseed oil.
Fresh Vegetables Add fibre, vitamins, and antioxidants. Use ingredients like pumpkin, broccoli, carrots, and spinach; lightly cooked or pureed for better digestion.
Whole Carbohydrates (Optional) Dogs don’t need carbs, but small amounts of oats, sweet potato, or brown rice can provide steady energy for active dogs.
Natural Supplements Bone broth, green-lipped mussel, and kelp (all found in New Zealand) are powerful joint and immune boosters.
THE POWER OF TRIPE
When feeding real food, whether raw or cooked, green tripe is one of the most valuable additions you can make. It is the unprocessed stomach lining of grazing animals like beef or lamb, rich in natural digestive enzymes, probiotics, and a naturally balanced calcium to phosphorus ratio.
Tripe supports:
- Healthier digestion and more consistent stools - A stronger and more balanced gut microbiome - Better nutrient absorption - Stable behaviour through improved internal health - High-value taste and aroma for picky or low-drive dogs
It is messy, smelly, and absolutely worth it. In an ancestral-inspired diet, tripe is not a luxury. It is a foundational component.
THE ANCESTRAL BLUEPRINT
Long before processed kibble, dogs hunted, scavenged, and survived on what they could find; meat, organs, bones, and occasional plant matter. This natural diet wasn’t fancy, but it was functional. It built endurance, resilience, and balance.
An ancestral-inspired diet honours that history. Whether you feed raw, cooked, or a hybrid approach, the principle remains the same: feed food that looks like food.
Modern diets high in fillers and artificial additives weaken not just the body, but also behaviour. A dog fed clean, whole food is often calmer, more responsive, and easier to train; because their body isn’t fighting internal stress.
LOCAL STRENGTH: NEW ZEALAND SOURCING
Here in Aotearoa, we’re fortunate to have access to some of the cleanest, most ethical ingredients on earth. When possible, source locally:
Grass-fed lamb and beef Rich in clean protein and omega fatty acids.
Wild-caught fish A natural source of essential oils and minerals.
Free-range eggs Excellent for coat health and muscle support.
Seasonal vegetables New Zealand-grown pumpkin, kumara, and leafy greens all support digestive health.
Feeding locally doesn’t just nourish your dog; it strengthens your connection to the land and supports sustainable stewardship, a value at the core of Descendant of Wolves.
BALANCE AND MODERATION
Even good food can cause imbalance if overdone. A proper diet is about proportion and observation; adjusting to your dog’s age, energy, and activity level. Too much fat can cause weight gain; too little protein leads to weakness.
Watch your dog’s coat, stool, and behaviour. They’ll tell you what’s working long before a label does.
RAW VS KIBBLE AND REAL-WORLD ALTERNATIVES
Here is the truth: you can still fuel your dog with strength and integrity even if full raw is not an option.
Raw feeding is often held up as the gold standard because it mirrors the ancestral blueprint most closely: fresh meat, organs, bones, and minimally processed nutrients. When done correctly, a raw diet can support cleaner digestion, healthier skin and coat, stronger muscle tone, and more stable behaviour.
But raw feeding is not realistic for every steward. Cost, storage space, safety concerns, and time all play a role, and feeding your dog should not become a financial burden or a source of stress.
1. High-Quality Kibble (Done Right) If you choose kibble, choose the cleanest you can reasonably afford. Look for:
- Named animal proteins as the first ingredient - Low fillers (avoid high corn, wheat, or soy levels) - Limited artificial colours and preservatives - Added omega fatty acids and probiotics - A good kibble forms a stable, reliable base
2. Fresh Cooked Meals (Budget-Friendly) Cooked meals can be as nourishing as raw when balanced well, and often more affordable.
Focus on:
- Meat first (beef, chicken, lamb, or venison) - A small portion of vegetables - Optional whole carbs like rice or kumara - A splash of healthy fats
Cooking allows you to buy in bulk, freeze portions, and control the ingredients with confidence.
3. Simple Add-Ons That Improve ANY Diet If nothing else, a few small upgrades can transform even the cheapest kibble:
- A raw egg (with shell) a few times a week - A spoon of sardines - A drizzle of salmon or flaxseed oil - A scoop of pumpkin - Bone broth over the top
These are low-cost, high-impact additions that elevate nutrients, support gut health, and improve behaviour and coat quality.
FEED LIKE A LEADER
Leadership extends beyond training. It’s how you choose, prepare, and protect what fuels your dog every day. Feed with intention, not convenience.
Because when you feed like a leader, you build not just a stronger dog, but a deeper bond.
