Yes, definitely start with:
http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/dr-karen-becker.aspxMost people don't feed canned only b/c it usually has a lot less protein in it than kibble.
Since an IS is a larger breed, I'd go ahead and give them Great Dane lady's site:
http://www.greatdanelady.com/ Make sure you stress to them that larger breeds can have joint issues if they're not given a proper feeding program for larger breeds. I really think this is the best site of all for you to point them to when talking about big breeds.
Though I don't agree with a lot of the kibble-diet she touts, she's changed SOME things recently that makes me think she's evolving with new research as time goes on.
I can't agree with the grains in their diets, but she's giving grain-free options now, and these are the ones you need to be pointing out. Of course then, there's the fact that SOME of GDL's food choices seem to have been recalls lately.
Of course give them the FDA recalls link and tell them to keep an eye on it for the pet food recalls:
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/default.htm as well as truthaboutpetfood since I never know which is going to post it first:
http://truthaboutpetfood2.com/category/pet-food-recallsYou might also want to give the vaccination scheduling of Dr Dodd:
http://www.itsfortheanimals.com/DODDS-CHG-VACC-PROTOCOLS.HTM What many of us have been arguing for several years now has been proven. So, you want to bring up the fact that dogs neutered or spayed TOO early will develop some strange bone problems. ESPECIALLY LARGE BREEDS! Make them aware of these problems BEFORE they pick out a vet:
http://www.caninesports.com/uploads/1/5/3/1/15319800/spay_neuter_considerations_2013.pdfhttp://www.thedogplace.org/Spay-Neuter/considerations-canine-athelete_zink.asphttp://www.naiaonline.org/pdfs/LongTermHealthEffectsOfSpayNeuterInDogs.pdfhttp://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2011/02/17/dangers-of-early-pet-spaying-or-neutering.aspxhttp://www.veterinarypracticenews.com/vet-practice-news-columns/bond-beyond/is-early-neutering-hurting-pets.aspxThe fact that it can cause ligament rupturing in larger breeds ESPECIALLY is of great concern.
Their puppy shouldn't be allowed TOO much running,
ESPECIALLY NEVER on hard surfaces for approximately 18 months. This can cause OCD
http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=2+2084&aid=464 But large breed dogs can keep on growing until 18-24 mths, so it's a primary concern that their joints develop as best as they can to prevent severe arthritic problems in older age.
This is why Vlad went on the supplements of the Great Dane Lady's Blackwatch diet and hasn't been off of a leash since 5 mths of age. *knock on wood* No issues since then, and hopefully it will be fully repaired once he's old enough to be allowed to run. Dogs that end up having to have surgery on an OCD joint ALWAYS develop arthritis! We decided to never break the rules at all ever again once the vets said "We THINK we see a POSSIBLE flattening here in this shoulder joint."
I've got to take them on a walk, so I'll come back as I think of other things that are necessary with bigger breeds.
Make sure you point out that dogs that aren't fed grains are a LOT less likely to ever develop food allergies! Yes some dogs develop allergies to SOME meats, but if those dogs never get (especially) Corn, Wheat, Rice & Soy, then they're not anywhere near as likely to develop food allergies. Food allergies with a dog is one thing I never want to see anyone else ever have to experience again. I have my own personal suspicions that it's all about those items being such big GMO ingredients, but that's not proven at all. Not getting allergies by not given grains IS proven!