I usually feed a high-quality kibble supplemented with several things to make sure all my bases are covered. Once or twice a week they get raw chicken backs to keep their teeth clean (raw marrow bones are great for this too).
For optimal joint development I use Ester-C, glucosamine-chondroitin and MSM in their food (approx. 1500mg of each for an adult vlcak). I also use InFlight Coat Formula as a supplement and the difference in their haircoat quality is amazing. I also will occasionally supplement with fish oil (or canned mackerel in brine).
I recently went to a nutrition seminar focused on bitches in whelp and developing puppies and there is strong evidence that tyrosine supplementation makes for easier breeding and larger, healthier litters. I have found that true in my own experience after having used Royal Canin's "HT42D" formula with my own GSD bitch. The tyrosine link was first discovered in Germany's "Auman study" and RC went ahead and developed a special food for bitches from their 1st day of heat to the 42nd. THe tyrosine dosage is proprietary, but I am guessing for a large bitch it would be 500mgs, so that is what I am supplementing.
Good luck with your female - optimal health is paramount for producing healthy puppies...
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