Brandykegs Store Item

Dog Show Game

Hand-stitched frame with scenes from the dog show world surrounds the poem, "The Dog Show Game."  Only one in stock!

Brandykegs Store Item

Pink Princess

Is your big girl a big drooler as well?  This pink princess fabric drool bib will help with the slobber; and she will look oh so cute as well!

Brandykegs Store Item

Doggy Drool Bib

Multi-breed fabric including our lovable Saint Bernard.  Absorbent terry fabric on the underside of bib and machine washable.  We have several fun fabrics on our drool bibs, visit our store to view the selection. 

Brandykegs Store Item

Tissue Box With Saint Puppies

Tissue box cover with puppies on each side, one has a hospice ear, another a monk's cap, a half-mask, and one with standard markings.  Just one in stock!

Brandykegs Store Item

Santa Faces Sleigh

Hand-painted Santa faces on each side of this sleigh with a cute stuffed Saint Bernard and his rescue barrel.  Just one in stock!

Brandykegs Store Item

Up On The Rooftop

Framed hand-stitched mat, with Saint Bernard and his rescue barrel sitting on rooftop.  Visit our store for more details and other Saint Bernard gift items.

Brandykegs Store Item

Pretty Bloomers

Pretty bloomers for when your big girl is in season.  Adjustable velcro fasteners, opening for her tail, and machine washable.  Visit our store to purchase.

Brandykegs Store Item

Crate Quilt

Brandykegs has nine different fabric patterns for crate quilts; these quilts will fit nicely in a 42"  crate.  If you have a smaller crate; this quilt can be folded to fit them as well. These quilts are hand-made and machine washable.  Visit our store to purchase.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving from Brandykegs!

Brandykegs Store Item

Pick Of The Litter

Unique framed hand-stitched mat depicting Saint Bernard puppies standing and peering out of baskets; standard markings, half-mask, hospice ear, and monk's cap.  Great gift idea for the Saint Fancier or you may just want this for yourself.  Visit our store for more details and to purchase.

Brandykegs Store Items

One Liter Brandy Keg

We have just a few barrels left for the holiday season; so purchase yours early.  Due to a fraudulent supplier we will be unable to re-stock our barrels for the 2012 Holiday Season. We are trying to locate a reliable barrel source at this time and hope we will be able to continue offering barrels in 2013. 

Understanding Dog Food Labels

Other Labeling - You have probably seen products with the wording; premium, super premium, ultra premium, or gourmet.  These terms are used; but the product is not required to have a higher quality in their ingredients nor do they meet higher requirement standards.  Some labels indicate the dog food is "natural."  AAFCO defines this as a lack of artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives.  Organic is used on labeling as well; it refers to how plants were grown or animals were raised.  Currently there are no regulations regarding the usage of the term "organic" in labeling on pet food.  The FDA is working on regulations regarding the synthetic additives used with vitamins and amino acids in regards to pet food labels using the term "organic."

In conclusion; we want to feed a nutritional product to our dogs.  The FDA and AAFCO help us to accomplish that with their regulations.  Some of their regulations are complicated and not as clear as they could be; but I think their heart is in the right place.  If you have questions about a pet food; contact the manufacturer, FDA, or AAFCO. 

(provided by Brandykegs Saint Bernards)
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Understanding Dog Food Labels

Feeding Directions - This statement tells the consumer how much to feed a dog.  Feeding amounts are provided as a starting point for consumers; you may find your dog needs less or more than the recommended amount.

Calorie Statement - Pet foods just like people foods have a wide variation of calorie amounts.  Calorie amounts on dogs foods are listed as kilocalories per kilograms.

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Understanding Dog Food Labels

Nutritional Adequacy - In order for a dog food product to say that it is, "complete and balanced", AAFCO has regulations that must be met before the statement can be included on the label.  A statement regarding nutritional adequacy must be substantiated by one of two methods.

One method is that the dog food must contain a formula of ingredients that will provide levels of nutrition for an established nutrient profile; like the one that has been provided by AAFCO.  Their profile states that a dog food product must contain all the recognized nutrients necessary for a healthy animal. 

The alternative method for nutritional adequacy is for the food to be tested.  In these trials used by AAFCO; animals are fed the product under strict guidelines.  This type of trial determines if the nutritional adequacy requirement is met.

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Understanding Dog Food Labels

Ingredient List - The ingredient list contains all the ingredients in their predominance by weight.  Weight amounts include any inherent water weight.

Guaranteed Analysis - Many state regulations require that a pet food guarantee the minimum percentages of crude fat and crude protein.  They also require that pet food guarantee the maximum percentages of crude fiber and moisture.  For more detailed information regarding guaranteed analysis visit the FDA site.

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Understanding Dog Food Labels

Manufacturer's Name and Address - This information tells consumers the name of the party responsible for the quality and safety of the product and their location.  If this statement says "manufactured for" or "distributed by"; this simply means the product was made or distributed by an outside entity; the manufacturer is still the responsible party.  A toll-free contact number is often included for customers with questions or complaints.

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Understanding Dog Food Labels

Net Quantity Statement - The net quantity statement tells consumers how much product is in the container or package.  The FDA has many rules regarding the format, size, and placement of the net quantity statement.  Consumers are encouraged to compare the cost per ounce or cost per pound on packages; package appearance can be deceiving.

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Understanding Dog Food Labels

Product Name (cont.) - The flavor rule does not require a percentage amount; but it must contain at least enough of the flavor so that it can be detected.  Animals that are trained to detect certain flavors are used to monitor the flavor rule in products.

Digests are also found in pet foods; they are materials that are treated with heat, enzymes, or acids which then create a concentrated flavor.  Sometimes broths or stocks are added to pet food.  Whey is used to create a milk flavor.  Most pet foods do not contain artificial flavors; exceptions are bacon or smoke which is most often added to pet treats.

(provided by Brandykegs Saint Bernards)
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Understanding Dog Food Labels

Product Name (cont.) - Sometimes with the dinner/25% rule more than one ingredient is listed in the name.  In those cases, the combination of the two ingredients must be at least 25% of the product; listing the ingredients according to predominant weight.  The second ingredient must comprise at least 3% of the 25% total.  The with/3% rule was originally used in regards to ingredients that were not part of the product name.  Consumers need to pay attention to the actual wording for a product; because dependent upon the inclusion or exclusion of a word like "with" the amount of that ingredient in the product can range from 3% to 95%. 

(provided by Brandykegs Saint Bernards)
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Understanding Dog Food Labels

Product Name - Product name is actually more confusing than you may think.  The use of certain words actually determines what is in the dog food.  If a canned food product says "beef for dogs" then the 95% rule applies.  The 95% rules states that canned food with wording like "beef for dogs" must contain 95% meat,  poultry, or fish; this does not include the water added for processing.  If you add the water then 70% of the food must contain meat, poultry, or fish.  Ingredient lists must be listed in an order based by the most predominant amount according to weight listed first.

The dinner or 25% rule applies to canned and dry food.  The named ingredient must comprise at least 25% or less than 95% according to the dinner/25% rule and the name must include a descriptive term such as dinner, platter, nuggets, entree, or formula; in its product name. 

(provided by Brandykegs Saint Bernards)
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Understanding Dog Food Labels

Pet food labeling is regulated at two levels.  Federal regulations are enforced by the United States Food and Drug Administration; probably bettern known by its acronym FDA.  The FDA has established regulations for all animal foods.  These standards include:

• Identification of the product
• Net quantity
• Name and address of manufacturer
• List of ingredients

Some states have their own labeling requirements; which they enforce.  The states often use the Association of American Feed Control Officials regulation plan; their acronym is AAFCO.  The AAFCO's regulations are more detailed.  Their regulations include:

• Product name
• Guaranteed analysis
• Nutritional adequacy statement
• Feeding directions
• Caloric amounts

(provided by Brandykegs Saint Bernards)
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Understanding Dog Food Labels

When it comes to purchasing dog food, most owners try to buy the best product for their dog.  Cost is also a big factor nowadays; with most households on tight budgets.  The bigger retailers help us out by providing a breakdown of the cost on their shelf pricing.  Over the next several days we will provide more information regarding dog food labels; see you tomorrow.

(provided by Brandykegs Saint Bernards)
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Sweepstakes Ribbon Guide For Dog Shows

The light green/pink ribbon is awarded to Best In Sweepstakes.

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Sweepstakes Ribbon Guide For Dog Shows

The gray colored ribbon is awarded to fourth place in the non-regular classes.

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Sweepstakes Ribbon Guide For Dog Shows

The light green ribbon is awarded for third place in the non-regular classes.

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Sweepstakes Ribbon Guide For Dog Shows

The brown colored ribbon is awarded for second place in the non-regular classes.

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Sweepstakes Ribbon Guide For Dog Shows

The rose colored ribbon is awarded to first place in the non-regular classes.

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Dog Show Ribbon Guide

The red, white, and blue ribbon is awarded to Best In Show.  This ribbon is highly sought after by all exhibitors; confirming what each individual exhibitor already feels; that their dog is the Best in the show.



 

(provided by Brandykegs Saint Bernards)
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Dog Show Ribbon Guide

The red and white ribbons is awarded to the Best of Opposite Sex.



 

(provided by Brandykegs Saint Bernards)
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Dog Show Ribbon Guide

The purple and gold ribbon is awarded to the Best of Breed in the regular classes.



 

(provided by Brandykegs Saint Bernards)
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