Diet and good nutrition play a critical role in sporting dog performance. Incorporating new nutritional findings into a practical feeding program can improve the dogs’ success and enhance overall well-being. A manageable feeding program will also reduce stress on the handler/owner by easing the labor intense burden typical in common feeding regiments.

A balanced diet for sporting dogs should meet the following criteria: be rich in nutrients required by the dog; meet energy requirements when fed in acceptable amounts; include optimum protein and fat levels; have a fat profile that helps minimize inflammation; allow for repletion of muscle glycogen; contain the amount and type of fiber that promotes a healthy gut; be palatable and readily accepted during training and especially while under the stress of competition; be easy to prepare; be stable at normal temperatures to avoid rancidity. Dietary recommendation include an energy density of 4000 kcal ME/kg or greater, 40–60%, 30–35%, and 10–15% metabolizable calories from fat, protein, and carbohydrates, respectively, and a moderately fermentable source of fiber with a total dietary fiber level of 3–7% DM.

The performance of any sporting dog is only as good as genetics, training, and diet can support. Any one of the three can have sufficient influence to make or break an effort. Diet is critical and several factors have been shown to improve performance and enhance well-being under physical stress. If nutrition is used properly, it provides a foundation for effective training and performance; if abused it will handicap the benefits derived from training ands ultimately affect performance.