Nats, obviously you and I have gone to the same vet speakers! I takes a very LONG time to change something like the teeth (re: carnivores/ omnivores). But the internal organs have changed (a bit). They still need predominantly meat diets, and many are OK on an all-meat diet (but mine aren't). But domesticated dogs have been eating our leftovers for a few thousand years, and can handle some of our grains, and many of the fruits and vegetables (my dog ADORES potatoes). My mom's Huskies will actually fight over baby carrots and lettuce leaves. If I want to give my dogs carbs though, it tends to be vegetables and fruits, instead of grains. They have more digestible nutrients and minerals, and contain many essential nutrients (some of which they cannot get from meat).

Personally, I cannot really afford an all meat diet (unless I start raising cattle for them!). Heck, I'm on a Mr Noodle diet to afford all my animals!

The trick is to find a food that works FOR YOUR DOG! Not all foods work for every dog. I love the Canidae and Evo brands, but the high fish content gives my Kuvaszok severe runs, and they don't adjust to it - they cannot handle fish (many Kuvasz can't). Start them on whatever food you choose, and monitor them closely for a few weeks, see how they are doing on it. If they lose condition, lack energy, etc, try another brand. Every dog is different, kinda like us: See, I can eat all the beans and hot sauce I want to (yum!), but my husband does and he gets horrible cramps and mopes around the house for the next day (usually making it very smelly!)

Another thing (already mentioned) is to find a few different types (whether different flavours or brands) and rotate every few months. They may claim to be complete, but no food is really all complete for every dog. Not to mention, would you want to eat exactly the same thing, day after day, for the rest of your life?! They don't have as many taste buds as us, but they can still taste it.

Personally I don't care what you feed, raw or dry or homemade, as long as your dog does well on it. MY dogs didn't do well on raw (tried 2 months), and I haven' t the time/ money for all homemade (would have to make 16 cups a day). So I do a combination of homemade and dry foods. But some dogs do amazing on raw. It can be as individual as you or I.