The Skinners Story…
The Skinner’s Mill has been a traditional part of the Suffolk landscape since 1688. The Mill has belonged to the Skinner family for seven generations, but it was the idea of the current Chairman, Roger Skinner, to branch into complete dry dog foods in the early 1970’s – a time when there were very few competitors in this sector of the market. The manufacture of complete dry dog foods was a natural progression from animal feed compounding, and with an excellent reputation already well established the move proved extremely successful.
Skinner’s originally manufactured two diets, Dog Meal and Dog Food, and these proved extremely popular with many of the local gundog and wildfowlers clubs.
Through recommendation, the benefits and suitability of these diets for working & active dogs soon became more widespread, and before long many of the country’s top kennels were feeding Skinner’s foods with excellent results. In the early 1980’s due to customer demand, Skinner’s in conjunction with their nutritionists developed other foods to suit a wider range of dietary needs. Ruff & Ready instantly became a huge success, not only with working & active dogs, but customers with show dogs and pet dogs alike.
Other products in the Skinner’s range were launched during the 80’s and early 90’s, and following a change in the VAT status on working & active dog foods, Skinner’s launched their Field & Trial range in the early 1990’s. Originally just two foods: Crunchy & Muesli, the range now comprises 19 specifically formulated diets, including the recent addition of Field & Trial Grain Free Chicken & Sweet Potato.
Whilst Skinner’s past and present is firmly connected to the working & active gundog sector, Skinner’s are proud to supply foods to a wide range of customers which includes pet dog owners as well as security dogs, husky racing teams and many show dog, obedience and agility dog customers.
Field and Trial Puppy
Field & Trial Puppy is a complete dog food, specially developed and formulated to support the early growth and development of puppies. Generations of puppies have been reared on Field & Trial Puppy and it remains a favourite with breeders. Field & Trial Puppy is carefully formulated to ensure the correct level of key nutrients are provided in a highly digestible form and the kibble is of a size and shape to suit puppies of different ages, shapes and sizes! It is ideal for weaning puppies onto from approximately three weeks of age. Field & Trial Puppy is also a suitable food for pregnant and lactating bitches, to support the growth and development of puppies, before and after birth.
Suitable for:
- Puppies from approximately 3 weeks of age to six months of age (dependent on breed/type)
- Pregnant and lactating bitches
- Any puppies with a sensitivity to wheat gluten
Suitable for:
- Puppies from approximately 3 weeks of age to six months of age (dependent on breed/type)
- Pregnant and lactating bitches
- Puppies with sensitivities to maize or wheat
Suitable for:
- Puppies from approximately 3 weeks of age to six months of age (dependent on breed/type)
- Puppies of large breeds/types who will benefit from nutrition supporting a steady growth rate
- Puppies with sensitivities/intolerances to wheat and/or maize
- Pregnant and lactating bitches
Suitable for:
- Young dogs from approximately six months of age (dependent on breed/type) to approximately 18 months of age
Suitable for:
- Young dogs from approximately six months of age (dependent on breed/type) to approximately 18 months of age
- Young dogs with sensitivities to maize or wheat
Field & Trial Adult
Specifically formulated for working and active dogs. Many working and active dogs are essentially canine athletes trained for speed, endurance and discipline – with the added advantage that they enjoy human companionship! Feeding a special diet all year-round can keep dogs in peak performance condition and help prepare muscles and cardiovascular systems for explosions of energy use and post-exercise replenishment.
Suitable for:
- Dogs that prefer a mixed ration or who are fussy feeders and tend to get bored of a single kibble shape and size
- Active, working dogs who require a moderate level of protein and fat to support energetic output
- e.g. Herding dogs, working gundogs, sporting dogs
- Any dog who might benefit from a mixed source of energy supplying nutrients
- Dogs who might be prone to losing condition during periods of high activity
Suitable for:
- Ideal for dogs with a consistent activity level of low to moderate intensity
- Any dog who might benefit from a ration of limited energy density as part of a weight reduction or maintenance strategy
- Dogs who are predisposed to weight gain during periods of reduced physical activity
- Any dogs requiring a diet low in purines – Maintenance has a purine level of 40mg/100g
Suitable for:
- Ideal for dogs with a consistent activity level of low to moderate intensity
- Any dog who might benefit from a ration of limited energy density as part of a weight reduction or maintenance strategy
- Dogs who might benefit from the addition of Joint Aid for Dogs in their diet
- Dogs who are predisposed to weight gain during periods of reduced physical activity
- Any dogs requiring a diet low in purines – Maintenance Plus has a purine level of 40mg/100g
Suitable for:
- Breeds and types of dogs that are typically greater than 23 kg at adulthood
- e.g. German Shepherds, Rottweilers, large Labrador Retrievers
- Dogs that prefer a larger kibble shape and size (perhaps even smaller dogs!)
- Active, working dogs who require a moderate level of protein and fat to support energetic output
- e.g. working trial dogs, herding dogs, working gundogs, active large breed pet dogs
- Any dog who might benefit from smaller, energy dense meals in the form of larger kibble shape and size
Suitable for:
- Active, working dogs who require a moderate level of protein and fat to support activity
- e.g. Peg dogs, picking up dogs, agility dogs, flyball dogs, active pet dogs
- Dogs with sensitivities and/or intolerance to wheat, maize or barley
- Dogs with sensitivities and/or intolerances to soya, beef and/or fish sources of protein
Suitable for:
- Active, working dogs who require a moderate level of protein and fat to support energetic output
- e.g. Peg dogs, picking up dogs, agility dogs, flyball dogs, active pet dogs
- Dogs with sensitivities and/or intolerance to wheat, maize or barley
- Dogs with sensitivities and/or intolerances to poultry protein
Suitable for:
- Active, working dogs who require a moderate level of protein and fat to support energetic output
- e.g. Peg dogs, picking up dogs, agility dogs, flyball dogs, active pet dogs
- Dogs with sensitivities and/or intolerance to wheat, maize or barley
- Dogs with sensitivities and/or intolerances to poultry protein
Suitable for:
- Active, working dogs who require a moderate level of protein and fat to support activity
- e.g. Peg dogs, picking up dogs, agility dogs, flyball dogs, active pet dogs
- Dogs with sensitivities and/or intolerance to wheat, maize or barley
- Dogs with sensitivities and/or intolerances to soya, beef and/or fish sources of protein
Suitable for:
- Dogs that prefer a mixed ration or who are fussy feeders and tend to get bored of a single kibble shape and size
- Active, working dogs who require a moderate level of protein and fat to support energetic output
- e.g. Herding dogs, working gundogs, sporting dogs
- Any dog who might benefit from a mixed source of energy supplying nutrients
- Dogs who might be prone to losing condition during periods of high activity
Suitable for:
- Active, working dogs who require a moderate level of protein and fat to support activity output
- e.g. Peg dogs, picking up dogs, agility dogs, flyball dogs, active pet dogs
- Dogs with sensitivities and/or intolerances to wheat, maize or barley
- Dogs with sensitivities and/or intolerances to soya, beef and/or fish sources of protein
- Dogs who might benefit from the addition of Joint Aid for Dogs in their diet
Suitable for:
- Ideal for dogs with a consistent activity level of moderate to high intensity
- e.g. working gundogs, herding dogs, agility dogs, active pet dogs
- Any dog who might benefit from a ration of moderate density to support activity and working output
- Active dogs with no sensitivities to wheat or maize gluten
Suitable for:
- Dogs that would benefit from an energy dense ration, of slightly larger kibble shape and size than standard formulations
- Active, working dogs who require a moderate level of protein and fat to support shorter, intense periods of activity of moderate to high intensity than other working dog food formulations
- e.g. Peg dogs, picking up dogs, trial herding dogs, sight-hounds, agility dogs, flyball dogs
- Any dog who might benefit from a mixed source of energy-supplying nutrients to support moderate to high activity levels of short to medium duration
- Dogs who might be prone to losing condition during periods of growth or high activity output
Suitable for:
- Working dogs with very high energy requirements
- Bitches in whelp and throughout lactation
Field & Trial Light & Senior
Field & Trial Light & Senior is a complete dog food, specially developed and formulated for any dog that requires a less energy dense diet. Typically, these dogs are older or less active dogs and those who may be predisposed to weight gain. With a formulation that includes reduced levels of fat and protein, Light & Senior is an ideal diet for dogs that need dietary support (in addition to exercise and other lifestyle management!) to maintain a healthy weight and body condition and can be fed both in meals and as treats as a holistic weight management strategy.
Top tip for including Field & Trial Light & Senior for weight management
- Weigh out your dog’s daily ration of Light & Senior in the morning (100 g per 8 kg of your dog’s target bodyweight is recommended) and restrict yourself to ONLY using this kibble for meals AND treats throughout the day!
Why should you choose Field & Trial Light & Senior?
- Honeycombed, oval kibble shape to aid in feelings of “fullness” and can prolong eating behaviour which may help to reduce hunger associated behaviours
- Less energy dense than other diets, meaning larger meals can be fed to aid feelings of “fullness”
- Reduced protein and fat levels to support weight loss and ongoing weight maintenance
- If your dog has a reduced activity level and is starting to look a little portly
- Light and senior is a complete diet, supplying all the nutrients your dog needs to be happy and healthy while having a reduced level of key nutrients that might encourage weight gain
- Contains enhanced levels of glucosamine and chondroitin to support joint health
- Linseed and sunflower oil provides valuable essential fatty acids for coat and skin condition, even in a fat reduced diet!
- Low purine levels (40mg/100g) which can be beneficial to dogs needing a restricted purine intake
- Includes highly digestible chicken
- Wheat gluten free formulation
