Good luck with the new pup...hope it wasn't from a puppy mill though...CIA is right that's a well known area where it takes place. Food wise...here's what I posted on another thread last week about another reefer's question on food recommendations...
When my pitbull hit 6 months he developed severe food allergies...long story short went through a lot to get him healthy...he's 5 1/2 now and I've had him on Flint River Ranch Lamb Millet & Rice formula...with amazing results. They've never been a part of the pet food recalls. I get 40lbs. a month for him and it's delivered to my door faithfully within 2 days of ordering. I did a lot of research into other foods before I chose this one. One thing I did notice about a lot of commercial foods is that they were filled with fillers such as cornmeal, wheat gluten, etc. and Big Boy is allergic to both of those. I swear by this food. (his pic is my Avi and he is my pride and joy...my baby)
Here's a small breakdown that I copy and pasted off of their site:
"Specifically formulated for those dogs who have an intolerance to wheat, corn and/or chicken. Nothing has been spared with the quality ingredients, blending and oven-baking. We use premium quality Lamb Meat, White Fish, Whole Ground Grains, Flaxseed, Rosemary, Chelated Minerals, Natural Tocopherols [antioxidant], along with probiotics and digestive enzymes which synergistically provides the very finest diet for food-sensitive dogs. Our special recipe helps to maintain strong bones, a healthy digestive system and promotes a beautiful shiny skin coat.
Analysis
GUARANTEED ANALYSIS Protein Minimum 23% Fat Minimum 10% Fiber Maximum 4% Moisture Maximum 10%
Ingredients: Lamb Meal, Ground Whole Millet, Ground Whole Rice, Ground Whole Brown Rice, Chicken Fat (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Rice Bran, White Fish Meal, Tomato Pomace, Flax Seed, Alfalfa Meal, Natural Flavor, Potassium Chloride, Salt, Vitamins (Choline Chloride, a-Tocopherol Acetate (Source of Vitamin E), Niacin, Calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin A Supplement, Ascorbic Acid (Source of Vitamin C), Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Source of Vitamin B6), Thiamine Mononitrate (Source of Vitamin B1), Riboflavin Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Biotin, Folic Acid), Minerals (Zinc Sulfate, Zinc Amino Acid Chelate, Ferrous Sulfate, Manganese Sulfate, Manganese Amino Acid Chelate, Copper Sulfate, Copper Amino Acid Chelate, Sodium Selenite, Calcium Iodate), Kelp Meal, Lecithin, Rosemary Extract, Sage Extract, Dried Bacillus Subtilis Fermentation Product, Dried Aspergillus Oryzae Fermentation Product."
