Yet another food question! Our new puppy which we are getting in 3 weeks is currently fed on Simpsons (plus all the usual puppy stuff, tripe etc). Obviously we'll feed her on that until she's settled, but the question is whether to switch her to Wainwright which Hetty the Picky Princess is eating, albeit only when mixed with liberal amounts of mince / chicken / cheese / salmon etc (don't even go there, she staged a food rebellion with hubby while I was away!), or whether to switch Hetty onto Simpsons, which I think we might as well do if it's reasonable quality as Hetty doesn't like any sort of food anyway. But I've never heard of Simpsons before so didn't know whether it was a good food.

Mine have all been on Simpson's for nearly two years.  My two boys have been on it since 8 weeks or so.  We've tried all the varieties, and all have suited them, but I think they do best on the salmon and potato variety (they even do a puppy salmon and potato now, which is excellent!)  The customer service is second to none. It's such good value, especially with the VAT free breeder's scheme, that I'd recommend it to everyone

Excellent, thanks!

All of mine are on Simpsons..  Lamb and Potato..  Great food, fantastic price and wonderful customer service

>But I've never heard of Simpsons before so didn't know whether it was a good food.

I had never heard of it, so decided to have a nosey.  It does look decent food, so I thought that I would join the breeders club, and give it a go.  Unfortunately, I have to agree that I will be feeding it to working dogs, so that rules me out! 

Mine work rally obedience, does that count?

Here is the definition of a working dog according to HM Customs, to which Simpsons refer in their Breeders Club terms of membership.

Simpsons are obviously covering themselves with the declaration.  I wonder if it would ever go further than that, does anyone check I wonder?  It would be easier to claim 'working dog' if you have the right breed but although Simpsons ask for an Affix, on the breeder club application, it isn't mandatory and they do not ask which breed you have either...

There are a few brands that do a different variety which is 'VAT free for working dogs', most of which you can buy off the shelf with no kind of declaration... so I do wonder how enforceable it can be.  ETA, I'm sure that anyone interested and confused by the wording could contact Simpson's directly as I've always been very happy with their customer services

>There are a few brands that do a different variety which is 'VAT free for working dogs', most of which you can buy off the shelf with no kind of declaration... so I do wonder how enforceable it can be

Whilst I was rummaging through the Customs & Excise pages there was a section on packaging and they do seem to be pretty hot on prosecutions where the packaging, and feeding guides, is misleading.  It seems to be beholden upon the manufacturer to make the 'VAT free for working dog' aspect clear and unambiguous in their packaging and labelling, rather than on the buyer to declare...

Breeders Clubs have more of a paper trail than a one off purchase but even then, like CVL, I too wonder how enforceable it can be and if - in the grand scheme of things - whether it's considered financially viable to pursue.  One suspects not

I've always been told that 'show' dogs can be classed as 'working'.

We have fed simpsons for almost 12 months, its an amazing food, we have our share of fussy eaters, but not with this food, every bowl is now clean everytime, we feed the lamb and potato. service is fantastic and Craig the owner is always very helpful and friendly

Thanks all.