The first six months are the "main growth phase". They require high quality protein and nutrients.

The next 6- 12 months require a reduced protein content to help prevent any growth disorders.

Now fully grown, finding the right diet to match their energy requirements is key. 

Now in old age, diets with a lower fat and phosphorus are needed.

Hot Dog!

Sorry if there are mistakes below, it's hard to type when your tongue is lolling all over the keyboard. I am one hot dog! And the obvious solutions seem to make me very unpopular with my humans. During hot weather it seems perfectly obvious to me to dive into cold water at every conceivable opportunity, wallow around a bit and then shake myself with vigour. It doesn't matter what kind of container the water is in -- pool, river, canal, puddle, bath, washbasin and kitchen sink are all fair game as far as I am concerned. And shaking myself next to a smartly dressed human is just doing them a favour by spreading the cooling effect far and wide. None of this makes me popular. But it is a minor problem compared to the telling-off I got for climbing into the big, white, super-cool food cupboard in the kitchen and having a nice lie-down. For goodness' sake! Why do human consider it perfectly all right to keep a lettuce chilled, but unacceptable for a cockapoo to curl up in the salad compartment? I'll get my revenge. I'm going to drink a gallon of water and then dribble all over that shady sofa... Sammy