My thoughts on this topic are: dogs are more scavenger than hunter. I really enjoyed reading the insights of Ray Coppinger (biologist) who studied wild domestic dogs. These dogs; by some, may be considered feral dogs, but, in actuality they have lived among man since dogs domesticated themselves and are probably the forefathers of all our current breeds. They speculate that dogs evolved on their own to be domestic and live off the waste of humans. Once permanent establishments were made by humans then some wild dogs/ancient wolves evolved. There are many feral/ naturally wild domestic dogs living a healthy happy life among villages and with village people. Eating the garbage and slop that humans throw out and living among livestock (chickens) and do not hunt for their foods. The biologists remarked at how they toured some of the villages while studying the dogs and commented on how the dogs acted just like any other normal pet dog and some times they actually believed the dogs belonged to some of the villages. The dogs had little prey drive unlike the enhanced predatory drive of our man made purebred dogs.
Of course I still agree that a raw/home made diet is wonderful for our dogs. I also think that humans right now are over analyzing diet of dogs. I think like any thing, if there is a big profit to be made many manufactures and people will come forward to make big bucks on it. I also feel that it doesn't take a rocket scientist to properly feed a dog. My mother had a few dogs growing up as did many people at that time. They kept their dogs perfectly healthy by feeding left overs. The dogs did not hunt fresh game, and still lived to be late teens early 20's. Of course, now our dogs suffer from many effects shortening their lifespans, improper breeding practices which in effect leads to small gene pools and poor genetics in our dogs.
Just my thoughts on this; but, isn't it funny how people don't get as much nutritional training for themselves as they do for their dogs.
The human body is much more complex than our dogs, yet, most people only receive minimum education to keep it in health. I'll never forget the time I went to see my doctor and I heard the famous words of ; "just eat a balanced diet"
I considered at that time that a burger and fries was pretty balanced
It seems people put a shawl of mystery around feeding a dog as if it cannot be done without the right books or kibble. I give my dogs a variety, I do feed some kibble, canned, raw, home cooked meals. I also feed them leftovers from my meals as I eat healthy and my meals are just as good for my dogs as they are for me
My dogs are healthy, wonderful teeth, and are getting up there in age and still act like pups. For myself the importance of variety in the diet is a major concern of mine.
Of course, I am not an expert by any means. I am just going by my own observations of the dogs that I have owned, and how long lived they have been. I also have had many dogs that suffered from poor genetics (Hip Dysplasia, Elbow Dysplasia etc.) and still kept them in good health and active no matter their disability and all of this I have achieved with the belief that variety is good for them. I find also that with my dogs they are so used to change and variety they do not suffer any bad side affects.