An experiment to test the durability and teeth safety of anco roots Apparatus : Two extra large anco roots. Two 3 year old labradors. One a very keen powerful chewer, scout. The other a keen but not as powerful chewer, Scott. ( Scott's nylabones/antlers would last nearly twice as long as scouts) Method : The anco roots were given to the dogs for approx 20 minutes first thing every morning after breakfast. Results : Durability- After approx 140 minutes of chewing over 7 days there is minimal damage to the root. There is very little difference in the size and shape of the root. The root crumbles into small pieces as it is chewed rather than splitting and splintering like normal wood. The majority of the pieces produced are less than 2mm. Occasionally a larger chunk came off about 2cm. The amount of pieces reduced after the first day. Only 5 pieces were picked up on day 7. The outer layer of the root would appear to be softer and cause more bits. Teeth safety- The shape and size of the anco root makes it very difficult for the dog to get its jaws around properly. Although the root is very hard as it is chewed it softens. An indentation can just about be made with a thumb nail. Some areas of dry root also just pass the thumb nail test. Conclusion : The anco root is definitely a long lasting chew. I expect it to last weeks if not months going on the damage made so far. Of all the hard chews I've given my dogs this seems the safest for their teeth. It just about passes the thumb nail test and the noise made when chewing is not as scary, it sounds softer. My only reservation would be that the dogs will get bored with it before its ready to be binned. Some mornings Scout the power chewer has made little groans of frustration because he can't get his jaws around it properly and give it a good chew. The anco root has proved a much better chew so far than I expected. NB . This experiment was conducted under unscientific and uncontroled conditions. Results will vary depending on the anco root and dog used.
Re: Anco Root Experiment Fascinating, I don't think I have heard of Anco root. Sounds promising though
Re: Anco Root Experiment I got Sam an Anco Root from ecodogcompany , he loved it and it lasted for ages too
Re: Anco Root Experiment That's brilliant, Jen. I think that will now be a pair of anco roots sold to the woman with a spaniel who finds chewing mildly diverting and a lab puppy that lives to exercise her jaws... Really pleased to hear that their ROD (Rate of Disintegration) has slowed. Hey, I'm counting this as serious research!! ;D ;D Thanks for letting us know how they have worked out in practice. We are loving the eco dog hedgehogs too - they last long enough for a really good bout of chewing and teeth cleaning, and because they are vegetable and not rawhide, I'm happy with them eating them! Next up, who has tested the supposedly tougher dog beds??! Need to get a new bed for Brew as she has grown again - her only serious chomping to date on contraband has been Theakston's bed. Turns out that the corner was a little too close to her crate the other night and the way to drag it in with her was to break it into pieces first... So that's two new beds really, but one of them will need to survive life in the crate overnight everynight... Clare
Re: Anco Root Experiment The only comment I would make on beds is beware the noise factor. We got Riley a waterproof type one, it sounded like the house was falling down at 3 in the morning when he was rearranging everything!!! We had to give it away in the end. He's not a bed destroyer though so cant comment on durable options. Good luck!
Re: Anco Root Experiment [quote author=bbrown link=topic=4013.msg46628#msg46628 date=1389611251] The only comment I would make on beds is beware the noise factor. We got Riley a waterproof type one, it sounded like the house was falling down at 3 in the morning when he was rearranging everything!!! [/quote] Hadn't thought of that... thanks for the warning. I'm seriously grouchy without sleep!! Clare
Re: Anco Root Experiment Plastic oval beds with fluffy liners here, no chewing and the liners are easily popped into the machine Anco roots look interesting. Thanks for conducting the experiement Jen
Re: Anco Root Experiment Tough bed experiment been there done that Clare. ;D I bought a water proof tough dog bed/mattress for in the kennel. It was funny they were so tiny when we got them home they had to climb onto the bed. Tough it was not. It has been sewn up numerous times. I got my auntie to make a giant pillow case out of two fleece blankets. Dogs find fleece difficult to chew (not much I haven't tested ) . I considered buying an orvis tough chew dog bed because I was fed up of going to their kennel and finding corners chewed off the bed etc and sewing (not my strong point). They are very expensive though. For two dogs I'd have to get the extra large £180 Instead I looked on the Internet for Cordura fabric which is what the orvis beds are made from and waterproof and bought enough for my auntie to make me a pillow case to fit the bed we had. It's camouflage but it only cost £7 that's a lot cheaper and nobody sees it in the kennel. It is however not unchewable but if they do chew it there is very little damage compared to other fabrics. Anything else you need test results on just ask my two have put most things through its paces.
Re: Anco Root Experiment I still can't modify so I have to reply again if I think of something else. : How often do you give them the hedgehogs Clare and are you freezing them? I need something I can give them every day. Their routine is to have a good chew after breakfast and my theory is because they've had a good chew they won't chew their bed when they go back in their pen. This theory doesn't always work. :
Re: Anco Root Experiment Clare, have a look at Tuffies they do a great range of rugged dog beds, a little expensive but they have an Offers section and have some bargains on there from time to time. x
Re: Anco Root Experiment [quote author=Jen link=topic=4013.msg46655#msg46655 date=1389614181 How often do you give them the hedgehogs Clare and are you freezing them? [/quote] I haven't even tried freezing them yet - or stuffing them either. They still have a novelty value and they love them so far, although maybe I will need to when they lose that status! Have you ordered any yet to see them close up? If not, they weigh about 100g each despite their size, and I'm happy for them to have one a day... we are very careful about weighing kibble and training treats, but these are vegetable and low fat so it helps keep my paranoia about weight gain at bay!! This morning I gave them one each when we came back from our walk - Theakston settled down with the determination of a dog who has decided to eat, and it took him about twenty minutes to polish it off. Brew likes playing with them... she lets the hedgehogs think they are in with half a chance : , and has taken to batting them around a bit like she would a ball. This meant hers lasted nearly an hour this morning until the fun and the hedgehog had all gone!! As I said though, I reckon demolition times will decrease with familiarity! If I get her an anco root too, then she can have something with no calorie consequences for that really chewy time of the evening... Clare
Re: Anco Root Experiment I've ordered my anco root! I stuffed and froze a medium hedgehog. Stuffing was soaked kibble with water from a sardine tin. It lasted the about same time as a frozen medium kong - about 15 minutes. It lasted longer than an unstuffed, not frozen hedgehog, which last about 7 minutes here. Charlie loved it.
Re: Anco Root Experiment Thank you for the hedgehog info. If they can last 15 mins that would do. They usually chew for about 15 to 20 mins after breakfast, then we go for a short walk then back in their pen for about an hour before their big walk. I will order some to try. Thanks Jen
Re: Anco Root Experiment I've got visions of you all in lab coats with big stopwatches round your necks and a clipboard......nutters... ;D
Re: Anco Root Experiment [quote author=bbrown link=topic=4013.msg46727#msg46727 date=1389625535] I've got visions of you all in lab coats [/quote] Lab coats??! Barbara! That would be cruel... I don't wear fur!! ;D Clare
Re: Anco Root Experiment [quote author=ClareJ link=topic=4013.msg46729#msg46729 date=1389626009] [quote author=bbrown link=topic=4013.msg46727#msg46727 date=1389625535] I've got visions of you all in lab coats [/quote] Lab coats??! Barbara! That would be cruel... I don't wear fur!! ;D Clare [/quote] LOL !!!!!! ;D ;D ;D ;D
Re: Anco Root Experiment [quote author=ClareJ link=topic=4013.msg46729#msg46729 date=1389626009] Lab coats??! Barbara! That would be cruel... I don't wear fur!! ;D Clare [/quote]
