How Blu & Lola Found Their Edge in the Show Ring

Their mojo returned. The shine, the strength, the confidence, it all came together. Blu and Lola didn’t just improve. They thrived. If you’ve ever wondered whether your dog’s food is really working hard enough, this story might be the nudge you need to explore a fresh, natural alternative.

Meet Blu and Lola, a stunning pair of Dalmatian littermates with a bond that runs deep. They play together in perfect rhythm, rest together side by side, and even lie in sync, mirroring each other without missing a beat. When Lola’s under the weather, Blu never leaves her side.

At home, they’re gentle, happy souls. Blu proudly brings a slipper to the door while Lola offers up a bone. Their personalities shine: Blu is a charismatic “gentle giant” who’s presence is head turning; he lights up the show ring. While Lola is a clever, sassy girl with a tender side and a growing confidence.

For Mark and Lisa, they’re family first. Shows are a bonus.

“The goal is always to enjoy the day together. Winning is lovely, but it’s not the point—it’s about creating memories with them,” Lisa says.

Though both dogs were weaned on raw food at their breeder’s, sourcing suitable options proved challenging when Lisa and Mark brought them home.

Mark and Lisa always understood how important a low-purine diet is for Dalmatians. With the breed’s unique metabolic needs, especially their tendency to form urinary crystals when purine levels are too high, they were careful to avoid ingredients like offal.

Throw into the mix Lola’s sensitivities to chicken.

“Lola’s eyes would go red with chicken wings and puffed chicken feet. As soon as we removed all chicken from her diet, the difference was clear.” Lisa recalls:

The challenge wasn’t knowledge—it was availability. Local suppliers made it difficult to consistently source high quality, chicken free, offal free raw meals, so they reluctantly switched to kibble.

It didn’t take long for the cracks to show:

• Year-round moulting left everything covered in hair.
• Lola developed red, irritated eyes after eating anything with chicken.
• Digestive discomfort became more frequent, with inconsistent stools.
• And something just didn’t feel right—their coats lost their softness, and their energy seemed muted.

If you suspect your dog may be struggling with allergies, our blog Allergies in Dogs is a great place to start.

If constant itching is a concern, uncover the most common causes (and what you can do about them) in How to Help an Itchy Dog.

It was during a conversation at Crufts that Lisa and Mark’s raw feeding journey reignited. Speaking with friends (and fellow Dalmatian enthusiasts), they heard about a solution that offered everything they were looking for: raw dog food from ProDog.

“We were told ProDog Raw offered a huge range of meals, including offal-free and chicken-free options, which is exactly what we needed. We placed an order and haven’t looked back.”

What stood out? The variety, the convenience, and the quality. They could customise the dogs’ diet with ease, no more compromising on ingredients. And with monthly subscriptions and doorstep delivery, feeding raw finally became sustainable for their lifestyle.

The transformation was swift and striking:

• Coats turned sleek, glossy, and soft.
• Eyes brightened.
• Energy levels shot up.
• Poos became small, firm, and easy to clean up.

Even minor issues had easy fixes. When Lola’s stools were initially too hard, a quick call with ProDog’s in-house nutritionist, Alison Frost, led to a simple solution: add raw egg. It worked immediately.

And the show results speak for themselves:

Lola qualified for Crufts 2026 and placed 3rd at a championship show—a huge milestone for a once-nervous girl.

Blu continued to impress, placing 1st twice and 2nd at major shows, earning yet another Crufts qualification for 2026.

Judges and fellow competitors remarked how their movement and condition stood out, even among international competition.

According to Alison Frost, Head Canine Nutritionist at ProDog Raw:

Life for Lisa, Mark, Blu, and Lola is full of fun, enriching home life, and the occasional glamorous ring appearance. Whether they’re trekking through Wales, Cornwall, or the Lakes, lounging in the garden, or heading to the next big show, raw feeding fits seamlessly into their rhythm.

And when it comes to natural tick and flea protection, they’ve made another vital switch. After Blu collapsed from a chemical spot-on treatment, they turned to ProDog’s natural parasite prevention—a decision rooted in both love and trust.

For Mark and Lisa, what started as a desire to do right by their dogs led to a complete transformation in health, happiness, and connection. They discovered the power of going from good enough to optimal—and they’ll never go back.

Discover the difference for yourself. Explore our full range of raw dog food bundles tailored to your dog’s needs.

New to raw feeding? Raw Dog Food for Beginners has everything you need to get started with confidence.