Switch food or just stay with what works? From Wellness to Fromm.

[Gracie, Jade, & Barkley]

Currently I have Gracie on Wellness puppy. She is doing very well on it.
At the facility that I'm training her at, they have Canidae and Fromm foods (not associated with the trainer, she is just using the facilities).

I've been looking at the Fromm and there doesn't seem to be much difference in the guaranteed analysis, but there are differences in the ingredients.
The wellness brand includes fruit in the ingredients and I did not see that in the Fromm.
However, the Fromm is a family owned company and Wellness is contracted to be made in the Diamond factories (the same as Canidae). Even though these foods are on the recommended list the manufacturing concerns me a little.
The Fromm also comes in a bit bigger bag (3 extra pounds) - and the calorie content is a bit higher. The price that I was quoted is cheaper than what I can get the wellness for. So, technically it comes out ahead in cost savings.
I have to order the Wellness and I try to find the best price. But what has worked so far was that pet smart runs these coupons that if you order online you save $ and can either have it shipped or pick up at the store. I just have to catch the coupons. ;) Since the Fromm is at a local place, I would have to go pick it up.

So, with that said, do I switch or not? Or do I wait until I make the switch to adult dog food?
Gracie is 6 months old and has been on the Wellness almost from the start. One thing when I was researching the things people kept referring to was that there wasn't enough protein, but the counts are the same. 26%
She is supplemented through training goodies which include meat, homemade treats, and zukes minis. Plus, I give her veggies and fruits that are dog approved.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

You didn't mention any formulas, just brands, which makes it kind of hard to advise you. There are dozens of different formulas in every brand, and the ingredients and nutrient profile are very different from one to another. I'm guessing you're feeding Wellness Complete Health Puppy and you're considering switching to Fromm Gold Puppy? 

Wellness makes their Core line, which is grain-free, higher in protein and calories and you would feed less than you currently do. So there's no need to switch brands for those reasons either.

It's my understanding that Wellness is no longer using Diamond for any of their manufacturing. I might be wrong, but I'm feeding Wellness, which I think says something about my confidence in their products. I would not switch at this point for that reason. Yes, Fromm is family owned, but they still contract their manufacturing out; very few companies have their own manufacturing plant, which is one more reason to love Champion (Orijen and Acana) because they do. :)

I'm puzzled about your not being able to find Wellness products locally. All of the bigger chain stores carry it, including Petsmart and Petco. Perhaps it's certain formulas they don't carry? 

Regarding cost, I wouldn't switch foods to save a few dollars when a puppy is doing well if staying with the current food is not a hardship. And even though Fromm may come in a bigger bag, you should never buy more than your dog can eat in a month unless you can freeze some of it. 

Honestly, with so many doodle puppies (and dogs) having stomach issues, if she's doing well, I really wouldn't rock the boat right now. She'll be ready for adult food in another few months and you can make the switch to another brand then if you want.

[Gracie, Jade, & Barkley]

I did read that Fromm's dry dog food is manufactured in Wisconsin at their own plant. But, that their grain free treats are made at a partner plant in Wisconsin and that the canned food is made in South Dakota.

I can go to pet smart, petco, and a few other stores which is an hours drive. I have the food delivered or do an in-store pick up via ordering online as it is almost always cheaper than just stopping in at petsmart and picking up stuff. They run online coupons all of the time, but it seems they rotate the savings.
Tsc carries Wellness which is closer, but they only carry the small bags of puppy food - which she would eat through in no time.
I think she gets 2 cups/ day divided in the morning and the afternoon. So, I don't know how much less I could feed her. I also think that since she is doing well with wholesome grains, I don't need to put her on a grain free diet. I feed her the large breed puppy formula - although I've read that I don't have to, I liked the ingredients of extra fish that is included in the large breed puppy formula and it is listed as the second ingredient. More protein sources less problems, right?
I like to support locally rather than the big box stores when I can. So, that is another reason I was thinking of switching.
It was a toss up as far as the costs, and not really much of a savings - but every bit helps as I'm getting ready to send my own human baby to college and the price of that is an outrage!
Anyway, thanks for the input. I probably won't switch her now. I might when she is an adult though. I guess I will have to wait and see.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I stand corrected. I didn't realize that Fromm has their own manufacturing facilities. That's excellent. 

I also like to support small privately owned local stores, so I understand that completely. 

Depending on how large Gracie is expected to be as an adult, she's most likely going to complete her skeletal growth in the next 2 to 4 months, at which point you can switch her to an adult or ALS formula. Fromm's Four Star line has a dozen different formulas, designed to be rotated from bag to bag, and would be an excellent choice.