Nurtrition is Wolfried’s core concept. The word comes from two roots:

• “Nur” (German for only) — only what a dog truly needs, nothing unnecessary.

• “Nurturing” — supporting each individual dog with care, precision, and respect.

Renaissance Canine Nurtrition means reviving ancient traditions and combining them with evidence-based species-appropriate food and purposeful phytotherapy and mycotherapy only when needed. No filler, no fluff, just what matters.

A species-appropriate diet honors the biology of the dog in front of you, not the convenience of the industry or the hype of the moment.

At Wolfried, that means:

• Fresh, minimally processed food built around animal proteins, organs, and fats.

• Bone or natural calcium sources to support balance.

• No fillers, no grains, no guesswork.

We design protocols around what dogs are physiologically built to digest and thrive on — not around headlines or wishful thinking. A single study showing an interesting result doesn’t mean that ingredient belongs in every or any bowl. Too often, it’s people bending the data to fit a trend, not the science itself.

Traditional European phytotherapy has its roots in monastic medicine, where plants were catalogued and applied with precision for centuries. In the U.S., this tradition was largely abandoned — partly due to the historic rejection of medical gate-keeping, but also because access to many of the plants was simply not possible.

Today, those plants and knowledge are accessible — and the need is greater than ever in a market overflowing with vague “herbal blends” and no clear standards.

At Wolfried, we revive this tradition for dogs:

• Pharmacopoeia-grade herbs (coming soon)

• Precise dosing

• Applied only when needed, to support specific systems

If we suggest supplementation, we mainly draw from Traditional European Canine Phytotherapy. The reason is that TECP is backed by centuries of tradition and modern evidence. Moreover, it is geared towards short to mid-term use. With our approach, you don’t need to guess or, whenever possible, put your dog on a lifelong supplement regimen.

A better question might be, ‘How does Wolfried approach dogs’ health care?’

At Wolfried, we don’t believe in dogma, we believe in dogs.

Our motto is ‘Feed your dog, not dogma.’

Our foundation is always nutrition first: fresh, functional food tailored to the dog in front of us. Additionally, we incorporate phytotherapy (Traditional European herbal medicine) and mycotherapy (medicinal mushrooms), both of which are supported by evidence and tradition.

Wolfried does not diagnose, prescribe, or replace veterinary care. Our role is to support dogs through nutrition and natural medicine, not to treat disease.

That said, we also recognize that some situations require more than herbs or diet alone. In those cases, we will never leave an animal to suffer in the name of “purity.” After careful consideration, we may recommend that caregivers seek conventional interventions when they are the safest and most effective path forward.

We call this approach Wolfried’s Realistic Holistic™ Method: rooted in food, strengthened by plants and fungi, and responsibly open to conventional tools when the situation demands it.

Because genuine care isn’t about choosing sides, it’s about choosing what supports the dog best.

Wolfried was founded by Marie-Luise Smith, a Certified Professional Canine Nutritionist (CPCN) with advanced training in phyto- and mycotherapy, rooted in scientifically backed European monastic medicine.

Marie holds two science degrees and has worked in clinical research, medicine, and the pharmaceutical field. That experience shaped her ability to separate evidence from marketing and to see where both conventional and holistic approaches fall short.

She was raised in Berlin, Germany, where her father, Dr. med. Schilling, practiced medicine with humility and precision, always putting patients first — a standard that guides Wolfried today.

That’s why every Wolfried protocol is transparent: you’ll see the reasoning, the evidence, and why popular ideas don’t always hold up. The goal isn’t to follow trends or create photogenic bowls. The aim is simple: dogs that thrive.