So that is just 2 cups for the whole day? This is very similar to what we are currently doing. Thanks for your input. I agree that it seems like poodles self regulate quite well...unlike the labs I grew up with!
Poppy is crazy active so I have to feed her a food very high in protein, otherwise she eats a much larger volume of food each day, or she loses weight and is too skinny. I chose Purina Pro Plan Sport which is formulated for working dogs and sporting dogs. She is crazy about it and is very fit and with an amazing coat on this food.
As a puppy when Poppy was going through big growth spurts she would sometimes eat 3-4 cups per day and was still super skinny. As she matured her consumption slowed down to just about 2 cups per day. Of course, when she ate 3-4 cups while growing her " output " was much greater also. The Purina Sport guidelines for a 45 lb dog, which is Poppy's size is 2 to 2 1/2 cups per day. She just poops twice a day, once in the morning about an hour after getting up, then once in the evening, about 6:30-7 PM. Free feeding does not make her have to go out any more often than scheduled feeding.
I measure out 2 cups every morning and by measuring I get a good idea of whether she is eating normally or if she is "off her food". It is rare, but occasionally she runs out of food in the evening so I add a bit to her bowl. Quite often the food also "disappears" during the night....so she needs a little snack at night sometimes.
I grew up with beagles....if you free feed beagles they would explode...or their feet would never be able to touch the ground...they just hoover everything in sight. I sure like the free feeding poodle appetite better.