Studies show that large and giant breed puppies and adult dogs require a different nutritional balance than do medium and small dogs. A puppy whose adult weight is expected to exceed fifty pounds falls into the large breed category. Researchers agree that growing too quickly is not healthy for large breed puppies, because larger dogs need enough time to develop healthy and strong bones and bone structures. Large breed puppies also grow longer than smaller dogs. Excessive growth has been linked to developmental orthopedic disease in large breed dogs, including hip and elbow dysplasia. So it is important to select the best large breed dog food that contains the right amounts of nutrients for large breed dogs. Generally speaking, large breed dog food should contain less fat, calcium, phosphorus and vitamin D. The best large breed dog food brands should also offer the proper nutrients for adult large breed dogs, which also differ from the needs of smaller adult dogs.
Another important consideration in keeping large breed dogs healthy is how much they are being fed. Just because they are larger than most does not mean that they should be allowed to eat as much as they want, even as a puppy. Overeating will quicken growth and development and can lead to obesity, which is conducive to joint problems and could quicken the onset of developmental orthopedic diseases in growing puppies and adult dogs alike. The right large breed dog food will also help prevent bloat, which is a common condition in large breed dogs.
1. Best Large Dog Breed Food: Holistic Select Natural Dry Dog Food (Budget)
This large dog breed food for puppies promotes healthy growth and strong joints!
Nutrition: Holistic Select is one of the best large breed dog food brands around thanks to its unique digestive health support system. This large breed dog food combines prebiotics, probiotics, natural fibers, digestive enzymes and botanicals to facilitate digestion. It contains only natural ingredients and no fillers, meat byproducts, wheat or artificial flavors or colors. The company offers both large breed dog food for puppies and dogs over one year of age.
Cost: A thirty pound bag of large breed dog food for puppies costs $61.99, or $2.06 per pound. Smaller bags are also available for $14.99 (4 pound bag) and $40.99 (15 pound bag).
Why large dog breed owners like it: A lot of reviews for this large dog breed food praise it because it is easy to digest. Many reviewers say that their dogs (with sensitive stomachs) have no problem eating this food and have no digestive issues while on this diet. Others reported that dogs with skin problems greatly benefited from this large dog breed food brand.
Health and safety: This large dog breed food is made in the United States using only the finest natural ingredients. The company has a rigorous Quality Assurance program used to ensure that only healthy and safe dog food is produced and sold.
2. Best Large Breed Dog Food: BLUE Wilderness High Protein Grain Free Adult Dry Dog Food (Premium)
Packed with vitamins and real meat!
Nutrition: What makes this one of the best large breed dog food brands around is that it is made with real meat and is packed with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. It is also grain free and contains fruits and vegetables that add natural vitamins and minerals to dogs’ diets. It is high in protein (32% minimum) and low in fat (14% minimum), and comes in either salmon or chicken flavors. Its glucosamine and EPA contents promote healthy joints and are beneficial to overall mobility.
Cost: A 24 pound bag of Blue Wilderness salmon recipe for large breed dogs’ costs $53.99, or $2.25 per pound. The chicken recipe retails for $49.99 and the healthy weight chicken for $48.99. Smaller bags are also available for $16.99 (4.5 pound) and $28.99 (11 pound).
Why large dog breed owners like it: Every single review consulted in this study raved about how much dogs love this food. Many reviews commented on shinier coats, less shedding, healthier skin and more energy while dogs were on this diet. Most owners who feed this large breed dog food brand to their dogs are also happy about the ingredients and the fact that Blue Wilderness contains no byproducts, no fillers, and only 100% natural meat as its main ingredients – no artificial colors or flavors.
Health and safety: This large breed dog food brand uses only high quality real meat and natural ingredients. It is 100 percent grain free and contains no artificial preservatives or flavors, making it safe and healthy for dogs to consume and digest.
3. Best Large Breed Dog Food: Wellness Complete Health Natural Dry Large Breed Dog Food, Chicken & Rice, 30-Pound Bag (Budget)
This large breed dog food brand uses only all natural ingredients with no wheat, corn, soy, meat by-products, artificial flavors, colors or preservatives. The formula offers a complete and balanced nutrition that is engineered specifically for large and giant breeds of dogs. This large breed dog food also contains glucosamine and chondroitin to promote healthy joints and increased mobility, and probiotics for easy digestion. This dog food is high in protein (no less than 26%) and low in fat (no less than 12%), making it a good choice for dogs on a diet as well as those with a healthy weight. A thirty pound bag of the deboned chicken and brown rice recipe retails for $59.49 (or $1.98 a pound). Fifteen pound bags are also available for $34.99.
This large breed dog food is packed with natural ingredients and vitamins required by large dog breeds.
4. Best Large Breed Dog Food: Wellness CORE Natural Grain Free Dry Dog Food (Premium)
The Core large breed original formula dog food is grain free and contains only natural ingredients – no artificial preservatives, colors or flavors, and no byproducts. It is made in the United States and is specially made for large and giant dog breeds, containing higher levels of glucosamine and chondroitin to promote hip and joint health and ease of movement. The protein focused recipe (34% protein minimum) has 80 percent more chicken and turkey meats than is found in traditional grain based dog foods, and is also low in fat (16% minimum). A 26 pound bag retails for $67.99 or $2.62 per pound. Smaller bag sizes are also available for $15.49 (4 pound bag) and $37.99 (12 pound bag).
One of the best large breed dog food brands out there, packed with meat, protein and healthy, natural ingredients.
5. Best Large Breed Dog Food: Instinct Original Grain Free Recipe Natural Dry Dog Food by Nature’s Variety (Premium)
This large breed dog food brand uses only natural ingredients and USA raised beef as its first ingredient. It is high in protein (36% minimum) and low in fat (19% minimum) and contains no grains. 70 percent of its composition consists of animal ingredients and nutritious oils, and the remaining 30 percent is made up of vegetables, fruits and other wholesome ingredients including vitamins and minerals. This large breed dog food contains no byproducts, artificial colors or preservatives, making it a healthy and safe meal to feed dogs. A twenty pound bag retails for $59.99 or $2.84 per pound. Four pound bags ($22.99) and eleven pound bags ($39.99) are also available.
This all-natural large breed dog food contains 70 percent animal ingredients and oils and 30 percent fruits, vegetables, and other wholesome ingredients.
6. Best Large Breed Dog Food: NUTRO WHOLESOME ESSENTIALS Puppy Dry Dog Food (Budget)
Nutro’s large breed food dog brand Wholesome Essentials contains no artificial colors, flavors or preservatives. Its lamb recipe contains natural lamb meat and lamb meal which is a good source of glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate, which help dogs keep healthy hips and joints. Its all-natural formula contains added vitamins and minerals specially selected for large breed puppies less than one year of age. It supports healthy skin and coats as well as strong immune systems and healthy digestion. A thirty pound bag costs $46.90, or $1.50 per pound.
This large breed dog food is ideal for growing puppies and supports a strong immune system.
Criteria used in this study’s product selection
- Nutrition: Nutrition was the first criterion used by this study in selecting the best six large breed dog foods in this list. Because large breed dogs and puppies have special nutritional needs, only those dog foods that offered recipes specifically engineered to meet their requirements were selected. All of the large breed dog food brands in this list use natural, healthy ingredients and contain no artificial colors, flavors or preservatives.
- Effectiveness: This study consulted countless account testimonials, product reviews and customer satisfaction ratings to ascertain that these large breed dog foods were well received by customers and their dogs, and that they offered the nutrition and health benefits they advertised. The majority of reviews confirmed that these dog foods were either easily digested, helped with joint pain or arthritis, promoted healthy skin and coats and gave dogs more energy.
- Price efficiency: Each of the dog foods in this list were selected based on their nutritional value, health benefits and quality of ingredients. Large breed dog foods labeled as ‘premium’ were priced at $2.50 or more per pound.
How to choose and introduce the right dog food
- Consider your dog’s weight: Large breed dog food isn’t beneficial to small and medium sized breeds, and can, in fact, be detrimental to their growth and continued development. Speak with your veterinarian to establish what weight your puppy will plateau at once it is an adult and determine whether a large breed puppy food is appropriate. Dogs with a mature weight of 50 pounds or more are considered large breeds. If your large breed dog is overweight, consider buying a large breed dog food that is meant to help him or her shed pounds.
- Introduce new food over a period of several days: Changing your dog’s diet should not be a sudden occurrence. Dogs, just like humans, need time to adjust to new diets, ingredients, vitamins and minerals. Doing so too quickly can lead to vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain. Start by replacing about 25 percent of your dog’s usual food with the new dog food, mixing them well for the first 3 days. Add 50 percent new food on days 4 to 6 and 75 percent from days 7 to 9. If your dog responds well to these changes, he or she should be able to eat 100 percent of his or her new food on the tenth day.
Check out our article on 50 Household Items that Could Kill your Dog here. Be safe!
