What Is The Best Dog Food For Large Breeds?

Choosing a healthy, nutritional dog food for any breed size can become a daunting task. With so many different dog food brands on the market today all claiming to be the best, choosing one for your large breed pet may become a stressful experience. So, what is the best dog food for large breeds?

In this article, I will look at what defines a large breed dog, what they need nutritionally, and offer a few recommendations to consider when choosing a food for your large breed dog. I hope to eliminate some of the confusion for you and hopefully direct you to a wholesome diet for your large breed buddy.

Characteristics Of Large Breed Dogs

Before we get into some of the best dog food for large breeds, I think it is important that we look at some charcteristics associated with these animals. Although all breeds of dogs are different there are a few common characteristics associated with the large breed. Let’s take a look at a few of these now:

• Weigh in the neighborhood of 50 to 80 pounds
• They use less energy than the smaller breeds
• They burn off fewer calories than the small breed dogs (Varies with activity level)
• They tend to obtain hip and joint issues as adults (Obesity can play a major role)
• They grow much faster (puppy to adulthood) than smaller breeds
• Nutritional needs are different from smaller breeds

Although not entirely inclusive, these are just a few of characteristics you will usually find within the large breed dogs. More of the common large breed dogs are Boxers, German Shepherds, Collies, Golden Retriever, Labrador Retriever, and the Siberian Husky.

Nutritional Needs Of The Large Breed Puppy

Nothing sweeter in this world than a brand new puppy! The innocence, puppy breath, chasing down a ball in the living room, all precious. With that said, it is important to understand that all puppies are not created equal, especially when it comes down to nutrition.

When you look at the characteristics of large breed dogs as mentioned above, you can quickly see the relationship between these characteristics and their nutritional needs. Large breed puppies, to ensure optimal health moving forward will require a specific source of nutrition. Here are a few items to consider when considering these nutritional needs for the large breed puppy:

• Calories  – Be careful with the calories your pup is consuming! Excessive amount of calories in your puppy’s diet can actually increase its physical development too rapidly. This, in turn, may lead to problems associated with hips and joints down the road as the skeletal structure has not yet have time to fully form.

• Protein – There has been some debate over the years in regards to protein in your large breed puppy. Although protein is an important ingredient to your dog’s diet, many argue that too much protein can lead to health issues. Protein supplies energy to our dogs but can also add to enhance an unwanted growth rate.

• Calcium – Vital for strong bones, but too much calcium can also be detrimental to your pup.Your young pup does not have the ability to regulate the calcium intake which is absorbed from the intestinal tract. As a result, too much calcium can have adverse effects on the bones and joints.

These ingredients are all essential to the health and well-being of our large breed pups. What is important to understand is that these ingredients, used in excessive amounts, may lead to major health concerns. Large breed pups need a well-balanced diet and one that contains healthy, fresh ingredients.

Make sure to read the labels on pet foods to determine if the ingredients contained within the recipe will be beneficial to your pup. Don’t overfeed, as this may also lead to issues within the musculoskeletal system. Puppies grow up quickly, especially those in the large breed category, so it is important that we monitor this growth and allow our pups to mature naturally.

Large Breed Puppy Food … Some Recommendations

Keeping your large breed puppy healthy by supplying a healthy, nutritious diet is essential to their development. Keeping the characteristics and nutritional needs in mind as mentioned above, I will give you a few choices to consider that I would highly recommend. All of these are manufactured with the large breed puppy in mind. Click on the images below to get your pup started on a healthy, nutritious diet:

1.) Hill’s Science Diet For Large Breed Puppy

• Hill’s Science Diet Puppy Large Breed Chicken Meal & Oats Recipe dry dog food is recommended for large breed puppies up to 1-year-old that will be over 55 lbs when fully grown
• Contains optimal levels of calcium for controlled bone growth in large breed puppies
• Natural sources of glucosamine and chondroitin for strong muscles and joints
• Supports a healthy immune system with a clinically proven blend of antioxidants with vitamins C and E. Made with natural, high quality, easy-to-digest ingredients plus vitamins, minerals and amino acids with no artificial colors, flavors or preservatives for a flavorful, nutritious meal.

2.) Wellness Complete Health Natural For Puppy

• Complete Health: complete and balanced everyday nutrition for your large breed puppy.
• Large Breed Puppy Formula: Larger kibble size, made with delicious deboned chicken with regulated calories and added DHA for healthy bone, brain and eye development.
• All Natural: Contains only premium, all natural ingredients with no wheat, corn, soy, meat by-products, artificial flavors, colors or preservatives.

3.) Diamond Naturals Large Breed Puppy

• High quality protein made with real pasture raised lamb; for a growing large breed puppy with optimal amino acid profile for lean, strong muscles
• For pregnant or nursing adult dogs, we recommend free-choice feeding, natural food with added vitamins & minerals; superfoods for antioxidants; fatty acids for skin & coat; guaranteed levels of glucosamine & chondroitin
• A smaller kibble, nutrient rich & highly digestible with proprietary probiotics at guaranteed levels; natural DHA for brain & vision
• Family Owned & run, made in the USA choosing ingredients from trusted, sustainable sources around the world.
• NO corn, wheat, filler; No artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives; Made with the most scientifically advanced food safety protocols.

Large Breed Food For The Adult

Okay, you have prepared your puppy for adulthood by selecting and using a quality product. You have watched your pup grow like a weed as she/he has now reached adulthood and has grown out of the puppy formula. What next? Well, there are a few things to consider when transitioning from puppy to an adult diet.

• Once again, be aware of the calories within the formula. As mentioned earlier, large breed dogs are proned to joint and hip issues, especially those who are obese
• Supplements such as glucosamine are beneficial to avoid and prevent joint disease  (Osteoarthritis)
• A healthy source of protein is important to the dog’s diet
• As your dog reaches adulthood, its energy level is important to monitor. Active, working dogs will require more protein and calories than less active dogs

Let’s now take a look at a few brands that would be suitable and healthy for the adult large breed pooch. Click on the images below to view these healthy, quality recipes.

1.) Diamond Naturals Adult Real Meat Recipe

• High quality protein made with real cage free chicken; tailored for a large breed dog with optimal amino acid profile for lean, strong muscles
• Natural food with added vitamins & minerals; superfoods for antioxidants; fatty acids for skin & coat; guaranteed levels of glucosamine & chondroitin
• Nutrient rich and highly digestible with proprietary probiotics that survive and thrive in the GI tract; at guaranteed levels
• family owned & run, made in the USA choosing ingredients from trusted, sustainable sources around the world.
• No corn, wheat, filler; no artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives; Made with the most scientifically advanced food safety protocols

2.) Holistic Select Natural

• Unique digestive health support: Formulated with a unique digestive health support system, focused around prebiotics, probiotics, natural fibers, digestive enzymes & botanicals
• Large & Giant Breed Formula: A larger kibble, everyday complete & balanced diet made with premium ingredients like real chicken to meet the special needs of larger dogs
• All Natural: Contains only premium, all natural ingredients with no meat by-products, wheat, wheat-gluten or artificial colors, flavors or fillers.
• Made In USA: Backed by the Holistic Select Guarantee and proudly made only in the USA.

3.) Wellness Complete Health Natural 

• Complete Health: complete and balanced everyday nutrition for your large breed dog.
• Large Breed Formula: Larger kibble size, made with delicious deboned chicken with regulated calories for healthy growth and added glucosamine and chondroitin for healthy hips and joints.
• All Natural: Contains only premium, all natural ingredients with no wheat, corn, soy, meat by-products, artificial flavors, colors or preservatives.
• MADE In USA: Backed by the Wellness Guarantee and proudly made only in the USA.

What Is The Best Dog Food For Large Breeds?   A Summary

I certainly hope this article has provided you with information and is helpful in your search for a quality food. You now have a good idea what to look for in a large breed dog food and what to avoid. Like us, our dogs are unique and have special needs when it comes to their diet.

Although you can find a number of dog food products that are intended for “all life stages,” I would suggest that you find one that is directed to a specific stage in your dog’s life. As mentioned above, you know have access to three different brands that are produced with the puppy and adult life stages. All six are great products!

What is the best dog food for large breeds? I hope you now have an answer to this question and have removed any guesswork on your part. Make it a practice to read the labels to determine which ingredients would be beneficial to your large friend. Look for healthy, natural ingredients to ensure your pooch lives a long, happy life!