I just love large breed dogs. So when I got my two adorable little labrador pups, Max and Jessie, I wanted to get them the best possible food for their wellbeing. Do you have a large breed puppy? If you do, you want to make sure you give your puppy the best large breed puppy food to support their healthy growth.
Different breeds have different nutritional needs. My labrador puppies, for example, are prone to skeletal growth problems. Many large breed dogs are. To avoid these health issues, you want to make sure that you meet their nutritional requirements
The best way to avoid health problems in your puppy’s future is to support healthy growth from the start.
In this article, I will help you choose the best food for your large breed puppy.
Let’s dive right in.
Best large breed puppy food 2017 – Top 10
It can be confusing and overwhelming when you start looking for the best food for your fluffy bundle of joy. There are hundreds of brands out there.
That is why I have made a list of the best large breed puppy foods for 2017. I spent hours searching and comparing different brands to bring you my top ten choices that you can buy now.
Product | Brand | Recipe | Main Ingredients | Features | Type |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Castor and Pollux Organix Puppy Recipe | Castor & Pollux | Puppy Recipe | Organic Chicken, Brown Rice and Flaxseed | Certified Organic | Dry |
Castor & Pollux Natural Pet Foods Organic Grain Free Small Breed Recipe | Castor & Pollux | Organic Grain Free Small Breed Recipe | Organic Chicken and Peas | Certified Organic and Grain Free | Dry |
Holistic Select Large and Giant Breed Puppy Health Lamb and Oatmeal Recipe | Holistic Select | Large and Giant Breed Puppy Health Lamb and Oatmeal Recipe | Lamb Meal, Ground Brown and White Rice | Dry | |
Wellness Complete Health Large Breed Puppy Deboned Chicken, Brown Rice and Salmon Meal Recipe | Wellness | Large Breed Complete Health Puppy Recipe | Deboned Chicken, Whitefish and chicken meal | Dry | |
Taste of the Wild Pacific Stream Puppy Formula Smoked Salmon | Taste of the Wild | Pacific Steam Dry Dog Food For Puppy | Salmon, Ocean Fish Meal and Sweetpotatoes | Dry | |
Eagle Pack Large & Giant Breed Puppy | Eagle Pack | Natural Pet Food, Large and Giant Breed Puppy Formula | Lamb Meal, Ground Brown and White Rice | Dry | |
Natural Balance Large Breed Puppy Limited Ingredients Lamb and Brown Rice | Natural Balance | Limited Ingredient Diets Large Breed Puppy & Adult | Lamb Meal, Ground Brown and White Rice | Dry | |
Canidae Life Stages Large Breed Puppy Duck Meal, Brown Rice & Lentils Formula | Canidae | Life Stages Large Breed Puppy | Duck Meal, Brown Rice and Lentils | Dry | |
Blue Buffalo Wilderness High Protein Dry Large Breed Puppy Food Chicken | Blue Wilderness | High Protein Grain Free Puppy Large Breed | Chicken | Yes | Dry |
Merrick Grain Free Puppy Recipe Debonened Chicken, Potatoes, Peas and Sweet Potatoes | Merrick | Grain Free Real Duck and Sweet Potatoe Recipe | Duck and Sweet Potatoe | Yes | Dry |
What did not make our list:
Merrick Grain Free Puppy Plate
My puppy loved this food. I used it when I first started to introduce solid foods and it worked well. In fact it is a very good puppy food. It has an awesome protein source from Deboned Turkey and Chicken Broth, Chicken, Duck and Peas.
The best part is if you open the food it is not a disgusting mush, you can actually see the real pieces of food. It mush be delicious too, because most pups just goes wild for it. So why did I leave it off of my list of best large breed puppy foods?
Sadly my reason for taking my puppy off this gourmet was my budget. Large breed puppies do eat a lot, also my puppy was ready to transition to kibble and we discovered a better product.
So that is why Merric Grain Free Puppy Plate did not make it onto my list of top 10 large breed puppy foods list. But hey, if your budget is not a problem, this really is a great nutritious choice.
Diamond Pet Foods Naturals Large Breed Puppy
To be honest, I have read to many negative things about Diamond pet food to trust this brand. But I can not say I have tried it myself, so I could be wrong about this one.
While it seems to have a good enough nutritional balance, it just did not score well enough to make it to my list of Top Ten Large Breed Puppy Foods. But read on because some other great products are on the list.
While Merrick’s Puppy Plate is fantastic for a young puppy just starting solid foods, it does get pricey. The good thing is that your puppy does not take long to be ready to transition to solid food and Merrick has a fantastic Grain-Free Dry Puppy Food. You will find out more about that below in our top ten best large breed puppy food reviews.
Our Top Pick for Best Dog Food for German Shepherd 2017
I spent hours examining all the different large breed puppy foods available on the market. I compared nutritional content, protein sources and the pros and cons of each one. All the products on our Top 10 List of Large Breed Puppy Foods are very good and deserve their spot.
In the end, there was one that stood out above all the others and that is Castor and Pollux Large Breed Puppy FoodThis product not only meets the basic criteria for a good large breed puppy food, it goes over and beyond.
This recipe’s superior ingredients, all organically sourced makes it stand out above all the rest. No other product on our list can claim their ingredients are organically sourced. Not only that but it boasts significantly higher quantities, and more of all the essential vitamins and minerals that a growing puppy needs.
For these reasons Castor and Pollux Dog Food is our top choice for the Best Large Breed Puppy Food for 2017.
Analysis & Review
Best Large Breed Puppy Food #1: ROYAL CANIN BREED HEALTH NUTRITION German Shepherd Puppy dry dog food
Castor and Polluxprepare this organically certified recipe with the best ingredients your puppy could want. No more stress about the presence of pesticides or genetically modified ingredients.
It packs a whopping 26% crude protein from certified organic whole chicken. The carbs in this recipe come from healthy sources, predominantly from Millet and peas, which are also a good source of fibre.
The recipe has a good calcium phosphorous balance and healthy amounts of Iron, Zinc, Ameno Acid Complex, Vitamin D, Riboflavin and Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids for your puppy’s healthy development.
My puppy just loves the taste and the best part is that it actually smells good when you open the bag.
Conclusion:
Castor and Pollux Organix Puppy Recipe deserves a spot on out list of top ten large breed puppy foods for a product that is well balanced for your puppy’s optimal development. All the ingredients are certified organic which adds to the superior quality of the ingredients. An all round excellent product with value for money.
- Certified Organic Ingredients
- No GMO’s
- Excellent whole source of protein
- Good Quality carbohydrates from Organic Peas, Barley and Brown Rice
- Not suitable for puppy’s allergic to fish or eggs
- Contains brewers yeast – a possible allergen for some puppies
Best Large Breed Puppy Food #2: Wellness Complete Health Large Breed Puppy
Wellness is such a great name! It just reminds you of what you want for your puppy as he grows. And with large breeds growing so rapidly at a young age, you want a well-balanced mix of nutrition.
That is why I love Wellness Complete HealthThey have made an excellent product. The correct calcium phosphorus level ensures you get the optimal balance for your rapidly growing puppy.
The main ingredients in Wellness Complete Health Puppy are Deboned Chicken, Brown Rice, and Salmon Meal. I like a whole protein as the main ingredient. With meal proteins, I get a little worried sometimes, just because you never know what else could be in there.
I like the variety of fruit and veg that are included in this mix. The other plus point for me is that it contains chicory root. Chicory root has a lot of insulin which is a natural source of soluble dietary fiber. It also acts as a prebiotic to keep your puppy’s digestive tract healthy.
Conclusion:
The reason Wellness Complete Health makes my list of top ten large breeds puppy foods is for it’s generous inclusion of chelated minerals. These are minerals that are attached to proteins, which makes it easier for your puppy to absorb. It is no good feeding your puppy stacks of minerals when nothing gets absorbed. So look out for chelated minerals in your best large breed puppy food.
- Precise calcium phosphorus ratio
- Includes variety of fruit and veg
- Includes a herb blend for essential vitamins and Minerals
- Contains garlic powder
Best Large Breed Puppy Food #3: Holistic Select Large and Giant Breed Puppy
I must admit here, that the first time I bought Holistic Select’s food, I did so solely based on the packaging. I just love the little puppy shining like an angel in the middle of the green lotus. The bag serves as a good reminder that our goal is a Happy Healthy Puppy. That is kind of a great intention to hold when you feed your little one.
Once I had my bag of Holistic Select at home, of course, I read the label. As it turned out, I had not made a wrong choice. “Puppy Health” was exactly what I needed for little Jessie’s sensitive digestive system. There had been more than one occasion where other foods just made her sick. Too much of something and she would just not be able to hold it in.
I slowly transitioned Jessie over to this food over a period of seven days to give her time to adjust. We were both happier for it. Her tummy problems were gone, and my cleaning vomit after meals was over. Yay, happy puppy, happy owner.
Turns out “Puppy Health” is packed with all kinds of goodness. These guys packed a variety of ingredients into this one. The main ingredients are lamb meal, ground brown and white rice and chicken Meal. Holistic Select is rather different here compared to many other brands. The amount of protein that comes from the main ingredients is relatively lower. Instead, there is a variety of plant-based protein from quinoa, flax seed, dry anchovy and sardine, chicken fat and the list goes on.
A myriad of other superfoods, herbs, vegetables, fruits and oils contribute to the food’s extra good stuff. These include Vitamins, Omega Fatty acids, Beta-Carotene, DHA, Taurine, and probiotics.
Conclusion:
If you have a puppy with a sensitive digestive tract, I would recommend this as the best large breed puppy food. It is an all round good nutritious large breed puppy food.
- It is great if your puppy has sensitive digestion
- Includes superfoods that are rich in antioxidants
- Includes active probiotics for your puppies digestive health.
- A substantial amount of protein in this mix is from plant based material
Best Large Breed Puppy Food #4: Castor & Pollux Natural Pet Foods
Yes, Yes I know it is a Small Breed Recipe. But I had to put it on my list. I just love this brand so much for they certified organic ingredients.
In truth, I would buy good quality organic products over other products anyway. My reason being that I can sleep well knowing that my puppy is not eating something with chemical pesticide residue from sprayed ingredients. There is no hormones or antibiotics from treated livestock products either.
Did I mention that Castor & Pollux Organix are free of GMO’s?
Well, they are. If you have not tried it yet, give it a go. The healthy natural ingredients may just be the difference your dog needs.
Conclusion:
Castor and Pollux make Excellent Quality Organic Pet Food for Large Breeds, Small Breeds, and even Cats! With a wide range to choose from available in wet and dry, Castor & Pollux Organics is Super no matter what the size of your dog!
- Certified Organic Ingredients
- No GMO’s
- Excellent whole source of protein
- Good Quality carbohydrates from Organic Peas, Barley and Brown Rice
- Not suitable for puppy’s allergic to fish or eggs
- Not specifically designed for large breed puppies
Best Large Breed Puppy Food #5: Eagle Pack Large & Giant Breed Puppy
Eagle has been around for over 25 years, so they must be getting something right! This lovely recipe contains no corn, wheat, meat by-products or artificial color or artificial flavorings.
The recipe has a good balance of all the essentials and DHA for healthy brain and eye development. All good reasons to make it onto my list of top 10 large breed puppy foods.
This particular mix is for the really big breeds: adult weight over 50lbs. So if your puppy is on the smaller scale of large breeds, this may not be the right choice for your puppy.
I like the name Eagle Pack; the “Pack” part serves to remind me of the nature of my puppy. Your puppy and your family are your pack! Every healthy young pup needs a pack to complete his education and give him loving support as he grows. Good nutrition is not the only thing that counts.
The biggest drawback for me about this particular product is the poor red packaging. I just don’t like the color; it looks too bloody to me. But hey, it is the inside that counts! And that is where your puppy’s nutrition is from. He is not going to be eating the packaging we hope!
Conclusion:
While meeting all the nutritional requirements for a growing pup and then some. Eagle’s long-standing reputation and excellent feedback over the years from loyal customers are the reasons why it makes it to our top 10 best puppy foods list.
- Dual protein source
- Includes variety of fruit and veg
- Contains chelated proteins
- Not optimal if your large breed has an expected maturity weight under 50lbs
- Contains brewers dried yeast
Best Large Breed Puppy Food #6: Natural Balance Large Breed Puppy Limited Ingredients
Natural Balance has been around for more than twenty years. They are serious about their customers, so each batch is tested and results posted online for clients to scrutinize
Natural Balance is a high-quality brand, and they don’t compromise on quality. While maintaining the high quality, Natural balance is relatively lower in price compared to similar foods.
The only downside to Natural Balance’s large breed puppy recipe is the lack of whole meat as a source of protein.
The limited ingredients make it ideal for your puppy if he is prone to food sensitivities or allergies. The main ingredients in the recipe are lamb meal and brown rice. Brown rice is my top choice when looking for a filler as it has extraordinary nutritional qualities compared to white rice and other conventional fillers.
Conclusion:
For its good quality, affordability, and well-balanced composition, it deserves a spot on our top ten list of large breed puppy food.
- Well balanced nutritional content
- Affordable compared to similar brands
- Great for puppies with food sensitivities or allergies
- No whole sourced protein
- Contains canola oil
Best Large Breed Puppy Food #7: Merrick Grain Free Puppy Recipe
With its very high protein content, you can’t go wrong if your puppy likes Merricks Puppy REcide. The recipe is packed full of fresh produce to ensure a healthy dose of vitamins and minerals. The Omega 3 and 6 Oils in the mix are beneficial fats and contribute to your puppy’s healthy coat and healthy hart.
I like the added sweet potatoes and peas as a quality source of carbohydrates compared to some other fillers.
The great protein in this mix comes from poultry and fish. The rest is packed with fresh produce, vitamins and minerals.
The one downside about this product is that it contains potato protein, which can be a controversial ingredient.
Conclusion:
Merck’s Puppy Recipe is an all round well balanced food and deserves a spot on my top 10 list of Large Breed Puppy Foods.
- Whole source of protein
- Quality source of carbohydrates
- Includes essential fatty acids
- Contains potatoes protein
- Can cause irritation if your puppy is allergic to fish
Best Large Breed Puppy Food #8: Canidae Life Stages Large Breed Puppy Duck Meal
Pronouncing the name of this brand can be baffling. But when it comes to choosing the best large breed puppy food you can not go wrong with choosing Canidae Life Stages Duck Meal, Brown Rica and Lentils formula.
It is specially designed for your rapidly growing puppy. It provides higher protein and omega three fatty acids that most of its competitors while having less fat.
The Duck meal in this product is an excellent source of protein and has the added benefit of providing Carnite. Carnite is important to your puppy as it acts as a vehicle to transport essential fatty acids for cellular energy production. A lack of Carnite in your puppy’s diet can lead to heart disease. A good amount of Carnite ensures that the heart and skeletal muscles will be healthy.
As I have never fed my own dog Canidae, I searched to see what other customers had to say. Six customers reported severe diarrhea from this formula. However, I think these cases are the exception rather than the rule and are most probably due to to a specific ingredient that some dogs are sensitive too.
Out of 15000 reviews, 75% were 5-star, 11% of customers gave it a 4-star rating and only six customers had problems with their puppy getting dire. That is less than 0.5%.
Conclusion:
With a 99.5% satisfaction rate by more than 1500 customers, I think it is safe to say they must be doing something right. So Canidae deserves a spot on our list of top ten large breed puppy foods.
- High quality protein content
- Duck meal is a good source of carnite for healthy hart and skeletal muscle development.
- Good quality carbohydrates and low in fat
- Can cause diahrea in some puppies
- The price has recently increased
Best Large Breed Puppy Food #9: Blue Buffalo Wilderness High Protein Dry Large Breed Puppy Food Chicken
So many people are happy with their puppy on this food and get good results. It is also very affordable for a quality puppy food.
A high energy food specifically designed for large breed puppies. I love the fact that the protein comes from whole chicken and that there are no meat by-products in it.
It is probably not a great choice if your puppy is not very active.
Conclusion:
This grain free product has no corn, wheat or soy which may cause allergies; there are no artificial colors or preservatives in it either. So, a pretty healthy, well-balanced choice for our top ten large breed puppy foods list.
- Dual source of protein from whole sources
- Grain Free
- Good Customer Service
- Includes healthy fruit and veg
- Not great if your puppy is not very active
Best Large Breed Puppy Food #10: Taste of the Wild Pacific Stream Puppy Formula Smoked Salmon
This puppy blend has a whopping 27% protein and includes, Prebiotic fiber and K9 strain probiotics. It is rich in Antioxidants and DHA. The main ingredient is Salmon and most puppies just love the taste.
This is a lovely grain free recipe for your pup that I can recommend. It also has a nice variety of fruit and veg to ensure an excellent rich antioxidant level to support healthy growth.
Not an excellent choice for your puppy if he is allergic or sensitive to fish.
Conclusion:
Pacific Stream Puppy is a good quality well balanced large breed puppy food that deserves a spot on our list. If you think your puppy might like the taste of the wild, then this is probably the right choice for you.
- Dual source of protein from whole sources
- Grain Free
- Good Customer Service
- Not suitable if your puppy is allergic to fish
- Salmon is a scarce resource
Final Words – Wrapping it up
Finding the best food for you large breed puppy can be fun. If you know what your puppy’s needs are. I hope by reading this guide, you are armed with enough information to feed your puppy correctly. Let’s keep those cute little tails wagging joyfully!
Did you enjoy this article? Let me know what you think and share with your friends who may find this useful.