Best Large Breed Puppy Food

Looking For The Best Large Breed Puppy Food? Then You’ve Come To The Right Place!

We Have Reviewed All The Top Options. To Help You Make The Best Choice For Your New Furry Friend.

Puppies of all breeds require good, nutritious food in order to grow big and strong.

But large breed puppies often need more food and/or specific nutrient requirements to ensure that they grow into those big ole’ paws!

After all, large breed puppies tend to grow for a good bit longer than small breed puppies.

There’s simply more body mass to fill out and develop than on a smaller dog.

In this article, you’ll learn about various types of puppy food that’s specific to large breeds.

Including dry, wet, organic, grain-free, limited-ingredient, and high-quality formulations.

All of these products were carefully and independently selected by the Labrador Site team. If you decide to make a purchase from one of the links marked by an asterisk, we may earn a small commission on that sale. This is at no extra cost to you.

Top Puppy Foods For Large Breeds

In a hurry? Check out some of our top choices of the best large breed puppy food brands right here:

	BEST LARGE BREED PUPPY FOOD	BENEFITS	OUR RATING
(paid link)	Orijen(paid link)	Biologically Appropriate Grain Free Large Breed Puppy Kibble
(paid link)	Purina Pro Plan(paid link)	High Quality Protein DHA, Vitamins and Minerals Large Breed Puppy Kibble
(paid link)	Hill's Science Diet (paid link)	High Quality, Easy To Digest Natural, Ingredients, Large Breed Puppy Kibble
(paid link)	Fromm (paid link)	High Quality Ingredients Large Breed Puppy Kibble
(paid link)	Iams (paid link)	Real Chicken As Main Ingredient DHA, No Wheat Or Fillers Large Breed Puppy Kibble

We will look at these and more in detail in the article below.

Large vs small breed puppy food

Large breed puppies tend to have a slower growth rate than their medium-, small-, and toy-sized counterparts.

(Check out our puppy growth chart across breeds here and our Labrador growth chart here.)

In a 2004 study published in the Journal of Nutrition, of the toy, small, and medium dog breeds that participated in the study, 99% reached their adult weight at 9 to 10 months old.

While the large and giant dog breeds didn’t reach their adult weight until somewhere between 11 and 15 months of age, sometimes longer!

What all of this means is, it takes large puppy breeds a good bit longer to reach their mature height and weight than it does for smaller dogs.

Although a two-month-old Labrador will obviously be much bigger than a Beagle of the same age.

With an increased growth period comes a prolonged need for the nutrients necessary to keep making leaps and bounds on the height and weight chart.

And, since exponential growth occurs in dogs of all sizes from birth through five months of age, it’s vitally important that they get quality food that’s suitable for their energy requirements.

But not in excess such that the effects are detrimental.

Puppy Growth and Feeding

Puppies aged four to 14 + weeks need a minimum of 9.7 grams to 12.5 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight per day.

However, too much protein can throw off your puppy’s calcium and phosphorous levels, which may lead to bone deformations.

Additionally, large breed puppies should not be allowed to grow up too quickly. Which a high fat diet would allow him to do.

This accelerated growth rate from fat consumption could surpass his bone growth, putting him at risk further for developing skeletal issues.

So to summarize our previous points: the larger your dog is, the more protein but less fat that he needs to reach his peak stature…

This is where the best large breed puppy food can be of assistance.

Is large breed puppy dog food necessary?

Large breed puppy food reviews are varied.

Premium foods such as breed-specific or size-specific ones may differ from other similar foods in a number of ways.

They lack ingredients that tend to aggravate a certain breed (such as zinc causing dermatitis in Huskies).

An increased amount of the vitamins or minerals that help to maintain the breed based on optimal health requirements.

They have less of the ingredients that aren’t needed and/or that which could be too much of a good thing for some puppies.

Such as fattening or filler ingredients for Labs, who easily gain weight and are predisposed to hip dysplasia.

(There’s some great information about breed-specific dog food formulations in this patent.)

At the very least, breed- or size-specific puppy food may simply be kibble that’s more appropriately sized for the intended puppy.

For example, a large breed puppy may find larger kibble easier to eat than the small kibble that’s intended for smaller mouths.

All commercially produced pet food must meet specific rules and regulations as defined by the Food and Drug Administration in order to be sold.

Furthermore, any food that’s intended for puppies must meet the Association of American Feed Control Official’s (AAFCO) profile for growth and reproduction.

Therefore, your puppy could be getting a certain amount of the nutrients that he needs from any puppy-formulated food. Assuming he’s fed the amount that’s advised for his weight.

But he may not be getting optimal amounts of the best nutrients for him without being fed a premium breed-specific food.

What is the best large breed puppy food?

So, what large breed puppy food is best?

The best food, regardless of its labeling, is that which your puppy finds palatable, meets all of his nutritional requirements.

And keeps his digestive system moving while maintaining proper bone and muscle tissue growth.

We’ll talk about a few brands and types of large breed puppy food formulations in the upcoming sections.

Best grain-free large breed puppy food

A grain-free diet may help to decrease the amount of extra carbohydrates and starches that your large puppy ingests.

As we mentioned previously, allowing a large breed puppy to gain too much weight can spell bad news for his bone and joint formation!

Grain-free foods exclude corn, wheat, and soy; all of which are commonly used as fillers and to which some dogs are allergic.

They are also typically higher in protein than other commercially produced dog foods, making them a good option for large doggies that need more protein than standard puppy foods provide.

Here are two grain-free formulas that are specially made for large breed puppies:

Orijen Large Breed Puppy Food

The seemingly lesser known Orijen Large Breed dog food*(paid link) is made from all regionally local ingredients.

(paid link)

It contains 80% protein from chicken liver, free-range turkey and chicken, fish, and eggs.

A few different fruits and vegetables make up the remaining 20%.

It’s also enhanced with prebiotics and probiotics to assist with digestion.

Is this the best large breed puppy food for your young dog?

Check it out on Amazon here*.(paid link)

Diamond Naturals Large Breed Puppy Food

Looking for large breed puppy food without chicken? Then this Diamond Natural’s grain-free lamb and rice formula*(paid link) may be perfect for your pup!

(paid link)

Added omega fatty acids provide a boost for your puppy’s skin and coat, and extra calcium and phosphorous will help to support a healthy skeletal system.

As an added bonus, the formulation helps to maintain a lean disposition – fat puppies are cute, sure, but very unhealthy!

Find out more on Amazon here*.(paid link)

Best dry dog food for large breed puppies

For many dog owners, dry kibble is the most convenient to feed.

However, the nutrition content across dry kibbles can vary widely… Especially when looking at mass-produced verses premium varieties.

Some kibbles contain too much fat and not enough protein.

Here are some premium kibbles for large breed puppies that conform to the aforementioned guidelines for the best large breed puppy food in kibble form.

Hill’s Science Diet Large Breed Puppy Food

Hill’s large breed puppy food*(paid link) is veterinarian-recommended.

(paid link)

This lamb and rice formulation provides plenty of protein, calcium for bone health, and lots of minerals for even more support.

Vitamins C and E will also boost your dog’s immune system.

Check it out on Amazon here*.(paid link)

Iams Large Breed Puppy Food

The Iams Large Breed Puppy Food*(paid link) is a proactive, dried dog food. And could be the best large breed puppy food for your dog if you are looking for a kibble.

(paid link)

Real chicken is the first ingredient in this kibble, making it an excellent source of muscle-building protein!

You won’t find any fillers, soy, wheat, or artificial dyes or preservatives in this food.

But you will find sources of antioxidants and omega-3 DHA, which is pivotal for healthy brain function.

Find out more about it on Amazon here*.(paid link)

Wet puppy food for large breeds

In some cases, dry kibble isn’t enough to keep your large breed puppy looking and growing his best.

Wet food is a great way to top-dress dry kibble to make it more enticing for picky eaters, or you can use it to add some more moisture to your puppy’s diet.

And if you don’t feed kibble, a high-quality wet food made specifically for large breed puppies can provide all of the goodness that your fur baby needs.

We like the following wet food varieties.

Nutro Large Breed Puppy Food

We’ve shared a few large puppy dog kibbles that feature rice and lamb, but the good news is that you can also buy your dog the same healthy formula in wet form! Like this Nutro large breed puppy food*.(paid link)

(paid link)

Your puppy will love digging into chunks of lamb that’s covered in gravy with other all-natural ingredients.

This food comes in packs of 12 cans.

Check it out on Amazon here*.(paid link)

Eukanuba Large Breed Puppy Food

Here’s another lamb and rice formulation of wet dog food. This Eukanuba option*(paid link) is suitable primarily for puppies aged one year or less.

(paid link)

Eukanuba’s premium food has just the right balance of proteins to fats to carbohydrates to help your puppy grow lean muscle mass without overdoing it.

This variety also comes in packs of 12 cans.

Find out more on Amazon here*.(paid link)

Limited ingredient large breed puppy food

Unfortunately, some doggies are born with or develop sensitivities to certain foods or substances.

And as we mentioned earlier in this article, some dogs are particularly susceptible to having food allergies that are common in a breed, or they may inherit certain allergies from their parents.

The most common offenders are dairy products, beef, wheat gluten, chicken, chicken eggs, lamb, and soy.

Although we couldn’t locate large breed-specific limited ingredient puppy food with limited ingredients, we did find these limited-ingredient puppy foods that are suitable for any breed that you might try.

Blue Basics Limited-Ingredient Formula Puppy Dry Dog Food

This Blue Basics Limited Ingredient Formula*(paid link) deboned turkey and potato-based kibble also includes pumpkin, oatmeal, and rice.

(paid link)

All the ingredients of which are easier for a puppy with a sensitive tummy to digest.

Additional vegetables and fruit provide healthy fiber sources.

Try this food for your puppy if he’s experiencing itchy skin, digestive issues, respiratory distress, or other symptoms of food sensitivity when he eats other types of food.

Find out more on Amazon here*. (paid link)

Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Diets Dry Dog Food

This is a lamb- and brown rice-based kibble, by Natural Balance*(paid link). It’s only suitable for dogs that are definitely not allergic to lamb.

(paid link)

For those that can eat lamb, it’s a great source of lean protein, and the brown rice helps to promote skin and coat health.

A bit of canola oil is a great source of omega fatty acids, and simple carbohydrates keep the kibble easy to digest.

Check it out on Amazon here*. (paid link)

High quality large breed puppy food

If you’re looking for a top-of-the-line, cream of the crop premium large breed puppy food, then you may be interested in the following high-quality puppy foods:

Fromm Family Foods Gold Nutritionals Dog Food

Fromm large breed puppy food*(paid link) is one of the best large breed puppy food choices for many owners.

(paid link)

The food is loaded with duck, chicken, lamb, whole eggs, and cheese.

It’s also manufactured by a family-owned company.

Find out more on Amazon here*. (paid link)

Purina Puppy Large Breed Dry Dog Food

Purina’s Pro Plan Focus chicken and rice formula*(paid link) is a good-quality option.

(paid link)

Real chicken is the primary ingredient, and ingredients like DHA assist with brain and vision growth as well as antioxidants for a healthy immune response.

Check it out on Amazon here*. (paid link)

Organic large breed puppy food

Although there aren’t any organic dog foods specific to large breed puppies that we could find on Amazon, we do recommend the following highly rated organic options for puppies in general:

Castor & Pollux Organix Dry Dog Food

Free-range chicken is the primary ingredient in this Castor and Pollux kibble*(paid link).

(paid link)

It includes organic brown rice, flax seed, and a range of vegetables for your puppy’s skin, fur, and digestive health.

Without all of the fillers, this food is a lovely high-protein, low-fat option that you can also feel good about feeding.

Find out more on Amazon here*. (paid link)

Newman’s Own Premium Canned Formulas for Dogs

This Newman’s Own Premium food*(paid link) is “made-with organic,” meaning that at least 70% of the ingredients are 100% organic.

(paid link)

This particular formula is made with organic turkey and chicken, and it does not contain any wheat or corn.

Check it out on Amazon here*. (paid link)

Best dog food for large breed puppies

The best large breed puppy food is that which meets your particular pup’s growth and other health needs.

Premium large breed puppy foods are a good idea because they typically contain a ratio of protein to fat to carbohydrates that’s more appropriate for large dogs.

As large dogs are often prone to musculoskeletal issues and shouldn’t be allowed to become overweight.

However, there is definitely such a thing as too much protein, as this can cause a calcium and phosphorous imbalance that lets your big puppy to grow faster than his bones can.

This situation may translate to deformities or joint issues later on.

Some breed-specific puppy foods may also omit certain ingredients that trigger allergic reactions in certain dogs. And they may also boost certain vitamins and minerals to help combat breed-specific illnesses.

Regardless of what brand or type of food that you select, you must select the best large breed puppy food to fits your particular puppy’s needs.

Have you got an option for the best large breed puppy food, which we haven’t included? Let us know in the comments section below!

Affiliate link disclosure: Links in this article marked with an * are affiliate links, and we may receive a small commission if you purchase these products. However, we selected them for inclusion independently, and all of the views expressed in this article are our own.

References

• Buzhardt, L. “Nutritional Requirements of Large and Giant Breed Puppies.” VCA Animal Hospitals.
• Hawthorne, A. et al. “Body-Weight Changes during Growth in Puppies of Different Breeds.” The Journal of Nutrition, 2004.
• Sanderson, S. “Nutritional Requirements and Related Diseases of Small Animals.” Merck Veterinary Manual.
• Ward, E. “Allergy – General in Dogs.” VCA Animal Hospitals.