Rating: 
Blackwood ExPro dry dog food earns the Advisor’s above-average rating of 4.5 stars.
The Blackwood ExPro Dog Food product line includes one kibble… claimed to meet AAFCO nutrient profiles for all life stages.
However, considering ExPro’s “all life stages” rating, we find the following warning posted on the company’s website contradictory…
“Due to the ultra high nutrient density of Blackwood ExPro Canine Diet, it is recommended for intermittent or supplemental feeding only. Blackwood ExPro Canine Diet should not be fed to puppies or females during gestation or lactation.”
We’re confused. Should ExPro be considered a “supplemental or intermittent” product? Or is it “for all life stages”?
And if ExPro meets AAFCO profiles for all life stages, then why should it not be fed to puppies? Or pregnant or lactating females?
Blackwood ExPro Total Diet Supplement
Dry Dog Food
Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content
Ingredients: Chicken meal, chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols), rice flour, dried plain beet pulp, wheat flour, herring meal, egg product, brown rice, chicken liver meal, porcine plasma, brewers dried yeast, chicken, natural flavor, menhaden fish oil, lecithin, whole ground flaxseed, potassium chloride, salt, calcium carbonate, dl-methionine, Lactobacillus acidophilus fermentation product dehydrated, Yucca schidigera extract, ascorbic acid, fructooligosaccharide (FOS), choline chloride, l-carnitine, vitamin E supplement, mineral oil, niacin supplement, organic dried kelp, d-calcium pantothenate, riboflavin supplement, biotin, vitamin B12 supplement, thiamine mononitrate, vitamin A acetate, pyridoxine hydrochloride, citric acid, vitamin D3 supplement, folic acid, iron sulfate, zinc sulfate, zinc proteinate, iron proteinate, copper sulfate, zinc oxide, manganese sulfate, manganese proteinate, copper proteinate, manganous oxide, selenium, calcium iodate
Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 3.3%
Red items when present indicate controversial ingredients
| Estimated Nutrient Content | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Method | Protein | Fat | Carbs |
| Guaranteed Analysis | 33% | 23% | NA |
| Dry Matter Basis | 37% | 26% | 30% |
| Calorie Weighted Basis | 29% | 48% | 23% |
The first ingredient in this dog food is chicken meal. Chicken meal is considered a meat concentrate and contains nearly 300% more protein than fresh chicken.
The second ingredient is chicken fat. Chicken fat is obtained from rendering chicken… a process similar to making soup in which the fat itself is skimmed from the surface of the liquid.
Chicken fat is high in linoleic acid… an omega-6 fatty acid essential for life. Although it doesn’t sound very appetizing, chicken fat is actually a quality ingredient.
The third ingredient is rice flour. Rice flour is made from either white or brown rice and is considered a good gluten-free substitute for wheat flour.
The fourth ingredient is beet pulp. Beet pulp is a controversial ingredient… a high fiber by-product of sugar beet processing.
Some denounce beet pulp as an inexpensive filler while others cite its outstanding intestinal health and blood sugar benefits.
We only call your attention here to the controversy and believe the inclusion of beet pulp in reasonable amounts in most dog foods is entirely acceptable.
The fifth ingredient is wheat. Like corn, wheat is an inexpensive and controversial cereal grain of only modest nutritional value to a dog.
For this reason, we do not consider wheat a preferred component in any dog food.
The sixth ingredient is herring meal. Like chicken meal, herring meal is also considered a meat concentrate.
We are pleased to note that, unlike many fish meals, this particular item appears1 to be ethoxyquin-free.
The seventh ingredient is egg product… a dehydrated form of shell-free eggs. Quality can vary significantly. Lower grade egg product can even come from commercial hatcheries… from eggs that have failed to hatch.
In any case, eggs are easy to digest and have an exceptionally high biological value.
The eighth ingredient is brown rice… a complex carbohydrate that (once cooked) is fairly easy to digest.
The ninth ingredient is chicken liver meal… a dried, nutritious product made from whole chicken livers. Because it contains about 62% protein and 20% fat, this item makes a favorable addition to this dog food.
The tenth ingredient is porcine plasma. Plasma is what remains of blood after the blood cells themselves have been removed. Plasma can be considered a nutritious addition.
From here, the list goes on to include a number of other items.
But to be realistic, ingredients located this far down the list (other than nutritional supplements) are not likely to affect the overall rating of this product.
With four notable exceptions…
First, brewers dried yeast. Brewers yeast can be a controversial item. Although it’s a by-product of the beer making process, this ingredient contains about 45% protein… and is rich in other healthy nutrients.
Fans believe yeast repels fleas and supports the immune system.
Critics argue yeast ingredients can be linked to allergies. This may be true, but (like all allergies) only if your particular dog is allergic to the yeast itself.
What’s more, a vocal minority insist yeast can increase the risk of developing the life-threatening condition known as bloat. However, this is something we’ve not been able to scientifically verify.
In any case, unless your dog is specifically allergic to it, yeast can be considered a nutritious additive.
Next, this recipe contains fructooligosaccharide… an alternative sweetener2 probably used here as a prebiotic. Prebiotics function to support the growth of healthy bacteria in the large intestine.
Thirdly, the company looks to have applied friendly microorganisms to the surface of the kibble after cooking. These special probiotics are used to enhance a dog’s digestive and immune functions.
And lastly, this food also contains chelated minerals… minerals that have been chemically attached to protein. This makes them easier to absorb. Chelated minerals are usually found in better dog foods.
Blackwood ExPro Dog Food
The Bottom Line
Judging by its ingredients alone, Blackwood ExPro Dog Food looks to be an above-average kibble.
But ingredient quality by itself cannot tell the whole story. We still need to estimate the product’s meat content before determining a final rating.
The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 37%, a fat level of 26% and estimated carbohydrates of about 30%.
Above-average protein. Above-average fat. And below-average carbs when compared to a typical dry dog food.
Free of any plant-based protein boosters, this looks like the profile of a kibble containing an above-average amount of meat.
This is a very good dog food. However, because of its confusing AAFCO life stage and feeding recommendations, we’re reluctant to award Blackwood ExPro pour highest rating.
Bottom line?
Blackwood ExPro Dog Food is a meat-based dry kibble using an above-average amount of chciken as its main source of animal protein… thus earning the brand 4.5 stars.
Highly recommended (supplemental or intermittent feeding only).
A Final Word
This review is designed to help you make a more informed decision when buying dog food. However, our rating system is not intended to suggest feeding a particular product will result in specific health benefits for your pet.
For a better understanding of how we analyzed this product, please be sure to read our article, “The Problem with Dog Food Reviews”
Remember, no dog food can possibly be appropriate for every life stage, lifestyle or health condition. So, choose wisely. And when in doubt consult a veterinarian for help.
Have an opinion about this dog food… or maybe the review itself? Please know… we welcome your comments.
Notes and Updates
09/18/2011 Original review
09/18/2011 Last Update
- Blackwood Customer Service via email, 9/7/2011 ↩
- Wikipedia definition ↩
The Dog Food Advisor publishes independent reviews to help pet owners make better choices when shopping for dog food.