Royal Canin Breed-Specific Adult (Dry)

by Mike Sagman
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Rating: ★★★☆☆

Royal Canin Breed-Specific Adult dog foods receive the Advisor’s mid-tier rating of three stars.

The Royal Canin Breed-Specific product line includes thirteen dry dog foods… each designed to meet AAFCO nutrient profiles for adult maintenance.

The numbers at the end of each name denote the product’s protein content1.

  • Royal Canin Pug 25 (over 10 months)
  • Royal Canin Boxer 26 (over 15 months)
  • Royal Canin Poodle 30 (over 10 months)
  • Royal Canin Bulldog 24 (over 12 months)
  • Royal Canin Shih Tzu 24 (over 10 months)
  • Royal Canin Chihuahua 28 (over 8 months)
  • Royal Canin Dachshund 28 (over 10 months)
  • Royal Canin Cocker Spaniel 25 (over 12 months)
  • Royal Canin Golden Retriever 25 (over 15 months)
  • Royal Canin Yorkshite Terrier 28 (over 10 months)
  • Royal Canin German Shepherd 24 (over 15 months)
  • Royal Canin Labrador Retriever 30 (over 15 months)
  • Royal Canin Miniature Schnauzer 25 (over 10 months)

Royal Canin Boxer 26 dog food was selected to represent the others in the line for this review.

Royal Canin Boxer 26

Dry Dog Food

Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content

Protein = 29% | Fat = 21% | Carbs = 43%

Ingredients: Chicken meal, brown rice, rice, chicken fat, oatmeal, wheat gluten meal, pork meal, natural chicken flavor, dried beet pulp, sodium silico aluminate, pea fiber, anchovy oil (source of EPA/DHA), soya oil, potassium chloride, calcium carbonate, potassium citrate, sodium tripolyphosphate, DL-methionine, dried brewers yeast extract (source of mannan-oligosaccharides), taurine, Vitamins [DL-alpha tocopherol acetate (source of vitamin E), inositol, niacin supplement, L-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate (source of vitamin C), D-calcium pantothenate, biotin, pyridoxine hydrochloride (vitamin B6), riboflavin supplement (vitamin B2), thiamine mononitrate (vitamin B1), vitamin A acetate, folic acid, vitamin B12 supplement, vitamin D3 supplement], choline chloride, glucosamine hydrochloride, L-carnitine, marigold extract (Tagetes erecta L.), trace minerals [zinc proteinate, zinc oxide, ferrous sulfate, manganese proteinate, copper proteinate, copper sulfate, manganous oxide, calcium iodate, sodium selenite], L-tyrosine, tea (green tea extract), lycopene, chondroitin sulfate, rosemary extract, preserved with natural mixed tocopherols (source of vitamin E) and citric acid

Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 4.4%

Red items when present indicate controversial ingredients

Estimated Nutrient Content
MethodProteinFatCarbs
Guaranteed Analysis26%19%NA
Dry Matter Basis29%21%43%
Calorie Weighted Basis24%41%35%

The first ingredient in this dog food is chicken meal. Chicken meal is considered a meat concentrate and contains almost 300% more protein than fresh chicken.

The second item is brown rice. Brown rice is a quality ingredient… a complex carbohydrate that (once cooked) is fairly easy to digest.

The third ingredient is yet another rice component. Is this whole grain rice, brown rice or white rice? Since the word “rice” doesn’t tell us much, it’s difficult to judge the quality of this item.

The fourth item is chicken fat… a product obtained from rendering chicken… a process similar to making soup in which the fatty layer is skimmed from the surface of the liquid.

Chicken fat is high in linoleic acid… an omega-6 fatty acid essential for life. Though it doesn’t sound very appetizing, this is considered a quality addition.

The fifth ingredient is oatmeal… a whole-grain product made from coarsely ground oats. Oatmeal is naturally rich in fiber, B-vitamins and (unlike many other grains) is mostly gluten-free.

The sixth ingredient lists wheat gluten meal… the rubbery residue remaining once wheat has had most of its starchy carbohydrate (the good stuff) washed out of it.

Compared to meat, glutens are inferior grain-based proteins low in many of the essential amino acids dogs need for life.

This less nutritious plant-based ingredient can significantly boost the total protein content reported in this dog food.

The seventh ingredient lists pork meal… another protein-rich meat concentrate

Delivering the same concentrated protein as chicken meal, this item may be a little too far down the list to have much effect on this product.

After the natural chicken flavor, we find 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.

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 have much of an effect on the overall rating of this product.

With four notable exceptions…

First, we note the listing of soybean oil… red flagged here only due to its suspected (yet unlikely) link to canine food allergies.

Secondly, the yeast extract mentioned here is probably used as a flavor and immune system enhancer. Although you may have heard otherwise, the glutamic acid found in yeast extract is a food additive generally recognized as safe by the USFDA.2

Next, we find no mention of probiotics… friendly bacteria applied to the surface of the kibble after processing.

And lastly, this food does contain 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.

Royal Canin Breed-Specific Adult Dog Food
The Bottom Line

We’re aware that using one breed-specific dog food as an example for all the others might be a bit of a stretch.

Just the same, most of the differences we observed between the foods were subtle. Plus the first four or five items on nearly every list were dominated by the same basic ingredients.

With the sole exception of the Miniature Schnauzer product, each product lists chicken meal as its first ingredient. And rice as its second (or third) component.

So, judging by its ingredients alone, Royal Canin Breed-Specific Adult appears to be an average dry dog food.

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 29%, a fat level of 21% and estimated carbohydrates of about 43%.

As a group, the brand features an average protein content of 29% and a mean fat level of 16%. Together, these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 47% for the overall product line.

Average protein. Average fat. And average carbohydrates… when compared to a typical dry dog food.

Yet when you consider the protein-boosting effect of the corn or wheat glutens as well as the soy, this looks like the profile of a kibble containing only a moderate amount of meat.

Bottom line?

Royal Canin Breed-Specific Adult is a plant-based dry dog food using only a moderate amount of chicken meal as its main source of animal protein… thus earning the brand three stars.

Recommended.

Those looking for a similar kibble for puppies from the same company may wish to visit our review of Royal Canin Breed-Specific Puppy food.

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 a specific health benefit 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

01/23/2010 Original review
08/26/2010 Review updated
08/26/2010 Last Update

  1. Guaranteed Analysis on an “As Fed” basis ↩
  2. L-Glutamic Acid, FDA Select Committee on GRAS Substances ↩
Dog Food Advisor IconThe Dog Food Advisor publishes independent reviews to help pet owners make better choices when shopping for dog food.


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  • Bob K

    V – What other foods have you tried that made your dog gassy? What brand and formula did you try? Did you transition to the new food over a two week period? How often do you bathe your dog? What type of shampoo? If you try another dog food, try one that has a similar ingredients list to what you have been feeding your dog. The top ingredients for this are: Chicken meal, rice, brown rice, oatmeal, pork meal, rice flour, chicken fat, natural chicken flavor, dried beet pulp (sugar removed), soy protein isolate, anchovy oil…. There is nothing special about this food other than the marketing hype that is specific for your breed. You pay a premium for this 3 Star food when you could be feeding a 5 star food which provides better nutrition and saves you money at the same time.

  • V

    We have been feeding our 7yr old English Bulldog Royal Canin Bulldog Specific his whole adult life. He has never had a problem with gas. I have noticed if I switch for savings sake he is very gasy(sp?). The shape of the food also helps him not gulp the food and at least chew it once. Thank God we have never had any serious issues with his health. Only thing, in the last year or so I have been noticing his skin is flaking, any suggestion on a supplement I can add?

  • Bob K

    Kim – You are getting sucked into marketing hype. There really is nothing special about this 3 star food other than the label on the bag that makes it specific for your Bully. You are paying a premium for a 3 star food. They also have british bullies. not much difference. Most look like overweight pitbulls.

  • Kim

    Would a French Bulldog have the same nutritional needs as an English Bulldog? My French Bulldog has enjoyed Royal Canin puppy food, but I recently switched him to the RC Medium Adult dog food and he doesn’t enjoy it as much. Also, he gulps it, which I understand is something bulldogs do. They don’t carry RC French Bulldog food in the States, but I assume the RC English Bulldog food would be just fine?

  • Elena

    Royal Canin is the only brand that works for my dog. I did my research – have read what ingredients good dog foods should have and what ingredients good dog foods should not have. I’ve spent much time reading articles and watching movies with veterinarians explaining what a dog, as a carnivore, should eat. All that lead my to try switching my dog to a grain free diet. Alas. Although I’ve tried switching it gradually and giving it time, my dog just had problems with digesting it. Diarrhea, vomiting.

    Now we are back to Royal Canin, a grain-based dog food with suspicious, indigestible ingredients. My dog’s coat is shiny, poop okay, no diarrhea, no vomiting, no allergies.

  • Denise

    My 3yr old Golden Retriever has been eating Royal Canin Calorie Control High Fiber for 1 week, vet recommended. He now has 3 hot spots around his head. Could he be having an allergic reaction to the food? Seeing vet tomorrow, just wondering what your opinion is…thanks.

  • http://www.drianbillinghurst.com/ Gordon

    No worries Mike. That will inevitably occur a lot due to all us typing almost simultaneously, and one beats the other by a millisecond in the ‘submit’ button depression, lol. It’s all good.

  • Jonathan

    Thank you Gordon, I forgot to mention that part about kibble moisture. And yes, Debbie, this food is seriously expensive when you consider it is no better than a $28 dollar bag of Pro Pac!

  • http://DogFoodAdvisor.com Mike Sagman

    Hi Gordon… Due to the wonders of the Internet, our two comments “crossed in the mail”. I’ve added your name to the previous one.

  • http://www.drianbillinghurst.com/ Gordon

    That was meant to refer to Jonathan’s comment (above comment), not knowing that Mike was about to post a response also.

  • http://www.drianbillinghurst.com/ Gordon

    In addition to the above comment, you should take into calculation consideration that kibble also contains 10% moisture on average. So if you read the Dry Matter Basis calculation explanation on this website, it will make more sense.

  • http://DogFoodAdvisor.com Mike Sagman

    Hi Debbie… Jonathan and Gordon are correct. For more information please look in our Library for the articles about dry matter basis and how to estimate the carbohydrate content in a dog food. Hope this helps.

  • Debbie Tucker

    Overpriced??

    I agree with Mike that this does not seem to be a food with great ingredients, and it is therefore highly overpriced. The nutritional content is also not high level.

    However, it will improve some dogs, as will most mid-level foods if the dogs were previously fed something of lower quality. I have many people tell me how their dog was on a really good food, and it turns out that they THOUGHT it was a really good food because of advertising or the sales person, and when I tell them what they should be looking at and for – OOPS – not so good. Just because a dog improves on a food does not mean that the dog is at his BEST on that food, and sometimes it takes a bit more searching and tweaking to find this out. I have seen many dogs go from improved to fantastic by changing food when the dog ‘plateaus’ but still displays certain physical evidence of things that could be improved.

  • Jonathan

    Debbie, the specific purpose of using “dry matter basis” is to accurately estimate the carbs and compare the good stuff in canned foods (fat and protein) to dry kibble. When looking at canned product, the amount of fat and protein versus carbs is usually significantly better than the ratio in dry food. Also, you must take into account the “ash” content which, I believe, Mike estimates some where around 7%? That is why it never adds up to 100. Hope that helps.

  • Debbie Tucker

    Hello – I love your site and recommend it to many of my grooming clients.

    One thing I would like to know is why your nutritional analysis seems to allow for nutrition other than protein, fat and carbs=100%? I say this because if you add protein and fat (which are on the label) and deduct this number from 100, that should be the carb amount, yet you consistently register a lower amount on your dials/meters.

    Since I believe that carb level over 40% adds to a lot of problems due to excessive yeast (problems ranging from dry skin, dull coat, excessive shedding, recurring ear problems to constant scratching, foot licking, swollen and red paws, discolored hair, hot spots, running eyes, constant and severe ear infections, etc.), I think that many of your carb estimates may be lower than the actual amount.

    I hope you can clear this up for me. I have read the FAQ’s and not seen it addressed.

    Additionally, I wonder why the wet food info has an estimated dry food matter content. When we feed wet food, we are feeding the protein on the label, not in the dry food/pre-water-added form. As it is now, I think people would figure they are feeding terrific protein with canned foods, which does not seem to be the case.

    If I have missed an explanation or otherwise come to a wrong conclusion, please set me straight.

    Thank you.

    Debbie

  • Bob K

    Margie – What “good dog foods” have you tried without success? You are paying a premium for this 3 star food. There are many 4 and 5 star foods I suspect your dog would also thrive on and leave more money in your pocket. How much per pound are you paying for this 3 star food? I am glad you found a food that works for your loved one.

  • Roger Prows

    That last post sure seems alot like industry spam to me.

  • Margie Sandau

    There are so many good dog foods on the market these days and I have tried several. But I must admit that after not only going to the website I have attached below which made complete sense as well as putting my GSD who had trouble gaining weight as well as itchy skin on German Shepherd 24 she is thriving! She’s gaining weight, shiny coat and looks amazing. CHECK OUT THIS WEB SITE ON GERMAN SHEPHERD 24 http://products.royalcanin.us/products/dog-food/german-shepherd-24.aspx?Animal=Dog

  • http://DogFoodAdvisor.com Mike Sagman

    Hi Sapphire… Maize is just another word for corn (in the UK and elsewhere). The two words mean the same thing.

  • Sapphire

    I see thank you for clearing that.

    I also what to know what is the difference between “maize” and “corn” ?.

    When they say “maize” it means the hole plant and not only the grains?

  • Jonathan

    Yeah, that’s significantly lower quality. However, the crustaceans and the cartilage are not a bad addition. They add Glucosamine and Chondroitin sulfate to the food which are recognized as beneficial for joint health. While the amount of G and C are not usually at a “therapeutic” level in a kibble, it’s inclusion certainly doesn’t hurt anything.

  • Sapphire

    Hi! in the version of this food for latin america the ingredients quality is lower.

    Here is the poodle food ingredients:

    maize, dehydrated poultry meat, vegetable protein isolate, animal fats, barley, maize flour, maize gluten, hydrolysed animal proteins, vegetable fibres, beet pulp, vegetable oils (soya and borage), minerals, fish oil, yeasts, L-lysine, fructo-oligo-saccharides, DL-methionine, sodium polyphosphate, taurine, L-cystine, hydrolysed crustaceans (sourse of glucosamine), L-tyrosine, green tea and grape extracs (sourse of polyphenols) marigold extract (source of lutein), L-carnitine, hydrolysed cartilage (source of chandroitin)

    ———————————————————-

    This is the first time I see the crustaceans and the cartilage described in a food.

    Also even if the ingredients are lower the price of the food is very high for example the 1.5 kg bag is $17

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  • Josh Stepka

    Hi Mike! Geat website here! We have an english bull dog in the house. As a puppy she was on nutra source. Then Diamond naturals fo a while and the last two months the bull dog formula. she recently had two bladder stones the size of golf balls removed and several smaller ones. vet said to stop feeding what we are feeding but seems like good feed to me. My hounds get Native stage lll should we switch her to that?

  • http://DogFoodAdvisor.com Mike Sagman

    Hi James… He’s probably just fine. But if symptoms worsen or his appetite doesn’t improve, it’s quite possible your dog needs to see his vet. Wish I could be more help.

  • James Mc Grath

    we have a miniature schnauzer that is 8 months old. we are feeding him royal canin mini junior, but in the last few days he has been eating very little food. we give him a small tin of tuna once a week and he eats that straight away, he also gets a pedigree dentastix every second day which he also eats. everything else with him is normal, he’s drinking well, as playful as ever and is going to the toilet as normal. could he just get tired of the same food. thanks for you help

  • http://DogFoodAdvisor.com Mike Sagman

    Hi Mario… There’s no way for any of us to know what your dog will ultimately like. Yes, you can try changing to a new kibble. But if you decide to offer a canned “topper” to mix with his kibble, try a better quality one. Kibble is least like what a dog would naturally eat than any other type of food (raw, canned, home, etc.). So, it could be a challenge at this point to get him to eat a dry food.

  • Mario

    I got from a friend that is moving out of the country an Olde English Bulldogge, he is 3, the problem is that he used to feed him with human food, now I’m trying to correct that and I got him a bag of Royal Canin Bulldog 24, what is killing me is that he doesn’t even look at his bowl when I give him his food, some times what I have to do is mix it with half a can of Purina Alpo and that seems the be the only way. Questions: A) Should I try another brand of dry food?. B) Since Purina Alpo (Canned) got so poor review, should I try a different brand like Cesar Bistro that got a better review and keep mixing it up?

  • ed

    Royal Canin gets no respect from the “food elitists” but there is a reason Champion dogs all over the world use it. Plain and simple it works. I used to think the breed specific formulas were a gimmick but they really are effective, especially the Labrador formula.

    Excellent product from a science driven company.

  • jet

    My GSD could not gain weight and his poop was always soft or runny. I have tried the top of the line foods also. Then I decided to give the GSD Royal Canin a try. Since then he has gained weight and he now has firm bowel movements. You just have to keep trying until you get it right. Too bad all dogs didn’t have the same digestive tract.

  • http://DogFoodAdvisor.com Mike Sagman

    Hi Liz… not aware of any specific problem with reasonable amounts of peanut butter. But why not try “topping” your dog’s kibble with a nice canned food. We’ve been doing this for Bailey for years. After all, what could possibly be more boring and unnatural than kibble?.

  • Liz Davis

    I have a 2 yr old boxer who has been a very picky eater since day one. I have tried a number of high priced, high quality dog foods just trying to get him to eat. The one I finally settled on was Royal Canine Boxer. This is the only food I have found that he will eat most of the time,..although there are days when I have to dap a little natural peanut butter on the top to interest him. Once he gets started, he eats most of the 2 cups in his bowl(usually 2 Xday). I often wonder if the peanut butter is ok for him. If there is something I should know about PB, I would appreciate the advice. Otherwise I will continue to dap a little on his food. Max is a happy, healthy boxer and that is how I want to keep him.

  • Kiza Ethan

    ROYAL CANIN – The only dog food that has worked for my two Irish Wolfhounds. I thought about the individual breeds being a sales pitch…. until I tried it and saw the difference in my dogs. Everything needs balance. My vet also agreed that most dog foods are not tested but said Royal Canin is and it is top of the line. Usually we get what we pay for. I highly recommend it because I give it to three of my other dogs as well and they have definitely benefited from my changing. I could sell the product ….that is how much better I think it is- On top of that my dogs LOVE it.
    I might add that I was buying (I thought) the best dog food prior to the change (in TWO different brands) Until I found Royal Canin and it is just a tad higher dollar wise. I do not need to look any farther – my dogs health is the proof of my BEST choice. May we all have happy healthy dogs and give each one what is best for them.

  • Jonathan

    Well, started mixing in RC bulldog 24 with Sadie’s Wellness Large Breed and Earthborn grain free. She LOVES IT! It is big kibble… almost “treat” sized.

  • Jonathan

    Yeah, per pound, the Royal Canin foods are the most expensive in our store. In particular, the small breed formulas. Like where do they get off charging 17.99 for a 2.5lb bag of Chihuahua when Wellness Core Ocean Fish is 14.99 for 4lbs? It’s just silly. I guess Bulldogs are prone to flatus. My dog doesn’t have an issue. I was just thinking maybe that’s why they leave out the gluten in their food that claims to reduce gas. Which makes me wonder why they don’t just leave it out of their entire product line. They must be printing money given their prices versus the cheap fillers.

  • http://DogFoodAdvisor.com Mike Sagman

    Hi Jonathan… Since (like us humans) each dog responds to the same ingredient in its own special way, it’s impossible for me (or anyone) to assure you this low gas marketing claim actually works. In any case, I would agree that designs of most of these breed-specific formulas touches on the realm of parlor tricks. There are probably some subtle feeding differences between breeds. But it amazes me how people can be so attracted to these type formulas yet (even with very competitive pricing) miss foods with much higher (and better) meat content. Such is the world of commercial dog foods.

  • Jonathan

    Hey Mike, I recently got a couple of coupons for free 6lb bags of Royal Canin Dog food and after reading all the ingredients, I chose the “Bulldog 24″ because it was the only formula in their line that did not contain corn gluten or wheat gluten. I wonder… one of the things it says it “does” for Bulldogs is reduce flatulence. You suppose this is why there is not hard to digest gluten meals? Instead of a gluten meal, it has pork meal, so I was pretty happy about an extra meat. I, of course, don’t have a Bulldog. I have a golden/lab mutt. But both the lab and the golden formula have corn gluten meal, which I have no interest in feeding to my dog. Then again, those formulas both have higher protein (granted, from added gluten) but do you think she will be fine with a couple of bags of Bulldog 24? I figure the “breed specific” thing is little more than gimmicky marketing.

  • CC

    When your dog vomits regularly, immediately stop the dog food and give it cooked boiled chicken and rice instead. If he stops vomiting, it was probably the dog food, if he keeps vomiting, rush him to a vet and pay for the test to check for pancreatic problems, a very serious condition, probably caused by food.

  • http://DogFoodAdvisor.com Mike Sagman

    Hi Dave… vomiting a completely undigested meal 6-8 hours after eating concerns me. Looks like you need the help of a vet to solve this one. Wish I could help.

  • Dave

    Thanks, Mike, for recommending a lower fiber food to stop gas in our 2yo Bullmastiff. The Boxer and Bulldog formulas stopped the flatulence. However, we have been on the Bulldog food for the past 5 days and she has been throwing all her food up once a day 6-8 hours after she eats. It is all undigested food. Any thoughts?

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