Rating: 
Wysong Archetype Canine Diet Dog Food earns the Advisor’s top rating of five stars.
Wysong Archetype is a dehydrated raw dog food designed to meet AAFCO nutrient profiles “for all life stages”. However, the company advises users of Archetype to “rotate among Wysong Diets and supplement with fresh foods”.
Wysong Archetype Canine Diet
Dehydrated Dog Food
Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content
Ingredients: Beef and chicken, beef and chicken liver, ground bone, carrots, celery, beets, parsley, lettuce, watercress, spinach, broccoli sprouts, flax seed, barley grass powder, wheat grass powder, chlorella, apple, blueberry, cranberry, plums, artichoke, lecithin, dried seaweed, grape seed extract, milk calcium, coral calcium, dried Enterococcus faecium fermentation product, dried Bacillus subtilis fermentation product, dried Lactobacillus plantarum fermentation product, dried Lactobacillus acidophilus fermentation product, dried Lactobacillus casei fermentation product, dried Lactobacillus lactis fermentation product, dried yeast culture, dried Aspergillus oryzae fermentation product, dried Aspergillus niger fermentation product, sage extract, rosemary extract, choline chloride, ascorbic acid, zinc proteinate, iron proteinate, vitamin E supplement, niacin supplement, manganese proteinate, calcium pantothenate, thiamine mononitrate, copper proteinate, pyridoxine hydrochloride, riboflavin supplement, vitamin A acetate, folic acid, biotin, vitamin B12 supplement, vitamin D3 supplement
Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 2.9%
Red items when present indicate controversial ingredients
The first two ingredients in this dog food are beef and chicken. Both beef and chicken are naturally rich in the ten essential amino acids needed by a dog to sustain life.
The third and fourth items include beef and chicken liver. These are organ meats sourced from a named animal. So long as it’s not over-weighted in a dog food, liver is a beneficial component.
The fifth ingredient is ground bone… an excellent source of natural calcium.
The next eight ingredients are all nutritious vegetables…
- Carrots
- Celery
- Beets
- Parsley
- Lettuce
- Watercress
- Spinach
- Broccoli
Wheat grass is prized for its unusually high vitamin and mineral content. So, please ignore our software’s unfavorable treatment of this otherwise healthy ingredient.
The manufacturer appears to have added back some of the “good” bacteria lost during the cooking process. These special probiotics are used to enhance a dog’s digestive and immune functions.
This dog food also contains chelated minerals… minerals that have been chemically attached to amino acids. This makes them easier to absorb. Chelated minerals are generally found in better dog foods.
Wysong Archetype Dog Food
The Bottom Line
Judging by its ingredients alone, Wysong Archetype appears to be a superior 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 52%, a fat level of 29% and an estimated carbohydrate content of 12%.
High protein. Above-average fat. And very low carbohydrates… as compared to a typical dehydrated dog food.
With no evidence of any plant-based protein concentrates, this is the profile of a dehydrated raw food containing an abundance of meat.
For those looking to mimic a dog’s natural ancestral diet, Wysong Archetype makes an excellent choice.
Bottom line?
Wysong Archetype is primarily a meat-based dehydrated dog food using a bounty of beef, chicken and liver as its main sources of animal protein… thus earning the brand five stars.
Enthusiastically recommended.
Those looking for a quality wet food from the same company may wish to read our review of Wysong Au Jus Diets Canned Dog Food.
For even more raw diet suggestions, be sure to visit the Advisor’s Recommended Raw Dog Foods summary page.
A Final Word
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 brand… or maybe the review itself? Please know… we welcome your comments.
Notes and Updates
12/13/2009 Original review
07/08/2010 Review updated
{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }
My dog, Chase the Boxer, had mast cell cancer twice as a very young dog. I switched his food to Wysong supplemented by some people food such as green beans and chicken breast. After surgery to remove the cancer and a change in diet and exposures, he has been cancer free now for years. I also believe that this is an excellent product. The company is willing to work with people to help select their product that would be best for the animal. Diane