Best Large Breed Puppy Foods

Julia Ogden  Karan French

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Julia Ogden
Julia Ogden

Julia Ogden

Content Director

Julia is the content director at the Dog Food Advisor and responsible for the overall strategy of the website.

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Karan French
Karan French

Karan French

Senior Researcher

Karan is a senior researcher at the Dog Food Advisor, working closely with our in-house pet nutritionist, Laura Ward, to give pet parents all the information they need to find the best food for their dog.

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Updated: December 3, 2024

Verified by Laura Ward

Laura Ward

Laura Ward

Pet Nutritionist

Laura studied BSc (Hons) Animal Science with an accreditation in Nutrition at the University of Nottingham, before working for eight years in the pet food and nutrition industry.

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Laura Ward

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Choosing the best food for your large breed puppy is one of the most important decisions you’ll ever make.

That’s because choosing the wrong puppy food… one that contains too much calcium… could cause permanent bone damage and hip disease… for large breeds.1 2

On this page… you’ll find the Dog Food Advisor’s recommendations of the best large breed puppy foods to suit specific conditions and budgets. And we answer the seven most frequently asked questions we get about feeding large breed puppies.

The Dog Food Advisor - Editor's choice

Best Large Breed Puppy Foods December 2024

Here are The Dog Food Advisor’s best large breed puppy foods for December 2024.

  • American Journey Grain-Free Large Breed Chicken & Sweet Potato

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    Large breed puppies require carefully balanced calcium and phosphorus levels to ensure proper bone growth and development. Excessive amounts of these minerals can lead to bone disorders such as hip dysplasia. We highly recommend this American Journey formula because it is designed to support healthy bone development without overloading these nutrients.

    Large breed puppies also need a diet that is not too calorie-dense to avoid rapid growth, which can lead to joint and bone issues. This recipe provides the right balance of calories to support steady, healthy growth.

    The bulk of the protein in this food is from chicken, which is essential for muscle development especially for large breeds that need strong muscles to support their larger frames. Dry matter label analysis reveals it contains 33% protein, 13% fat and 45% estimated carbohydrates, with a fat-to-protein ratio of 40%. 

    For more choices: See our Best Dry Puppy Foods Page.

    Read our review of the full American Journey Grain Free Dog Food (Dry) range here

    Main Ingredients Deboned chicken, chicken meal (a source of glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate), turkey meal, peas, chickpeas
    Texture Dry
    Type Grain-free
    Protein Percentage 33%
    AAFCO Standards Growth
    Best For All puppies including large breeds

    Sample buyer review...

    "Great! Love the ingredients list as well as the glucosamine and chondroitin and calcium levels. Great for a large breed puppy! "

    Read more buyer reviews at Chewy.com
  • Nom Nom Beef Mash

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    We highly recommend this recipe as it is made from whole, fresh ingredients such as beef, potatoes, eggs, and vegetables, which are highly digestible and provide essential nutrients in their most natural form. This helps large breed puppies absorb nutrients more efficiently, supporting overall health and development.

    Nom Nom meals are portioned based on your puppy’s specific needs, such as weight, age, and activity level. This is particularly important for large breed puppies to ensure they grow at a steady, healthy rate without putting undue stress on their developing bones and joints.

    This particular recipe derives the bulk of its protein from beef and dry matter label analysis reveals it contains 35% protein, 17% fat and 40% estimated carbohydrates, with a fat-to-protein ratio of 50%. 

    For more choices: See our Best Fresh Dog Foods page.

    Read our review of the full Nom Nom Dog Food (Fresh) range here

    Main Ingredients Ground beef, russet potatoes, eggs, carrots, peas
    Texture Wet
    Type Grain-free
    Protein Percentage 35%
    AAFCO Standards All Life Stages
    Best For All puppies (including large breeds)

    Sample buyer review...

    "I have two Cane Corsos and one adopted Staffie and they were really happy when they tried this food - in fact they wanted more! "

    Read more buyer reviews at Chewy.com
  • Diamond Naturals Large Breed Puppy Formula Lamb & Rice

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    Diamond Naturals is a good quality affordable food option to sustain a large breed puppy’s appetite. This particular recipe is tailored to meet the specific needs of large breed puppies, supporting their growth, joint health, immune system, and overall well-being through carefully selected ingredients. 

    Probiotics are included too, which promotes healthy digestion by supporting a balanced gut microbiome. Good digestion is key to nutrient absorption, which is vital for the healthy growth of large breed puppies.

    This particular recipe derives the bulk of its protein from lamb and dry matter label analysis reveals it contains 30% protein, 17% fat and 45% estimated carbohydrates, with a fat-to-protein ratio of 56%. 

    For more choices: See our Best Budget-Friendly Dog Foods page.

    Read our review of the full Diamond Naturals Dog Food (Dry) range here

    Main Ingredients Lamb, lamb meal, whole grain brown rice, cracked pearled barley, grain sorghum
    Texture Dry
    Type Grain-inclusive
    Protein Percentage 30%
    AAFCO Standards All Life Stages
    Best For All puppies (including large breeds)

    Sample buyer review...

    "My puppy loves the food and it is one of the first she has tried that has not given her stomach discomfort. Great value."

    Read more buyer reviews at Chewy.com
  • Hill's Science Diet Large Breed Puppy Lamb Meal & Brown Rice

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    Veterinarians recommend Hill’s Science Diet Large Breed Puppy Lamb Meal and Rice because it has been developed by a team of nutritionists and food scientists to meet the precise nutritional requirements of large breed puppies.

    The brand has a long history of veterinary endorsement and is often recommended based on clinical evidence and case studies that support its efficacy in promoting healthy growth and development.

    This particular recipe derives the bulk of its protein from lamb, a high-quality protein that supports muscle development. Dry matter label analysis reveals it contains 28% protein, 18% fat and 46% estimated carbohydrates, with a fat-to-protein ratio of 64%.

    Read our review of the full Hill’s Science Diet Adult Dog Food (Dry) range here

    Main Ingredients Lamb meal, brown rice, cracked pearled barley, whole grain oats, chicken fat
    Texture Dry
    Type Grain-inclusive
    Protein Percentage 28%
    AAFCO Standards Unspecified
    Best For Large breed puppies

    Sample buyer review...

    "We got a new puppy and when we picked him up from the breeder, he was on a competitor’s feed. He was not eating well and frankly was skinny. My husband is an animal nutritionist and he said, we are putting him on Hill’s Science Diet. He began eating well and gained almost 10 pounds in six weeks! His coat is beautiful, eyes bright and healthy and he’s full of energy! We highly recommend this food! "

    Read more buyer reviews at Chewy.com
  • Taste Of The Wild Pacific Stream Puppy

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    We recommend this Taste of the Wild recipe for large breed puppies because it provides a well-rounded, grain-free diet, rich in high-quality fish protein and essential nutrients. 

    The taste and aroma of the fish-based formula are often very appealing to dogs, making it easier to ensure your puppy eats consistently to maintain steady growth and energy levels. Although not always highlighted as prominently as in other large breed-specific formulas, the omega-3 fatty acids in this food indirectly support joint health.

    This particular recipe derives the bulk of its protein from salmon and dry matter label analysis reveals it contains 30% protein, 17% fat and 45% estimated carbohydrates, with a fat-to-protein ratio of 56%. 

    Read our review of the full Taste of the Wild Grain-Free Dog Food (Dry) range here

    Main Ingredients Salmon, ocean fish meal, sweet potatoes, peas, pea flour
    Texture Dry
    Type Grain-free
    Protein Percentage 30%
    AAFCO Standards All Life Stages
    Best For All puppies (including large breeds)

    Sample buyer review...

    "We recently figured out our dog is allergic to chicken, so this food works great for her. She loves it, and gobbles it down whether it’s mixed with some wet food or just dry on its own. "

    Read more buyer reviews at Chewy.com
  • Nutro Natural Choice Large Breed Puppy Lamb & Brown Rice

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    This grain-inclusive formula by Nutro contains brown rice, an easily digestible carbohydrate source that provides sustained energy for growing large breed puppies. It also contains fiber that aids digestion.

    We rate Natural Choice recipes because they do not include artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives, focusing instead on natural, wholesome ingredients which reduces the risk of allergic reactions or sensitivities that can sometimes be triggered by artificial additives.

    This particular formula derives the bulk of its protein from lamb, which is also a good option for puppies with sensitivities to other protein sources like chicken or beef. Our dry matter label analysis reveals it contains 29% protein, 16% fat and 48% estimated carbohydrates, with a fat-to-protein ratio of 54%. 

    Read our review of the full Nutro Dog Food range here

    Main Ingredients Deboned lamb, chicken meal (source of glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate), brewers rice, split peas, rice bran
    Texture Dry
    Type Grain-inclusive
    Protein Percentage 29%
    AAFCO Standards All life stages
    Best For All puppies (including large breeds)

    Sample buyer review...

    "I have three German Shepherd puppies, two are 19 weeks old and one is 13 weeks old. I needed good quality food for them as they grow due to us living on a farm and they will one day be running it just like their mom. After searching and trying different brands I finally found this one and my pups absolutely loves it. They can not wait to eat. This will be the only food they will stay on, once they hit adult ages they will be switched to Nutro adult."

    Read more buyer reviews at Chewy.com
  • The Farmer's Dog Chicken Recipe

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    This fresh chicken recipe by The Farmer’s Dog is formulated to provide a balanced mix of protein, fats, and carbohydrates, along with essential vitamins and minerals. This balance is crucial for large breed puppies, who require a carefully managed diet to support their rapid growth while avoiding common issues like obesity and joint stress.

    The bulk of the protein in this formula comes from chicken and dry matter label analysis reveals it contains 44% protein, 30% fat and 18% estimated carbohydrates, with a fat-to-protein ratio of 68%. 

    For more choices: See our Best Wet Puppy Food page.

    Read our review of the full The Farmer’s Dog range here

    Main Ingredients Chicken, chicken liver, broccoli, cauliflower, brussels sprouts
    Texture Wet
    Type Grain-free
    Protein Percentage 44%
    AAFCO Standards All life stages
    Best For All puppies (including large breeds)

    Sample buyer review...

    "Bruno has never looked or felt so good. He no longer sheds and his breath is fresh and clean. His coat absolutely gleams with health. His eyes are bright and his energy level is through the roof! Thank you for making quality food at a good price point. If anyone is on the fence about trying this or making the switch, don’t be! "

    Read more buyer reviews at TheFarmersDog.com
  • Orijen Puppy Large

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    The Dog Food Advisor’s pet nutritionist, Laura Ward, highly recommends this Orijen formula for large breed puppies.

    This recipe has a freeze-dried coating and is rich in animal proteins from fresh and raw chicken, turkey and fish. Orijen incorporates WholePrey ingredients, which include meat, organs, and cartilage, mimicking the natural diet of wild canines. This approach provides a natural source of essential nutrients like vitamins, minerals, and amino acids, reducing the need for synthetic supplements.

    Dry matter label analysis reveals this large breed puppy food contains 43% protein, 18% fat and 31% estimated carbohydrates, with a fat-to-protein ratio of 42%.

    Read our review of the full Orijen Dog Food (Dry) range here

    Main Ingredients Chicken, turkey, salmon, whole herring, chicken liver
    Texture Dry
    Type Grain-free
    Protein Percentage 43%
    AAFCO Standards All Life Stages
    Best For All puppies including large breeds

    Sample buyer review...

    "Every ingredient is real my puppy has no issues no shedding great coat I mean I also add other products, including raw food into her kibble. I don’t just serve her this alone, but I have no issue with it at all whatsoever. "

    Read more buyer reviews at Chewy.com
  • Holistic Select Large & Giant Breed Puppy Health Lamb Meal & Oatmeal

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    If your large breed puppy suffers from a sensitive stomach, we recommend this Holistic Select formula due to its focus on easily digestible ingredients, digestive support through probiotics, prebiotics, and enzymes, and the absence of common irritants like artificial additives.

    The recipe is carefully balanced to support the specific growth and health needs of large breed puppies while being gentle on their digestive systems.

    This particular food derives the bulk of its protein from lamb meal and dry matter label analysis reveals it contains 28% protein, 17% fat and 48% estimated carbohydrates, with a fat-to-protein ratio of 60%. 

    For more choices: See our Best Dog Foods for a Sensitive Stomach page.

    Read our review of the full Holistic Select Dog Food (Dry) range here

    Main Ingredients Lamb meal, chicken meal, oatmeal, brown rice, barley
    Texture Dry
    Type Grain-inclusive
    Protein Percentage 28%
    AAFCO Standards Growth
    Best For All puppies (including large breeds)

    Sample buyer review...

    "This food has been great for our Bullmastiff’s tummy. He is four-months-old and the food we were giving him before made his stools very soft and a bit runny and he didn’t want to finish it all. He devours this food and looks around his bowl for more !!! "

    Read more buyer reviews at Chewy.com
  • Wellness Complete Health Large Breed Puppy Food

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    This 5-star rated dry food by Wellness is developed without GMOs, meat by-products or artificial preservatives. It is formulated to provide whole-body nutritional support for your large breed puppy.

    It is carefully crafted with ingredients that include premium proteins and wholesome grains supported by omega fatty acids — like DHA — essential vitamins, antioxidants, and probiotics. 

    This particular recipe derives the bulk of its protein from chicken and dry matter label analysis reveals it contains 32% protein, 14% fat and 45% estimated carbohydrates, with a fat-to-protein ratio of 44%. 

    Read our review of the full Wellness Complete Health Dog Food (Dry) range here

    Main Ingredients Deboned chicken, chicken meal, peas, ground brown rice, salmon meal
    Texture Dry
    Type Grain-inclusive
    Protein Percentage 32%
    AAFCO Standards Growth
    Best For All puppies (including large breeds)

    Sample buyer review...

    "Bucky loves his food. Definitely recommend it for all growing pups"

    Read more buyer reviews at Chewy.com
  1. How do I know if my puppy is a large breed?
  2. Why are large breeds more prone to hip dysplasia?
  3. How can I tell if a dog food is safe for large breed puppies?
  4. How much food should I feed my large breed puppy?
  5. How often should I feed my large breed puppy?
  6. When should I switch my puppy to adult food?
  7. Is it safe to let my puppy eat whenever she wants?

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if my puppy is a large breed?

The pet food industry3 defines a large breed puppy as one whose ADULT weight is expected to be more than 70 pounds.

However…

Since it’s not possible to know (in advance) your puppy’s adult weight before she’s fully grown

It’s far safer to use a more conservative 50 pound definition for large breed dogs proposed by others.4 5 6 7 8

So…

If you expect your dog to weigh over 50 pounds when fully grown… then she’s considered a large breed puppy.

Why are large breeds more prone to hip dysplasia?

Hip disease in large breeds is caused by at least one of 3 proven factors:

  1. Genetics9
  2. Overfeeding10
  3. Too much calcium in the diet11

So, since there’s nothing you can do to change your puppy’s genetics

Be sure to avoid feeding too many calories or too much calcium… factors that can significantly increase your puppy’s risk of hip dysplasia.

How can I tell if a dog food is safe for large breed puppies?

According to the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO)…

The maximum amount of calcium recommended for large breed puppies is 4.5 grams of calcium per every 1000 kcal (calories) in the food… or 1.8% calcium.12

Keep in mind… the calcium content printed on the label does not reveal this amount.

That’s because those figures are based on MINIMUMS… which is NOT acceptable.

You want to know the EXACT amount of calcium obtained by actual lab testing (by asking the company)…

Or the MAXIMUM amount the manufacturer is willing to guarantee to you on the label.

Thankfully…

AAFCO now requires13 those calcium standards to be guaranteed in each product’s Nutritional Adequacy Statement on the packaging.

You should see “meets AAFCO nutrient profiles” for either “growth” or “all life stages”… AND the words… “including growth of large size dogs (animals weighing over 70 pounds)”.

Like this…

Statement showing dog food suitable for large breed puppies

Since we never know the adult weight of a puppy before it’s fully grown, we recommend using a more conservative 50 pound definition for large breeds.

By the way…

All The Dog Food Advisor’s recommended large breed puppy foods meet these requirements. So, there’s no need for you to do any calculations yourself.

How much food should I feed my large breed puppy?

Determining how much to feed your large breed puppy is a processNOT a one-time decision.

Since a large breed puppy consumes more food each day than a smaller breed…

And because each dry food contains a different number of calories per cup…

It’s best to start with the recommended feeding amount printed on the package. Then, adjust that amount… to keep your puppy at her ideal weight.

How often should I feed my large breed puppy?

Once you’ve determined how much to feed your puppy per day

Simply divide that daily feeding amount into 3 or 4 smaller servings.

Then… feed those smaller portions to your puppy at regular intervals throughout the day.

To make it easy…

Try feeding your puppy whenever YOU eat… breakfast, lunch and dinner.

When should I switch my puppy to adult food?

Keep in mind…

Adult dog food can contain excessive amounts of calcium… which can make it unsafe for a puppy that’s still growing.

So… it’s important NOT to switch your puppy to adult food too soon.

With that in mind…

The best time to switch your puppy to adult food depends on her breed type.

The table below can help you determine when it’s safe to switch your large breed puppy to adult dog food.14 15

Breed Type Adult Weight Switch to Adult
Large breed 50 – 100 lbs 12 – 18 months
Giant breed Over 100 lbs 18 – 24 months

Keep in mind…

It’s much safer to keep your dog on puppy food too long… than to switch to an adult food too soon.

Is it safe to let my puppy eat whenever she wants?

‘Free choice’ is a popular feeding method whereby the food remains in the bowl all day long… so a puppy can eatwhenever she wants.

Sadly, many owners of large breed puppies mistakenly believe that this form of uncontrolled eating is the correct way to feed their pets.

But free choice feeding has been shown to cause a puppy to grow too fast… and lead to lasting bone damage.

A 1995 study of Great Danes revealed a significant increase in the risk of developing hip dysplasia when the puppies were fed free choice.16

In another study, one group of Labrador Retriever puppies was fed throughout life a restricted calorie diet… while a second was fed free choice.17

The restricted calorie group experienced a much lower risk of developing hip dysplasia later in life.

So, be sure to control the amount of food and the way you feed your puppy every day.

Final word

The Dog Food Advisor does not accept money, gifts, samples or other incentives in exchange for special consideration in preparing our reviews.

However, we do receive a referral fee from online retailers (like Chewy or Amazon) and from sellers of perishable pet food when readers click over to their websites from ours. This helps cover the cost of operation of our free blog. Thanks for your support.

For more information, please visit our Disclaimer and Disclosure page.

Sources

1: Lauten SD, Nutritional Risks to Large Breed Dogs: From Weaning to the Geriatric Years, Vet Clin Small Anim 36 (2006) 1345–1359.

2: Hazewinkel HAW. Nutrition in relation to skeletal growth deformities. J Sm Anim Practice. 1989; 30:525-630

3: Association of American Feed Control Officials

4: Lauten SD, Nutritional Risks to Large Breed Dogs: From Weaning to the Geriatric Years, Vet Clin Small Anim 36 (2006) 1345.




8: Yuill C, DVM, MSc, CVH, “Nutrition: General Feeding Guidelines for Dogs”, VCA Hospitals (November 2011)

9: Hedhammar A, Canine hip dysplasia as influenced by genetic and environmental factors, EJCAP, Oct 2007, 17:2 (pp 141-143)

10: Kealy RD et al, Effects of limited food consumption on the incidence of hip dysplasia in growing dogs, JAVMA, Sep 1992, 201:6 (pp 857-863)

11: Richardson, Skeletal diseases of the growing dog: Nutritional influences and the role of diet, Canine Hip Dysplasia: A Symposium Held at Western Veterinary Conference, 1995

12: Calculated by dry matter basis

13: Since January 1, 2018


15: Waltham Centre for Pet Nutrition (1999), Canine Life Stages and Lifestyles, The Waltham Course on Dog and Cat Nutrition, p. 4

16: Zentek J, Meyer H, Dammrich K. The effect of a different energy supply for growing Great Danes on the body mass and skeletal development. Clinical picture and chemical studies of the skeleton. Zentralbl Veterinarmed A 1995;42(1):69–80.

17: Smith GK, Paster ER, Powers MY, et al. Lifelong diet restriction and radiographic evidence of osteoarthritis of the hip joint in dogs. J Am Vet Med Assoc 2002;229(5):690–3.

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