Best Large Breed Dog Food

Mike Sagman  Julia Ogden

By

Mike Sagman
Mike Sagman

Mike Sagman

Founder

Dr Mike Sagman is the creator of the Dog Food Advisor. He founded the website in 2008, after his unquestioning trust in commercial dog food led to the tragic death of his dog Penny.

Read more
&
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.

Read more

Updated: November 5, 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.

Read more

Laura Ward

DogFoodAdvisor is reader supported See how


All reviews are 100% impartial but if you buy using links on this page, we may earn a referral fee.

Choosing the best large breed dog food can make an enormous difference in the future health of your pet.

That’s because…

There are two different types of large breed dog food.

One designed for adults.

And another for large breed puppies.

Unfortunately…

Choosing the wrong one for your dog could lead to permanent bone damage.

Including a crippling form of hip dysplasia.

Especially if you’re feeding a puppy.1 2 3

Are You Feeding a Puppy… or an Adult?

Large breeds puppies (like labs, goldens, Cane Corsos and German shepherds) don’t reach adulthood until 12 to 18 months.

Yet giant breeds (like Great Danes and St. Bernards) can weigh over 100 pounds and take up to 24 months before they’re considered adults.

So…

If you’re feeding a large breed puppy

Be sure to visit our Best Large Breed Puppy Food page for our most recent recommendations.

The list below is recommended for large breed adults.

The Dog Food Advisor - Editor's choice

Best Large Breed Dog Food December 2024

Here are The Dog Food Advisor's best dog food brands for large breed dogs for December 2024.

  • 1. Best Overall Dog Food for Large Breeds: Wellness Core Grain-Free Large Breed

    Rating:
    star
    star
    star
    star
    star

    Wellness Core Large Breed formula is a grain-free, high protein recipe with substantial kibble size to promote proper chewing time in larger mouths. Increased amounts of glucosamine and chondroitin also supports bone and joint health in these larger sized dogs.

    This recipe contains the perfect amount of fat and calories to help maintain a healthy weight for a dog of this size. A higher quality food with an abundance of animal protein and nutrient-rich vegetables like spinach, kale and broccoli.

    Read our review of the full Wellness Core Grain Free Dog Food (Dry) range here

    Main Ingredients Deboned chicken, chicken meal, turkey meal, lentils, peas
    Texture Dry
    Type Grain-free
    Protein Percentage 37.8%
    AAFCO Standards Maintenance
    Best For All adult dogs including large dogs

    Sample buyer review...

    "Excellent food. Been using it for years. My German Shepherds love it and they also have excellent long coats. "

    Read more buyer reviews at Chewy.com
  • 2. Best Natural Dog Food for Large Breeds: Ollie Chicken with Carrots

    Rating:
    star
    star
    star
    star
    star

    Ollie Chicken with Carrots is one of five recipes in our review of the Ollie fresh food range. The customized meal plans make it an ideal choice for large breeds.

    All Ollie dog foods are known for being natural and made with human-grade ingredients. The brand focuses on using high-quality, fresh meats, fruits, and vegetables without artificial preservatives, fillers, or by-products. Ollie’s recipes are designed to provide balanced nutrition and are free from common allergens and additives, making them a good option for dogs with dietary sensitivities.

    An exceptional, grain-free option. Ideal for those who prefer a fully balanced diet, that’s as close to homemade as you can get. Without all the fuss. Not cheap.

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

    Main Ingredients Chicken, rice, carrots, peas, chicken livers, peas
    Texture Wet
    Type Grain-free, fresh
    Protein Percentage 30.8%
    AAFCO Standards All Life Stages
    Best For All adult dogs including large breeds

    Sample buyer review...

    "Seymour was such a picky eater, we literally tried everything, but he wouldn’t eat it. He had severe skin allergies and some digestive issues. When we fed him Ollie, he cleaned his bowl for the first time in his life. He absolutely loves this food! His skin allergies have cleared up, and his coat is so soft and shiny. Ollie literally changed my dog! "

    Read more buyer reviews
  • 3. Best Dry Dog Food for Large Breeds: The Honest Kitchen Whole Food Clusters Beef recipe

    Rating:
    star
    star
    star
    star
    star

    The Honest Kitchen Whole Food Clusters Beef Recipe is a premium dog food option made from high-quality, minimally processed ingredients. It’s designed to offer the benefits of whole foods in a convenient dry form.

    This brand prides itself on using 100% human-grade ingredients, which means that the food is made in a human food facility, ensuring high standards of quality and safety. The first ingredient is ranch-raised beef, which provides a high-quality protein source to support muscle health and energy in large breeds.

    The recipe is formulated to be highly digestible, which is ideal for dogs with sensitive stomachs or digestive issues.

    Read our review of the full The Honest Kitchen Whole Food Clusters (Dry) range here

    Main Ingredients Beef, potatoes, peas, beef liver, lentils, carrots
    Texture Dry
    Type Grain-free
    Protein Percentage 29.5%
    AAFCO Standards All Life Stages
    Best For Large breed dogs

    Sample buyer review...

    "Neeko is a big boy that's always been big and has allergies. We recently started this new food and it has changed him so much! He feels better, looks better and doesn't go back to lick his bowl over and over again so it actually fills him up properly with the right nutrients! "

    Read more buyer reviews
  • 4. Best Wet Dog Food for Large Breeds: Just Food for Dogs Pantry Fresh Lamb & Brown Rice

    Rating:
    star
    star
    star
    star
    star

    Just Food For Dogs Pantry Fresh Lamb & Brown Rice recipe is ideal for large breed dogs as it contains beneficial fats that support joint and skin health.

    It derives the bulk of it protein from lamb which makes it suitable for dogs with sensitivities to more common proteins such as chicken or beef. Complex carbohydrates from brown rice and spinach provide fiber to aid in digestion.

    Read our review of the full JustFoodForDogs Pantry Fresh Dog Food range here

    Main Ingredients Lamb hearts, brown rice, cauliflower, carrots, spinach
    Texture Wet
    Type Grain-inclusive, fresh
    Protein Percentage 26%
    AAFCO Standards Maintenance
    Best For Adult dogs

    Sample buyer review...

    "My two doggies love their food, they can't wait for me to give them their twice a day proportion, and they eat everything with no left overs "

    Read more buyer reviews
  • 5. Best High Protein Dog Food for Large Breeds: Raised Right Adult Beef

    Rating:
    star
    star
    star
    star
    star

    This Beef recipe is one of 11 wet formulas covered in our review of the Raised Right Fresh product line.

    Raised Right Adult Beef gets most of its meat protein from fresh beef, offering a significant amount of protein, which supports muscle maintenance and overall health in dogs. Dry matter label analysis shows the recipe contains 61% protein, 24% fat and 8% estimated carbs… yielding a fat-to-protein ratio of about 39%.

    This nutrient-dense recipe includes essential vitamins and minerals, along with healthy fats, to provide a balanced and complete diet.

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

    Main Ingredients Beef, beef heart, carrots, beef liver, cranberries
    Texture Wet
    Type Grain-free, fresh
    Protein Percentage 61%
    AAFCO Standards Maintenance
    Best For Adult dogs

    Sample buyer review...

    "I have two recuse. Since I've been giving them Raised Right they are now at a healthy weight and the intermittent GI problems they were experiencing have complete disappeared. The best dog food ever"

    Read more buyer reviews
  • 6. Best Grain-Free Dog Food for Large Breeds: Now Fresh Grain-Free Large Breed Adult

    Rating:
    star
    star
    star
    star
    star

    Now Fresh Large Breed Adult contains balanced proteins and fats from turkey, salmon and duck. Contains antioxidants found in fruits and vegetables such as spinach, cranberries, pumpkin, blackberries, and carrots. Great for building a strong immune system to help fight disease.

    Recommended for dogs over 50 pounds and between 15 months and 5 years of age. Contains extra nutrients such as glucosamine and chondroitin for hip and joint care for larger breed dogs.

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

    Main Ingredients De-boned turkey, whole dried egg, potatoes, peas, potato flour
    Texture Dry
    Type Grain-free
    Protein Percentage 30%
    AAFCO Standards Maintenance
    Best For All adult dogs including large breeds

    Sample buyer review...

    "New adopted German Shepherd dog with severe itching and digestive upset is now happy and itch free. I love the large kibble with ridges for her to easily bite. Having to chew her food is a plus. Her digestive system has calmed down. The lack of meat meals and common allergens has been worth the price."

    Read more buyer reviews at Chewy.com
  • 7. Best Dog Food for Senior Large Breed: Orijen Senior

    Rating:
    star
    star
    star
    star
    star

    From its founding, Champion Petfoods, the fabled maker of Orijen, has always favored and touted a meat-based, “biologically appropriate” canine diet… a proven, balanced formula which makes this food a top choice for large breed dogs.

    Orijen Senior is rich in animal proteins, helping maintain muscle mass in aging dogs, which is crucial for large breeds that may be more prone to muscle and joint issues. It also contains glucosamine and chondroitin to support joint health — a critical concern for large breed dogs as they age.

    The recipe includes low-glycemic ingredients like lentils and squash to help manage weight and prevent obesity, which can strain a large dog’s joints.

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

    Main Ingredients Whole herring, salmon, monkfish, acadian redfish, flounder, whole hake
    Texture Dry
    Type Grain-free
    Protein Percentage 43%
    AAFCO Standards Maintenance
    Best For Senior large breeds

    Sample buyer review...

    "This food has made such a difference for my 14 y/o dog. His digestive issues have disappeared and the quality of his stools is much improved. He really likes it, too!"

    Read more buyer reviews at Chewy.com
  • 8. Best Affordable Dog Food for Large Breeds: Merrick Grain-Free Large Breed Real Chicken and Sweet Potato

    Rating:
    star
    star
    star
    star
    star

    Merrick Grain-Free Large Breed recipe is a high-protein formula with sweet potatoes, peas, apples and blueberries. These fruits and vegetables provide antioxidants to help fight disease resistance while the significant protein is included to help larger breed dogs retain lean muscles.

    Like most large breed dog food formulas, extra glucosamine and chondroitin are essential and included for hip and joint health. Omega-3 and 6 fatty acids are incorporated to enhance a healthy skin and coat.

    Read our review of the full Merrick Dog Food range here

    Main Ingredients Deboned chicken, chicken meal, sweet potatoes, potatoes, peas
    Texture Dry
    Type Grain-free
    Protein Percentage 33.7%
    AAFCO Standards All Life Stages
    Best For All dogs including large breeds

    Sample buyer review...

    "Merrick chicken and sweet potatoes is a miracle worker. I have been trying everything from online and stores to get my dog allergies condition better. I mean EVERYTHING!!!!! Her yeast condition is going away, no more licking the paws out of control. Even her color in her paw pads has gone back to black. If your pet has any of these condition, please try Merrick. "

    Read more buyer reviews at Chewy.com
  • 9. Best Grain-Inclusive Dog Food for Large Breeds: Diamond Naturals Large Breed Adult Chicken and Rice

    Rating:
    star
    star
    star
    star
    star

    Diamond Naturals Large Breed Adult contains a variety of protein sources. These include fresh chicken, chicken meal and egg product… with minimal protein derived from plant-based ingredients. Ideal for mirroring an ancestral diet.

    Chelated minerals are also added for superior absorption.

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

    Main Ingredients Chicken, chicken meal, whole grain brown rice, cracked pearled barley, ground white rice
    Texture Dry
    Type Grain-inclusive
    Protein Percentage 25.6%
    AAFCO Standards Maintenance
    Best For All adult dogs including large breeds

    Sample buyer review...

    "We have a rescue Bernese Mountain dog who was very malnourished when we got her. We fed her a different dog food until we received our Chewy order. She loves the Diamond Naturals & is quickly gaining back to where she should be. She doesn't look like the same dog."

    Read more buyer reviews at Chewy.com

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: 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

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

Share via
Copy link