With Large breed puppies you want to feed then a diet rich in protein to help build muscle mass but also a diet with limited calories to avoid rapid weight gain and growth. YOUR GOAL: Avoid stress on developing bones and joints.

This means they need a healthy food that not only has quality ingredients, that won’t make them gain to fast in order to protect their rapidly growing joints and hips….AND a food that tastes great because they eat the same diet.. day after day. 

My dogs have turned their nose up to some of them “very best” and highly rated dog foods.

Honestly,  at the end of the day it’s gonna be up to your puppy and you may need to try a few different formulas to find one or even a few that your puppy really likes and will consistently eat.

NOT ALL PUPPIES CHOW DOWN THEIR KIBBLE. SOME ARE MORE PICKY.

The Rotation Diet For Large Breed Puppies and Dogs

“There is no one “perfect” food or perfect food combination that provides everything a human or animal needs to create optimum health over long periods.

Rotating protein sources not only ensures your pet will benefit from a varied amino acid and nutrient profile, it also reduces the risk he will form an intolerance to any specific animal protein source over time.”

– W. Jean Dodds, DVM

Food rotation: the secret to optimum nutrition and gut health!

I agree with Dr. Dodds,  the rotation diet is the healthiest way to go. Switching formulas AND your meat source every couple months is a healthy option. Rotation diets help your puppy develop a more versatile digestive system that can handle a larger variety of foods in their diets without getting sick.

If you NEVER switch your dog’s diet, feeding the same kibble – from puppy to adult – you may end up with a very sensitive dog – who gets stomach aches and diarrhea after even the smallest changes to their diet. 

READ MORE ABOUT THE ROTATION DIET FOR DOGS

When Should Large Breed Puppies Switch to Adult Dog Food?

Some large breeds are considered puppies until they’re 18-24 months.

Breed Size		Adult Weight	Adulthood
Medium Breed		40-60 lbs	10-12 mos
Large Breed		60-100 lbs	12-18 mos
Giant Breed		Over 100 lbs	18-24 mos

The Rule of thumb: You can safely switch to an adult dog food once your puppy has reached 80% of their estimated adult weight,  for my standard size Labradoodle and Aussiedoodle puppies this tends to be around 7-8 months old.  They may gain a couple more pounds but that’s about it and they’re basically at their adult height at that point. 

Large breed puppies naturally grow at a rapid rate. Controlling growth rate helps normal development of bones and joints which is particularly important from about eight weeks of age, when a puppy is weaned, to two years of age.

The tendency to overfeed and give supplements (such as calcium) to large breed puppies is common but should be avoided as it can potentially cause abnormal skeletal development. Instead, you want to feed them a diet specially formulated for Large Breed Puppies, to provide your puppy with the right balance of nutrients.

You can feed them a large breed puppy food or even an all life stages dog food.

Where to shop for the Best Large Breed Puppy Dog Food Brands

Most high quality dog foods aren’t available in grocery stores, and some aren’t even available in pet superstores like Petco and Petsmart. You’ll only find them at small specialty pet stores or online.

I’ve included Amazon Prime Links for all the dog foods on this list and Amazon offers 2 Day Shipping for FREE. 

These DOG FOODS are not listed in any specific order. I believe them ALL to be superior puppy foods especially in comparison to your grocery store brands.

If you’re using one of these brands then your starting your puppy off on the right paw in life.

FIRST OFF, WHAT I FEED OUR LARGE BREED DOGS AND PUPPIES…

 

All Life Stages by Lifes Abundance

Made for all life stages, this recipe contains only the finest ingredients, like …

• A proprietary blend of vitamins & minerals
• High-quality protein from chicken meal for strong muscles
• An antioxidant system including vitamins C & E
• Prebiotic fiber & guaranteed probiotics
• A selection of nutritious vegetables
• Omega-3 fatty acids for healthy skin & a shiny coat
• Calcium & phosphorus for healthy teeth and strong bones
• Dietary fiber to help maintain a healthy digestive tract

Dog Food Advisor Rating:

*Life’s Abundance Dog Food receives the Advisor’s second-highest tier rating of 4.5 stars. Read their Dog Food Advisor Review Here!

VISIT MYPUPPYFOOD.COM FOR MORE INFO ON ALL THE LIFES ABUNDANCE PRODUCTS

Best Large Breed Puppy Food List – 2018

Large Breed Puppy by Lifes Abundance

Large Breed Puppy Food is formulated with select ingredients to help your puppy grow and thrive.

• A proprietary blend of vitamins & minerals
• High-quality, multi-source proteins for growing muscles & healthy development
• An antioxidant system with vitamins C & E
• Prebiotic fiber & guaranteed probiotics
• Omega-3 fatty acids for healthy skin & a shiny coat
• Enriched with DHA for canine smarts
• Dietary fiber to help maintain a healthy digestive tract
• A selection of nutritious vegetables

VISIT MYPUPPYFOOD.COM FOR MORE INFO ON ALL THE LIFES ABUNDANCE PRODUCTS!

Dog Food Advisor Rating:

Life’s Abundance Dog Food receives the Advisor’s second-highest tier rating of 4.5 stars. Read their Dog Food Advisor Review Here!

Orijen Large Breed Puppy Formula 80/20

GRAIN FREE – Gently freeze-dried to lock in all of the natural goodness of our fresh and Regional ingredients, orijen’s freeze-dried foods offer all the benefits of a raw diet, nourishing your dog as mother nature intended.

ORIJEN Large Breed Puppy Dry Dog food contains 85% poultry, fish and eggs, 15% fruits and vegetables, and 0% grains, potatoes, or plant proteins.

ORIJEN’s Large Breed Puppy Recipe Dry Dog Food is sustainably farmed, and is so fresh, it’s actually rated for human consumption.

The Glycemic Research Institute voted Orijen as Best Pet Food Of The Year 2010-2011

Dog Food Advisor Rating:

*Orijen Puppy dog food receives the highest rating of 5 stars at Dogfoodadvisor.com – Read the Review

Taste of the Wild Puppy (Bison)

•  Grain Free -ROASTED BISON & VENISON – REAL MEAT is #1 ingredient; optimal amino acid profile & protein rich for LEAN, STRONG MUSCLES
• HIGH quality PROTEIN recipe with smaller kibble; tailored for growing puppy
• SUPERFOODS for hard-working ANTIOXIDANTS; DHA for BRAIN & VISION
• Ingredients from TRUSTED, SUSTAINABLE sources around the world; made with NO GRAIN, corn, wheat, filler; no artificial flavors, colors, preservatives
• High protein ingredients with added vitamins & minerals; Nutrient rich and HIGHLY DIGESTABLE with guaranteed soecies-specific, PROPRIETARY PROBIOTICS

Dog Food Advisor Rating:

*Taste of the Wild Dog Food receives the Advisor’s second-highest tier rating of 4.5 stars at Dogfoodadvisor.com – Read the Review.

Precise Plus Puppy Formula

Precise Plus Puppy Formula Dry Dog Food has a wonderful blend of high quality proteins, botanical and herbal ingredients, and important beneficial supplements that are sure to keep your pet healthy and happy.

Key Benefits

• Made with chicken as the #1 ingredient, plus chicken, lamb and salmon meals for added protein and flavor, and chamomile, dandelion and peppermint are added as natural digestive aids.
• Rich in DHA, Prebiotics and probiotics are added for healthy digestion and balanced omega fatty acids from flaxseed, chicken fat and fish oil help to promote healthy skin and a shiny coat.

The ‘Pet Business’ Magazine Award for 2010 in the ‘Best Pet Food Category’ went to Precise Holistic Select line

Dog Food Advisor Rating:

*Precise Plus Dog Food receives the second-highest rating of 4 star Read the Review

Solid Gold WolfCub Puppy (Bison)

High energy diets, like most puppy foods, can promote rapid growth in large breed puppies, which can play a role in the development of orthopedic diseases.

WolfCub Large Breed Puppy Formula contains a lower amount of protein, fat, and calories than typical puppy foods to help control the growth process.

No wheat, no soybeans, no corn, no animal fat, no poultry fat, no by-products, no sugar added, no preservatives added, no salt, no sunflower oil.

Research shows that a Calcium level of 1.5% or less is the most suitable for a large breed puppy.

Solid Gold Wolf Cub Large-Breed Puppy Dog Food made with Fresh Bison and Salmon Meal

Dog Food Advisor Rating:

*Solid Gold Dry Dog Food earns the second-highest rating of 4 stars at Dogfoodadvisor.com – Read the Review

Instinct Raw Boost Grain Free Large Breed Puppy

Giving your large breed puppy the benefits of freeze-dried raw food just got easy thanks to Instinct Raw Boost Grain-Free Large Breed Puppy Chicken Meal Formula Dry Dog Food.

High protein kibble plus freeze-dried raw pieces together in the same bag gives your puppy just right amount of nutrients, and provides the added convenience of feeding them a beneficial raw diet.

Instinct Raw Boost Grain-Free Large Breed Puppy Chicken Meal is made with an ideal amount of calcium and phosphorous for growing teeth and bones, and DHA for brain and eye development.

Plus, omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids help support a glossy coat and healthy skin, nourishing your puppy with a great balance of wholesome ingredients just got easier.

Dog Food Advisor Rating:

*Nature’s Variety Instinct Raw Boost Dog Food receives the Advisor’s top rating of 5 stars. Read Review Here

Blue Buffalo Large Breed Puppy Chicken & Brown Rice

Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula was created for the health and well-being of dogs. All formulas start with real meat, whole grains, garden veggies and fruit, plus added LifeSource Bits, a precise blend of nutrients that have been enhanced with a Super 7 package of antioxidant-rich ingredients.

This Large Breed Puppy Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe features delicious, protein-rich deboned chicken. And because puppyhood is such an important stage, it features ingredients that support healthy growth and development.

Dog Food Advisor Rating:

*Blue Buffalo Life Protection Dog Food earns the second-highest rating of 4 stars at Dogfoodadvisor.com – Read the Review

Eagle Pack Large and Giant Breed Puppy

Eagle Pack Large & Giant Breed Puppy Formula provides the right balance of proteins, fats and carbohydrates, combined with health-promoting antioxidant support, omega fatty acids and DHA to support healthy growth in puppies who will weigh over 50 pounds at maturity.

Key Benefits

• A delicious recipe that provides complete and balanced nutrition for puppies, specifically formulated for the special dietary needs of large-breed puppies
• Delivers the right balance of protein, fats, carbohydrates, antioxidants omega fatty acids, and glucosamine hydrochloride to support the everyday needs of puppies who will weigh over 50 pounds at maturity
• Glucosamine hydrochloride helps maintain joint health, with balanced calcium and phosphorus to support strong bones
• A robust vitamin, mineral, and antioxidant blend supports the immune system
• Made in the USA with no corn, wheat, by-products, artificial colors, flavors or preservatives

Dog Food Advisor Rating:

*Eagle Pack Dog Food receives the Advisor’s second-highest tier rating of 4 stars. Read the Review Here! 

Royal Canin Giant Puppy

The sheer size of the extra-large dog commands a presence. But did you know that the giant dog is also at a higher risk of bone and joint issues and frequently suffer from digestive upset?

Royal Canin Giant has the proper level of calcium, plus includes glucosamine, chondroitin and EPA/DHA for joint health. To help ease digestive upset, it also include highly digestible proteins and the proper blend of fermentable and non-fermentable fibers. Give your big guy the nutrition he needs!

Key Benefits

• For pups up to 8 months over 100 pounds
• An exclusive combination of nutrients to help support digestive health
• A balanced intestinal flora to promote good stool quality
• An adapted energy content helps support an intense growth rate and avoid excess weight gain
• Balanced energy intake and minerals contribute to good bone mineralization

Dog Food Advisor Rating:

*Royal Canin Giant Dog Food receives the Dog Food Advisor’s mid-tier rating of 3.5 stars. Read Review 

Fromm Gold Holistic Large Breed Puppy

Fromm Gold Large Breed Puppy Dry Dog Food is made to support the needs of those weighing more than 50 pounds in adulthood. Made with high quality protein like chicken and duck paired with fresh produce including potatoes and carrots as well as real Wisconsin cheese, balanced nutrition for your growing puppy without the unnecessary fillers!

This recipe also supports the health of your dog’s coat and skin with guaranteed levels of Omega fatty acids and is enhanced with probiotics to ensure that their digestion is right on track! Fromm Gold Large Breed Puppy Dry Dog Food is made with quality ingredients found in the United States with no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives that any pup is sure to love!

Dog Food Advisor Rating:

*Fromm Gold Dog Food receives the Advisor’s second-highest tier rating of 4.5 stars at Dogfoodadvisor.com Read the Review.

Wellness Core Large Breed Puppy

• GRAIN FREE: 100% grain free, complete and balanced everyday nutrition for your dog
• LARGE BREED PUPPY FORMULA: naturally grain free, rich with delicious premium proteins including turkey and chicken combined with real vegetables and essential vitamins and minerals
• ALL NATURAL: Contains only premium, all natural ingredients with no wheat, corn, soy, meat by-products, or artificial colors, flavors and preservative

Dog Food Advisor Rating:

*Wellness Core Dog Food receives the Advisor’s top rating of 5 stars at Dogfoodadvisor.com – Read the Review.

Freeze Dried Raw Meal Toppers

You can also use a meal topper like Stella and Chewy’s – raw dehydrated chicken meal topper mixed in with their kibble and warm water.
This one is JUST whole pieces of chicken freeze dried. They also sell dehydrated chicken patties.

DOGS LIVE FOR THIS STUFF!!

If you have a picky eater or a sick puppy these can really help to make their dog food more appealing while also adding more calories and nutrients.

Honest Kitchen Dog/Puppy Food

Another option is the Honest Kitchen Raw dehydrated dog food... which makes a type of freeze dried dog food mush that you just mix in with warm water and you can also mix it in with your dog’s kibble or serve it by itself. 

Even my pickiest poodle girl will lick the bowl clean! I also use this with my weaning puppies,  also great for runt or underweight puppies or adult dogs!  I Love both brands! 

A 10 lb box makes 40 lbs of dog food.  Great alone or mixed with kibble, can quickly increase the nutritional value of kibble!!

Just add a small scoop and some warm water,  mix and wait 3 mins.  A little goes a long way so be careful how much you add. 

Buy Honest Kitchen Free Range Chicken Formula on Amazon! 

Related Images: