Best Large Breed Puppy Food*
Getting a new puppy is an exciting time—so you want to find the best large breed puppy food for your pet. Here’s our list of the best-selling puppy food so you can find the right one for your dog’s development.
How to find the best puppy food
Large breed puppies have more growing to do than smaller breeds, meaning they grow more slowly and take longer to reach their full size. The best large breed puppy food provides a diet that allows their muscles, bones and tissues to grow correctly and in proportion with the rest of their bodies. Growing too quickly can cause bone and joint problems, while excess fat puts strain on your puppy. When it comes to the best puppy food, it’s all about balance. Here’s what to look for.
Nutrition
Nutrition is the most important consideration when you’re looking for the best dog food for puppies. Large breed puppy food should be low-fat, contain the right amount of high-quality protein and provide the proper balance of calcium and phosphorous so that your puppy grows at just the right rate.
Ingredients
High-quality protein is an essential part of the best large breed puppy food. Most of the foods on our list contain real meat, not cornmeal, as the first ingredient. Whole fruits and vegetables are also important for antioxidants, and some fish may help support joint health. It’s up to you to decide how your best puppy food is sourced—you can find natural and non-GMO foods if you desire.
Value
The best large breed puppy food isn’t necessarily the most expensive. There are many brands on our list that offer great value while still providing a wholesome, balanced diet for your pup.
Top-rated large breed puppy food
We offer plenty of top-rated puppy food, but which brands come out on top for large breeds specifically? Here are the best large breed puppy foods, according to our top-selling picks with Petco customers. All the foods on our list have a nutritional formula to help support the growth rate of your large breed pup. Read on to see what sets each one apart.
Blue Buffalo
Life Protection Formula Natural Puppy Large Breed Chicken and Brown Rice
Blue Buffalo might be one of the best value puppy foods on our list, and doesn’t compromise on quality or nutrition.
- 30 lb. bag
- Real, deboned chicken is the first ingredient
- DHA, ARA and omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids help support eye and brain health
- Contains LifeSource Bits with the ideal blend of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals
- No by-product meals, corn, wheat, soy, artificial flavors or preservatives
Nutro
Natural Choice Lamb & Brown Rice Recipe
If you’re looking for one of the best large breed puppy foods with natural ingredients, and a great price, this Nutro dry puppy food can be a great pick.
- 30 lb. bag
- High-quality lamb is the first ingredient
- Natural sources of glucosamine and chondroitin helps support joints
- Essential antioxidants help support the immune system
- Non-GMO ingredients cooked in USA facilities
Hill’s Science Diet
Large Breed Chicken Meal & Oats Recipe
Hill’s Science Diet makes nutritionally balanced food for all life stages, and this large breed puppy food is no different offering a high-quality formula at a great price.
- 15.5 lb. or 30 lb. bag
- DHA from fish oil helps support brain and eye development
- Added vitamins, minerals and amino acids
- No artificial colors, flavors or preservatives
- Made in the USA with global ingredients you can trust
Purina
Pro Plan Focus Large Breed Chicken & Rice Formula
Purina might be one of the best puppy food brands thanks to its trusted reputation and consistently high ratings. Pro Plan Focus is specially formulated for active large breeds while they grow.
- 18 lb. or 34 lb. bag
- Glucosamine helps support developing joints and cartilage
- High-protein formula with real chicken as the first ingredient
- Vitamin A and omega-6 fatty acids help support skin and coat
- Minerals and antioxidants help support development
Blue Buffalo
Blue Wilderness Large Breed Puppy Chicken Recipe
Blue Buffalo is so good—it made our list twice. Its Blue Wilderness line is inspired by the diet of wolves but formulated for your large breed puppy to help them grow as nature intended.
- 24 lb. bag
- Grain-free and protein-rich
- Potatoes and sweet potatoes for complex carbohydrates
- More deboned chicken as the first ingredient
- Blueberries, cranberries and carrots for antioxidants
ORIJEN
Grain Free High Protein Fresh & Raw Animal Ingredients
This high-end dry food is considered one of the best large breed puppy foods. If you’re looking for the highest-quality protein and tasty recipes, look no further.
- 13 lb. or 25 lb. bag
- Formulated with free-run chicken and turkey, wild-caught fish and cage-free eggs
- Strong sources of essential protein, vitamins, and minerals
- Coated with freeze-dried liver for a taste dogs love
- Made in the USA with the world’s finest ingredients
Royal Canin
Breed Health Nutrition for Labrador Retrievers
Don’t stop at “large breed” food—some of the best puppy food can even be breed-specific. This Royal Canin recipe is developed for one of most popular breeds in America—Labrador Retrievers.
- 30 lb. bag
- Designed for purebred Labrador Retrievers 8 weeks to 15 months old
- High-protein formula in a chicken and brown rice flavor
- Donut-shaped kibble designed specifically for Labrador Retrievers
- Balanced energy content helps with weight management
Royal Canin
Breed Health Nutrition for German Shepherds
German Shepherds are working dogs—and if yours lives an active lifestyle, they may need a diet specifically formulated for their development, provided to you by Royal Canin.
- 30 lb. bag
- Designed for purebred German Shepherds 8 weeks to 15 months old
- Chicken and brown rice formula with plenty of protein
- Exclusive kibble shape to encourage German Shepherds to eat
- Glucosamine and chondroitin to support the joints of your busy German shepherd
Royal Canin
Breed Health Nutrition for Golden Retrievers
Goldens are one of America’s favorite dogs. Show yours how much you love them with this specially formulated large breed puppy food for Golden Retrievers.
- 30 lb. bag
- Designed for purebred Golden Retrievers 8 weeks to 15 months old
- Chicken provides high-quality protein and tasty flavor
- Kibble shape designed for their straight muzzle and scissor bite
- Essential nutrients help keep that famous golden coat shiny
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Learn More About Some of the Healthiest Puppy Food
The world of puppy food can seem complex, but it doesn’t have to be. Finding the best large breed puppy food starts with answering these common questions.
While large breeds require more protein, calcium and other nutrients than smaller breeds, there is such a thing as too much. So how do you know if your dog is a large or giant breed? According to the Association of American Feed Control Officials, large breed dogs weigh over 70 lbs. when fully grown. This also includes any giant breeds, which are those over 100 lbs. when fully grown.
Large breed puppy food actually has fewer calories than regular puppy food. That’s because large breed puppies need to be sure they don’t grow too quickly so that their joints, bones and muscles can keep up. Remember that in large breed puppies, “puppy fat” isn’t always a good thing. You don’t want to put stress on their joints.
How much and how often to feed a large breed puppy depends on the puppy’s age and weight. Very young puppies are often fed four times a day; at three to six months, you can feed three times a day. After six months, the usual two times a day is sufficient. Because there is a wide range of weights in large breed dogs, how much to feed varies. The best large breed puppy food will have a feeding chart on the package.
Both dry and wet food has benefits for puppies. Dry food is more nutrient-dense, easier to store and helps clean their teeth. Some puppies won’t like dry food at first, but if they’re old enough for dog chew toys, they are old enough for dry food. Wet food has fewer calories, can help your puppy get fluids and is easier to eat than wet food. In the end, the healthiest puppy food may be a mix of the two.
Grain-free diets for puppies have pros and cons. Grains do provide nutritional value to puppies in the form of carbohydrates, which give them energy. But if your puppy is already showing a food intolerance to grains, then grain-free could be the way to go. Consult your veterinarian if you have questions.
*Based on petco.com sales data.
