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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.
Best Large Breed Dog Food November 2024
Here are The Dog Food Advisor's best dog food brands for large breed dogs for November 2024.
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1. Best Overall Dog Food for Large Breeds: Wellness Core Grain-Free Large Breed
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
Things we like
- No meat by product fillers
- High protein for strong muslces
- No artificial colors, flavors or preservatives
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...
Read more buyer reviews at Chewy.com"Excellent food. Been using it for years. My German Shepherds love it and they also have excellent long coats. "
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2. Best Natural Dog Food for Large Breeds: Ollie Chicken with Carrots
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
Things we like
- Made with fresh poultry. Contains no by-product meals.
- Free of BHA or other chemical preservatives
- Optimized for the age, weight, activity level and breed size of your pet
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...
Read more buyer reviews"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! "
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3. Best Dry Dog Food for Large Breeds: The Honest Kitchen Whole Food Clusters Beef recipe
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
Things we like
- Human-grade
- Cold pressed and dehydrated to preserve nutrients
- No artificial preservatives
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...
Read more buyer reviews"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! "
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4. Best Wet Dog Food for Large Breeds: Just Food for Dogs Pantry Fresh Lamb & Brown Rice
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
Things we like
- Beneficial fats to support join health
- Novel protein source
- Fiber-rich
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...
Read more buyer reviews"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 "
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5. Best High Protein Dog Food for Large Breeds: Raised Right Adult Beef
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
Things we like
- High in protein
- Human-grade ingredients
- Limited diet
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...
Read more buyer reviews"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"
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6. Best Grain-Free Dog Food for Large Breeds: Now Fresh Grain-Free Large Breed Adult
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
Things we like
- No by-products or artificial preservatives
- Omega-3 and 6 from coconut and canola oil for healthy coat
- Probiotics to support digestion
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...
Read more buyer reviews at Chewy.com"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."
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7. Best Dog Food for Senior Large Breed: Orijen Senior
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
Things we like
- Coated with freeze-dried liver for enhanced flavor
- Omega-3 fatty acids for healthy skin and coat
- Contains glucosamine and chondroitin for optimal joint health
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...
Read more buyer reviews at Chewy.com"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!"
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8. Best Affordable Dog Food for Large Breeds: Merrick Grain-Free Large Breed Real Chicken and Sweet Potato
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
Things we like
- No artificial preservatives
- Grain-free. No corn, wheat or soy
- No by-product meals
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...
Read more buyer reviews at Chewy.com"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. "
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9. Best Grain-Inclusive Dog Food for Large Breeds: Diamond Naturals Large Breed Adult Chicken and Rice
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
Things we like
- Contains no plant-based protein boosters
- No artificial colors or preservatives
- Abundance of meat-based protein
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...
Read more buyer reviews at Chewy.com"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."
More Top Picks
To view more top dog foods by category… click the link below that best meets your personal feeding needs.
Final word
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