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Best  Large Breed Puppy Food* of 2023

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

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

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.

Does my dog need large breed puppy food?

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.

What’s the difference between large breed puppy food and regular?

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 food should I feed my large breed puppy?

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.

Is dry or wet food better for puppies?

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.

Should puppies have grain-free diets?

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.

Best  Large Breed Puppy Food* of 2023