Best Large Breed Dog Foods

Updated May 2019
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BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We may earn a commission if you purchase a product through our links.
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.
We may earn a commission if you purchase a product through our links.
Bottom Line
Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
Hill's Science Diet
Adult Large Breed Dry Dog Food
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Most Comprehensive
Bottom Line

Uses protein as the main ingredient, but it also delivers all-around nutritional value.

Pros

Made in the United States, so you can trust the ingredients. Contains no artificial flavors or colors. Includes glucosamine and chondroitin, which helps large breeds with joint health. Food is easy to digest, which is nice for older large breed dogs.

Cons

A little pricier than some others. Formula recently changed.

Purina Pro Plan
Adult Large Breed Dry Dog Food
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Customer Favorite
Bottom Line

Contains plenty of protein, which helps the large breed dog feel fuller and avoid weight gain.

Pros

Includes an omega-3 fatty acid and glucosamine to help large dogs maintain joint health. Formula designed to allow the dog to easily absorb all of the nutrients. Has a 26% protein count, which means the dog feels full. Great flavor for picky eaters.

Cons

Price is a little high. Occasional problems with packaging consistency.

Nutro Ultra
Large Breed Adult Canned Dog Food
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Good for Older Dogs
Bottom Line

Wet dog food that's easier for older large breed dogs to digest. Recipe focuses on joint health.

Pros

Uses 3 types of animal proteins to promote lean muscle development in large dogs. Includes naturally-sourced glucosamine and chondroitin to help the large breed dogs maintain joint health. No artificial flavors or colors added to the recipe.

Cons

More expensive than dry food, especially for as much as large breeds may eat.

Blue Buffalo
Life Protection Adult Large Breed Dry Dog Food
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Trusted Brand
Bottom Line

Excellent balance of nutrients, proteins, and vitamins for the overall health of the large dog.

Pros

Protein-rich recipe that helps dogs feel fuller so they can maintain a healthy weight. Contains fatty acids for coat and skin health. Formula has glucosamine and chondroitin, so the large breed dog can maintain mobility and avoid joint issues.

Cons

Higher price than some other dry foods. Occasional packaging quality issues.

Best Bang for the Buck
Iams
ProActive Health Adult Large Breed Dry Dog Food
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Bargain Pick
Bottom Line

Formula focuses on helping large dogs maintain joint health with glucosamine.

Pros

Has a kibble size that encourages the dog to chew it thoroughly, which removes plaque from teeth. Less expensive than some others. Most big dogs can digest the food easily. Multiple proteins that allow for lean muscle development.

Cons

Occasional problems with packaging consistency. Protein level could be higher.

How we decided

We purchase every product we review with our own funds — we never accept anything from product manufacturers.

17 Models Considered
6 Hours Researched
1 Experts Interviewed
268 Consumers Consulted
Zero products received from manufacturers.

We purchase every product we review with our own funds — we never accept anything from product manufacturers.

Why trust BestReviews?
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.
We may earn a commission if you purchase a product through our links.
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We may earn a commission if you purchase a product through our links.
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.
We may earn a commission if you purchase a product through our links.

Large breed dog foods are made for dogs 60 pounds and larger. For large breeds, problems with joints are common. Finding food that has specific ingredients aimed at joint and cartilage health is important. Large breeds tend to be a bit less active than smaller dogs. With less exercise, large breed dogs may develop issues with obesity. An overweight large breed dog may see additional joint and skeletal problems. This means a large breed dog food must contain a formula that helps with weight maintenance. Large breed dog foods are available in both dry and canned formats. However, because large dogs eat a lot, using only canned food can become very expensive.

The team that worked on this review
  • Enid
    Enid
    Editor
  • Kyle
    Kyle
    Writer
  • Melinda
    Melinda
    Web Producer
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Hill's Science Diet

Adult Large Breed Dry Dog Food

Hill's Science Diet

Adult Large Breed Dry Dog Food

Uses protein as the main ingredient, but it also delivers all-around nutritional value.
$47
×

Purina Pro Plan

Adult Large Breed Dry Dog Food

Purina Pro Plan

Adult Large Breed Dry Dog Food

Contains plenty of protein, which helps the large breed dog feel fuller and avoid weight gain.
$47
×

Blue Buffalo

Life Protection Adult Large Breed Dry Dog Food

Blue Buffalo

Life Protection Adult Large Breed Dry Dog Food

Excellent balance of nutrients, proteins, and vitamins for the overall health of the large dog.
$63
×

Iams

ProActive Health Adult Large Breed Dry Dog Food

Iams

ProActive Health Adult Large Breed Dry Dog Food

Formula focuses on helping large dogs maintain joint health with glucosamine.
$31

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