Can you recommend a good large breed puppy food?

Question

Hey everyone, I could really use some good opinions on this. I'm looking into getting another German Shepherd puppy soon and I started thinking about what food I should use this time. With my other GSD, I used Nutro Natural Choice because that's what the vet recommended, but I wasn't very impressed with it. It must have tasted terrible to her because she'd barely eat it and when I switched food, she couldn't get enough. The same thing happened with my friend's Great Dane. I've asked around and gotten mixed opinions. A vet recommended Eukanuba and a breeder told me never to use it. I don't know who to believe. So, I was just wondering what you fed your large breed puppies and/or which ones you'd recommend and why. Thanks a lot.

I guess I wasn't really specific. I'm looking for a premium or all-natural puppy chow. I don't mind having to pay more for better quality.

And about the Canidae, is it really good for all stages? I've been told that puppies have nutrional needs much different than adults. I've heard its a really good brand, I'm just curious as to how it works for them?

Answer 1

I'm not really trying to be rude here, but how can you recommend Ol' Roy of all things? Its got about as much nutritional value as a Big Mac does for you. Yeah, it fills you up and covers one or two the food groups, but you wouldn't want to eat a Big Mac for every meal or you wouldn't live more than a few years.

I use Innova Evo for my two dogs and it has just worked wonders for them. They eat much less since I've switched them yet gained a healthy weight, they go to the bathroom less, have more energy and better coats. Canidae, that was already recommended, is also a great food. They both have human-grade meats, no fillers, and no chemical additives. As for your question about Canidae being appropriate for all ages, look at it this way. Wolves do not feed their pups a specific diet. They eat what the adults eat and because it fills all their nutritional needs, it works for all members of the pack. Essentially, that's how Canidae works. It provides everything a dog needs nutritionally whether he's a pup or a senior.

This site was recommended to me by the breeder I purchased my GSD from and it has some great information about dog foods and their nutritional value and tells you what ingredients to watch out for. I strongly urge all of you who have any question about dog food to read it.
http://www.asuperiorgsd.com/dog.food.html

Answer 2

Canidae is a very good food and yes it is fine for all life stages.

Some other good choices:
Chicken Soup for the Dog Lover's Soul, Wellness, Merrick, Fromm, Premium Edge, Percise, Solid Gold, Innova


*****Peg D, I sure hope you never fed a Dane puppy any kind of puppy food. Dane puppies should NEVER have puppy food of any kind not even large breed (they are a giant breed not large)the protein level as well as calcium levels in puppy foods is way to high and can cause some very, very serious growth issues. A Dane puppy should NEVER have a food over 24% protein. They also should be fed a food taht doesn't contain corn, wheat or soy.******

Answer 3

Well, I have to tell you both are correct. If the vet recommends it and it works for your puppy then feed it. And the sheep dog trainer and the kennels are right saying that it does have a lot of protein in it. Basically thats all pupppy food and adult large breed formulas are. A higher protein content. A long time ago they didn't use to even have puppy food or large breed foods. And it was recommended to feed whatever the adults were eating to the puppy. Now with more options you can feel better that you puppy or adult dog is getting the nutrition it needs. (and puppies do need that extra protein in their diets for energy and growth) But keep an eye on your puppys or adult dogs weight, as with more protein in food they can get fat if they don't burn off all those extra calories.

Answer 4

Go with Canidae for all stages. 1 food for the dog's life. It's a little more expensive, but worth every penny!

Added: To those of you feeding your dogs crap like Ole' Roy and Dad's - Do you realize that 90% of those foods are fillers and that the nutritional value in that food is virtually 0? Look at the label...Would you eat it? NO, so why should your dog?!

Answer 5

I've owned a Great dane and a alstation shepard. They were both brought up, as puppies on purina puppy chow, puppy chow for a full year, till there full grown -). The dane, of course, needed a bit more meat so I mixed a third of canned food in with the food. once they were older, about 2, I switched their food to tuffy's. High protein, this was wonderful for both, heathy coats, very active, i never went with the food the vet recommended, they just get a cut if they recommend a certain product now days. As they get older, large breeds around 5 or 6, you can get a tuffys brand for older breeds. My dane lived till almost 10, and my shepard to 16. Worked great for them.

Answer 6

I use Nutro Large Breed SENIOR, even for my younger dog, with the chicken. It has less protien, which in a large breed you need to watch for the overdevelopment of bone-to ward off the possibility of future dysplasia, common in big dogs. My vet sz it's ok and they love it. Not the lamb- the chicken.

Answer 7

Canidae All Life Stages!

Answer 8

I would suggest Purina or Nature's....uhm O_o something. I forget actually what it was called, but going for a less common, organic food would be good also. My mom worked at a pet supply store for awhile, so I'm pretty sure that Iams ISNT a good brand to buy. Try and get something less eccentric, also, because I honestly dont think dogs like apple flavored food (yes, I've actually seen fruit flavored brands--yeuk!).

Of course you really dont have to listen to me, seeing as my dog ate a hamburger for every meal all of his life. Lived pretty long too, if you ask me, lol.

EDIT: Nutro, that's it. That's a really good brand. Heh... *scratches head nervously*

Answer 9

Merrick (organic and no fillers) Artemis, for the same reason or Flint River. Merrick and Artemis do not use wheat. Steer clear of Eukanuba.

Answer 10

I have the perfect puppy chow it is Purina One large breed puppy food,it is what I am using for my lab and so far my lab,german shepherd,and siberian husky are happy and healthy like they should be!whch the lab is 12wks.the gsd is 5 months,and the husk is 9 months,this chow is specially formulated for large breeds you can't get more specific and better than this at least try it