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Best Overall
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Runner-Up
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Best Raw Food
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The Farmer’s Dog is a fresh, human-grade dog food delivery service that customizes meals based on your dog’s age, breed, weight, and activity level. Made with real meat, vegetables, and essential nutrients, their vet-formulated recipes support overall health and digestion. Meals are pre-portioned and delivered straight to your door. BEST PRICE ON WEB 60% OFF YOUR FIRST BOX |
Fresh, human-grade food made from real ingredients for a healthier pup today and tomorrow. Recipes made from whole food ingredients, slow cooked for nutrition and flavor and always fresh. LIMITED TIME OFFER 60% OFF YOUR FIRST BOX |
Premade raw meals, delivered to your doorstep. A balanced raw diet for dogs can be tailored to your pet’s size, age, and tastes. They’ve made it easy to get started with a raw diet for your dog in just a few clicks. LIMITED TIME OFFER 40% OFF YOUR FIRST BOX |
The Farmer’s Dog is a fresh, human-grade dog food delivery service that customizes meals based on your dog’s age, breed, weight, and activity level. Made with real meat, vegetables, and essential nutrients, their vet-formulated recipes support overall health and digestion. Meals are pre-portioned and delivered straight to your door.
BEST PRICE ON WEB
60% OFF YOUR FIRST BOX
Fresh, human-grade food made from real ingredients for a healthier pup today and tomorrow. Recipes made from whole food ingredients, slow cooked for nutrition and flavor and always fresh.
LIMITED TIME OFFER
60% OFF YOUR FIRST BOX
Premade raw meals, delivered to your doorstep. A balanced raw diet for dogs can be tailored to your pet’s size, age, and tastes. They’ve made it easy to get started with a raw diet for your dog in just a few clicks.
LIMITED TIME OFFER
40% OFF YOUR FIRST BOX
FYI, this post includes affilite links. If you make a purchase through these links, DogVills earns a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Top Picks for the Best Large Breed Dog Food
If you’re in a rush, here’s a quick peek at our top picks.
- Best Overall – Farmers Dog
- Runner-Up – Ollie
- Best Raw – We Feed Raw
- Best Plant-Based – Wild Earth Maintenance Formula
- Best Puppy Pick – Redbarn Grain-Free Puppy Recipe Dog Food
Large Breeds & Nutritional Needs
Before we get into our list, let’s cover some nutritional basics of large-breed dogs. Exactly how much your dog needs to eat every day will depend on their breed, size, and age, but generally, adult large-breed dogs need to eat between 3-4 cups of food per day, split between two meals.
Large breeds should eat high protein (22-30%) and low fat (8-9%) diets, powered by high-quality, natural ingredients like chicken, fish, fibrous fruits, garden veggies, and wholegrains. As mentioned above, Omega-3s like DHA & EPA are crucial to support healthy joints in large breeds, as well as minerals like chondroitin, glucosamine, and phosphorus. Omegas are also good for heart health in big breeds, as are taurine and L-carnitine.
Portions should decrease a little with age to avoid weight gain, which is especially important in large dogs. Seniors also need age-tailored food, with fewer calories and more nutrients that fight aging free-radicals and inflammation such as vitamin C to keep them healthy, lean, and mobile. Large-breed puppies need tailored food, too, with extra Omegas and minerals like calcium that support physical and cognitive development, and smaller, more frequent meals in early puppyhood.
Avoiding foods with artificial additives and fillers like wheat is important for every dog, but it’s especially important to avoid inflammatories and low-quality ingredients that can lead to obesity in large breeds, as it can make age-related issues with heart and joint health much worse and affect the length and quality of their lives.
#1
Best Overall: The Farmers Dog
If you’re going the fresh food route for a large breed, The Farmer’s Dog takes the top spot. It’s one of those services that actually feels tailored instead of just claiming to be. You plug in your dog’s details (size, breed, activity level, the usual suspects), and it builds a plan that makes sense for bigger bodies that need balanced nutrition without tipping into “accidentally overfeeding a small horse” territory.
Portions are pre-measured, which is especially helpful with large dogs where even a little overdoing it adds up fast. The recipes are simple, gently cooked, and surprisingly clean-looking (you can tell what everything is, which shouldn’t feel like a luxury, but here we are). It’s not the cheapest option out there, but for large breed owners trying to manage weight, joint health, and overall longevity, it solves a lot of real-world problems without making feeding time complicated.
Features
- Tailored meal plans
- Fresh, gently cooked food
- Human-grade ingredients
- Minimally processed recipes
- No fillers or artificial additives
- Portion-controlled for weight management
- Supports large breed health needs
- Flexible subscription plans
- Pre-portioned, ready-to-serve meals
- Vet-developed recipes
- Made in U.S. kitchens
- Eco-friendly packaging
Pros & Cons at a Glance
- Truly personalized portions
- High-quality, human-grade ingredients
- Pre-portioned meals make feeding simple
- Costs add up quickly for large dogs
- Requires freezer space
What we like:
After a quick quiz, The Farmer’s Dog builds a personalized meal plan and sends a starter box with pre-portioned meals and clear feeding instructions (no guesswork, which is honestly half the battle with big dogs). The packaging is simple and practical, and everything arrives ready to store, thaw, and serve without much fuss.
The recipes are developed with veterinary input and focus on balanced nutrition, weight management, and overall health, which matters more with large breeds that are prone to joint and weight issues. The food itself is made with human-grade ingredients, gently cooked, and free from fillers or artificial additives. You also get flexible plan options and ongoing adjustments, so it’s easy to tweak things as your dog’s needs change (or as they decide they suddenly hate chicken this week).
What to Consider:
The Farmer’s Dog is a subscription-based service, and while you can adjust delivery frequency and portions, it may not be ideal if you prefer one-off purchases or more flexibility.
The Farmer’s Dog is a fresh, human-grade dog food delivery service that customizes meals based on your dog’s age, breed, weight, and activity level. Made with real meat, vegetables, and essential nutrients, their vet-formulated recipes support overall health and digestion. Meals are pre-portioned and delivered straight to your door.
BEST PRICE ON WEB
60% OFF YOUR FIRST BOX
#2
Runner Up: Ollie
Ollie is a very close second. It’s still a highly personalized service that builds your dog’s meal plan around their breed, age, and overall health, and it does a great job of balancing nutrition for larger dogs without overcomplicating things.
Pricing varies depending on your dog’s size (and yes, big dogs eat like big dogs), but it’s still a solid value for what you get. Ollie also has a nice mix of options beyond fresh food, including baked recipes, treats, and supplements, plus genuinely useful resources on things like weight management and picky eating. It’s a great choice, it just lands slightly behind The Farmer’s Dog in terms of overall customization and portion precision.
Features
- Tailored subscription service
- Fresh & baked foods
- Human-grade ingredients
- Minimally processed
- No fillers or additives
- Allergy & weight control
- Varied plans & prices
- Welcome kit
- App & health screenings
- Treats & supplements
- Made in US facilities
- Hassle-free packaging
Pros & Cons at a Glance
- Vet-designed formulas
- Human-grade recipes
- Options for allergies & weight control
- Requires freezer space
- On the pricier side
What we like:
After taking their one-minute quiz, customers are offered a starter box with 2-weeks’ worth of food and a welcome kit. The kit contains a feeding guide, a puptainer & a scoop, plus access to the app, with a free digestion screening for personalized advice from their health team to help you build a tailored, long-term routine.
Ollie’s meals are designed by vets for good gut health and energy levels, with allergy & weight control and better whole-body health and wellness. They’re made with high-quality, human-grade ingredients and no fillers or artificial additives, and there are multiple protein options to choose from. They’re also minimally processed for optimal digestibility and they’re made in US facilities with easy-to-use packaging.
What to consider:
Ollie is a subscription-only service, which may not suit everyone! That said, they do offer a wide variety of options when you’re building your plan.
Fresh, human-grade food made from real ingredients for a healthier pup today and tomorrow. Recipes made from whole food ingredients, slow cooked for nutrition and flavor and always fresh.
LIMITED TIME OFFER
70% OFF FIRST BOX +
FREE WELCOME KIT
#3
Best Raw: We Feed Raw
If you prefer a raw diet, We Feed Raw is the #1 pre-made raw dog food delivery company. They’re a family-owned business that tailors your meal plan according to your dog’s age, breed, and nutritional requirements, so your dog’s needs will be met, whatever their size. Meals are safely shipped frozen in well-insulated, biodegradable packaging, so you can feel extra good about your purchase.
Features
- #1 pre-made raw dog food delivery company
- Tailored plans
- Variety of options
- 100% raw & minimally processed
- Formulated by PhD animal nutritionist
- Nutritionally complete
- No fillers or additives
- Supports whole body health
- Safely prepared, packaged & shipped
- AAFCO & USDA compliant
- Biodegradable packaging
- Free cold-shipping nationwide
Pros & Cons at a Glance
- Human-grade meat
- Highly digestible
- Multiple protein sources
- Great for dogs with allergies
- On the pricy side
- Requires freezer space
What we like:
They have more variety than any of their rivals, with six protein sources to choose from, including chicken, beef, venison, and duck. All of their meals are formulated by a PhD animal nutritionist and are the most minimally processed foods of their kind on the market. They are all 100% raw, with no cooking or heating for maximum digestibility, just safely treated with cold pressure to eliminate harmful bacteria.
Their foods are nutritionally complete & whole with human-grade meats and no fillers or additives. They offer optimal levels of protein and essential nutrients for weight control, healthy skin, beautiful coats, and increased energy levels, plus fewer allergy symptoms, improved digestion, and more mealtime excitement.
What to consider:
If your dog isn’t used to a raw food diet you’ll need to go through a transition stage before switching completely over to We Feed Raw.
It’s also primarily a subscription-based service, which may not be right for everyone. They do have bulk and “one-off” boxes, but you need to meet a minimum order size with those.
Premade raw meals, delivered to your doorstep. A balanced raw diet for dogs can be tailored to your pet's size, age, and tastes. They've made it easy to get started with a raw diet for your dog in just a few clicks.
LIMITED TIME OFFER
SAVE 40% OFF YOUR FIRST BOX
#4
Best Plant-Based: Wild Earth Maintenance Formula
If you’re looking for a plant-based formula to fit in with your plant-based lifestyle, or if your dog has severe allergies to animal products, the Wild Earth Maintenance Formula could be the one for you. Not only is it designed by vets, scientists, and nutritionists to meet the needs of dogs of all sizes, but the brand offers one-off buys and flexible subscription deliveries, ranging from every 2 weeks to every 12 weeks, so it’s super convenient.
Features
- Designed by experts
- For all breeds
- Two flavors
- Plant-based
- Clean & limited ingredients
- 23% protein
- Allergen-free
- Added taurine & L-carnitine
- Made in small batches in the USA
- Picky eater-friendly
- Cruelty-free & sustainable
- One-off buys & flexible subscriptions
Pros & Cons at a Glance
- Vegan options
- Created by veterinarians
- Allergy-friendly
- Meat-free isn't ideal for all dogs
- May not be great for senior pups
What we like:
It comes in two flavors; classic roast and golden rotisserie, both of which are made in small batches in the USA with clean, limited ingredients, and herbs like rosemary and thyme for ensured deliciousness. Both formulas provide 23% protein, all 10 essential amino acids, and are free from the top dog food allergens like wheat and soy, plus artificial additives, antibiotics, and hormones.
With ancient grains, healthy fibers, and superfoods like flaxseed, sweet potato, and turmeric, it’s designed with gut health in mind. It also has added taurine and L-carnitine for healthy hearts. In fact, the brand boasts reported health improvements in 86% of their customers, with owners reporting boosted energy levels, clearer eyes, soothed skin, shinier coats, and more.
Another great feature is the brand’s commitment to ethical and eco-friendly products, with cruelty-free and sustainable formulas that require less CO2, less water, and less land to make.
What to consider:
The brand recommends the formula for puppies and healthy adults, so it may not be well suited to seniors. It’s also on the expensive side because it’s such a niche product, but if you need it, it’s definitely worth the money.
Maintenance Formula is expertly developed by veterinarians, scientists, and nutritionists to have everything your dog needs in a plant-based package. With the right mix of ingredients and an irresistible flavor, your pup will receive targeted nutrition that can help keep their gut regular, skin healthy, and coat soft.
#5
Best Puppy Pick: Redbarn Grain-Free Puppy Recipe Dry Food
If you’re looking for something for your young pup, Redbarn Grain-Free Puppy Recipe Dry Dog Food is undoubtedly the best option. It’s grain-free for sensitive pups, but they also do a whole grain version. It doesn’t contain chicken, either, so if your pup is allergic to chicken, it’s a great option for them.
Features
- Premium dry kibble
- Wholegrain & grain-free options
- Nutritionally complete & balanced
- All-natural ingredients
- Superfoods like flaxseed & pumpkin
- Probiotics & prebiotics
- Supports healthy cognition, joints, muscles & digestion
- No fillers or GMOs
- Chicken-free
Pros & Cons at a Glance
- Chicken-free
- Made in the USA
- Wholegrain & grain-free options
- Limited reviews (new product)
- Limited flavor options
What we like:
The first five ingredients are animal proteins; including beef, lamb, and fish, followed by functional ingredients to support optimal development. It’s free from fillers and GMOs and actively aids good cognitive function, joint health, and muscle mastery, as well as beautiful skin and coat with Omega fatty acids from sunflower oil and flaxseed. It also supports good digestion with pumpkin, probiotics, miscanthus grass, and prebiotic fibers, plus taurine, methionine, and l-carnitine for heart health.
What to consider:
There aren’t many customer reviews about the food on their website yet as it’s a new product, but the few there are, are all five-star.
Introducing Redbarn's specially crafted Grain-Free Puppy Recipe Dry Dog Food, designed specifically for the growth and development of young pups. The first five ingredients are animal proteins followed by functional ingredients to support cognitive functions, joint health, digestion, and muscle mastery!
FAQs
Is size-specific dog food necessary?
Whilst there are foods that are designed to be universal, size-tailored foods are usually best. Different breeds have different nutritional needs and require different concentrations of nutrients. Small dogs, for example, require more calories per pound than large dogs, due to their higher metabolic rates.
Is dry or wet food better for large-breed dogs?
As wet food tends to be higher in fat, high-quality dry food tends to be a better long-term choice for large breeds. However, there are some high-quality wet foods out there, as well as soft, raw, and fresh foods. There’s nothing wrong with mixing things up!
Do large breeds have more allergies?
No, any breed can have an allergy or intolerance. It’s true that certain breeds are more likely to than others, but they range from German Shepherds to Westies, so size has nothing to do with it!
My Personal Pick
If you’re looking for the best dog food for your large breed, The Farmer’s Dog is our top pick. It stands out for its truly personalized nutrition, high-quality ingredients, and portion-controlled meals that take the guesswork out of feeding a bigger dog.
That said, every option on this list has something going for it, and every dog is a little different (sometimes dramatically so). Take a look through the full list and go with what fits your dog’s needs and your routine. And as always, if you’re switching foods, ease into it gradually over several days to keep your dog’s stomach from staging a full protest.
The Farmer’s Dog is a fresh, human-grade dog food delivery service that customizes meals based on your dog’s age, breed, weight, and activity level. Made with real meat, vegetables, and essential nutrients, their vet-formulated recipes support overall health and digestion. Meals are pre-portioned and delivered straight to your door.
BEST PRICE ON WEB
60% OFF YOUR FIRST BOX
Author
Laura Hall
Writer
