Fabulous Foods and Tasty Treats for Large Breed Dogs

Our delightful dogs come in a massive variety of shapes and sizes, and it’s important to know how to look after your dog in the best possible way. Differences in size, metabolism, age and calorie requirements are all to be taken into account when choosing your furry friends' foods and treats. When choosing these dinners and tantalising treats it’s important you choose brands and recipes that will provide your dog with sufficient nutrition and calorific content to ensure they live a long and healthy life. Large breeds come with their own special set of requirements and in today’s post, we will be exploring what those are and which fabulous foods, tasty treats and compatible chews are right for those colossal canines.

What is a Large Breed Dog?

According to The Kennel Club, recent studies have shown that large breed dogs fall into two main categories, robust and athletic. Leaner large dogs such as Pointers, German Shepards and Setters are known as athletic large breeds and tend to have a deep chest and thinner abdomen giving them a cone-shaped look. Robust large dogs have similar waist and chest measurements and include dogs such as Rottweilers, St Bernards and Retrievers. Most large breed dogs will weigh a minimum of 25kg and reach a minimum height of 60cm. Other popular large breeds include Rottweilers, Weimaraners, Dalmations, Bloodhounds and Afghan Hounds.

How do Large Breeds Differ in Their Nutritional Needs?

If your large breed is considered athletic, they will tend to use large amounts of energy and as such will need additional nutrients and possibly larger portion sizes. The robust breeds, however, tend to have higher levels of body fat, meaning they have smaller energy requirements and can also be susceptible to weight gain and obesity. Large breeds also need more care when it comes to their joints. Due to their size, large breeds are more susceptible to deterioration of joints and cartilage and as such, treats and foods developed for large breeds have additional supplements like omega oils, green-lipped mussel and glucosamine. 

Larger dogs are also more prone to gastrointestinal problems making it essential to feed them foods, treats and chews that are made from the most gentle, all-natural ingredients that you can buy. Foods with good quality fibre and rich sources of vitamins, ie ones that are made with real vegetables, are best, look out for brands with the best quality ingredients at the heart of their recipes

Feeding Your Large Breed Dog

One of the main differences between large breed foods and regular ones is the size of the kibble. A larger kibble will keep your dogs eating at a reasonable rate as well as prevent bloating and overeating. A larger sized kibble will also help with the digestive process giving them more time to fully digest their food and garner all the nutrients from it. We also feel that dog food that is made from all-natural sources with high proportions of the best quality meats and fish available are best for all dogs. Vitamins, minerals and other nutrients are more easily absorbed from these sources and can help to prevent problems in your lovely large dogs. After all, the healthier the food the healthier the dog.

We would always recommend talking to your local vet if you are concerned about how to feed your pets for the best. 

Foods and Treats for Larger Breeds

At The Pets Larder we have a whole host of fantastic foods, chews and treats for all dogs, no matter their shape or size, and our specialist selection of large breeds is no exception.

Large Breed Dog Foods

Our favourite large breed feeds are the two offerings from our sister company Aflora, Llawnroc and Trencrom. These fantastic foods are specially formulated for large breeds, are made right here in Cornwall and are 100% grain-free. They are also made using freshly prepared, all-natural ingredients and have your large breed dogs' best interests at the heart of their recipes. 

Large Breed Treats

As we said above many large breed dogs can suffer from joint problems that can lead to a reduction in their quality of life. Thankfully at The Pets Larder, we’ve got your back!

Green & Wilds Mighty Mussel Munchies are a natural source of chondroitin and glucosamine, which are natural helpers for dogs with arthritis and joint problems. These tasty tidbits are also full of phytonutrients that help to promote a healthy immune system and digestive system, making them the perfect treat for your large breed dog.

So, if you have a large breed dog or are planning on welcoming one into your home, don't forget to find the right food for them to lead a long, happy and healthy life. If you are worried about your dogs' diets, don't forget that a vet will always be happy to help and the team at The Pets Larder will always be happy to assist where we can.