Best puppy food for giant breeds
Giant breed puppies need a food specifically formulated for large and giant breeds, with controlled calcium and phosphorus levels to slow growth to a healthy rate. Standard puppy food, built for smaller breeds, tends to grow them too fast for their own joints.
Why giant breeds need a different formula, not just more of the same
A giant breed puppy — a Great Dane, mastiff, Newfoundland or similar — can grow from a couple of kilograms to well over 45kg within about eighteen months, and how quickly that growth happens matters as much as how much food is provided. Growing too fast puts real strain on developing bones and joints, and is a recognised contributing factor in conditions like hip and elbow dysplasia later in life.
This is why a standard puppy food, formulated around the faster, more forgiving growth pattern of a small or medium breed, is not the right choice for a giant breed puppy even if it is nutritionally complete on paper. The calorie density and mineral balance need to be different, not just the portion size.
What "large and giant breed puppy" formulas actually change
The key difference is a controlled calcium and phosphorus level, specifically formulated to support steady, controlled bone growth rather than the fastest possible growth. Overly rich calcium levels in a fast-growing giant breed puppy have been linked to skeletal problems, which is exactly what these formulas are designed to avoid.
These foods also tend to be somewhat less calorie-dense per gram than standard puppy food, which helps keep growth rate in check rather than encouraging rapid weight gain in a breed already prone to growing quickly.
Feeding practically as a giant breed grows
Follow the feeding guide for your puppy's current weight rather than their expected adult weight, and weigh them regularly to keep portions accurate as they grow, since giant breeds can gain a significant amount in a short space of time. Measured meals at set times, rather than free feeding, make it much easier to keep growth steady and avoid the kind of rapid, uneven growth spurts that put extra strain on joints.
Giant breed puppies generally stay on a puppy-specific formula for longer than smaller breeds, often well past a year old, since they take considerably longer to reach full skeletal maturity. Check the specific food's guidance for when to transition, rather than assuming the twelve-month rule that applies to smaller breeds.
What we stock
Everything below is in stock with us, priced with delivery worked out, and packed and posted by hand in the UK.
Forthglade Cold Pressed Natural Turkey
Cold-pressed turkey kibble for dogs from 2 months, soft enough to mix with water for young pups
£45.99
Forthglade Cold Pressed Grain Free Salmon
Cold-pressed grain-free dry food for dogs, built on fresh and dried salmon
From£16.99
Forthglade Cold Pressed Grain Free Duck
Cold-pressed grain-free duck food with fruit and botanicals, in two bag sizes
From£16.99
Forthglade Cold Pressed Grain Free Chicken
Cold-pressed grain-free chicken food with fruit and botanicals, in three bag sizes
From£16.99
Forthglade Complete Meal Lightly Baked Turkey
A lightly baked complete dry food, 50% turkey, for adult dogs of any breed
From£12.49
Forthglade Complete Meal Lightly Baked Chicken
A grain-free complete dry food for adult dogs, lightly baked and built on 50% chicken
From£12.49
Forthglade Cold Pressed Small Dog Turkey
Cold-pressed grain-free dry food for small dogs and puppies, built on turkey
£16.99
Forthglade Complete Meal Lightly Baked Lamb
A lightly baked complete dry food, 50% lamb, for adult dogs of any breed
From£12.49
Forthglade Cold Pressed Grain Free Turkey
Grain-free cold-pressed turkey kibble for dogs, gentle on sensitive stomachs
£69.69
Harringtons Puppy Turkey & Rice
Complete turkey puppy food with 30% protein and feeding bands by adult weight
£6.49
Harringtons Adult Dog Turkey Veg
Complete dry food for adult dogs with turkey, chicken and salmon oil, 21% protein
From£3.39
Harringtons Adult Dog Salmon & Potato
Complete salmon and potato dry dog food with 21% protein in a 1.7KG bag
£6.25
Common questions
- Why can't I just feed a giant breed puppy regular puppy food?
- Standard puppy food is formulated around the faster growth pattern of smaller breeds and can grow a giant breed puppy too quickly, which puts extra strain on developing joints. A large and giant breed specific formula controls calcium and phosphorus to slow growth to a healthier rate.
- How long should a giant breed dog stay on puppy food?
- Often well past twelve months, sometimes up to 18-24 months, since giant breeds take considerably longer to reach full skeletal maturity than smaller dogs. Check the specific food's own guidance rather than assuming a fixed age.
- Can too much calcium harm a giant breed puppy?
- Yes, overly rich calcium levels during a giant breed puppy's rapid growth phase have been linked to skeletal problems, which is exactly why large and giant breed formulas control the level rather than leaving it uncapped.
- Should I free feed a giant breed puppy given how much they need to eat?
- Measured meals at set times are generally better than free feeding, since they make it much easier to keep growth steady and track portions accurately as a fast-growing puppy's weight changes.
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Written by Matt Garnett, who runs Giddy Pets and is a lifelong pet owner — not a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your animal. How we write these guides.