Breed-Specific Nutrition
Feeding Guides by Breed
Every breed has unique nutritional needs. Find vet-approved feeding recommendations, portion sizes, and diet tips for your dog's breed.
Large & Giant Breeds
Akita
70–130 lbs · 10–13 years
Powerful, independent dogs with moderate activity levels despite their large size. Prone to autoimmune conditions that c...
Belgian Malinois
40–80 lbs · 14–16 years
Elite working dogs with extreme energy and drive. Working/sport Malinois may need performance-grade nutrition. One of th...
Bernese Mountain Dog
70–115 lbs · 7–10 years
Large, powerful working dogs with unfortunately high cancer rates and short lifespans. Controlled growth during puppyhoo...
Bloodhound
80–110 lbs · 10–12 years
Large, loose-skinned scent hounds with very high bloat risk. Their pendulous ears and facial folds need nutritional supp...
Boxer
50–80 lbs · 10–12 years
Energetic, playful dogs with a higher-than-average cancer rate. Their brachycephalic tendency can make eating from deep ...
Bullmastiff
100–130 lbs · 7–9 years
Powerful guardian breed with moderate activity. Short lifespan and cancer predisposition make nutrition quality importan...
Cane Corso
88–120 lbs · 9–12 years
Powerful, muscular Italian mastiff requiring high-quality protein for muscle maintenance. Giant breed puppy growth must ...
Collie
50–75 lbs · 12–14 years
Elegant herding dogs with beautiful, high-maintenance coats. MDR1 gene sensitivity affects many Collies — discuss any su...
Doberman Pinscher
60–100 lbs · 10–12 years
Athletic, muscular dogs with high protein needs. Dobermans have a breed-specific predisposition to dilated cardiomyopath...
German Shepherd
50–90 lbs · 9–13 years
Active, athletic dogs with higher calorie needs. Many GSDs have sensitive stomachs and chronic GI issues. Highly digesti...
German Shorthaired Pointer
45–70 lbs · 12–14 years
Extremely athletic sporting dogs with very high calorie needs, especially if hunting or doing field work. Lean and muscu...
Golden Retriever
55–75 lbs · 10–12 years
Active, food-motivated dogs needing high-quality nutrition for energy and coat health. Prone to obesity. Their elevated ...
Great Dane
110–175 lbs · 7–10 years
Giant breed with unique nutritional needs. Bloat (GDV) is the leading cause of death — feeding management is a life-or-d...
Labrador Retriever
55–80 lbs · 10–14 years
Labs carry a POMC gene mutation making them perpetually hungry. Strict portion control is essential — Labs are among the...
Newfoundland
100–150 lbs · 9–10 years
Gentle giant breed with significant cardiac and joint health concerns. Growth must be carefully controlled in puppyhood....
Rhodesian Ridgeback
70–85 lbs · 10–12 years
Athletic, muscular hounds originally bred for lion hunting. High energy expenditure when active, but can be surprisingly...
Rottweiler
80–135 lbs · 8–10 years
Powerful, muscular dogs with high protein needs for muscle maintenance. Prone to obesity and joint problems. Bloat is a ...
St. Bernard
120–180 lbs · 8–10 years
One of the largest dog breeds with surprisingly low energy needs relative to size. Growth management in puppyhood is abs...
Weimaraner
55–90 lbs · 10–13 years
Athletic, high-energy dogs needing quality nutrition for sustained activity. Very prone to bloat — feeding management is...
Medium Breeds
Australian Shepherd
40–65 lbs · 13–15 years
Extremely energetic herding dogs that burn significant calories daily. Their thick double coat requires quality nutritio...
Basset Hound
40–65 lbs · 12–13 years
Heavy-boned, low-energy hounds extremely prone to obesity. Their long ears trap moisture causing infections. Short legs ...
Beagle
20–30 lbs · 12–15 years
Food-obsessed hounds with an exceptional sense of smell. Among the breeds most prone to obesity. Strict portion control ...
Border Collie
30–55 lbs · 12–15 years
The most energetic and athletic dog breed. Working Border Collies can burn extraordinary calories — performance nutritio...
Brittany
30–40 lbs · 12–14 years
Extremely energetic pointing breed needing quality nutrition for sustained activity. Among the most active medium breeds...
Bulldog
40–50 lbs · 8–10 years
Low-energy, brachycephalic dogs extremely prone to obesity. Calorie needs are surprisingly low for their size. Many have...
Cocker Spaniel
20–30 lbs · 10–14 years
Cheerful sporting dogs prone to ear infections, obesity, and food sensitivities. Their pendulous ears trap moisture, and...
Dalmatian
45–70 lbs · 11–13 years
Dalmatians have a unique metabolic condition — they cannot properly metabolize purines, leading to uric acid stones. Thi...
English Springer Spaniel
40–50 lbs · 12–14 years
Energetic sporting dogs with moderate-to-high calorie needs. Their pendulous ears make them prone to ear infections. Act...
Poodle
40–70 lbs · 12–15 years
Intelligent, athletic dogs requiring excellent nutrition for energy and coat. Their curly coat needs adequate protein an...
Samoyed
35–65 lbs · 12–14 years
Beautiful Arctic breed with a stunning white double coat that demands excellent nutrition. Predisposed to diabetes and t...
Siberian Husky
35–60 lbs · 12–14 years
Bred for endurance with remarkably efficient metabolism — Huskies eat less than expected for their size and activity lev...
Vizsla
44–60 lbs · 12–14 years
Extremely athletic pointing breed with high energy needs. Lean and muscular by nature. Generally healthy with straightfo...
Small Breeds
Bichon Frise
12–18 lbs · 14–15 years
Cheerful, long-lived companion dogs prone to allergies, bladder stones, and dental disease. Their white, curly coat bene...
Boston Terrier
12–25 lbs · 11–13 years
Compact, brachycephalic dogs prone to flatulence and digestive sensitivity. Their flat faces can make eating difficult. ...
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
13–18 lbs · 9–14 years
Gentle companion dogs prone to heart disease (mitral valve disease affects nearly all Cavaliers by age 10). Nutrition su...
Chihuahua
3–6 lbs · 14–16 years
The smallest dog breed with fast metabolism and very small stomach capacity. Hypoglycemia is a serious risk, especially ...
Dachshund
11–32 lbs · 12–16 years
Their elongated spine makes weight management a medical priority. Every extra pound dramatically increases intervertebra...
French Bulldog
16–28 lbs · 10–12 years
Compact build and low exercise needs make Frenchies very prone to obesity. Brachycephalic anatomy makes eating difficult...
Havanese
7–13 lbs · 14–16 years
Long-lived companion dogs with silky coats that need nutritional support. Generally healthy breed with fewer dietary res...
Maltese
4–7 lbs · 12–15 years
Tiny, elegant dogs with pure white coats that require excellent nutrition. Tear staining is a common cosmetic concern th...
Miniature American Shepherd
20–40 lbs · 12–13 years
Compact, energetic herding dogs with high activity levels relative to size. Closely related to Australian Shepherds with...
Miniature Schnauzer
11–20 lbs · 12–15 years
Miniature Schnauzers are uniquely predisposed to pancreatitis and hyperlipidemia (high blood fat). A low-to-moderate fat...
Pembroke Welsh Corgi
25–30 lbs · 12–13 years
Corgis are surprisingly active herding dogs trapped in a low-to-ground body. Their long backs and short legs make weight...
Pomeranian
3–7 lbs · 12–16 years
Tiny dogs with big coats and fast metabolisms. Like Yorkies, Pom puppies are at risk for hypoglycemia. Their luxurious d...
Pug
14–18 lbs · 13–15 years
Pugs are food-obsessed, brachycephalic dogs with very low exercise tolerance. They are one of the breeds most prone to o...
Shetland Sheepdog
15–25 lbs · 12–14 years
Active, intelligent herding dogs with luxurious double coats requiring nutritional support. Generally healthy eaters. Th...
Shih Tzu
9–16 lbs · 10–18 years
Low-energy companion dogs with luxurious coats that need nutritional support. Their flat faces can make eating certain k...
West Highland White Terrier
15–20 lbs · 13–15 years
Westies are one of the most allergy-prone breeds, with skin issues being the breed's hallmark health concern. Diet plays...
Yorkshire Terrier
4–7 lbs · 13–16 years
Tiny dogs with fast metabolisms and small stomachs. Prone to hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), especially puppies and smal...