Hardy's Premium Pet Foods Hardy's Originals Premium Puppy Chicken & Rice
Dry Extruded · completeHigh meatClear label
Our verdict
Is Hardy's Premium Pet Foods Hardy's Originals Premium Puppy Chicken & Rice a good dog food?
We score it 62/100 (Average). This reflects the ingredient quality, composition and label transparency of the recipe as declared on the label.
Complete extruded dry food for puppies, with chicken, chicken oil and fat and rice as the main ingredients.
Only part of the analytical constituents are declared, so the nutritional picture is incomplete.
39% of this recipe has no printed percentage. Estimated shares are model estimates, not label facts.
Who is this food for?
Suits
- Labelled by the manufacturer for puppies
- Doesn't list beef, turkey, lamb, venison, pork, duck as ingredients
Consider something else if:
- Your dog avoids chicken: the label lists chicken
- Your dog avoids fish: the label lists fish meal
- Your dog avoids grain: the label lists rice - white
- You want a single-protein recipe: this one lists more than one animal protein
These points are derived from declared ingredients and analysis, not a substitute for veterinary advice. If your dog has a diagnosed condition, food choice is a medical nutrition decision: speak to your vet. Find foods that fit your dog.
Nutrition and feedingProtein 28% · Fat 13%
Typical analysis (as fed)
| Nutrient | As fed |
|---|---|
| Protein | 28% |
| Fat | 13% |
| Fibre | 3% |
| Ash | 7.50% |
Additives & feeding info
Additives declared on the label
Nutritional additives
Vitamin A 25,800 IU/kg; Vitamin D3 1,750 IU/kg; L-Carnitine 100 mg/kg; Zinc (Zinc Chelate of Amino Acids Hydrate/Zinc Sulphate Monohydrate) 153 mg/kg; Iron (Iron (II) Sulphate Monohydrate/Iron (II) Chelate of Amino Acid Hydrate) 95 mg/kg; Manganese (Manganous Sulphate Monohydrate) 35 mg/kg; Copper (Copper (II) Sulphate Pentahydrate/Copper (II) Chelate of Amino Acid Hydrate) 15 mg/kg; Iodine (Calcium Iodate Anhydrous) 1 mg/kg; Selenium (Sodium Selenite) 0.3 mg/kg; DL-Methionine 2,600 mg/kg
Ingredients (19)39% of the recipe is estimated
Estimated composition
- meat 39.5%
- carb 25.1%
- supplement 19.3%
- oil 5.0%
- fibre 5.0%
- other 3.2%
- veg 2.9%
| # | As declared | Matched | Label reading | Declared % | Est. % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chicken 38% (Including Dried Chicken 31% | Chicken | meat · medium | 31 | 31.0 |
| 2 | Chicken Fat 5% | Chicken Oil and Fat | oil · good | 5 | 5.0 |
| 3 | Chicken Gravy 2% | Chicken | meat · medium | 2 | 2.0 |
| 4 | Rice (18%) | Rice - white | carb · medium | 18 | 18.0 |
| 5 | Maize | Maize / Corn | carb · medium | - | 3.6 |
| 6 | Oats | Oats | carb · medium | - | 3.5 |
| 7 | Beet Pulp (5%) | Beet Pulp | fibre · medium | 5 | 5.0 |
| 8 | Dried Fish | Fish Meal | meat · medium | - | 3.4 |
| 9 | Vegetable Stock | Vegetable Stock | other · medium | - | 3.2 |
| 10 | Freshly Prepared Free Range Egg | Egg | meat · good | - | 3.1 |
| 11 | Brewer's Yeast | Brewer's Yeast | supplement · good | - | 3.0 |
| 12 | Linseed | Linseed | veg · good | - | 2.9 |
| 13 | Minerals | Vitamins and minerals | supplement · medium | - | 2.7 |
| 14 | Omega 3 supplement | Omega-3 Supplement | supplement · good | - | 2.6 |
| 15 | Mannanoligosaccharides | Mannanoligosaccharides | supplement · good | - | 2.5 |
| 16 | Fructooligosaccharides | Fructo-oligosaccharides | supplement · good | - | 2.3 |
| 17 | Glucosamine | Glucosamine | supplement · good | - | 2.2 |
| 18 | Methylsulfonylmethane | MSM | supplement · good | - | 2.1 |
| 19 | Chondroitin Sulphate | Chondroitin | supplement · good | - | 1.9 |
- 1. Chicken 38% (Including Dried Chicken 31%31% declared31.0% estimated
- 2. Chicken Fat 5%5% declared5.0% estimated
- 3. Chicken Gravy 2%2% declared2.0% estimated
- 4. Rice (18%)18% declared18.0% estimated
- 5. Maize3.6% estimated
- 6. Oats3.5% estimated
- 7. Beet Pulp (5%)5% declared5.0% estimated
- 8. Dried Fish3.4% estimated
- 9. Vegetable Stock3.2% estimated
- 10. Freshly Prepared Free Range Egg3.1% estimated
- 11. Brewer's Yeast3.0% estimated
- 12. Linseed2.9% estimated
- 13. Minerals2.7% estimated
- 14. Omega 3 supplement2.6% estimated
- 15. Mannanoligosaccharides2.5% estimated
- 16. Fructooligosaccharides2.3% estimated
- 17. Glucosamine2.2% estimated
- 18. Methylsulfonylmethane2.1% estimated
- 19. Chondroitin Sulphate1.9% estimated
Trust and sourceNo recalls recorded in our database · checked 2026-09-22
Brand and contact: Hardy's Premium Pet Foods
- Phone
- 01305 260222
- Address
- Hardy's, Unit C4, Marabout Industrial Estate, Dorchester, Dorset, DT1 1YA
- Contact page
- www.hardyspremiumpetfoods.co.uk
Trust and provenance
- Recall history
- No recalls recorded in our database
- Label data last checked
- 2026-09-22
- Scored with
- Model v3 (methodology)
- Product page
- www.hardyspremiumpetfoods.co.uk
Recall history is presentation-only and never affects the score. Dates are when we recorded the data, not when the manufacturer last changed the recipe.
Spotted a mistake in this listing? Report it here and we'll take a look.
Score details and methodologyCalculations, history and evidence
Recipe: how the 1-100 score is calculated
Why this score?
This recipe achieves an overall score of 62 out of 100 based on several key factors. The meat content contributed +3.3 points, while the overall quality of the ingredient list added +5.7 points. However, the processing format reduced the score by -6.7 points, and ingredients without printed percentages resulted in a deduction of -4.1 points.
Scored with model v3 on 2026-10-25. Each component is the feature value for this product multiplied by the model's published coefficient.
| Component | Input | Coefficient | Contribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base score | - | 30.909 | +30.91 |
| Average ingredient quality | 0.6 | 9.191 | +5.67 |
| Meat share of dry matter | 33.9% | 0.096 | +3.25 |
| Carb share of dry matter | 26.1% | -0.115 | -3.00 |
| Oil share of dry matter | 5.8% | -0.092 | -0.54 |
| Vegetable share of dry matter | 3.0% | -0.005 | -0.02 |
| Supplement share of dry matter | 21.0% | -0.012 | -0.26 |
| Other share of dry matter | 0.2% | -0.375 | -0.07 |
| Undeclared quantities | 39.0% | -0.106 | -4.12 |
| Complete diet | yes | 2.294 | +2.29 |
| High meat (30%+ of dry matter) | yes | 0.707 | +0.71 |
| Processing multiplier | 0.98 | 33.786 | +33.11 |
| Processing: Dry Extruded | yes | -6.713 | -6.71 |
Show all 40 components
| Component | Input | Coefficient | Contribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base score | - | 30.909 | +30.91 |
| Average ingredient quality | 0.6 | 9.191 | +5.67 |
| Meat share of dry matter | 33.9% | 0.096 | +3.25 |
| Carb share of dry matter | 26.1% | -0.115 | -3.00 |
| Oil share of dry matter | 5.8% | -0.092 | -0.54 |
| Vegetable share of dry matter | 3.0% | -0.005 | -0.02 |
| Additive share of dry matter | 0.0% | 0.163 | +0.00 |
| Supplement share of dry matter | 21.0% | -0.012 | -0.26 |
| Other share of dry matter | 0.2% | -0.375 | -0.07 |
| Unrecognised share of dry matter | 0.0% | -0.027 | +0.00 |
| Recipe graded poor | 0.0% | -0.065 | +0.00 |
| Poor-quality meat in recipe | 0.0% | -0.179 | +0.00 |
| Number of poor ingredients | 0 | -0.876 | +0.00 |
| Largest single poor ingredient | 0.0% | 0.060 | +0.00 |
| Undeclared quantities | 39.0% | -0.106 | -4.12 |
| Prints ingredient percentages | no | 0.000 | +0.00 |
| Complete diet | yes | 2.294 | +2.29 |
| Frozen or chilled fresh | no | 0.000 | +0.00 |
| High meat (30%+ of dry matter) | yes | 0.707 | +0.71 |
| Low meat (under 10% of dry matter) | no | -3.158 | +0.00 |
| High carb and low meat | no | -1.180 | +0.00 |
| Meat share × printed percentages | 0.0 | 0.000 | +0.00 |
| Meat share × fresh | 0.0 | 0.000 | +0.00 |
| Fresh × high meat | 0.0 | 11.084 | +0.00 |
| Additive penalty | 0.00 | 0.222 | +0.00 |
| Processing multiplier | 0.98 | 33.786 | +33.11 |
| Processing: Raw | no | -0.054 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Fresh Chilled | no | -2.354 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Fresh Frozen | no | -2.354 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Fresh Refrigerated | no | 0.000 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Fresh Shelf | no | -0.672 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Dry Freeze Dried | no | 6.629 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Dry Air Dried | no | 6.331 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Dry Cold Pressed | no | -6.713 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Dry Baked | no | -6.713 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Dry Extruded | yes | -6.713 | -6.71 |
| Processing: Dry Semi Moist | no | -6.174 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Dry Muesli | no | -10.146 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Wet Pate | no | -0.672 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Wet Chunks | no | -0.672 | +0.00 |
- Processing-type offset
- +0.02
- Additives declared on label
- +1 transparency bonus
- Subtotal
- 62.2
- Final score
- 62/100
Contributions are rounded to two decimals, so they may not sum exactly to the subtotal. The full coefficient table is published on the methodology page.
Nutritional: declared analysis vs reference ranges
How the declared analysis compares with FEDIAF reference ranges for puppies and growth. The label prints as-fed values; we convert to a dry-matter basis before scoring, and the bands are dry-matter ranges. Scores rise to 100 at the band midpoint: the reference is adequacy, not maximisation. Nutrients with a published upper limit taper again above it; fat is policed through calorie density rather than a direct penalty.
Scored against FEDIAF growth minima; puppy scoring is under review.
| Nutrient | As fed (label) | Dry matter (scored) | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Protein | 28 | 30.9 | 100 |
| Fat | 13 | 14.4 | 100 |
Scored over 2 declared nutrients (combined weight 40); undeclared nutrients do not affect the score. Moisture was not declared and was estimated at 9.5% from the food type.
Declared fortification: 10 nutritional additives on the label
- Vitamin A 25,800 IU/kg
- Vitamin D3 1,750 IU/kg
- L-Carnitine 100 mg/kg
- Zinc (Zinc Chelate of Amino Acids Hydrate/Zinc Sulphate Monohydrate) 153 mg/kg
- Iron (Iron (II) Sulphate Monohydrate/Iron (II) Chelate of Amino Acid Hydrate) 95 mg/kg
- Manganese (Manganous Sulphate Monohydrate) 35 mg/kg
- Copper (Copper (II) Sulphate Pentahydrate/Copper (II) Chelate of Amino Acid Hydrate) 15 mg/kg
- Iodine (Calcium Iodate Anhydrous) 1 mg/kg
- Selenium (Sodium Selenite) 0.3 mg/kg
- DL-Methionine 2,600 mg/kg
Low confidence: partial analysis or moisture estimated from the food type.
This measures agreement with published reference ranges, not suitability for an individual dog. For medical conditions, follow veterinary guidance.
Transparency: what the label discloses
How much the manufacturer discloses, measured against the FEDIAF Code of Good Labelling Practice and Regulation 767/2009. Mandatory items dominate the weighting.
| Item | Points |
|---|---|
| Ingredient list on the label (mandatory) | 10/10 |
| Printed percentages on the label (61% of the recipe mass) (voluntary) | 12.2/20 |
| Analytical constituents declared (mandatory) - not on file | 0/15 |
| Additives declared (mandatory) | 5/10 |
| Energy value declared (voluntary) - not on file | 0/5 |
| Complete/complementary designation (mandatory) | 5/5 |
| Feeding guidance given (mandatory) - not on file | 0/10 |
| Manufacturer identity and address (mandatory) | 10/10 |
| Country of manufacture stated (voluntary) | 10/10 |
| Batch and date labelling (mandatory) - not on file | 0/5 |
Capped at 60: mandatory items missing (Analytical constituents declared, Feeding guidance given, Batch and date labelling).
Safety: recall history
Recall and safety-notice history, time-decayed. This dimension is shown alongside the score and never feeds the headline number.
No recalls recorded in our database.
See all current recalls we track.
Evidence: what the brand claims, and what supports it
The claims made on the pack and product page, checked against the declared label. We record claims as stated; "consistent" means our stored label data supports the claim, "contradicted" means it conflicts with it. Functional claims are recorded but never scored.
50/100 · limited — 4 checkable claims: 2 consistent, 2 contradicted.
Contradicted by the label
- "High Protein Puppy Food" — the declared label says otherwise on high protein.
- "Single Protein Puppy Food" — the declared label says otherwise on single protein.
Consistent with the label
- "Complete & Balanced Puppy Diet" — supported by the declared complete and balanced data.
- "UK-Made Puppy Food" — supported by the declared made in the UK data.
7 further claims on file that we cannot check against the label.
Limited: at least one claim contradicts the declared label, or a recent upheld ASA ruling applies.
| Claim | Type | Check | Substantiation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beet Pulp - A good source of soluble and insoluble dietary fibre which are important for maintaining normal intestinal transit time and mobility (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Skin & Coat - Contains Omega 3 & 6 essential fatty acids, Zinc and Biotin to help maintain a healthy skin & coat (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Immune System - Contains vitamins and minerals to help maintain a healthy immune system (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Digestive Health – Pre-biotic MOS (mannan-oligosaccharides) & FOS (fructo-oligosaccharides) which may help to promote the growth of healthy gut bacteria and thus aid digestion (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Complete & Balanced Puppy Diet (on page) | Content | consistent | Manufacturer assertion |
| High Protein Puppy Food (on page) | High/low level | contradicted | Manufacturer assertion |
| Hypoallergenic Puppy Food (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Single Protein Puppy Food (on page) | Content | contradicted | Manufacturer assertion |
| No Artificial Additives (on page) | Free-from | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Grain Free (on page) | Content | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| UK-Made Puppy Food (on page) | provenance | consistent | Manufacturer assertion |
The full scoring method is published. See the methodology for exactly how the headline score and each dimension are calculated.
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