Our verdict
Is Leader Mother & Puppy Dog Food a good dog food?
We score it 46/100 (Average). This reflects the ingredient quality, composition and label transparency of the recipe as declared on the label.
Complete dry food for large breed puppies, with dehydrated chicken and rice as the main ingredients.
Only part of the analytical constituents are declared, so the nutritional picture is incomplete.
100% 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, lamb, venison, pork, duck as ingredients
Consider something else if:
- Your dog avoids chicken: the label lists poultry
- Your dog avoids turkey: the label lists poultry
- Your dog avoids fish: the label lists salmon
- 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 29% · Fat 17%
Typical analysis (as fed)
| Nutrient | As fed |
|---|---|
| Protein | 29% |
| Fat | 17% |
| Fibre | 2% |
| Ash | 7.50% |
Energy: 385 kcal/100g
Additives & feeding info
Feeding and storage
Storage
Store in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight.
Feeding guide
For mothers: feed according to body weight and gestation stage. At 6 weeks of gestation: 240g for 10kg dogs, increasing to 910g for 80kg dogs; at 9 weeks: 310g for 10kg, increasing to 990g for 80kg. Lactating mothers: feed ad-lib. Puppies: feed according to body weight and age from 1–3 months, 4–8 months, 8–12 months and 12+ months.
Additives declared on the label
Nutritional additives
Vitamin A 24,000 i.u./kg; Vitamin D3 2,000 i.u./kg; Vitamin E (Alpha Tocopherol Acetate) 250 i.u./kg; Copper (Copper Sulphate Pentahydrate) 7 mg/kg; Selenium (Sodium Selenite) 0.15 mg/kg; Iron (Iron Sulphate Monohydrate) 75 mg/kg; Manganese (Manganese Oxide) 40 mg/kg; Zinc (Zinc Oxide) 70 mg/kg; Zinc (Zinc Chelate of Glycine Hydrate) 30 mg/kg; Iodine (Calcium Iodate) 1.50 mg/kg
Technological additives
Antioxidants; Preservatives
Ingredients (13)100% of the recipe is estimated
Estimated composition
- carb 33.8%
- meat 26.2%
- fibre 12.3%
- additive 11.9%
- oil 8.5%
- veg 7.3%
| # | As declared | Matched | Label reading | Declared % | Est. % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dehydrated Salmon Meat | Salmon | meat · good | - | 10.0 |
| 2 | Dehydrated Poultry Meat | Poultry | meat · medium | - | 9.6 |
| 3 | Rice | Rice - white | carb · medium | - | 9.2 |
| 4 | Pearled Barley | Pearled Barley | carb · medium | - | 8.8 |
| 5 | Poultry Fat | Poultry Fat | oil · medium | - | 8.5 |
| 6 | Sorghum | Sorghum | carb · medium | - | 8.1 |
| 7 | Dehulled Oats | Oats | carb · medium | - | 7.7 |
| 8 | Full Fat Linseed | Linseed | veg · good | - | 7.3 |
| 9 | Beet Pulp | Beet Pulp | fibre · medium | - | 6.9 |
| 10 | Chicken Gravy | Chicken | meat · medium | - | 6.5 |
| 11 | Sodium Chloride | Salt | additive · poor | - | 6.2 |
| 12 | Yeast Extract | Hydrolysed Yeast | additive · medium | - | 5.8 |
| 13 | Chicory Extract. | Chicory Root Extract | fibre · good | - | 5.4 |
- 1. Dehydrated Salmon Meat10.0% estimated
- 2. Dehydrated Poultry Meat9.6% estimated
- 3. Rice9.2% estimated
- 4. Pearled Barley8.8% estimated
- 5. Poultry Fat8.5% estimated
- 6. Sorghum8.1% estimated
- 7. Dehulled Oats7.7% estimated
- 8. Full Fat Linseed7.3% estimated
- 9. Beet Pulp6.9% estimated
- 10. Chicken Gravy6.5% estimated
- 11. Sodium Chloride6.2% estimated
- 12. Yeast Extract5.8% estimated
- 13. Chicory Extract.5.4% estimated
Trust and sourceNo recalls recorded in our database · checked 2026-09-13
Brand and contact: Leader
- Website
- https://redmillsstore.co.uk/
Trust and provenance
- Recall history
- No recalls recorded in our database
- Label data last checked
- 2026-09-13
- Scored with
- Model v3 (methodology)
- Product page
- redmillsstore.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.
Brand and retailer reviews
External platform ratings are not scores for this individual 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 a final score of 46 out of 100 based on several key factors. The overall quality of the ingredient list added +4.8 points. However, ingredients without printed percentages reduced the score by -10.6. Additionally, the processing format deducted -6.7 and the carbohydrate content contributed -4.
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 | 0.5 | 9.191 | +4.81 |
| Carb share of dry matter | 35.0% | -0.115 | -4.03 |
| Oil share of dry matter | 9.8% | -0.092 | -0.91 |
| Vegetable share of dry matter | 7.7% | -0.005 | -0.04 |
| Additive share of dry matter | 12.6% | 0.163 | +2.05 |
| Recipe graded poor | 6.2% | -0.065 | -0.40 |
| Number of poor ingredients | 1 | -0.876 | -0.88 |
| Largest single poor ingredient | 6.2% | 0.060 | +0.37 |
| Undeclared quantities | 100.0% | -0.106 | -10.56 |
| Complete diet | yes | 2.294 | +2.29 |
| Low meat (under 10% of dry matter) | yes | -3.158 | -3.16 |
| Additive penalty | -14.43 | 0.222 | -3.20 |
| 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 | 0.5 | 9.191 | +4.81 |
| Meat share of dry matter | 0.0% | 0.096 | +0.00 |
| Carb share of dry matter | 35.0% | -0.115 | -4.03 |
| Oil share of dry matter | 9.8% | -0.092 | -0.91 |
| Vegetable share of dry matter | 7.7% | -0.005 | -0.04 |
| Additive share of dry matter | 12.6% | 0.163 | +2.05 |
| Supplement share of dry matter | 0.0% | -0.012 | +0.00 |
| Other share of dry matter | 0.0% | -0.375 | +0.00 |
| Unrecognised share of dry matter | 0.0% | -0.027 | +0.00 |
| Recipe graded poor | 6.2% | -0.065 | -0.40 |
| Poor-quality meat in recipe | 0.0% | -0.179 | +0.00 |
| Number of poor ingredients | 1 | -0.876 | -0.88 |
| Largest single poor ingredient | 6.2% | 0.060 | +0.37 |
| Undeclared quantities | 100.0% | -0.106 | -10.56 |
| 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) | no | 0.707 | +0.00 |
| Low meat (under 10% of dry matter) | yes | -3.158 | -3.16 |
| 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 | -14.43 | 0.222 | -3.20 |
| 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
- +2 transparency bonus
- Subtotal
- 45.7
- Final score
- 46/100
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.
Score history across model versions
The score shown above is always computed with the latest published model. Earlier scores are kept for the record and are never edited or deleted; a scoring change ships as a new model version with a public write-up 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 | 29 | 32 | 100 |
| Fat | 17 | 18.8 | 100 |
| Energy (kcal/100g) | 385 | 425.4 | 100 |
Scored over 3 declared nutrients (combined weight 50); 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 24,000 i.u./kg
- Vitamin D3 2,000 i.u./kg
- Vitamin E (Alpha Tocopherol Acetate) 250 i.u./kg
- Copper (Copper Sulphate Pentahydrate) 7 mg/kg
- Selenium (Sodium Selenite) 0.15 mg/kg
- Iron (Iron Sulphate Monohydrate) 75 mg/kg
- Manganese (Manganese Oxide) 40 mg/kg
- Zinc (Zinc Oxide) 70 mg/kg
- Zinc (Zinc Chelate of Glycine Hydrate) 30 mg/kg
- Iodine (Calcium Iodate) 1.50 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 (voluntary) - not on file | 0/20 |
| Analytical constituents declared (mandatory) - not on file | 0/15 |
| Additives declared (mandatory) | 10/10 |
| Energy value declared (voluntary) | 5/5 |
| Complete/complementary designation (mandatory) | 5/5 |
| Feeding guidance given (mandatory) | 10/10 |
| Manufacturer identity and address (mandatory) | 5/10 |
| 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, 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.
Claims on file; none we can check against the label
| Claim | Type | Check | Substantiation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Specially formulated for mother and puppy (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion source |
| fully balanced to meet the nutritional requirements of pups from 4 weeks of age upwards (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion source |
| optimum nourishment for both mother and puppy (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion source |
| extra protein for muscle strength (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion source |
| tailored nutrition to protect their joints and give them the endurance they need (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion source |
| shiny coat (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion source |
| Hypoallergenic (on page) | Free-from | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion source |
| rich in essential vitamins A, D and E and minerals including Iron (on page) | Nutrient | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion source |
| 39% meat content (on page) | Content | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion source |
| 39% protein (on page) | Nutrient | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion source |
The full scoring method is published. See the methodology for exactly how the headline score and each dimension are calculated.
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