Our verdict
Is Leader Puppy Small Breed Dog Food a good dog food?
We score it 65/100 (Average). This reflects the ingredient quality, composition and label transparency of the recipe as declared on the label.
Complete dry food for small breed puppies, with dehydrated chicken and rice as the main ingredients.
61% 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
- Labelling or feeding guide is aimed at small dogs
- Single named protein: chicken
- Doesn't list beef, turkey, lamb, fish, venison, pork, duck as ingredients
Consider something else if:
- Your dog avoids grain: the label lists rice - brown / whole grain
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 30% · Fat 17%
Typical analysis (as fed)
| Nutrient | As fed |
|---|---|
| Protein | 30% |
| Fat | 17% |
| Fibre | 2% |
| Ash | 6.50% |
| Moisture | 10% |
Additives & feeding info
Feeding and storage
Storage
Store in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight.
Feeding guide
Feed puppies from 6 weeks onwards, 3 times per day until the age of 6 months, then reduce to twice per day. Feed the recommended daily amount according to body weight and age. Leader may be fed either wet or dry; if feeding wet, use 1 part water to 2 parts feed and feed within 30 minutes of preparation. Ensure fresh drinking water is available at all times.
Additives declared on the label
Nutritional additives
Vitamin A 24,000 iu/kg; Vitamin D3 2,000 iu/kg; Vitamin E (Alpha Tocopherol) 250 iu/kg; Copper Sulphate Pentahydrate 28.0 mg/kg; Sodium Selenite 0.3 mg/kg; Iron Sulphate Monohydrate 250.0 mg/kg; Manganese Oxide 65.0 mg/kg; Zinc Oxide 97.2 mg/kg; Zinc Chelate of Amino Acid Hydrate 200.0 mg/kg; Calcium Iodate Anhydrous 2.4 mg/kg
Technological additives
Preserved with tocopherol-rich extracts of natural origin
Ingredients (19)61% of the recipe is estimated
Estimated composition
- meat 42.7%
- veg 22.6%
- carb 12.8%
- supplement 11.0%
- oil 4.2%
- additive 3.5%
- fibre 3.3%
| # | As declared | Matched | Label reading | Declared % | Est. % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dehydrated Chicken (39%) | Dried chicken protein | meat · good | 39 | 39.0 |
| 2 | Brown Rice | Rice - brown / whole grain | carb · medium | - | 4.4 |
| 3 | White Rice | Rice - white | carb · medium | - | 4.3 |
| 4 | Chicken Fat | Chicken Oil and Fat | oil · good | - | 4.2 |
| 5 | Dehulled Oats | Oats | carb · medium | - | 4.1 |
| 6 | Whole Linseed | Linseed | veg · good | - | 3.9 |
| 7 | Alfalfa | Alfalfa | veg · good | - | 3.8 |
| 8 | Hydrolysed Liver Protein | Liver | meat · good | - | 3.7 |
| 9 | Minerals | Vitamins and minerals | supplement · medium | - | 3.6 |
| 10 | Yeast Extract | Hydrolysed Yeast | additive · medium | - | 3.5 |
| 11 | Chicory Inulin | Inulin | fibre · good | - | 3.3 |
| 12 | Dried Cranberries | Cranberries | veg · good | - | 3.2 |
| 13 | Dried Beetroot | Beetroot | veg · good | - | 3.1 |
| 14 | Rosemary | Rosemary | veg · good | - | 3.0 |
| 15 | Ginger | Ginger | veg · good | - | 2.8 |
| 16 | Turmeric | Turmeric | veg · good | - | 2.7 |
| 17 | Glucosamine Hydrochloride | Glucosamine | supplement · good | - | 2.6 |
| 18 | Yucca schidigera | Yucca Schidigera | supplement · good | - | 2.5 |
| 19 | Chondroitin Sulphate. | Chondroitin | supplement · good | - | 2.3 |
- 1. Dehydrated Chicken (39%)39% declared39.0% estimated
- 2. Brown Rice4.4% estimated
- 3. White Rice4.3% estimated
- 4. Chicken Fat4.2% estimated
- 5. Dehulled Oats4.1% estimated
- 6. Whole Linseed3.9% estimated
- 7. Alfalfa3.8% estimated
- 8. Hydrolysed Liver Protein3.7% estimated
- 9. Minerals3.6% estimated
- 10. Yeast Extract3.5% estimated
- 11. Chicory Inulin3.3% estimated
- 12. Dried Cranberries3.2% estimated
- 13. Dried Beetroot3.1% estimated
- 14. Rosemary3.0% estimated
- 15. Ginger2.8% estimated
- 16. Turmeric2.7% estimated
- 17. Glucosamine Hydrochloride2.6% estimated
- 18. Yucca schidigera2.5% estimated
- 19. Chondroitin Sulphate.2.3% 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.
6 reviews on this product · 5.0/5
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 65 out of 100 based on several key factors. The overall quality of the ingredient list adds +7.3 points, and the meat content contributes +4 points to the total. However, the processing format reduces the score by -6.7 points, and ingredients without printed percentages deducts -6.4 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 | 0.8 | 9.191 | +7.29 |
| Meat share of dry matter | 41.7% | 0.096 | +4.00 |
| Carb share of dry matter | 13.1% | -0.115 | -1.51 |
| Oil share of dry matter | 4.8% | -0.092 | -0.44 |
| Vegetable share of dry matter | 17.7% | -0.005 | -0.09 |
| Additive share of dry matter | 3.6% | 0.163 | +0.59 |
| Supplement share of dry matter | 11.7% | -0.012 | -0.14 |
| Undeclared quantities | 61.0% | -0.106 | -6.44 |
| Complete diet | yes | 2.294 | +2.29 |
| High meat (30%+ of dry matter) | yes | 0.707 | +0.71 |
| Additive penalty | -4.14 | 0.222 | -0.92 |
| 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 | 0.8 | 9.191 | +7.29 |
| Meat share of dry matter | 41.7% | 0.096 | +4.00 |
| Carb share of dry matter | 13.1% | -0.115 | -1.51 |
| Oil share of dry matter | 4.8% | -0.092 | -0.44 |
| Vegetable share of dry matter | 17.7% | -0.005 | -0.09 |
| Additive share of dry matter | 3.6% | 0.163 | +0.59 |
| Supplement share of dry matter | 11.7% | -0.012 | -0.14 |
| 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 | 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 | 61.0% | -0.106 | -6.44 |
| 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 | -4.14 | 0.222 | -0.92 |
| 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
- 64.7
- Final score
- 65/100
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 | 30 | 33.3 | 100 |
| Fat | 17 | 18.9 | 100 |
Scored over 2 declared nutrients (combined weight 40); undeclared nutrients do not affect the score.
Declared fortification: 10 nutritional additives on the label
- Vitamin A 24,000 iu/kg
- Vitamin D3 2,000 iu/kg
- Vitamin E (Alpha Tocopherol) 250 iu/kg
- Copper Sulphate Pentahydrate 28.0 mg/kg
- Sodium Selenite 0.3 mg/kg
- Iron Sulphate Monohydrate 250.0 mg/kg
- Manganese Oxide 65.0 mg/kg
- Zinc Oxide 97.2 mg/kg
- Zinc Chelate of Amino Acid Hydrate 200.0 mg/kg
- Calcium Iodate Anhydrous 2.4 mg/kg
Medium confidence: the full five-part analysis is on file; where moisture was not declared it was 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 (39% of the recipe mass) (voluntary) | 7.8/20 |
| Analytical constituents declared (mandatory) | 15/15 |
| Additives declared (mandatory) | 10/10 |
| Energy value declared (voluntary) - not on file | 0/5 |
| 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 (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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| hypoallergenic recipe (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Supports healthy growth (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| high meat (on page) | High/low level | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Made with 100% natural ingredients (on page) | Content | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Blended with botanicals (on page) | Content | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| 100% natural (on page) | Content | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Small Kibble Size (on page) | Content | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Chicken number one ingredient (on page) | Content | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Strengthens Bones (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Strong Immune System (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Strong, Healthy Muscles (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| enriched with omega-3 oils, which help to promote a radiant and shiny coat (on page) | Functional | not checkable | 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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