Our verdict
Is Royal Canin German Shepherd Puppy a good dog food?
We score it 41/100 (Poor). The main reasons are set out in "Why you might not" below, and every step of the calculation is shown under "How we calculated this score".
Complete extruded dry food for puppies, with dehydrated poultry proteins, rice and vegetable protein extracts 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 dehydrated poultry proteins
- Your dog avoids turkey: the label lists dehydrated poultry proteins
- Your dog avoids fish: the label lists crustaceans
- 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 30% · Fat 16%
Typical analysis (as fed)
| Nutrient | As fed |
|---|---|
| Protein | 30% |
| Fat | 16% |
| Fibre | 2.70% |
| Ash | 7.30% |
| Calcium | 1.26% |
| Phosphorus | 1% |
Additives & feeding info
Feeding and storage
Storage
To be stored in a cool, dry place.
Feeding guide
Age (months) | Adult weight = 26 kg | Adult weight = 35 kg | Adult weight = 44 kg 2 m | 266 g (2+7/8 cups) | 287 g (3+1/8 cups) | 309 g (3+3/8 cups) 3 m | 328 g (3+5/8 cups) | 367 g (4 cups) | 405 g (4+4/8 cups) 4 m | 356 g (3+5/8 cups) | 402 g (4+3/8 cups) | 447 g (4+7/8 cups) 6 m | 407 g (4+4/8 cups) | 507 g (5+5/8 cups) | 602 g (6+5/8 cups) 8 m | 406 g (4+4/8 cups) | 511 g (5+5/8 cups) | 647 g (7+1/8 cups) 10 m | 371 g (4+1/8 cups) | 467 g (5+1/8 cups) | 605 g (6+5/8 cups) 12 m | 335 g (3+5/8 cups) | 422 g (4+5/8 cups) | 504 g (5+4/8 cups) 14 m | 333 g (3+5/8 cups) | 416 g (4+4/8 cups) | 496 g (5+3/8 cups) 16 m | Transition to German Shepherd Adult | Transition to German Shepherd Adult | Transition to German Shepherd Adult
Additives declared on the label
Nutritional additives
Vitamin a 30500 IU, Vitamin D3 800 IU, Vitamin E 620 mg, E1 (Iron) 38 mg, E2 (Iodine) 3.8 mg, E4 (Copper) 12 mg, E5 (Manganese) 49 mg, E6 (Zinc) 128 mg, E8 (Selenium) 0.08 mg
Ingredients (20)100% of the recipe is estimated
Estimated composition
- carb 27.0%
- meat 17.7%
- oil 16.7%
- fibre 16.3%
- supplement 13.6%
- additive 4.6%
- veg 4.0%
- unknown 0.1%
| # | As declared | Matched | Label reading | Declared % | Est. % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | dehydrated poultry protein | Dehydrated Poultry Proteins | meat · good | - | 7.2 |
| 2 | rice | Rice - white | carb · medium | - | 7.0 |
| 3 | vegetable protein isolate | Vegetable protein extracts | carb · poor | - | 6.8 |
| 4 | wheat flour | Wheat | carb · poor | - | 6.6 |
| 5 | maize flour | Maize Flour | carb · medium | - | 6.4 |
| 6 | animal fats | Unspecified Animal Fats and Oils | oil · poor | - | 6.2 |
| 7 | hydrolysed animal proteins | Hydrolysed Animal Protein | meat · medium | - | 6.0 |
| 8 | beet pulp | Beet Pulp | fibre · medium | - | 5.8 |
| 9 | vegetable fibres | Vegetable fibre | fibre · medium | - | 5.6 |
| 10 | fish oil | Fish Oil | oil · good | - | 5.4 |
| 11 | minerals | Vitamins and minerals | supplement · medium | - | 5.2 |
| 12 | soya oil | Soybean oil | oil · medium | - | 5.0 |
| 13 | fructo-oligo-saccharides (0.34%) | Fructo-oligosaccharides | supplement · good | 0.34 | 0.3 |
| 14 | psyllium husks and seeds | Psyllium | fibre · good | - | 4.8 |
| 15 | hydrolysed yeast | Hydrolysed Yeast | additive · medium | - | 4.6 |
| 16 | source of manno-oligo-saccharides: 0.05% | unmatched | - | 0.05 | 0.05 |
| 17 | hydrolysed crustaceans (source of glucosamine) | Crustaceans | meat · good | - | 4.4 |
| 18 | yeasts extracts | Yeast | supplement · good | - | 4.2 |
| 19 | marigold extract (source of lutein) | Calendula | veg · good | - | 4.0 |
| 20 | hydrolysed cartilage (source of chondroitin) | Hydrolysed Cartilage | supplement · good | - | 3.8 |
- 1. dehydrated poultry protein7.2% estimated
- 2. rice7.0% estimated
- 3. vegetable protein isolate6.8% estimated
- 4. wheat flour6.6% estimated
- 5. maize flour6.4% estimated
- 6. animal fats6.2% estimated
- 7. hydrolysed animal proteins6.0% estimated
- 8. beet pulp5.8% estimated
- 9. vegetable fibres5.6% estimated
- 10. fish oil5.4% estimated
- 11. minerals5.2% estimated
- 12. soya oil5.0% estimated
- 13. fructo-oligo-saccharides (0.34%)0.34% declared0.3% estimated
- 14. psyllium husks and seeds4.8% estimated
- 15. hydrolysed yeast4.6% estimated
- 16. source of manno-oligo-saccharides: 0.05%0.05% declared0.05% estimated
- 17. hydrolysed crustaceans (source of glucosamine)4.4% estimated
- 18. yeasts extracts4.2% estimated
- 19. marigold extract (source of lutein)4.0% estimated
- 20. hydrolysed cartilage (source of chondroitin)3.8% estimated
Trust and sourceNo recalls recorded in our database · checked 2026-09-09
Brand and contact: Royal Canin
Trust and provenance
- Recall history
- No recalls recorded in our database
- Label data last checked
- 2026-09-09
- Scored with
- Model v3 (methodology)
- Product page
- www.royalcanin.com
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.
177 reviews on this product · 4.8/5
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 a final score of 41 out of 100 based on several key factors. The overall quality of the ingredient list added +3.1 points. However, ingredients without printed percentages reduced the score by -10.5. Additionally, the processing format deducted -6.7 and the carbohydrate content contributed -3.1.
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 | 0.3 | 9.191 | +3.12 |
| Carb share of dry matter | 27.0% | -0.115 | -3.11 |
| Oil share of dry matter | 18.6% | -0.092 | -1.71 |
| Additive share of dry matter | 4.7% | 0.163 | +0.76 |
| Supplement share of dry matter | 14.1% | -0.012 | -0.17 |
| Recipe graded poor | 19.7% | -0.065 | -1.28 |
| Number of poor ingredients | 3 | -0.876 | -2.63 |
| Largest single poor ingredient | 6.8% | 0.060 | +0.41 |
| Undeclared quantities | 99.6% | -0.106 | -10.52 |
| Complete diet | yes | 2.294 | +2.29 |
| Low meat (under 10% of dry matter) | yes | -3.158 | -3.16 |
| Additive penalty | -6.15 | 0.222 | -1.37 |
| 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 | 0.3 | 9.191 | +3.12 |
| Meat share of dry matter | 0.0% | 0.096 | +0.00 |
| Carb share of dry matter | 27.0% | -0.115 | -3.11 |
| Oil share of dry matter | 18.6% | -0.092 | -1.71 |
| Vegetable share of dry matter | 0.7% | -0.005 | -0.00 |
| Additive share of dry matter | 4.7% | 0.163 | +0.76 |
| Supplement share of dry matter | 14.1% | -0.012 | -0.17 |
| 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 | 19.7% | -0.065 | -1.28 |
| Poor-quality meat in recipe | 0.0% | -0.179 | +0.00 |
| Number of poor ingredients | 3 | -0.876 | -2.63 |
| Largest single poor ingredient | 6.8% | 0.060 | +0.41 |
| Undeclared quantities | 99.6% | -0.106 | -10.52 |
| 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 | -6.15 | 0.222 | -1.37 |
| 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
- 41.0
- Final score
- 41/100
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 | 33.1 | 100 |
| Fat | 16 | 17.7 | 100 |
| Calcium | 1.26 | 1.4 | 100 |
| Phosphorus | 1 | 1.1 | 100 |
| Calcium:phosphorus ratio | 1.3 | 1.3 | 100 |
Scored over 5 declared nutrients (combined weight 70); undeclared nutrients do not affect the score. Moisture was not declared and was estimated at 9.5% from the food type.
Declared fortification: 1 nutritional additive on the label
- Vitamin a 30500 IU, Vitamin D3 800 IU, Vitamin E 620 mg, E1 (Iron) 38 mg, E2 (Iodine) 3.8 mg, E4 (Copper) 12 mg, E5 (Manganese) 49 mg, E6 (Zinc) 128 mg, E8 (Selenium) 0.08 mg
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 (0.4% of the recipe mass) (voluntary) | 0.1/20 |
| 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) | 10/10 |
| Manufacturer identity and address (mandatory) | 5/10 |
| Country of manufacture stated (voluntary) | 10/10 |
| Batch and date labelling (mandatory) | 5/5 |
Capped at 60: mandatory items missing (Analytical constituents declared).
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.
100/100 · moderate — 1 checkable claim: 1 consistent, 0 contradicted.
Consistent with the label
- "Complete feed for dogs" — supported by the declared complete and balanced data.
6 further claims on file that we cannot check against the label.
Moderate: every checkable claim is consistent with the declared label.
| Claim | Type | Check | Substantiation |
|---|---|---|---|
| helps support your puppy's natural defences, thanks particularly to a patented complex of antioxidants - including vitamin E (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| help to support optimal digestive health (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| helps to maintain a healthy intestinal balance, thus contributing to good stool quality (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| contributes to supporting healthy and strong bones and joints (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| helps to maintain an ideal weight (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Specially for German Shepherd puppies - Up to 15 months old (on page) | Content | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Complete feed for dogs (on page) | Content | 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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