Wellness CORE CORE Large Breed Puppy Original, Chicken
Dry Extruded complete High meat Clear label
Is Wellness CORE CORE Large Breed Puppy Original, Chicken a good dog food?
We score it 70/100 (Good). This reflects the ingredient quality, composition and label transparency of the recipe as declared on the label.
Why this score?
This food achieves a score of 70 out of 100 based on several key factors. The overall quality of the ingredient list adds +7.5 to the total, while the processing format reduces the score by -7. Additionally, the meat content contributes +6.7, and printing percentages on the label adds +3.2.
Only part of the analytical constituents are declared, so the nutritional picture is incomplete.
- Recipe70
- Nutritionalmedium100
- Transparency60
- Safety100
- Evidencelimited33
The Recipe score measures how attractive and transparent the declared ingredient list is. It is not, by itself, proof that the food is nutritionally appropriate for long-term feeding. The Nutritional and Evidence scores measure what we can verify towards that stronger claim.
Complete extruded dry food for puppies, with chicken, dried chicken protein and chicken oil and fat as the main ingredients.
Why you might choose it
- Scores 70, in the top quarter of dry foods we track.
- Meat makes up an estimated 57% of the dry matter (55% as fed).
- Prints ingredient percentages on the label.
Why you might not
We found no significant drawbacks in the data we hold for this product.
Estimated composition
Typical analysis (as fed)
- Protein
- 34%
- Fat
- 15%
- Fibre
- 3.50%
- Ash
- 7%
- Omega-3 fatty acids
- 1%
- Omega-6 fatty acids
- 3.50%
- Calcium
- 1.10%
- Phosphorus
- 0.90%
Energy: 369.7 kcal/100g
Additives & feeding info
Nutritional additives
Vitamin A 14000 IU; Vitamin D3 1000 IU; Vitamin E 120 mg; Taurine 1500 mg; L-Carnitine 150 mg; Zinc (zinc sulphate, monohydrate) 100 mg; Iron (ferrous sulphate, monohydrate) 100 mg; Copper (cupric sulphate, pentahydrate) 7,5 mg; Manganese (manganous sulphate, monohydrate) 5 mg; Iodine (calcium iodate, anhydrous) 1,5 mg
Storage
go down the kibble route.
Feeding guide
See chart. Every dog is a little different, so optimal feeding amount may vary with age, size, activity level, breed and environment. Divide the total grams per day by the number of times you feed your dog per day. Please use the information as an initial recommendation only and adjust as needed. Always provide access to clean, fresh water. DOGS OVER 45 KG: Add 28 g per additional 5 kg. COMBINATION FEEDING: If feeding with wet food, reduce dry amount by 28 g for every 170 g of wet food.
Who is this food for?
Suits
- Labelled by the manufacturer for puppies
- Labelling or feeding guide is aimed at large dogs
- Grain-free: no grain ingredients listed
- 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 salmon oil
- 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. Use the homepage filter to find foods that fit your dog.
Ingredients (27)
| # | As declared | Matched | Category | Tier | Declared % | Est. % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fresh Chicken (25%) | Chicken | meat | medium | 25 | 25.0 |
| 2 | Dehydrated Chicken (20%) | Dried chicken protein | meat | good | 20 | 20.0 |
| 3 | Chicken Fat (6%) | Chicken Oil and Fat | oil | good | 6 | 6.0 |
| 4 | Dried Chicken Protein (5%) | Dried chicken protein | meat | good | 5 | 5.0 |
| 5 | Chicken Gravy (5%) | Chicken | meat | medium | 5 | 5.0 |
| 6 | Peas (20%) | Peas | veg | good | 20 | 20.0 |
| 7 | Dried Potatoes | Potatoes | carb | medium | - | 0.8 |
| 8 | Beet Pulp (4%) | Beet Pulp | fibre | medium | 4 | 4.0 |
| 9 | Linseed (3%) | Linseed | veg | good | 3 | 3.0 |
| 10 | Salmon Oil (2%) | Salmon Oil | oil | good | 2 | 2.0 |
| 11 | Carrots | Carrots | veg | good | - | 0.8 |
| 12 | Apples | Apples | veg | good | - | 0.7 |
| 13 | Dried Chicory Root | Chicory root | veg | good | - | 0.7 |
| 14 | 0.5%) (source of Fructo-oligo-saccharides and Inulin | Inulin | fibre | good | 0.5 | 0.5 |
| 15 | Yeast Extract (source of mannan-oligosaccharides) (0.5%) | Yeast | supplement | good | 0.5 | 0.5 |
| 16 | Broccoli | Broccoli | veg | good | - | 0.7 |
| 17 | Tomatoes | Tomato | veg | good | - | 0.7 |
| 18 | Spinach | Spinach | veg | good | - | 0.6 |
| 19 | Cranberries (0.01%) | Cranberries | veg | good | 0.01 | 0.01 |
| 20 | Blueberries | Blueberries | veg | good | - | 0.6 |
| 21 | D-Glucosamine Hydrochloride | Glucosamine | supplement | good | - | 0.6 |
| 22 | Chondroitin Sulphate | Chondroitin | supplement | good | - | 0.5 |
| 23 | Yucca Schidigera | Yucca Schidigera | supplement | good | - | 0.5 |
| 24 | Dried Rosemary | Rosemary | veg | good | - | 0.5 |
| 25 | Dried Turmeric | Turmeric | veg | good | - | 0.5 |
| 26 | Dried Citrus | Dried Citrus | veg | medium | - | 0.4 |
| 27 | Dried Eugenia | Dried Eugenia | veg | good | - | 0.4 |
Brand
- Website
- https://wellnesscore.eu/
Trust and provenance
- Recall history
- No recalls recorded in our database
- Label data last checked
- 2026-09-09
- Scored with
- Model v2 (methodology)
- Product page
- wellnesscore.eu
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.
Recipe: how the 1-100 score is calculated
Scored with model v2 on 2026-09-22. Each component is the feature value for this product multiplied by the model's published coefficient.
| Component | Input | Coefficient | Contribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base score | - | 32.336 | +32.34 |
| Average ingredient quality | 0.8 | 9.915 | +7.53 |
| Meat share of dry matter | 57.5% | 0.116 | +6.67 |
| Carb share of dry matter | 1.7% | -0.113 | -0.19 |
| Oil share of dry matter | 15.0% | -0.088 | -1.32 |
| Vegetable share of dry matter | 17.0% | -0.002 | -0.03 |
| Supplement share of dry matter | 2.1% | -0.009 | -0.02 |
| Undeclared quantities | 9.0% | -0.131 | -1.18 |
| Prints ingredient percentages | yes | 3.194 | +3.19 |
| Complete diet | yes | 1.703 | +1.70 |
| High meat (30%+ of dry matter) | yes | -0.506 | -0.51 |
| Meat share × printed percentages | 57.5 | -0.073 | -4.21 |
| Processing multiplier | 1.00 | 32.336 | +32.34 |
| Processing: Dry Extruded | yes | -6.996 | -7.00 |
Show all 40 components
| Component | Input | Coefficient | Contribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base score | - | 32.336 | +32.34 |
| Average ingredient quality | 0.8 | 9.915 | +7.53 |
| Meat share of dry matter | 57.5% | 0.116 | +6.67 |
| Carb share of dry matter | 1.7% | -0.113 | -0.19 |
| Oil share of dry matter | 15.0% | -0.088 | -1.32 |
| Vegetable share of dry matter | 17.0% | -0.002 | -0.03 |
| Additive share of dry matter | 0.0% | 0.177 | +0.00 |
| Supplement share of dry matter | 2.1% | -0.009 | -0.02 |
| Other share of dry matter | 0.0% | -0.371 | +0.00 |
| Unrecognised share of dry matter | 0.0% | -0.022 | +0.00 |
| Recipe graded poor | 0.0% | -0.045 | +0.00 |
| Poor-quality meat in recipe | 0.0% | -0.182 | +0.00 |
| Number of poor ingredients | 0 | -0.868 | +0.00 |
| Largest single poor ingredient | 0.0% | 0.056 | +0.00 |
| Undeclared quantities | 9.0% | -0.131 | -1.18 |
| Prints ingredient percentages | yes | 3.194 | +3.19 |
| Complete diet | yes | 1.703 | +1.70 |
| Frozen or chilled fresh | no | 11.440 | +0.00 |
| High meat (30%+ of dry matter) | yes | -0.506 | -0.51 |
| Low meat (under 10% of dry matter) | no | -1.988 | +0.00 |
| High carb and low meat | no | -1.250 | +0.00 |
| Meat share × printed percentages | 57.5 | -0.073 | -4.21 |
| Meat share × fresh | 0.0 | -0.339 | +0.00 |
| Fresh × high meat | 0.0 | 16.475 | +0.00 |
| Additive penalty | 0.00 | 0.236 | +0.00 |
| Processing multiplier | 1.00 | 32.336 | +32.34 |
| Processing: Raw | no | 13.322 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Fresh Chilled | no | 7.712 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Fresh Frozen | no | 6.583 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Fresh Refrigerated | no | 4.857 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Fresh Shelf | no | 0.072 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Dry Freeze Dried | no | 11.127 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Dry Air Dried | no | 9.320 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Dry Cold Pressed | no | 4.569 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Dry Baked | no | -2.321 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Dry Extruded | yes | -6.996 | -7.00 |
| Processing: Dry Semi Moist | no | -6.833 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Dry Muesli | no | -10.711 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Wet Pate | no | 2.935 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Wet Chunks | no | 2.292 | +0.00 |
- Processing-type offset
- -0.01
- Additives declared on label
- +1 transparency bonus
- Subtotal
- 70.3
- Final score
- 70/100
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.
| Model | Score | |
|---|---|---|
| v2 | 70/100 | current |
| v1 | 68/100 | |
| v1.9 | 69/100 |
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 | 34 | 37 | 100 |
| Fat | 15 | 16.3 | 100 |
| Calcium | 1.1 | 1.2 | 100 |
| Phosphorus | 0.9 | 1 | 100 |
| Calcium:phosphorus ratio | 1.2 | 1.2 | 100 |
| Omega fatty acids (omega-6 and omega-3) | - | - | 100 |
| Energy (kcal/100g) | 369.7 | 401.8 | 100 |
Omega fatty acids (omega-6 and omega-3): scored as the mean of its declared components (omega-6 100, omega-3 100). The FEDIAF minimum for omega-6 is linoleic acid specifically.
Scored over 7 declared nutrients (combined weight 90); undeclared nutrients do not affect the score. Moisture was not declared and was estimated at 8% from the food type.
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 (91% of the recipe mass) (voluntary) | 18.2/20 |
| Analytical constituents declared (mandatory) - not on file | 0/15 |
| Additives declared (mandatory) | 5/10 |
| 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 marketing claims made on the pack and product page, and how much evidence sits behind them. We record the claims as stated; we do not assess whether they are true.
| Claim | Type | Substantiation |
|---|---|---|
| Strong muscles & bone support (on page) | Functional | Manufacturer assertion |
| Rich in Omega-3, supports a healthy skin & shiny coat (on page) | Functional | Manufacturer assertion |
| With high-quality protein ingredients & optimal levels of calcium (on page) | Content | Manufacturer assertion |
Limited: at least one claim rests on manufacturer assertion alone.
The full scoring method is published. See the methodology for exactly how the headline score and each dimension are calculated.
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