Is Dr. Gary's Best Breed Freeze-dried Beef Recipe a good dog food?
We score it 71/100 (Good). This reflects the ingredient quality, composition and label transparency of the recipe as declared on the label.
Why this score?
The overall score is 71 out of 100. Ingredients without printed percentages weighed the score down by -10.6 points. The overall quality of the ingredient list added +7.1 points, the processing format added +6.6 points, and being labelled nutritionally complete added a further +2.3 points.
100% of this recipe has no printed percentage. Estimated shares are model estimates, not label facts.
- Recipe71
- Nutritionallow97
- Transparency60
- Safety100
- Evidencelimited75
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.
Why you might choose it
- Scores 71, in the top quarter of dry foods we track.
- Doesn't list grain ingredients.
Why you might not
- 100% of the recipe mass has no printed percentage, so the exact split cannot be verified.
Estimated composition
Typical analysis (as fed)
- Protein
- 36%
- Fat
- 28%
- Fibre
- 4.80%
- Ash
- 8.51%
- Moisture
- 8%
- Omega-3 fatty acids
- 0.60%
- Calcium
- 1.41%
- Phosphorus
- 1.30%
- Sodium
- 0.48%
Additives & feeding info
Nutritional additives
Vitamin E Supplement; Zinc Proteinate; Iron Proteinate; Copper Proteinate; Manganese Proteinate; D-Calcium Pantothenate; Niacin Supplement; Riboflavin Supplement; Thiamine Mononitrate; Pyridoxine Hydrochloride; Folic Acid; Vitamin D3 Supplement; Vitamin B12 Supplement; Taurine
Technological additives
Mixed Tocopherols (a preservative)
Feeding guide
Use cup chart based on body weight when feeding as a balanced diet (e.g., up to 5 lbs <1 cup; 6-15 lbs 1 to 2-1/4 cups; up to 100 lbs 5-1/2 to 6-3/4 cups; add 1/2 cup per 10 lbs over 100 lbs). Topper guide: up to 20 lbs 1/4 cup; 21-40 lbs 1/2 cup; over 40 lbs 3/4 cup. Reconstitute with 2 oz water per 1 oz food; soak in fridge up to 8 hours to fully rehydrate. Puppies may need up to 2x amounts; nursing/pregnant mothers up to 3x.
Who is this food for?
Suits
- Labelled by the manufacturer for all lifestages
- Grain-free: no grain ingredients listed
- Doesn't list turkey, lamb, venison, pork, duck as ingredients
Consider something else if:
- Your dog avoids chicken: it is listed as an ingredient
- Your dog avoids beef: the label lists beef
- Your dog avoids fish: the label lists mussels
- 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 (44)
| # | As declared | Matched | Category | Tier | Declared % | Est. % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Beef | Beef | meat | medium | - | 3.0 |
| 2 | Beef Heart | Beef Heart | meat | good | - | 3.0 |
| 3 | Beef Kidney | Kidney | meat | good | - | 2.9 |
| 4 | Beef Liver | Beef Liver | meat | good | - | 2.9 |
| 5 | Dried Eggs | Dried Egg | meat | medium | - | 2.9 |
| 6 | Coconut Flour | Coconut Flour | carb | medium | - | 2.8 |
| 7 | Sunflower Seeds | Sunflower Seeds | veg | good | - | 2.8 |
| 8 | Flaxseeds | Linseed | veg | good | - | 2.8 |
| 9 | Apple | Apples | veg | good | - | 2.7 |
| 10 | Dicalcium Phosphate | Dicalcium phosphate | supplement | medium | - | 2.7 |
| 11 | Salmon Oil | Salmon Oil | oil | good | - | 2.7 |
| 12 | Calcium Carbonate | Calcium Carbonate | supplement | medium | - | 2.6 |
| 13 | New Zealand Green Mussels | Mussels | meat | good | - | 2.6 |
| 14 | Sweet Potato | Sweet Potatoes | carb | good | - | 2.6 |
| 15 | Carrot | Carrots | veg | good | - | 2.5 |
| 16 | Spinach | Spinach | veg | good | - | 2.5 |
| 17 | Chicken Cartilage | Cartilage | supplement | good | - | 2.5 |
| 18 | Potassium Chloride | Potassium Chloride | supplement | medium | - | 2.4 |
| 19 | Salt | Salt | additive | medium | - | 2.4 |
| 20 | Vitamin E Supplement | Vitamin E | supplement | good | - | 2.4 |
| 21 | Mixed Tocopherols | Tocopherols | additive | good | - | 2.3 |
| 22 | Organic Blueberries | Blueberries | veg | good | - | 2.3 |
| 23 | Organic Cranberries | Cranberries | veg | good | - | 2.3 |
| 24 | Organic Pumpkin | Pumpkin | veg | good | - | 2.2 |
| 25 | Organic Broccoli | Broccoli | veg | good | - | 2.2 |
| 26 | Organic Kelp | Kelp | veg | good | - | 2.2 |
| 27 | Zinc Proteinate | Zinc Proteinate | supplement | good | - | 2.1 |
| 28 | Iron Proteinate | Iron Proteinate | mineral | good | - | 2.1 |
| 29 | Taurine | Taurine | supplement | good | - | 2.1 |
| 30 | Calcium Carbonate | Calcium Carbonate | supplement | medium | - | 2.0 |
| 31 | Copper Proteinate | Copper proteinate | supplement | good | - | 2.0 |
| 32 | Manganese Proteinate | Manganese proteinate | supplement | good | - | 1.9 |
| 33 | D-Calcium Pantothenate | Calcium pantothenate | supplement | good | - | 1.9 |
| 34 | Niacin Supplement | Niacin | supplement | good | - | 1.9 |
| 35 | Riboflavin Supplement | Riboflavin | supplement | good | - | 1.8 |
| 36 | Thiamine Mononitrate | Thiamine mononitrate | supplement | good | - | 1.8 |
| 37 | Pyridoxine Hydrochloride | Pyridoxine hydrochloride | supplement | good | - | 1.8 |
| 38 | Folic Acid | Folic acid | supplement | good | - | 1.7 |
| 39 | Vitamin D3 Supplement | Vitamin D3 supplement | supplement | good | - | 1.7 |
| 40 | Vitamin B12 Supplement | Vitamin B12 | supplement | good | - | 1.7 |
| 41 | Dried Lactobacillus casei Fermentation Product | Lactobacillus casei | supplement | good | - | 1.6 |
| 42 | Dried Lactobacillus acidophilus Fermentation Product | Dried Lactobacillus acidophilus Fermentation Product | supplement | good | - | 1.6 |
| 43 | Dried Bifidobacterium animalis Fermentation Product | unmatched | - | - | - | 1.6 |
| 44 | Dried Lactobacillus reuteri Fermentation Product. | Limosilactobacillus reuteri | supplement | good | - | 1.5 |
Brand
- Website
- https://bestbreed.com/
- [email protected]
- Phone
- 1-800-500-5999
- Address
- 2000-C Fostoria Ave., Findlay, OH 45840
- Contact page
- bestbreed.com
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
- bestbreed.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.
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 v3 on 2026-09-26. 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 | +7.13 |
| Carb share of dry matter | 4.8% | -0.115 | -0.55 |
| Oil share of dry matter | 4.0% | -0.092 | -0.37 |
| Vegetable share of dry matter | 14.3% | -0.005 | -0.07 |
| Additive share of dry matter | 6.4% | 0.163 | +1.04 |
| Supplement share of dry matter | 54.3% | -0.012 | -0.66 |
| Unrecognised share of dry matter | 3.2% | -0.027 | -0.08 |
| 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 | -5.71 | 0.222 | -1.27 |
| Processing multiplier | 1.11 | 33.786 | +37.50 |
| Processing: Dry Freeze Dried | yes | 6.629 | +6.63 |
Show all 40 components
| Component | Input | Coefficient | Contribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base score | - | 30.909 | +30.91 |
| Average ingredient quality | 0.8 | 9.191 | +7.13 |
| Meat share of dry matter | 0.0% | 0.096 | +0.00 |
| Carb share of dry matter | 4.8% | -0.115 | -0.55 |
| Oil share of dry matter | 4.0% | -0.092 | -0.37 |
| Vegetable share of dry matter | 14.3% | -0.005 | -0.07 |
| Additive share of dry matter | 6.4% | 0.163 | +1.04 |
| Supplement share of dry matter | 54.3% | -0.012 | -0.66 |
| Other share of dry matter | 0.0% | -0.375 | +0.00 |
| Unrecognised share of dry matter | 3.2% | -0.027 | -0.08 |
| 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 | 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 | -5.71 | 0.222 | -1.27 |
| Processing multiplier | 1.11 | 33.786 | +37.50 |
| 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 | yes | 6.629 | +6.63 |
| 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 | no | -6.713 | +0.00 |
| 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
- +0.06
- Additives declared on label
- +2 transparency bonus
- Subtotal
- 70.8
- Final score
- 71/100
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 adult dogs. 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.
Guaranteed-analysis FEDIAF score: crude minimums and maximums are bounds, not typical values; moisture (a maximum) uses the processing median where available; experimental US score.
| Nutrient | As fed (label) | Dry matter (scored) | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Protein | 36 | 38.3 (band 18 to 40%) | 100 |
| Fat | 28 | 29.8 (band 5.5 to 20%) | 100 |
| Fibre | 4.8 | 5.1 (band 0.5 to 5%) | 100 |
| Calcium | 1.41 | 1.5 (band 0.5 to 2.5%) | 100 |
| Phosphorus | 1.3 | 1.4 (band 0.4 to 1.6%) | 100 |
| Calcium:phosphorus ratio | 1.1 | 1.1 (band 1 to 2%) | 75.1 |
Scored over 6 declared nutrients (combined weight 80); undeclared nutrients do not affect the score. Moisture was not declared and was estimated at 6% from the food type.
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) | 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) | 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 (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.
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.
75/100 · limited — 4 checkable claims: 3 consistent, 1 contradicted.
Contradicted by the label
- "Made without chicken meal or chicken fat" — the declared label says otherwise on chicken.
Consistent with the label
- "High Protein" — supported by the declared high protein data.
- "Formulated to meet the nutritional level established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for all life stages, including growth of large size dogs (70 lbs. or more as an adult)" — supported by the declared complete and balanced data.
- "Complete and balanced nutrition you can serve as a meal, topper, supplement, or Guilt-Free Treating™" — supported by the declared complete and balanced data.
8 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Made with New Zealand Green-Lipped Mussels and natural sources of glucosamine and chondroitin to help support joint and mobility health (on pack) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Triple-strain probiotic blend supports healthy digestion and nutrient absorption (on pack) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Salmon oil and sunflower seeds deliver omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids to support healthy skin and a vibrant coat (on pack) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Enriched with taurine for heart and vision health (on pack) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Ideal for Grain & Chicken Sensitivities (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Made without chicken meal or chicken fat (on pack) | Free-from | contradicted | Manufacturer assertion |
| Beef is the #1 ingredient (on pack) | Content | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| High Protein (on page) | High/low level | consistent | Manufacturer assertion |
| Made without grains, legumes, fillers, artificial preservatives, colors or flavorings, and no rendered by-product meals (on pack) | Free-from | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Legume-Free (on page) | Free-from | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Formulated to meet the nutritional level established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for all life stages, including growth of large size dogs (70 lbs. or more as an adult) (on pack) | Content | consistent | Manufacturer assertion |
| Complete and balanced nutrition you can serve as a meal, topper, supplement, or Guilt-Free Treating™ (on pack) | 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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