Dr. Gary's Best Breed Toy-Small Breed Recipe

Dry Extruded complete

Toy-Small Breed Recipe
Average
our rating

Is Dr. Gary's Best Breed Toy-Small Breed Recipe a good dog food?

We score it 51/100 (Average). This reflects the ingredient quality, composition and label transparency of the recipe as declared on the label.

How we score

Why this score?

This recipe achieves an overall score of 51 out of 100 based on several key factors. The inclusion of ingredients without printed percentages contributed -10.6 points, while the overall quality of the ingredient list added +7.1 points. Additionally, the processing format adjusted the score by -6.7, and being labelled nutritionally complete contributed +2.3 points.

100% of this recipe has no printed percentage. Estimated shares are model estimates, not label facts.

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

  • Declares energy content, which most labels omit.
  • Nutritionally complete: formulated to be fed as the whole diet.

Why you might not

  • Meat makes up an estimated 6% of the dry matter (9% as fed); carbohydrates dominate.
  • 100% of the recipe mass has no printed percentage, so the exact split cannot be verified.

View the source page

Estimated composition

supplement52.5%
veg14.5%
carb9.6%
meat9.3%
oil6.8%
additive3.6%
fibre2.2%
mineral1.5%

Typical analysis (as fed)

Protein
28%
Fat
17%
Fibre
4%
Ash
7.10%
Moisture
10%
Omega-3 fatty acids
1.30%
Omega-6 fatty acids
3.70%
Calcium
1.50%
Phosphorus
1.10%
Sodium
0.32%

Energy: 394 kcal/100g

Additives & feeding info

Nutritional additives

Vitamin E Supplement; Ascorbic Acid; Biotin; Niacin Supplement; d-Calcium Pantothenate; Vitamin A Acetate; Riboflavin Supplement; Vitamin B12 Supplement; Thiamine Mononitrate; Pyridoxine Hydrochloride; Vitamin D3 Supplement; Folic Acid; Ferrous Sulfate; Zinc Sulfate; Zinc Proteinate; Iron Proteinate; Zinc Oxide; Copper Sulfate; Manganese Sulfate; Manganese Proteinate; Copper Proteinate; Manganous Oxide; Sodium Selenite; Calcium Iodate

Technological additives

Mixed Tocopherols (preservative in Canola Oil, Chicken Fat, Menhaden Fish Oil); Citric Acid; Lecithin

Feeding guide

Feed according to body weight: Up to 5 lbs 1/4 cup (less active) – 1/2 cup (active); 6-10 lbs 2/3 – 1 cup; 11-15 lbs 1 – 1-1/4 cups; 16-20 lbs 1-1/4 – 1-1/2 cups; 21-25 lbs 1-1/2 – 1-3/4 cups; 26-30 lbs 1-3/4 – 2 cups. 1 cup = approximately 139 g. 528 kcal per cup ME. Puppies up to 33% more; pregnant/lactating females increase per guidelines. Feed at least twice daily.

Who is this food for?

Suits

  • Labelled by the manufacturer for all lifestages
  • Labelling or feeding guide is aimed at small dogs
  • Doesn't list beef, turkey, lamb, venison, pork, duck as ingredients

Consider something else if:

  • Your dog avoids chicken: the label lists dried chicken protein
  • Your dog avoids fish: the label lists white fish
  • Your dog avoids grain: the label lists rice - brown / whole grain
  • 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 (54)

#As declaredMatchedCategoryTierDeclared %Est. %
1Chicken MealDried chicken proteinmeatgood-2.5
2Brown RiceRice - brown / whole graincarbmedium-2.4
3Pearled BarleyBarleycarbmedium-2.4
4MilletMilletcarbgood-2.4
5Whitefish MealWhite Fishmeatgood-2.4
6OatmealOatscarbmedium-2.3
7Canola Oil (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols)Rapeseed oiloilgood-2.3
8Chicken Fat (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols)Chicken Oil and Fatoilmedium-2.3
9Whole Dry EggsEggmeatgood-2.3
10Dried Tomato PomaceTomato Pomacefibremedium-2.2
11Natural Chicken FlavorChickenmeatmedium-2.2
12Ground FlaxseedLinseedveggood-2.2
13Menhaden Fish Oil (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols)Fish Oiloilgood-2.2
14LecithinLecithinsupplementgood-2.2
15Dried CarrotsCarrotsveggood-2.1
16Dried SpinachSpinachveggood-2.1
17Dried BlueberriesBlueberriesveggood-2.1
18Dried CranberriesCranberriesveggood-2.1
19Dried Kelp MealKelpveggood-2.0
20New Zealand Green MusselGreen-Lipped Musselsupplementgood-2.0
21SaltSaltadditivemedium-2.0
22DL-MethionineMethioninesupplementgood-2.0
23Choline ChlorideCholinesupplementgood-2.0
24L-LysineLysinesupplementmedium-1.9
25TaurineTaurinesupplementgood-1.9
26Marine MicroalgaeMicroalgaeveggood-1.9
27L-CarnitineL-Carnitinesupplementmedium-1.9
28Vitamin E SupplementVitamin Esupplementgood-1.8
29Ascorbic AcidVitamin Csupplementgood-1.8
30BiotinBiotinsupplementgood-1.8
31Niacin SupplementNiacinsupplementgood-1.8
32d-Calcium PantothenateCalcium pantothenatesupplementgood-1.7
33Vitamin A AcetateVitamin Asupplementgood-1.7
34Riboflavin SupplementRiboflavinsupplementgood-1.7
35Vitamin B12 SupplementVitamin B12supplementgood-1.7
36Thiamine MononitrateThiamine mononitratesupplementgood-1.7
37Pyridoxine HydrochloridePyridoxine hydrochloridesupplementgood-1.6
38Citric AcidCitric Acidadditivemedium-1.6
39Vitamin D3 SupplementVitamin D3 supplementsupplementgood-1.6
40Folic AcidFolic acidsupplementgood-1.6
41Potassium ChloridePotassium Chloridesupplementmedium-1.5
42Ferrous SulfateIron sulfatesupplementgood-1.5
43Zinc SulfateZinc sulfatesupplementmedium-1.5
44Zinc ProteinateZinc Proteinatesupplementgood-1.5
45Iron ProteinateIron Proteinatemineralgood-1.5
46Zinc OxideZinc Oxidesupplementgood-1.4
47Copper SulfateCopper sulphatesupplementgood-1.4
48Manganese SulfateManganese sulfatesupplementmedium-1.4
49Manganese ProteinateManganese proteinatesupplementgood-1.4
50Copper ProteinateCopper proteinatesupplementgood-1.3
51Manganous OxideManganese (II) Oxidesupplementgood-1.3
52Sodium SeleniteSodium selenitesupplementpoor-1.3
53Calcium IodateCalcium iodatesupplementmedium-1.3
54Lactobacillus acidophilus Fermentation Product DehydratedDried Lactobacillus acidophilus Fermentation Productsupplementgood-1.2

Brand

Dr. Gary's Best Breed logo
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.

ComponentInputCoefficientContribution
Base score-30.909+30.91
Average ingredient quality0.89.191+7.14
Carb share of dry matter9.5%-0.115-1.09
Oil share of dry matter7.6%-0.092-0.70
Vegetable share of dry matter14.7%-0.005-0.08
Additive share of dry matter3.7%0.163+0.60
Supplement share of dry matter54.3%-0.012-0.66
Recipe graded poor1.3%-0.065-0.08
Number of poor ingredients1-0.876-0.88
Largest single poor ingredient1.3%0.060+0.08
Undeclared quantities100.0%-0.106-10.56
Complete dietyes2.294+2.29
Low meat (under 10% of dry matter)yes-3.158-3.16
Additive penalty-4.380.222-0.97
Processing multiplier0.9833.786+33.11
Processing: Dry Extrudedyes-6.713-6.71
Show all 40 components
ComponentInputCoefficientContribution
Base score-30.909+30.91
Average ingredient quality0.89.191+7.14
Meat share of dry matter0.0%0.096+0.00
Carb share of dry matter9.5%-0.115-1.09
Oil share of dry matter7.6%-0.092-0.70
Vegetable share of dry matter14.7%-0.005-0.08
Additive share of dry matter3.7%0.163+0.60
Supplement share of dry matter54.3%-0.012-0.66
Other share of dry matter0.0%-0.375+0.00
Unrecognised share of dry matter0.0%-0.027+0.00
Recipe graded poor1.3%-0.065-0.08
Poor-quality meat in recipe0.0%-0.179+0.00
Number of poor ingredients1-0.876-0.88
Largest single poor ingredient1.3%0.060+0.08
Undeclared quantities100.0%-0.106-10.56
Prints ingredient percentagesno0.000+0.00
Complete dietyes2.294+2.29
Frozen or chilled freshno0.000+0.00
High meat (30%+ of dry matter)no0.707+0.00
Low meat (under 10% of dry matter)yes-3.158-3.16
High carb and low meatno-1.180+0.00
Meat share × printed percentages0.00.000+0.00
Meat share × fresh0.00.000+0.00
Fresh × high meat0.011.084+0.00
Additive penalty-4.380.222-0.97
Processing multiplier0.9833.786+33.11
Processing: Rawno-0.054+0.00
Processing: Fresh Chilledno-2.354+0.00
Processing: Fresh Frozenno-2.354+0.00
Processing: Fresh Refrigeratedno0.000+0.00
Processing: Fresh Shelfno-0.672+0.00
Processing: Dry Freeze Driedno6.629+0.00
Processing: Dry Air Driedno6.331+0.00
Processing: Dry Cold Pressedno-6.713+0.00
Processing: Dry Bakedno-6.713+0.00
Processing: Dry Extrudedyes-6.713-6.71
Processing: Dry Semi Moistno-6.174+0.00
Processing: Dry Mueslino-10.146+0.00
Processing: Wet Pateno-0.672+0.00
Processing: Wet Chunksno-0.672+0.00
Processing-type offset
+0.02
Additives declared on label
+2 transparency bonus
Subtotal
51.3
Final score
51/100

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.

NutrientAs fed (label)Dry matter (scored)Score
Protein2830.9 (band 18 to 40%)100
Fat1718.8 (band 5.5 to 20%)100
Fibre44.4 (band 0.5 to 5%)100
Calcium1.51.7 (band 0.5 to 2.5%)100
Phosphorus1.11.2 (band 0.4 to 1.6%)100
Calcium:phosphorus ratio1.41.4 (band 1 to 2%)91.8
Omega fatty acids (omega-6 and omega-3)--100
Energy (kcal/100g)394435.4100

Omega fatty acids (omega-6 and omega-3): scored as the mean of its declared components (omega-6 100). The FEDIAF minimum for omega-6 is linoleic acid specifically.

Scored over 8 declared nutrients (combined weight 100); undeclared nutrients do not affect the score. Moisture was not declared and was estimated at 9.5% 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.

ItemPoints
✓ Ingredient list on the label (mandatory)10/10
✗ Printed percentages on the label (voluntary) - not on file0/20
✓ Analytical constituents declared (mandatory)15/15
✓ 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)10/10
✓ Country of manufacture stated (voluntary)10/10
✗ Batch and date labelling (mandatory) - not on file0/5

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.

Claims on file; none we can check against the label

ClaimTypeCheckSubstantiation
Never On a Recall List (on page)provenancenot checkableManufacturer assertion
Made with antibiotic-free, USA-raised chicken (on page)provenancenot checkableManufacturer assertion
Complete and balanced (on page)Functionalnot checkableManufacturer assertion
Specially sized for toy and small breed dogs' smaller mouths for easier digestion (on page)Functionalnot checkableManufacturer assertion
Mini-Bite Kibble (on page)Functionalnot checkableManufacturer assertion
Small Batch Made in Ohio, USA (on page)provenancenot checkableManufacturer assertion
Supports healthy skin and a vibrant coat, heart health, and cognitive function (on page)Functionalnot checkableManufacturer assertion
Probiotic cultures support healthy digestion and nutrient absorption (on page)Functionalnot checkableManufacturer assertion
New Zealand Green-Lipped Mussels and natural sources of glucosamine and chondroitin support joint and mobility health (on page)Functionalnot checkableManufacturer assertion
Taurine for heart, vision, and reproductive health (on page)Functionalnot checkableManufacturer assertion
Formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for all life stages (on pack)Functionalnot checkableManufacturer assertion
Low & Slow Cooked (on page)Functionalnot checkableManufacturer assertion
Higher healthy fat content meets the elevated energy needs of toy and small breeds (on page)High/low levelnot checkableManufacturer assertion
Antioxidant-rich carrots, spinach, blueberries, and cranberries (on page)Contentnot checkableManufacturer assertion
EU-approved, antibiotic-free chicken and whitefish meals (on page)Contentnot checkableManufacturer assertion
Balanced ratio of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids (on page)Nutrientnot checkableManufacturer assertion
Without by-product meals, cheap fillers, or artificial preservatives, flavors, or colors (on page)Free-fromnot checkableManufacturer 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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