Dr. Gary's Best Breed Puppy Recipe

Dry Extruded complete

51out of 100

Average

our rating

Is Dr. Gary's Best Breed Puppy 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 +6.7 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.

Recipe
51
Nutritionalmedium
100
Transparency
60
Safety
100
Evidence
Not recorded

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 10% of the dry matter (11% 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

supplement60.2%

meat11.3%

oil8.0%

carb5.9%

veg5.2%

additive4.6%

fibre2.9%

mineral1.8%

Typical analysis (as fed)

Protein: 28%
Fat: 13%
Fibre: 3%
Ash: 6.50%
Moisture: 10%
Omega-3 fatty acids: 0.90%
Omega-6 fatty acids: 4.30%
Calcium: 1.34%
Phosphorus: 0.95%
Sodium: 0.34%

Energy: 385 kcal/100g

Additives & feeding info

Nutritional additives

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

Technological additives

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

Feeding guide

Feed twice daily; adjust to condition. 1 cup = ~121 g (4.3 oz). Contains 466 kcal ME per cup. See detailed feeding table for small and large breed puppies by body weight and age on the page.

Reviews

1 reviews on this product

Who is this food for?

Suits

Labelled by the manufacturer for puppies
Labelling or feeding guide is aimed at large 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 fish meal
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 (44)

#	As declared	Matched	Category	Tier	Declared %	Est. %
1	Chicken Meal	Dried chicken protein	meat	good	-	3.0
2	Brown Rice	Rice - brown / whole grain	carb	medium	-	3.0
3	Oatmeal	Oats	carb	medium	-	2.9
4	Dried Beet Pulp	Beet Pulp	fibre	medium	-	2.9
5	Chicken Fat (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols)	Chicken Oil and Fat	oil	medium	-	2.9
6	Dried Egg	Dried Egg	meat	medium	-	2.8
7	Brewers Dried Yeast	Yeast	supplement	good	-	2.8
8	Natural Chicken Flavor	Chicken	meat	medium	-	2.8
9	Menhaden Fish Meal	Fish Meal	meat	medium	-	2.7
10	Lecithin	Lecithin	supplement	good	-	2.7
11	Menhaden Fish Oil (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols)	Fish Oil	oil	good	-	2.7
12	Dried Kelp	Kelp	veg	good	-	2.6
13	Salt	Salt	additive	medium	-	2.6
14	Taurine	Taurine	supplement	good	-	2.6
15	Flax Seed	Linseed	veg	good	-	2.5
16	Sunflower Oil (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols)	Sunflower oil	oil	good	-	2.5
17	L-Lysine	Lysine	supplement	medium	-	2.5
18	DL-Methionine	Methionine	supplement	good	-	2.4
19	Ascorbic Acid	Vitamin C	supplement	good	-	2.4
20	Vitamin E Supplement	Vitamin E	supplement	good	-	2.4
21	Biotin	Biotin	supplement	good	-	2.3
22	Niacin Supplement	Niacin	supplement	good	-	2.3
23	d-Calcium Pantothenate	Calcium pantothenate	supplement	good	-	2.3
24	Vitamin A Acetate	Vitamin A	supplement	good	-	2.2
25	Riboflavin Supplement	Riboflavin	supplement	good	-	2.2
26	Vitamin B12 Supplement	Vitamin B12	supplement	good	-	2.2
27	Thiamine Mononitrate	Thiamine mononitrate	supplement	good	-	2.1
28	Pyridoxine Hydrochloride	Pyridoxine hydrochloride	supplement	good	-	2.1
29	Citric Acid	Citric Acid	additive	medium	-	2.1
30	Vitamin D3 Supplement	Vitamin D3 supplement	supplement	good	-	2.0
31	Folic Acid	Folic acid	supplement	good	-	2.0
32	Potassium Chloride	Potassium Chloride	supplement	medium	-	1.9
33	Ferrous Sulfate	Iron sulfate	supplement	good	-	1.9
34	Zinc Sulfate	Zinc sulfate	supplement	medium	-	1.9
35	Zinc Proteinate	Zinc Proteinate	supplement	good	-	1.8
36	Iron Proteinate	Iron Proteinate	mineral	good	-	1.8
37	Zinc Oxide	Zinc Oxide	supplement	good	-	1.8
38	Copper Sulfate	Copper sulphate	supplement	good	-	1.7
39	Manganese Sulfate	Manganese sulfate	supplement	medium	-	1.7
40	Manganese Proteinate	Manganese proteinate	supplement	good	-	1.7
41	Copper Proteinate	Copper proteinate	supplement	good	-	1.6
42	Manganous Oxide	Manganese (II) Oxide	supplement	good	-	1.6
43	Sodium Selenite	Sodium selenite	supplement	poor	-	1.6
44	Calcium Iodate	Calcium iodate	supplement	medium	-	1.5

Brand

Website: https://bestbreed.com/
Email: [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	0.7	9.191	+6.73
Carb share of dry matter	5.8%	-0.115	-0.66
Oil share of dry matter	8.8%	-0.092	-0.81
Vegetable share of dry matter	5.1%	-0.005	-0.03
Additive share of dry matter	4.6%	0.163	+0.75
Supplement share of dry matter	61.3%	-0.012	-0.75
Recipe graded poor	1.6%	-0.065	-0.10
Number of poor ingredients	1	-0.876	-0.88
Largest single poor ingredient	1.6%	0.060	+0.09
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	-5.63	0.222	-1.25
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	0.7	9.191	+6.73
Meat share of dry matter	0.0%	0.096	+0.00
Carb share of dry matter	5.8%	-0.115	-0.66
Oil share of dry matter	8.8%	-0.092	-0.81
Vegetable share of dry matter	5.1%	-0.005	-0.03
Additive share of dry matter	4.6%	0.163	+0.75
Supplement share of dry matter	61.3%	-0.012	-0.75
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	1.6%	-0.065	-0.10
Poor-quality meat in recipe	0.0%	-0.179	+0.00
Number of poor ingredients	1	-0.876	-0.88
Largest single poor ingredient	1.6%	0.060	+0.09
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	-5.63	0.222	-1.25
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: 51.0
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 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; 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	28	30.9	100
Fat	13	14.4	100
Calcium	1.34	1.5	100
Phosphorus	0.95	1	100
Calcium:phosphorus ratio	1.4	1.4	100
Omega fatty acids (omega-6 and omega-3)	-	-	100
Energy (kcal/100g)	385	425.4	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 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.

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)	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 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.

Claims on file; none we can check against the label

Claim	Type	Check	Substantiation
Formulated with EPA and DHA for brain development in puppies of all breeds and sizes (on page)	Functional	not checkable	Manufacturer assertion
Balanced calcium and phosphorus for strong bone growth (on page)	Functional	not checkable	Manufacturer assertion
Made with USA-sourced chicken meal (on page)	Content	not checkable	Manufacturer assertion
Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids including DHA, EPA, and linoleic acid to support healthy skin and coat, heart health, and cognitive function (on page)	Functional	not checkable	Manufacturer assertion
New Zealand Green-Lipped Mussels and natural sources of glucosamine and chondroitin support joint and mobility health (on page)	Functional	not checkable	Manufacturer assertion
Enriched with taurine for heart, vision, and reproductive health (on page)	Functional	not checkable	Manufacturer assertion
Formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for growth, including growth of large size dogs (70 lbs. or more as an adult) (on page)	Nutrient	not checkable	Manufacturer assertion
EU-Approved Ingredients (on page)	Content	not checkable	Manufacturer assertion
Veterinarian-formulated, holistic dry dog food (on page)	Content	not checkable	Manufacturer assertion
Premium, highly digestible protein from low-ash chicken meal, egg, and menhaden fish meal (on page)	Content	not checkable	Manufacturer assertion
Low and slow cooked kibble made with antibiotic-free chicken (on page)	Content	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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Alternatives to Puppy Recipe

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