Mastiff, Great Dane, Saint Bernard… What do they all have in common (besides being sweet and loving companions, of course)? They’re all large breed dogs! Whether you have one of these big guys at home or are looking to make a new family addition, there are some things to know about larger breeds that can come in handy to make sure you’re giving them their most optimal lifestyle.
What does a “large breed dog” mean?
Solid Gold’s in-house pet expert Leasa Moltke defines a large breed dog as one weighing over 60 pounds as an adult. It’s good to keep in mind that not ALL pups within a specific breed are automatically “large breed”, though, so pay attention to their scale. For example: the Labrador Retriever. American Labradors tend to be leaner and smaller in stature compared to their much larger English Labrador counterparts. Depending on gender and genetics, your pup might fall under a different weight class and, therefore, have different needs.
It’s also good to keep in mind that puppies won’t stay that size forever – as much as we might wish they would! They may fit with you on your bed now, but make sure to consult your vet on a growth projection for your pup to make sure you’re giving them optimal space to be happy and healthy.
"Large breed puppies and adults have unique nutritional needs not shared by their smaller counterparts. Large breed puppies need specific levels of nutrients to help promote a slow, healthy growth and large breed adults especially need to watch their weight to help keep their joints healthy and a spring in their step."
Speaking of space… Do I have enough?
Great question! This is extremely important for a large breed dog of any age. For puppies, making sure you have a large area for training and easy outside access for potty training and playtime is essential for their development. If you live in a high-rise apartment with limited room to roam, a smaller pup like a French Bulldog or Shih Tzu might be best for that setting.
Certain larger working or hunting breeds like Pointers and Spaniels may need a lot more exercise than you expect, including multiple walks a day along with interactive play and learning time sprinkled throughout the day.
If you think you have enough space but your dog still isn’t getting enough exercise, try taking them on an extra-long walk or playing an hour of fetch each day at a park to help them stretch their long legs. If they’re craving something more social, introducing them to a dog park or daycare can also keep them stimulated and help burn off some energy.
What do I feed them?
At Solid Gold, we fully believe in having something for every dog out there. This includes large breed puppies AND adult dogs! If you have a large breed puppy, Wolf Cub is carefully crafted with controlled levels of calcium for good bone development. With the perfect balance of the highest quality, pasture raised bison and our unique blend of functional superfoods and living probiotics, this potato free recipe supports healthy growth for your large breed pup while providing gut health and overall immune support.
If your puppy is ready to take on adult food or if you already have an adult large breed dog, Wolf King is ready and waiting. Crafted with pasture raised, USA bison, healthy fats, whole grains, living probiotics and our unique blend of functional superfoods, this recipe is designed to help build and maintain your dog’s muscles and provide gut health and immune support, as well as skin and coat health.
Save $3 on large breed kibble and more great products by Solid Gold!
