Top 10 Best Dog Food for Newfoundlands
Newfoundlands typically love to eat just as much as they enjoy swimming, so keeping them fed is a big commitment. The key to good nutrition is finding a food that features high-quality ingredients, plenty of protein, and vitamins from whole food sources. The problem is that there are many foods on the market that meet these standards, so it can be overwhelming to figure out just which ones would be best suited for your Newfoundland.
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We understand the importance of choosing the right food for your pooch, so we’ve tested out the best food options on the market and narrowed them down to a handful that we think will help your Newfoundland thrive over time. They all offer features that will benefit your dog in one way or another, and they are all nutritionally complete. Here are the best dog foods for Newfoundlands on the market.
The 10 Best Dog Foods for Newfoundlands
Purina ONE Natural SmartBlend Dry Food – Best Value
| Main ingredients: | Lamb, rice flour, whole grain corn, whole grain wheat |
| Protein content: | 26% |
| Fat content: | 16% |
| Calories: | 380 |
If you’ve been looking for the best dog food for Newfoundlands for the money, you’ll want to check out Purina ONE Natural SmartBlend Lamb & Rice Formula. With lamb as the first ingredient, this food is an excellent option for dogs with common food allergies2; plus, lamb is an excellent source of protein and highly digestible, so there are fewer stomach issues for your pet. This dog food also comes with glucosamine, which aids in keeping joints healthy—incredibly important for big dogs. And Purina ONE’s antioxidant blend and omega-6 fatty acids give a boost to your dog’s immune system and the health of its coat.
The only real complaint pet owners had was that some dogs didn’t enjoy the chewier pieces of this food because the pieces were difficult for them to chew.
The Farmer’s Dog – Best Overall
| Main ingredients: | Turkey, beef, pork, chicken, chickpeas, carrots, broccoli, sweet potato, lentils, green beans, cauliflower, brussels sprouts, bok choy |
| Protein content: | 8–11% |
| Fat content: | 5–8.5% |
| Calories: | 282–361 |
The best overall dog food for Newfoundlands is made by The Farmer’s Dog. If you’re not familiar with them, this company runs a meal subscription service for dogs that features fresh, homemade meals for your pup. While there aren’t a lot of recipes to choose from (they have four total), each recipe is made with whole, human-grade ingredients that consist of clean proteins and simple produce. That makes them a healthy choice for your Newfoundland. And you can customize your dog’s meal plan by answering a few questions about their weight, how much they exercise, and general health.
The downsides are that The Farmer’s Dog is a bit more expensive than other dog food brands, and it must be shipped to you (no running to the store last minute if you run out). Plus, a couple of the recipes have legumes that have been linked1 to dilated cardiomyopathy (though this link is tentative and requires more research). So, if that’s a concern, you may want to stick with the recipes without legumes.
Nutro Ultra Large Breed Adult Dry Dog Food
| Main ingredients: | Chicken, chicken meal, whole grain brown rice, whole grain sorghum |
| Protein content: | 22% |
| Fat content: | 13% |
| Calories: | 350 |
Another dog food made especially for large breed dogs, Nutro Ultra Large Breed Adult contains not only chicken as the first ingredient but lamb and salmon as well for a nice blend of protein sources. This recipe also has a combination of superfoods that include kale, blueberries, and chia, making this dog food vitamin and nutrient-rich to boost your pup’s overall health and well-being. And Nutro claims that all ingredients used are tested rigorously for safety, making this dog food a good choice. Plus, according to pet owners, this recipe was popular with dogs and helped with issues such as unhealthy coats and stomach problems!
However, picky eaters weren’t as big of fans of this food as other dogs, and there was the rare complaint that the kibble seemed a bit small.
Holistic Select Large & Giant Breed Adult Dry Food
| Main ingredients: | Chicken meal, rice, oatmeal, oats |
| Protein content: | 24% |
| Fat content: | 13% |
| Calories: | 453 |
When it’s a premium dog food you’re after, look at this one by Holistic Select Large & Giant Breed. Made specifically for large and giant breed dogs, the pieces in this food are larger than average, so your Newfoundland has an easier time chowing down at dinner time. This chicken meal and oatmeal recipe features high-quality ingredients that promote and support your pup’s digestive health, as well as the health of its joints, coat, skin, and heart. And if you find the fact that chicken meal is the first ingredient concerning, you needn’t worry as chicken meal is a perfectly acceptable source of protein for your dog.
On the con, a couple of pet parents mentioned that the pieces of food were smaller than they expected, and a few said their picky eaters weren’t fans.
Royal Canin Giant Adult Dry Dog Food – Vet’s Choice
| Main ingredients: | Chicken by-product meal, brewer’s rice, chicken fat, brown rice |
| Protein content: | 26% |
| Fat content: | 18% |
| Calories: | 427 |
When you want a dog food for your Newfoundland that’s been recommended by vets, you’ll want to go with Royal Canin’s Size Health Nutrition dog food. This dog food has been made explicitly for dogs weighing over a hundred pounds and over the age of 2 years, so it contains the precise nutrition your pup needs. With glucosamine and chondroitin to improve the health of your dog’s joints, EPA and DHA to keep bones strong, taurine to promote a healthy heart, and plenty of fiber and easily digestible proteins to aid the digestive system in running smoothly, this food has it all. And the kibble size of Royal Canin’s Size Health claims to be extra-large to encourage more chewing, which will aid in digestion.
A few pet owners did say the size of the kibble is ridiculously large (though some pet parents thought the size was excellent, so whether you or your Newfoundland enjoy the size could go either way). And you and your pet may not enjoy this recipe’s lack of real meat.
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Puppy Food – Best for Puppies
| Main ingredients: | Deboned chicken, chicken meals, brown rice, oatmeal |
| Protein content: | 27% |
| Fat content: | 26% |
| Calories: | 400 |
When you have a Newfoundland that’s a puppy, you need to find a food that guarantees your pup will grow up healthy and strong—and Blue Buffalo’s Life Protection Formula does just that! Made with real meat and whole grains, this dog food has ingredients designed to promote the growth and well-being of your dog. This includes essential vitamins, calcium, and phosphorus for strong bones and teeth, ARA and DHA for healthy eyes and brain, and other omega fatty acids for a healthy coat and skin. Blue Buffalo’s Life Protection formula also includes the brand’s LifeSource Bits, an antioxidant blend that aids immune system health. Plus, this kibble is sized so puppies will have an easier time chewing (and doubles as a tartar control aid)!
Dog owner complaints included stinky gas and occasional loose stool after their dogs ate.
Taste of the Wild Sierra Mountain Dry Dog Food
| Main ingredients: | Lamb, lamb meal, sweet potatoes, egg product |
| Protein content: | 25% |
| Fat content: | 15% |
| Calories: | 410 |
This grain-free food is high in protein (beneficial for your Newfoundland’s muscle and bones), and because it contains lamb as the first ingredient, it’s a good choice for dogs allergic to common protein sources. However, this food does contain peas and lentils, which have been tentatively linked to heart disease in dogs, so take note of that if it’s a concern for you. Also, be aware that grain-free diets aren’t for every dog, so it’s best to speak with your vet before beginning your pet on one. Besides the tons of protein your pup will get with this Taste of the Wild Sierra Mountain recipe, it’ll also receive plenty of vitamins and nutrients (such as vitamin E, taurine, and zinc), along with omega fatty acids, plus probiotics and prebiotics—all of which are necessary to boost your pet’s health from head to tail!
When it comes to possible downsides, a handful of pet parents mentioned that their dogs became itchy after eating this food, and a few pups hated the smell of the food and wouldn’t eat it.
Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Dry Dog Food
| Main ingredients: | Lamb, lamb meal, brown rice, brewers rice |
| Protein content: | 22% |
| Fat content: | 12% |
| Calories: | 370 |
If you have a Newfoundland that suffers from allergies, food sensitivities, or digestive issues, going the route of a limited ingredient diet may work wonders. Several pet parents who tried this food said their dogs’ ear infections and skin allergies cleared up after eating. This limited ingredient recipe has only a handful of ingredients and features lamb as the first one—excellent for pups with food allergies and as a protein source in general. The Natural Balance Limited Ingredient dog food also packs a ton of fiber via whole grains, which should help ease any digestive issues your pet may have.
On the flip side of things, a couple of dog parents found the kibble pieces too small for their dogs, and there was the rare complaint of dogs’ breath becoming extremely smelly after switching to this food.
VICTOR Classic Hi-Pro Plus Formula Dry Dog Food
| Main ingredients: | Beef meal, grain sorghum, chicken fat, pork meal |
| Protein content: | 30% |
| Fat content: | 20% |
| Calories: | 406 |
With a whopping 30% crude protein, this recipe by VICTOR Classic Hi-Pro Plus contains beef, chicken, and pork and is ideal for dogs with high levels of activity. It’s also packed with vitamins, nutrients, protein, amino acids, and vital fatty acids, so your dog stays healthy. Even better, VICTOR Classic’s VPRO Blend ensures this food is easily digestible to avoid stomach issues (and the blend boosts the immune system of your pup). And though this food contains grains, they are gluten-free (if that’s a concern for you). Best of all, this food is suitable for dogs no matter their age!
There were a handful of random complaints from dog owners, with the biggest one being that several dogs refused to eat this food because they didn’t like the smell or taste. Other than that, one person complained of their pet having stinky breath after eating, and a couple stated their dogs had stinky poop after eating.
Hill’s Science Diet Adult Large Breed Dry Dog Food
| Main ingredients: | Chicken, cracked pearled barley, whole grain wheat, whole grain corn |
| Protein content: | 20% |
| Fat content: | 11.5% |
| Calories: | 363 |
Give your favorite dog a food that’s good for them and tastes delicious with Hill’s Science Diet Chicken & Barley dog food! Formulated specifically for large breed dogs, this recipe contains chicken as the first ingredient for a boost of protein that will keep your pup lean and healthy. As an easily digestible dog food, Hill’s shouldn’t cause any digestive problems, and with added glucosamine and chondroitin, your dog’s joints should stay strong. This recipe also comes packed with vitamins C and E for immune system support and omega-fatty acids to keep your dog’s coat looking fabulous.
However, a couple of dog owners thought the size of the kibble was too small for large breeds, and at least one person complained that the recipe made their pup gassy.
Buyer’s Guide: Finding the Best Dog Food for Newfoundlands
Before choosing a new food for your Newfoundland, take a look at the buyer’s guide that we have put together. It’s filled with helpful advice and practical tips that you can use to ensure that you and your pooch will be satisfied and won’t have to look for another food again anytime soon.
Understanding the Life Stages
Some dog foods are formulated for all life stages, which are designed to meet the basic nutritional needs of puppies, adults, and seniors. But many are formulated to meet the specific dietary needs of each life stage. Here’s what you should know.
Adults
Adult dog food is designed to meet the needs of pooches that aren’t growing anymore. They need all the same nutrients that puppies need, but they don’t need those nutrients in the same amounts, and they don’t need as much protein or fat unless they’re highly active or function as working dogs of some kind. Most adult dog foods feature large kibble pieces that are super crunchy to satisfy their chewing instincts. This food is generally fed to adult dogs between the ages of 1 and 7 years.
Puppies
Puppies grow quickly, so puppy food is typically formulated with a higher protein and fat content than foods designed for older dogs or all life stages. These foods are also generally infused with antioxidants to support a puppy’s fragile immune system as they get to know the outside world where viruses and ailments can be picked up. The kibble pieces are generally small and less dense than adult food so puppies as young as a few weeks old can easily chew it. This food is suitable for dogs up to about a year old.
Seniors
Food made especially for senior dogs include higher amounts of calcium to support healthy bones and lower amounts of protein because they are typically less active in old age. Antioxidants are typically a priority to help minimize the onset of diseases like canine cognitive dysfunction syndrome.
High-Performing Dogs
Some foods are made just for high-performance dogs, which means that they cater to the intense nutritional needs of pooches that do agility, hike, herd, or hunt all day long. These foods can also be geared toward puppies, adults, or both life stages, but they are rarely available specifically for seniors.
Checking out the Ingredients
- Never count on labels that say “all-natural ingredients” or “holistic” unless you know exactly what is in the food. To know this, you’ll have to inspect the ingredients list from top to bottom. What you should look for is a list that includes real meat, whole food vitamins and minerals, and fish oil or flaxseed for essential omega fatty acids.
- What you should avoid is highly processed ingredients like animal by-products and fillers like corn and soy because they serve more to fill your dog up than provide them with the nutrition that they need. You should also avoid foods that include artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives.
Looking for the AAFCO Statement
- The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) has the responsibility of making sure that animal feed is nutritionally adequate for the species that it is intended for. The AAFCO sets and maintains nutritional standards for the dog food industry that help ensure that pet dogs get all the nutrients they need and that are essential for good health.
- If a dog food meets the AAFCO’s standards and passes feeding trials, it can have a statement on its packaging that says so. Finding an AAFCO statement on your dog food’s packaging will give you peace of mind in knowing that your pooch won’t miss out on any nutrients that they need to stay happy and healthy for a lifetime.
Reasons for Sticking With Dry Food
Both wet and dry food can be nutritionally sound for dogs in all life stages. However, there are some perks to choosing dry over wet. First and foremost, dry food is typically less expensive by the pound, which is something all Newfoundland owners must consider because they eat a large amount of food. Secondly, dry food helps clean your dog’s teeth by scraping plaque off, which is something that wet food can’t do. In fact, wet food can contribute to a plaque problem. Another benefit of dry food is that it’s easier to keep fresh after opening the package. It doesn’t need refrigeration, and it typically doesn’t require a separate sealable container to maintain its integrity.
Consulting With a Veterinarian
Once you find a food option or two that you want to start feeding your Newfoundland, it’s a good idea to consult with your veterinarian to make sure that there won’t be any possible challenges to worry about. They can do a blood test to determine whether your dog might have any food allergies and to find out whether they are low in any particular nutrients. They can also inspect the ingredient list of the food that you’re interested in to verify that it will meet all your dog’s unique nutritional needs over time. If not, they can help steer you in the right direction by making ingredient and brand recommendations.
Final Thoughts
Now that you’ve looked through our reviews of the top 10 dog food for Newfoundlands, here’s a refresher on our top five picks. For the best overall food, we recommend The Farmers Dog for its fresh ingredients and overall healthiness. If you want the best value food, our choice is Purina ONE Natural SmartBlend Lamb & Rice Formula, as it’s affordable and suitable for those with food allergies. Our premium choice is Holistic Select Large & Giant Breed Adult Health Chicken Meal & Oatmeal for its high-quality ingredients and larger bits of kibble that make chewing easier. If you have a puppy, our recommendation is Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Puppy Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe due to its smaller-sized kibble and amount of essential nutrients. Finally, if you’re looking for a dog food picked by vets, we suggest Royal Canin Size Health Nutrition Giant Adult since it’s large breed specific and has oversized kibble bites. Happy shopping!
