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Working Dog Recipe

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High-calorie, energy-dense formula – ideal for working dogs, highly active dogs, underweight dogs, and pregnant or nursing females.

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Dr. Gary's Best Breed

FUELED BY COMMON SENSE NUTRITION

Weight Support
Energy-Dense Formula
580 Calories Per Cup
High Fat, Moderate Protein
Joint & Mobility Support
Skin & Coat Vitality
THE BEST BREED <em>DIFFERENCE</em>

THE BEST BREED DIFFERENCE

Purpose-built nutrition backed by decades of veterinary expertise and crafted with uncompromising ingredient standards.

  • Veterinarian Developed
  • Small Batch Made in Ohio, USA
  • Purpose-Built Formulas
  • Never On a Recall List
  • Low & Slow Cooked
  • EU-Approved Ingredients
Learn more

Better Ingredients. Better Nutrition.

Every ingredient fulfills a purpose – from premium proteins and functional fibers to healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals.

Chicken Meal

Made with protein-rich, low ash chicken sourced from the USA. Chicken supplies essential amino acids including taurine, a critical nutrient for heart health.

Chicken Fat

USA-sourced wholesome chicken fat supplies a concentrated and efficient source of energy while helping with overall body maintenance.

Brown Rice

Sourced from the USA, brown rice used in the German Dog Diet is a highly- digestible carbohydrate that provides sustainable energy. Also supplies beneficial minerals and B vitamins.

Dried Eggs

Eggs are the perfect source of protein as they contain all 9 essential amino acids. They are a highly digestible ingredient that also supplies many vitamins and minerals.

Working Dog Recipe FAQs

What dogs is the Working Dog Recipe formulated for?

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Best Breed Working Dog Recipe is formulated for highly active working and performance dogs, including police, Schutzhund, field, hunting, and other dogs with elevated energy demands. Its calorie-dense, high-fat formula can also be a good option for dogs that struggle to maintain weight or need additional calories to support healthy weight gain.

Can I feed the Working Dog Recipe to my pregnant or nursing dog?

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Yes. Working Dog Recipe is formulated for all life stages and its high calorie and fat content can help meet the increased energy demands of pregnant and nursing dogs. As with any dog with elevated nutritional needs, feeding amounts should be adjusted based on body condition and activity level.

Why does the Working Dog Recipe have moderate protein instead of high protein?

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Working dogs need enough high-quality protein to support lean muscle, but more protein is not always the same as more usable energy. Best Breed Working Dog Recipe was intentionally formulated with moderate protein and a higher level of fat, which provides a concentrated source of calories for sustained physical activity.

Why is the Working Dog Recipe high in fat?

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Fat is the most calorie-dense macronutrient and provides an efficient source of energy for highly active dogs. Working Dog Recipe contains 580 calories per cup and a higher fat level to help working and performance dogs meet elevated energy demands without requiring excessively large meals.

Is Working Dog Recipe good for weight maintenance or weight gain?

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Yes. Its calorie-dense, high-fat formula can be helpful for active dogs that have difficulty maintaining body weight, dogs that need additional calories to support healthy weight gain, and some senior dogs that struggle to hold weight as they age. At 580 calories per cup, it delivers substantial energy in a smaller volume of food.

Is Working Dog Recipe a good choice for dogs in kennel or boarding settings?

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It can be. Dr. Gary has often recommended Working Dog Recipe in kennel and boarding environments because its higher calorie density allows dogs to get the energy they need from a smaller volume of food, which can also mean less stool to manage. Because activity levels can vary in a kennel setting, portion size should be adjusted carefully to avoid unwanted weight gain.

What is chicken meal, and why does Best Breed use it?

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Chicken meal is a concentrated source of animal protein made by cooking chicken and removing most of its water. Because fresh chicken is roughly 70% water, chicken meal provides a much more concentrated and consistent source of protein by weight. Best Breed uses premium, low-ash chicken meal – meaning it contains less bone and a higher proportion of animal meat. Our chicken meal typically provides around 70% protein along with a complete amino acid profile. Using high-quality meat meals helps us ensure that the majority of protein in our recipes comes from animal sources, rather than relying heavily on plant proteins such as pea protein or corn gluten meal to increase the total protein percentage.

What are New Zealand Green Mussels, and why are they in Best Breed recipes?

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New Zealand Green Mussels are a nutrient-dense ingredient naturally rich in minerals, amino acids, vitamins, antioxidants, and a unique combination of Omega-3 fatty acids. Nearly every Best Breed recipe includes New Zealand Green Mussels as part of our approach to purposeful nutrition. Our recipes also contain natural sources of glucosamine and chondroitin to help support joint and mobility health. Green Mussels aren’t a recent ingredient trend for Best Breed – they’ve been part of our formulas since the beginning.

What does “EU-approved ingredients” mean, and why does it matter?

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Because some Best Breed formulas are exported to the European Union, we use EU-approved ingredients where applicable – one of the strictest sourcing standards in the world. In practice, this means ingredients used in our food must come from sources approved for the human-consumption supply chain before processing. For example, if a fish is rejected for human consumption, it cannot be used to make Best Breed’s EU-approved fish meal – it is diverted to the animal-grade supply chain instead. This does not mean Best Breed kibble is human grade. But it does mean the source ingredients meet a higher standard before processing.

What are the benefits of slow-cooked, low-temperature dog kibble?

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Best Breed kibble is made using a slower, lower-temperature cooking process than conventional high-temperature, high-speed production. Cooking more slowly helps maintain the nutritional integrity of proteins, vitamins, and minerals while properly conditioning carbohydrates for easier digestion and nutrient absorption. We also produce our food in small batches so quality and consistency can be closely monitored throughout the process. The result is highly digestible, nutrient-dense food designed to help your pet absorb and utilize more from every meal.
See More FaQs →

Veterinarian-formulated, high-calorie kibble (550+ kcal/cup) designed for active dogs. Customers praised its ability to help dogs gain weight, improve coat shine, and support digestion. "Dogs love it" and even picky eaters approved. Contains quality chicken-based ingredients with glucosamine support. Some noted higher price and small bag sizes, with one dog requiring it mixed with other food.

  • 5 stars: 64 (88%)
  • 4 stars: 9 (12%)
  • 3 stars: 0 (0%)
  • 2 stars: 0 (0%)
  • 1 star: 0 (0%)
D
Deena P.

My dogs love it. It's always fresh. It keeps my dogs coat looking amazing.

B
Bethany
LOVE IT LOVE IT LOVE IT

This is a very high end kibble. I have spoken with a dog nutritionist and they can only say good things about Dr. Gary's. This working dog food has done wonders for my German shepherd. 10/10

D
Danice W.
Good choice

Great for those growing dogs that happen to be picky like mine.

A
Anjelika P.
Dog food

Healthy alternative to your everyday dog food. Veterinarian formulated and high quality ingredients. For active dogs only. Meant for a working dog. My dog enjoys this brand very much and the size of the dog pellets is fairly average. Holistic brand made with care and insight on your dog's health. I highly recommend giving this product a try.

J
Jeannette B.
Leading ingredients are chicken meal and chicken fat

If you have a working dog on your homestead or ranch, this product is designed for your shepherd, agility dog or guardian dog. The top ingredients are chicken meal and chicken fat, which provide protein and calories. The next ingredients are rice flour, oatmeal, brown rice, dried beet pulp, egg products and catfish meal. This has an unusual proportion of crude protein to crude fat, which makes sense for a dog that runs off a lot of energy. My dog runs outside all day and will share this bag with his sister, who is a bit too lean. Both dogs love this flavor.

S
Susan H.
Better Mixed With Other Foods

My dog wouldn't eat this food on its own. He only eats it if I mix it with other food. It's a small bag as well, so you don't get much for the money. I also had a hard time re-sealing the bag.

D
David P.
Great for my border collie

The dog seemed to like it. The small, bite-sized kibbles are easy for her to eat. I like the glucosamine support and the proteins in it.

J
Jamie
Lucy actually loves this.

I have a dog who couldn�t care less about food. I leave it in her bowl when I go to work and sometimes I come home, and it�s still there. Not with this food. She actually eats it shortly after I feed her. But that�s not even the best part. In addition to seemingly sporting a shinier coat... her poops are perfect. She was eating Wellness core (which she also really liked) but her stools were soft and unpredictable. Dr. Gary�s - working dog food, has her very regular and solid. So, I�m happy. :)

D
Daniel S.
Great dog food

Our doggo loved it. First ingredient is chicken. It's also fortified with vitamins, which is important to us as our dog needed extra vitamins. Functional resealable bag. Recommend.

A
Aaliyah J.
Very Palatable

All 5 pups agree, this is good food. We have a few variations of this dog food and the rescues adore it. Out of the three, this seemed to be the favorite. They can be picky at times but devoured it before I finished filling the bowl. The list of ingredients is good. I can tell you it's extremely palatable and even picky dogs like the taste, so it should be easy to feed most dogs. Pretty good.

M
Molly
Picky Skinny Dane

I supplemented an already high calorie Victor product with this even higher calorie (!) Dr Gary's to help my bony adolescent Dane gain weight. She's eating more than previously, and appears to be thickening up a bit

C
Carlos G.
good formula

Dog taste test approved, so that is good. Fed it to our working dog. He is an Anatolian Pyrenees and he lives with our goats. He stays with our goats when they are out, warns them of predators and gets them to go home if there is danger. He is very good at his job and he works hard. The 4 lb bag was not enough to say whether this creates a better coat or gives our guy more energy, but he likes it. The ingredients are also all recognizable. I like that it is formulated for a bigger, high-energy dog. The kibble is a little smaller than my bigger dog is used to. Overall, a nice formula.

C
Cynthia
They LOVE it!

Switched over to this from (a 5 STAR DOG FOOD) for our Caucasian Ovcharkas. They are eating less but are still gaining weight like they are supposed to be for their ages. (It even smells GOOD, unlike most other dog foods.) I like that there is less to pick up in the yard too. HIGHLY RECOMMEND this food. MADE IN THE USA!!

D
Danielle
New to this brand

Breeder recommendation- puppy doing well on this formula.

L
Laura
Good dry food

We have been giving our dogs this brand of food for the past 2 years, they like it. I also give them meat and fresh veggies mixed with it also

K
Kathy
High quality food great for allergies!

Our 18 month old Labrador just loves this food he was suffering with itchy skin, chronic ear infections and redness between his paws. This is a high quality food with a lot of good oils that have helped alleviate his allergies! We would highly recommend this food!

L
Lisa M.
It�s about time!

My English Mastiff won�t eat anything!!! But she loved this dog food. She has always been too thin. I have high hopes that she will finally gain weight! Thank you. Hard to find in Texas.

D
Dora
This food keeps his coat and body in perfect condition.

My dog is high-energy. This food is the perfect fit for him. His coat is always shiny too.

B
Breanna
Perfect!

My great Dane puppy was very sick and underweight. I am using this to get more calories in him to gain some weight and he loves this stuff!!

J
Jessica Z.
I will continue to use this food

Seems to be quality dog food.

M
Morgan
Happy Customer

Just switched my Doberman over to this food to put some weight on him. He's an extremely active dog and picky eater. I'm happy to report he loves this food and is gaining weight!

R
Rachel R.
Hunting and Ranching

Most people don't think of poodles as working dogs. Nothing could be further from the truth. Standard poodles are excellent hunting companions, both in and out of the water � smart, sturdy and easily bored. The sire of my standard poodle, retired from the show ring, is a working cattle dog on a ranch in Montana. The ingredients of this food fit my dog's active life. He needs a higher calorie diet that can accommodate the way he burns energy. I mix it with his usual home-cooked meals of game meat, vegetables and brown rice. As with the introduction of any new dog food, just a tiny bit at a time to prevent any stomach upset.

A
Anna
Hidden Gem

This food is a hidden gem among dog owners. I wish this was formulated for All Life Stages instead of Maintenance only. But for a high calorie food that all the dogs have transitioned over beautifully. When I started mixing food I noticed right away poops got smaller. I like all the brands that are made by Ohio Pet Foods, Dr Tim�s, Annamaet and Blackwood. Dr Gary�s formulas are higher calories and more meat based than plant based. Switching from Pro Plan Sport I love this food.

M
Michelle
Corporal's Take on Dinner

We have been feeding Corporal Dr. Gary's Best Breed dog food since he was a pup. We placed him on this food about a year ago and he has done great on it. I thought he would end up being picky (like alot of other German Shepherds I know) but he loves it. He acts like a nut when we first open a new bag. I love the fact that it is resealable to keep the food fresh for my spoiled pup.

C
Corey T.
Good dog food!

The first thing I love about this dog food is the price for the quality of food you receive. It has been a challenge to find a food my male German Shepherd will eat � he is very picky and he seems to love it. They have several size options. I do not recommend the 4 lb bag for 2 big German Shepherds, as it lasts about 3 days. My female GSD has so much energy and my male GSD is shiny and not scratching nearly as much.

P
Peggy J.
Dog really loves it and he digests it well!

The dog is very enthusiastic about this dog food and he is a true gourmet. Apparently it tastes delicious, smells pleasantly like food and seems to be very easy on the dog's digestion.

A
Amy B.
Good dog food

This working dog variety has somewhat smaller pieces than the kinds we usually get. Smells pleasant as far as dog food goes, and the dogs both seemed interested when they first tried it. I did mix it with some wet food for their dinner, however. It's supposed to be nutritionally balanced, and they seem to like the flavor.

K
Kristen M.
Best Breed Working Dog Diet Made in USA

My dogs love this food! They get rather specific for each breed, and I don't quite believe that is necessary, however, the all dog breed food is really nice and made with great ingredients! The bag design is wonderful too! No issues with skin allergies or GI upset for my pups!

E
Erica S.
Good Choice

Pricey but do love it as an option for our high-energy dogs. Helps give them the extra calories they need without having to feed as much.

E
Emma E.
Great food

This is very good stuff. Ingredients are great and my dogs absolutely love this.

L
Leah E.
High fat for working dogs

Some types of dogs make for good working dogs, such as police dogs, and they are so active that they need more fat and overall calories. Our dog isn't a worker, but our kids play constantly with him. For this reason I decided to try this food out on our guy, and it should be no surprise that he loves it. This is a well-balanced dry dog food with good protein from chicken and eggs. It has chelated minerals, glucosamine, antioxidants, omega fatty acids and fiber. I recommend it.