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Dr. Garys Best Breed Dog Food Review (Dry)
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Dr. Garys Best Breed Dog Food Review (Dry)
By Mike Sagman
Updated: April 22, 2024
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Dr. Garys Best Breed Dog Food receives the Advisors second-highest tier rating of 4 stars.
The Best Breed product line includes 13 dry dog foods.
Each recipe below includes its related AAFCO nutrient profile when available on the products official webpage: Growth, Maintenance, All Life Stages, Supplemental or Unspecified.
Important: Because many websites do not reliably specify which Growth or All Life Stages recipes are safe for large breed puppies, we do not include that data in this report. Be sure to check actual packaging for that information.
Use the links below to check prices and package sizes at an online retailer.
Dr. Garys Best Breed Large Breed Dog Diet was selected to represent the other products in the line for this review.
Dr. Gary's Best Breed Large Breed Dog Diet
Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content
Chicken meal, oatmeal, brown rice, dried beet pulp, chicken fat [preserved with natural mixed tocopherols (vitamin E)], egg product, pearled barley, brewers dried yeast, menhaden fish meal, natural chicken flavor, lecithin, menhaden fish oil, flax seed, canola oil, calcium carbonate, dl methionine, l-lysine, monosodium phosphate, salt, cranberry, alfalfa meal, New Zealand sea mussel, ascorbic acid, fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS), glucosamine, garlic powder, Lactobacillus acidophilus fermentation product dehydrated, kelp meal, vitamin E supplement, biotin, niacin supplement, d-calcium pantothenate, vitamin A acetate, riboflavin supplement, vitamin B12 supplement, thiamine mononitrate, pyridoxine hydrochloride, citric acid, 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
Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 4.5%
Red denotes any controversial items
| Guaranteed Analysis | 25% | 13% | NA |
| Dry Matter Basis | 28% | 14% | 50% |
| Calorie Weighted Basis | 25% | 31% | 44% |
Ingredient Analysis
The first ingredient in this dog food is chicken meal. Chicken meal is considered a meat concentrate and contains nearly 300% more protein than fresh chicken.
The second ingredient is oatmeal, a whole-grain product made from coarsely ground oats. Oatmeal is naturally rich in B-vitamins, dietary fiber and can be (depending upon its level of purity) gluten-free.
The third ingredient is brown rice, a complex carbohydrate that (once cooked) can be fairly easy to digest. However, aside from its natural energy content, rice is of only modest nutritional value to a dog.
The fourth ingredient is beet pulp. Beet pulp is a controversial ingredient, a high fiber by-product of sugar beet processing.
Some denounce beet pulp as an inexpensive filler while others cite its outstanding intestinal health and blood sugar benefits.
We only call your attention here to the controversy and believe the inclusion of beet pulp in reasonable amounts in most dog foods is entirely acceptable.
The fifth ingredient is chicken fat. Chicken fat is obtained from rendering chicken, a process similar to making soup in which the fat itself is skimmed from the surface of the liquid.
Chicken fat is high in linoleic acid, an omega-6 fatty acid essential for life. Although it doesnt sound very appetizing, chicken fat is actually a quality ingredient.
The sixth ingredient is egg product, an unspecified (wet or dry?) form of shell-free eggs. Quality can vary significantly. Lower grade egg product can even come from commercial hatcheries from eggs that have failed to hatch.
In any case, eggs are easy to digest and have an exceptionally high biological value.
The seventh ingredient is barley. Barley is a starchy carbohydrate supplying fiber and other healthy nutrients. However, aside from its energy content, this cereal grain is of only modest nutritional value to a dog.
The eighth ingredient is brewers yeast, which can be a controversial item. Although its a by-product of the beer making process, this ingredient is rich in minerals and other healthy nutrients.
Fans believe yeast repels fleas and supports the immune system.
Critics argue yeast ingredients can be linked to allergies. This may be true, but (like all allergies) only if your particular dog is allergic to the yeast itself.
In addition, a vocal minority insists yeast can increase the risk of developing the life-threatening condition known as bloat. However, this is a claim weve not been able to scientifically verify.
In any case, unless your dog is specifically allergic to it, yeast can still be considered a nutritious additive.
Whats more noteworthy here is that brewers yeast contains about 48% protein, a factor that must be considered when judging the actual meat content of this dog food.
The ninth ingredient is menhaden fish meal, another protein-rich meat concentrate.
Menhaden are small ocean fish related to herring. Theyre rich in protein and omega-3 fatty acids. Whats more, in their mid-depth habitat, menhaden are not exposed to mercury contamination as can be typical with deep water species.
Fish meal is typically obtained from the clean, dried, ground tissue of undecomposed whole fish and fish cuttings of commercial fish operations.1
From here, the list goes on to include a number of other items.
But to be realistic, ingredients located this far down the list (other than nutritional supplements) are not likely to affect the overall rating of this product.
With six notable exceptions
First, flaxseed is one of the best plant sources of healthy omega-3 fatty acids. Provided theyve first been ground into a meal, flax seeds are also rich in soluble fiber.
However, flaxseed contains about 19% protein, a factor that must be considered when judging the actual meat content of this dog food.
Next, we find canola oil. Unfortunately, canola can be a controversial item. Thats because it can sometimes (but not always) be derived from genetically modified rapeseed.
Yet others cite the fact that canola oil can be a significant source of essential omega-3 fatty acids.
In any case, plant-based oils like canola are less biologically available to a dog than fish oil as a source of quality omega-3 fats.
In addition, this recipe contains alfalfa meal. Although alfalfa meal is high in plant protein (about 18%) and fiber (25%), this hay-family item is more commonly associated with horse feeds.
Next, we note the use of fructooligosaccharide, an alternative sweetener2 probably used here as a prebiotic. Prebiotics function to support the growth of healthy bacteria in the large intestine.
In addition, garlic can be a controversial item. Although many favor the ingredient for its claimed health benefits, garlic has been linked to Heinz body anemia in dogs.3
So, one must weigh the potential benefits of feeding garlic against its proven tendency to cause subclinical damage to the red blood cells of the animal.
And lastly, this food includes chelated minerals, minerals that have been chemically attached to protein. This makes them easier to absorb. Chelated minerals are usually found in better dog foods.
Nutrient Analysis
Judging by its ingredients alone, Best Breed Dog Food looks like an above-average dry product.
But ingredient quality by itself cannot tell the whole story. We still need to estimate the products meat content before determining a final rating.
The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 28%, a fat level of 14% and estimated carbohydrates of about 50%.
As a group, the brand features an average protein content of 28% and a mean fat level of 15%. Together, these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 50% for the overall product line.
And a fat-to-protein ratio of about 54%.
Near-average protein. Near-average fat. And near-average carbs when compared to a typical dry dog food.
When you consider the protein-boosting effect of the brewers yeast, flaxseed and alfalfa meal, this looks like the profile of a kibble containing a moderate amount of meat.
Bottom line?
Dr. Garys Best Breed is a grain-inclusive dry dog food using a moderate amount of named meat meals as its main source of animal protein, thus earning the brand 4 stars.
Highly recommended.
Please note certain recipes are sometimes given a higher or lower rating based upon our estimate of their total meat content and (when appropriate) their fat-to-protein ratios.
Best Breed Dog Food Recall History
The following list (if present) includes all dog food recalls since 2009 directly related to Best Breed. If there are no recalls listed in this section, we have not yet reported any events.
You can view a complete list of all dog food recalls sorted by date. Or view the same list sorted alphabetically by brand.
Compare This Dog Food
How does this brand compare with The Dog Food Advisor's most recommended brands?
A Final Word
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Our Products
We are always on the hunt for new and better food to give Amber and her siblings. We think its a trial and error process. Some premium brands who claim to be the best in the market (and top bills the pricing as well) wont work for us.
After trying raw feeding (which also didnt really work for Amber), our vet introduced Monge Special Dog to us. Our dogs, including Amber, are not very picky with food but gets sawa after a few months. Surprisingly, its been almost 2 years now and we still havent changed their diet. We give them veggies/home cooked meal sometimes but Monge Special Dog is still their favorite.
We did a little bit of research and found out that Monge is actually the leading pet food manufacturer in Italy thats added confidence that were giving the right food to our pets since Europe has higher standards for the pet food industry.
Pros:
Hypo-allergenic and Low Cholesterol FormulaHas Omega 3 and Omega 6Reduces stool odor (most of the time their poop is really not mabaho!)Their canned food has many different flavorsNot very pricey abot kaya!No artificial colouring!
Cons:When we open the can, we have to feed everything. I dont like storing it sa fridge as I dont like the smell of it after a day or 2It doesnt help with Ambers tear stains (Our other dogs wala naman tear stains)The kibbles are very small for Ambers big mouth 
Why we recommend it:It works very well with all of our dogs for 2 years now. Amber and her siblings are very well and fit no internal issues or anything food-related!
**Please note that this is an individual review. The views and opinions expressed in this post are presented in good faith and strictly our own. As human beings, our thoughts may change from time to time. This review is only designed to help you when buying dog food. Please be also advised that the owners of this page are not veterinarians but pet parents who only want whats best for their pets.
Best Dog Food for Small Dogs
Turkey Fresh is one of 4 fresh recipes included in our review of The Farmers Dog product line.
This Farmers Dog formula takes the majority of its meat protein from fresh turkey. Our dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 32% protein, 18% fat and 42% estimated carbs which creates a fat-to-protein ratio of about 64%.
A fresh, human-grade recipe custom designed and packaged to fit the nutritional needs of all puppy breeds. As close to a homemade dog food as you can get. Not cheap. Highly recommended.
Read our review of the full The Farmers Dog Food (Fresh) range here
Main Ingredients USDA Turkey, chickpeas, carrot, broccoli, spinach Type Grain-free, fresh Protein Percentage 32% AAFCO Standards All Life Stages Best For Puppies and adults (including large breed puppies) Raised Right Beef is one of11 fresh recipesincluded inour reviewof the Raised Right product line.
Raised Right Beef derives the lions share of its animal protein fromfresh beef. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 61% protein, 24% fat and 8% estimated carbs delivering a fat-to-protein ratio of about 39%.
One of the best fresh, human-grade dog foods on the market. Unusually wide recipe selection can be a major plus especially for picky eaters. Highly recommended.
Read our review of the full Raised Right Dog Food (Fresh) range here
Main Ingredients Beef, beef heart, carrots, beef liver, cranberries Type Grain-free (carrots, cranberries) Protein Percentage 61% AAFCO Standards Maintenance Best For Adult dogs only Appalachian Valley Small Breed is one of 9 dry recipes included in our review of the Taste of the Wild product line.
Appalachian Valley Small Breed derives the bulk of its animal protein from fresh venison and lamb meal. Our dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 36% protein, 20% fat and 36% estimated carbs with a fat-to-protein ratio of about 56%.
A fully balanced, grain-free recipe containing no artificial colors, flavors or toxic chemical preservatives. Highly recommended.
Read our review of the full Taste of the Wild Dog Food range here
Main Ingredients Venison, lamb meal, garbanzo beans, peas, lentils Texture Dry Type Grain-free Protein Percentage 36% AAFCO Standards Maintenance Best For Small breed adults Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at Chewy.com"I realize that pugs eat just about anything you put in front of them, however, this small kibble really fits their mouths to a 'T'! Sometimes when I want to spoil them, I'll mix in some cooked chicken breast, and a little hot water to make a gravy. They love this! The small kibble is easier for them to eat, and they are healthy as small horses! Never had a problem, and vet visits are always top notch! I highly recommend this food for small breeds with small mouths!"
Classic Small Breed is one of 13 dry recipes included in our review of the Merrick Classic product line.
This Merrick Classic recipe takes the major portion of its animal protein from fresh chicken as well as chicken meal. Our dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 30% protein, 17% fat and 45% estimated carbs resulting in a fat-to-protein ratio of about 56%.
Merrick Classic Small Breed is a solid grain-inclusive recipe with fiber-rich quinoa to help maintain digestion. Easily recommended.
Read our review of the full Merrick Dog Food range here
Main Ingredients Deboned chicken, chicken meal, brown rice, barley, turkey meal Texture Dry Type Grain-inclusive Protein Percentage 30% AAFCO Standards Maintenance Best For Small breed adults Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at Chewy.com"My little 3 yr old yorkie mix Zoey loves this food. I get both the wet and dry food of Merrick for her. I started slowly switching her over to eating more kibble portion in order to save money, since the wet food cans get so expensive. Zoey eats all of her food like a champ even now that her bowl is 3/4 dry kibble. I mix water in there to moisten it. She loves it! Her bowels are regular with no issues (sorry if TMI!). We are definitely fans."
Turkey Fare is one of 4 fresh wet recipes covered in our review of the Nom Nom dog food product line.
Nom Nom Turkey Fare derives most of its animal protein from fresh turkey as well as whole eggs. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 36% protein, 18% fat and 38% estimated carbs creating a fat-to-protein ratio of about 50%.
If youve ever wished you could serve your small dog a fresh home-cooked meal but without all the fuss then Nom Nom makes a smart choice.
Top level, human-grade ingredients and a balanced recipe designed by a board-certified veterinary nutritionist. Not cheap. But highly recommended.
Read our review of the full Nom Nom Dog Food (Fresh) range here
Main Ingredients Ground turkey, brown rice, eggs, carrots, spinach Texture Wet Type Grain-inclusive, fresh Protein Percentage 36% AAFCO Standards All Life Stages Best For Small breed adults and puppies Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at NomNomNow.com"Jones is a rescue and he came to us with a *very* sensitive stomach. Since starting Nom Nom, his stomach has been doing well, and I didn't think his fur could get any softer."
Freestyle Small Breed is one of 9 dry recipes included in our review of the Nulo Freestyle product line.
This Nulo formula gets the lions share of its meat protein from fresh salmon as well as turkey and menhaden fish meals. Our dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 34% protein, 19% fat and 39% estimated carbs creating a fat-to-protein ratio of about 55%.
Nulo Freestyle Small Breed is designed to support the higher metabolism and energy levels of smaller dogs. Highly recommended.
Read our review of the full Nulo FreeStyle Dog Food (Dry) range here
Main Ingredients Deboned salmon, turkey meal, menhaden fish meal, salmon meal, red lentils Texture Dry Type Grain-free Protein Percentage 34% AAFCO Standards All Life Stages Best For Small breed adults and puppies Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at Chewy.com"My Corgi/Ruby Spaniel mix just turned 9 and has lost a couple of teeth. This small kibble works GREAT for her- she only has to bite once-- she loves the flavor and I love the formula. It's good for her joints and skin with the Omegas in this formula. Easy to digest and this brand has NEVER had a recall. Highly recommend this for small breed fur babies!"
Original Small Breed is one of 5 dry recipes included in our review of the Instinct Original product line.
This Instinct Original formula derives the greatest part of its animal protein from fresh chicken and chicken meal. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 39% protein, 22% fat and 31% estimated carbs which creates a fat-to-protein ratio of about 56%.
Instinct Original Small Breed provides an optimal balance of protein, fat and calories to ensure a balanced nutrition for your small dog. Highly recommended.
Read our review of the full Instinct Dog Food range here
Main Ingredients Chicken, chicken meal, chickpeas, tapioca, chicken fat Texture Dry Type Grain-free Protein Percentage 39% AAFCO Standards All Life Stages Best For Small breed adults and puppies Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at Chewy.com"I love this dog food, and so does my dog. I like all of the ingredients and trust the company. My dog begs for it and devours it. He's doing very well on it. His coat is shiny, his muscles are defined, and his stools are firm. I rotate this brand with a few other brands so he has some variety, but I'm very picky with which foods I include in the rotation, and only choose brands and formulas of the highest quality."
Life Protection Small Breed Chicken and Brown Rice is one of 21 dry recipes as well as 5 small breed formulas included in our review of the Blue Buffalo Life Protection product line.
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Small Breed derives the bulk of its animal protein from fresh chicken and chicken meal. Our dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 29% protein, 17% fat and 46% estimated carbs which results in a fat-to-protein ratio of about 58%.
A small breed formula boasting a fully balanced blend of minerals, antioxidants and vitamins to promote a healthy immune system.
Whats more, Blue is one of the few major brands offering multiple flavor options specifically designed for small dogs
Which makes Life Protection an ideal choice for those who like to routinely rotate their pets diet.
Highly recommended.
Read our review of the full Blue Buffalo Dog Food range here
Main Ingredients Deboned chicken, chicken meal, brown rice, oatmeal, barley Texture Dry Type Grain-inclusive Protein Percentage 29% AAFCO Standards Maintenance Best For Small breed adults Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at Chewy.com"Our cockapoo was on a mainly prescription wet food diet for the first year of her life due to persistent digestive issues (read: diarrhea). We tried a number of other premium dry food brands mixed in slowly with her food and this one has been the best by far. She's now fully on this dry food and has had normal digestion for the last three months."
Small Breed Turkey is one of 11 dry recipes included in our review of the Now Fresh product line.
Now Fresh Small Breed derives the largest share of its meat protein from fresh de-boned turkey and dried egg. Our dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 30% protein, 19% fat and 43% estimated carbs resulting in a fat-to-protein ratio of about 63%.
Small-size, clover-shaped kibble ideal for small to medium breed dogs. Contains probiotics and pre-biotic fiber to support healthy gut bacteria and better digestion. The recipe also includes taurine and L-carnitine for healthy heart function.
Also contains whole dried eggs, natures most complete protein. Which means this ingredient alone naturally includes every essential amino acid a dog needs for optimal health.
A bit pricey. But an excellent, nutritionally balanced design optimized for small and medium breed dogs. Highly recommended.
Read our review of the full Now Fresh Dog Food (Dry) range here
Main Ingredients De-boned turkey, whole dried egg, peas, potatoes, potato flour Texture Dry Type Grain-free Protein Percentage 30% AAFCO Standards Maintenance Best For Small breed adults Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at Chewy.com"My small dogs love this food! They will eat it dry, without anything in it! It is really small kibble (maybe too small for my Dorkie!) but unlike other dry food, they love the taste!"
Halo Small Breed Turkey and Duck is one of 3 wet recipes included in our review of the Halo Grain Free product line.
This Halo canned formula derives the major portion of its meat protein from fresh turkey and turkey liver. Our dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 50% protein, 23% fat and 19% estimated carbs which results in a fat-to-protein ratio of about 45%.
A top canned pick for small breed dogs. Highly recommended
Read our review of the full Halo Grain Free Dog Food (Dry) range here
Main Ingredients Turkey, turkey broth, turkey liver, ground peas, duck Texture Wet Type Grain-free Protein Percentage 50% AAFCO Standards Maintenance Best For Small breed adults Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at Chewy.com"After 6 years on another brand, my 5 lb. Yorkie decided she needed a change and stopped eating as well. A checkup revealed no health issues. Lots of research for high quality food led me to Halo for small breeds. She snarfed down the first taste and has never looked back. Its obviously quite tasty with what I feel is a perfect protein to fat and carb combination for little dogs. Im very happy with my choice to change to Halo and so is my Yorkie!"
Diamond Small Breed Chicken and Rice is one of 13 dry recipes included in our review of the Diamond Naturals product line.
This Diamond Naturals formula obtains the bulk of its animal protein from fresh chicken and chicken meal. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 30% protein, 18% fat and 44% estimated carbs creating a fat-to-protein ratio of about 59%.
A solid, budget-friendly option ideal for small breed adult dogs. Highly recommended.
Read our review of the full Diamond Naturals Dog Food (Dry) range here
Main Ingredients Chicken, chicken meal, cracked pearled barley, ground white rice, grain sorghum Texture Dry Type Grain-inclusive Protein Percentage 30% AAFCO Standards Maintenance Best For Small breed adults Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at Chewy.com"So I switched to this dog food on chewy as the review was right, the price was right and I did not have to haul large bags of dog food home. Auto shipment is a plus. Most important is my dogs love it. I didn't realize before researching these brands of dog food that the size of the kibble could be a health issue for the dog. Hard to find small kibble that is healthy. My dog usually has ear issues as well. None seen since starting the new kibble. Hopefully the skin issues will clear up as well!"
Nutro Small Breed Adult Chicken is one of 19 dry recipes included in our review of the Nutro Wholesome Essentials product line.
This Nutro Wholesome Essentials formula derives the lions share of its meat protein from fresh chicken and chicken meal. Our dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 27% protein, 17% fat and 49% estimated carbs resulting in a fat-to-protein ratio of about 63%.
A complete and balanced dog food designed to provide optimal nutrition for smaller dogs. Highly recommended.
Read our review of the full Nutro Wholesome Essentials Dog Food (Dry) range here
Main Ingredients Chicken, chicken meal, split peas, brewers rice, whole brown rice Texture Dry Type Grain-inclusive Protein Percentage 27% AAFCO Standards Maintenance Best For Small breed adults Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at Chewy.com"I like BBQ chicken and sweet potatoes and so do my dogs. Okay so maybe this isn't barbecue chicken flavor but it's still chicken. My min pin and my chiweenie both love home cooked sweet potatoes so I'm glad that there are sweet potatoes in this dog food. And with all Nutro products this food shines up their coat and decreases shedding and is made with top-quality ingredients. I feel good about feeding Nutro to my dogs."
