DETAILED DESCRIPTION

What It Is

Acana Puppy Large Breed is a grain-free dry dog food developed specifically for puppies of large and giant breeds, following Acana’s Biologically Appropriate philosophy. Made by Champion Pet Foods, this recipe delivers quality animal ingredients — fresh chicken, chicken meal, chicken giblets, eggs, raw hake, fish oil, herring meal, and turkey meal — in WholePrey ratios, with a nutritional profile carefully recalibrated to meet the unique skeletal and developmental demands of large breed puppies. Fat is moderated, calories are controlled, and calcium is balanced to support steady, healthy bone development rather than the rapid, excessive growth that leads to skeletal problems in large breeds. It is grain-free, free from soy, corn, wheat, and artificial additives.

Who It Is For

Acana Puppy Large Breed is designed for puppies of breeds expected to weigh 25 kg or more as adults — German Shepherds, Labradors, Golden Retrievers, Rottweilers, Dobermans, Huskies, Boxers, Great Danes, Saint Bernards, and any large or giant mixed breed. It is the right starting food for large breed puppies from weaning through to approximately 15 to 18 months of age, after which Acana Adult Large Breed becomes the appropriate progression. It is equally suited to dog parents who are currently feeding their large breed puppy a standard commercial puppy food and want to upgrade to a recipe that actually accounts for large breed-specific nutritional requirements — not just a smaller portion of an all-sizes formula.

Why It Is Better

The fundamental nutritional challenge with large breed puppies is not feeding them enough — it is feeding them at the right rate. Large breeds have a significantly longer growth window than small breeds, and their skeletal systems are at risk of serious, permanent damage from two specific dietary errors: excess calcium that accelerates bone mineralisation before the structural scaffold is ready, and excess fat-driven caloric intake that pushes growth rate faster than bone formation can safely accommodate. Both errors are disturbingly common in standard puppy foods that treat all breeds the same.

Acana Puppy Large Breed addresses both directly. At 15% crude fat — meaningfully lower than Acana’s standard Puppy & Junior formula at approximately 17% — and a deliberately moderated calorie density of 3375 kcal/kg, this recipe supports healthy, steady growth without the weight-driven skeletal stress that overfeeding causes. Calcium at 1.4% is carefully calibrated for large breed puppy bone development — sufficient to build strong bones without the surplus that triggers structural complications. The recipe leads with fresh chicken at a substantial 22% and chicken meal at 21% — a notably higher fresh-to-meal ratio than Acana Adult Large Breed — providing the elevated protein that growing puppies genuinely need for muscle development and organ system maturation. Fresh chicken giblets (liver, heart) at 6.5% bring WholePrey organ nutrition: naturally occurring Vitamin A, iron, B12, and zinc in bioavailable whole-food form. Fish oil at 4% and herring meal at 4% deliver EPA and DHA for brain development, immune maturation, and coat quality during the critical first months of life.

Glucosamine at 1400mg/kg and chondroitin sulphate at 900mg/kg from naturally occurring sources proactively support joint and cartilage integrity in puppies whose skeletal systems are under the highest developmental stress they will ever experience. The prebiotic chicory root and full botanical blend — turmeric, milk thistle, burdock root, lavender, marshmallow root, and rosehips — provide digestive and anti-inflammatory support during a growth phase where the gut is still maturing and stress responses are being established.

When to Use It

Feed Acana Puppy Large Breed from weaning as the daily staple until your large breed puppy reaches approximately 80% of their expected adult body weight — typically between 15 and 18 months depending on breed. After this point, transition to Acana Adult Large Breed to continue the same nutritional philosophy into adulthood. The food can be served dry or lightly moistened with warm water, which is especially helpful for young puppies still adjusting to solid food.

COMPOSITION & GUARANTEED ANALYSIS

Key Ingredients (Global Formulation Reference): Fresh Chicken (22%), Chicken Meal (21%), Whole Red Lentils, Whole Green Peas, Fresh Chicken Giblets (Liver, Heart) (6.5%), Fresh Eggs (4%), Raw Hake (4%), Fish Oil (4%), Herring Meal (4%), Whole Chickpeas, Pea Starch, Turkey Meal (2%), Whole Green Lentils, Whole Yellow Peas, Chicken Fat (2%), Lentil Fibre, Raw Turkey Liver (0.5%), Salt, Dried Kelp, Fresh Whole Apples, Fresh Whole Butternut Squash, Fresh Whole Carrots, Fresh Whole Pears, Fresh Whole Pumpkin, Fresh Whole Zucchini, Dried Chicory Root, Fresh Kale, Fresh Spinach, Fresh Turnip Greens, Fresh Beet Greens, Whole Blueberries, Whole Cranberries, Whole Saskatoon Berries, Turmeric, Milk Thistle, Burdock Root, Lavender, Marshmallow Root, Rosehips, Zinc Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Mixed Tocopherols (Natural Preservative), Rosemary Extract, B-Complex Vitamins, Vitamin A, Vitamin D3, Vitamin E.

Note: Formulation may vary slightly by region and pack size. Always refer to the label on the product received.

Guaranteed Analysis (Approximate): Crude Protein: Min. 33% Crude Fat: Min. 15% Crude Fibre: Max. 6% Crude Ash: Max. 7% Moisture: Max. 12% Calcium: Min. 1.4% Phosphorus: Min. 1.0% DHA (Docosahexaenoic Acid): Min. 0.4% EPA (Eicosapentaenoic Acid): Min. 0.4% Omega-6 Fatty Acids: Min. 2.4% Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Min. 1.2% Glucosamine: Min. 1400 mg/kg Chondroitin Sulphate: Min. 900 mg/kg Linoleic Acid: Min. 2.2% Carbohydrate (NFE): Approx. 27% Metabolisable Energy: Approx. 3375 kcal/kg (approx. 405 kcal per cup) Calorie Distribution: ~34% Protein | ~28% Carbohydrates | ~38% Fat

KEY BENEFITS

• Large Breed-Specific Calorie and Fat Control – At 15% fat and 3375 kcal/kg, this recipe deliberately moderates growth rate to protect developing skeletal systems from the weight-driven structural stress that overfeeding causes in large breed puppies.
• Controlled Calcium for Safe Bone Development – Calcium at 1.4% is calibrated specifically for large breed puppy bone formation — enough to build strong bones without the surplus that accelerates mineralisation ahead of skeletal readiness.
• High Fresh Chicken at 22% for Muscle Development – An exceptionally high fresh chicken inclusion ensures muscle development keeps pace with skeletal growth — one of the most important but most often underserved nutritional priorities for large breed puppies.
• Glucosamine at 1400mg/kg and Chondroitin at 900mg/kg – Naturally occurring from whole-food sources from the earliest days of life, these compounds proactively support joint and cartilage integrity through the highest skeletal developmental stress a dog will ever experience.
• EPA and DHA at 0.4% Each for Brain and Immune Development – Fish oil at 4% and herring meal deliver DHA and EPA for neurological development, immune system maturation, and coat quality during the critical early growth window.
• WholePrey Organs at 6.5% for Complete Natural Nutrition – Fresh chicken giblets (liver, heart) and turkey liver deliver Vitamin A, iron, B12, and zinc in naturally bioavailable whole-food form, supporting organ development and immune competence from weaning.
• Grain-Free with Prebiotic Digestive Support – No wheat, corn, soy, or artificial additives. Dried chicory root and lentil fibre support the developing gut microbiome, building digestive resilience that carries through adulthood.

FEEDING GUIDE

Serve twice daily. Always keep fresh, clean water available. Because Acana Puppy Large Breed is calorie-moderated by design, resist overfeeding — portion discipline during the puppy phase directly affects skeletal health outcomes in large breeds. Monitor body condition every 4 weeks; you should be able to feel ribs easily but not see them.

General Daily Amounts based on expected adult weight (approximate, use a standard 250ml measuring cup):

Expected adult weight 25–30 kg: — Up to 4 months: 170–220g per day — 4 to 8 months: 200–255g per day — 8 to 15 months: 175–225g per day

Expected adult weight 30–40 kg: — Up to 4 months: 200–260g per day — 4 to 8 months: 255–320g per day — 8 to 15 months: 220–275g per day

Expected adult weight 40–55 kg: — Up to 4 months: 250–320g per day — 4 to 8 months: 310–390g per day — 8 to 15 months: 270–340g per day

When to Switch: Transition to Acana Adult Large Breed once your puppy reaches approximately 80% of their expected adult body weight — typically 15 to 18 months of age depending on breed.

Transition Tip: Transition over 7 days, beginning with 25% Acana Puppy Large Breed mixed into your puppy’s existing food and increasing each day. Lightly moistening kibble with warm water during the first few days can improve palatability and digestive adaptation, particularly for puppies transitioning from wet food.

Storage: Seal the bag tightly after each use. Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. An airtight container is recommended in India’s humid climate to maintain kibble freshness and quality.