Large Breed or just regular puppy food?

[Ruby Goldendoodle]

Getting ready to transition our girl off of Exclusive (what the breeder fed her) to either Wellness or Acana. I decided not to do the grain free while she is a puppy. I might transition her to grain free at some point. Anyway, her Mom was a Goldendoodle who weighed 55 pounds and her Dad is a standard Poodle who weighed 47 pounds. I was told she would probably be 45 - 55 pounds. Does that translate into a large breed or would I just feed her regular puppy food? Thanks!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

45-55 lbs is not a "large" dog in terms of feeding. The "Large Breed" formulas are somewhat of a marketing device, but they do have a slightly different macronutrient profile which may be appropriate for giant breeds like Great Danes, Wolfhounds, etc., who do not reach their full shkeletal growth until well past their first birthdays.

However, there is a very good chance that your doodle is going to be bigger than 55 lbs. It always amazes me when breeders average the mother and father's height and make these predictions. Genetics just don't work that way, it isn't like mixing half black paint and half white paint, and you get gray. Your dog has a full-sized Golden retriever for a grandparent. Those genes are in her lineage, too.Think of all the men you know who are taller than either parent. Maybe even some women.

At any rate, you do not need a Large Breed formula, even if she ends up at 70 lbs, lol.

 

[Ruby Goldendoodle]

Thanks! I will be happy if she is bigger. I wanted a big Doodle. :) She was a little over 7 pounds at her first Vet visit. 

[Anne G.]

She may be. Our doodle's parents were both 30 pounds (she's second generation Goldendoodle). They both looked very doodle-ish. Our doodle is now 40 pounds at just one year old and looks like a golden retriever. As Karen said, genetics don't follow "averages".

[Kaytlin and Cooper]

Some foods state 50lb as large breed, (and have another for giant breeds) it depends. I think you would be fine with either large breed or regular. Its mostly a gimmick in my opinion.