What are the specific concerns with large breed dogs?
Natura has defined a large breed dog to be any dog with a mature size of approximately 60 lbs or more. The growth and development phase of a large breed dog (as well as any size dog) is the most critical and important phase of their life. Large breed puppies typically have a genetic tendency to grow too quickly and this can sometimes result in incomplete skeletal development and lifelong joint issues. Thus, it is crucial to control the growth rate of these larger puppies with the appropriate amount of calories and tightly regulated levels of calcium and phosphorus (the main constituents of bone). As with any size of dog, it is important to keep large breed dogs lean and at an ideal body condition. Excess weight puts unnecessary stress on the joints of the animal and can cause a multitude of joint issues as the animal ages. The use of foods with lower levels of energy and minerals can be helpful in managing these larger breed dogs growth; therefore, large breed puppy foods are typically
