Adult Large Breed Chicken Meal & Rice Flavored Dry Dog Food, 40-lb bag
Graded by The Sniff System
Ultimates Adult Large Breed Chicken Meal & Rice Flavored Dry Dog Food is a dry kibble for adult large breed dogs, with chicken meal as its primary protein.
This formula includes quality carbohydrate sources that also provide fermentable fiber, which can be good for digestive health. The AAFCO formulation is inferred for adult maintenance, suggesting it meets basic nutritional standards.
The main thing to watch here is the protein quality. Chicken meal, while a protein source, delivers limited bioavailable amino acids compared to other protein forms.
Good fit for adult large breed dogs. Less ideal if you're looking for a food with higher quality protein.
Summary written by The Sniff System from the data above. Same rubric, same drivers, expressed in English.
The landmark 14-year Purina Lifespan Study on 48 Labrador Retrievers demonstrated that dogs fed 25% fewer calories lived a median of 1.8 years longer and delayed the onset of chronic diseases. Strong fit for adult Labrador Retrievers and similar active sporting breeds navigating weight management. At 365 kcal/cup this formula runs on the moderate side, with crude fiber at 6% (above the catalog median, supports satiety). The 2014 AAHA Weight Management Guidelines define overweight as a Body Condition Score (BCS) of 6-7 on a 9-point scale. A score of 8 or 9 indicates obesity, representing 20-30% and >30% above ideal body weight, respectively (Brooks et al., 2014) .
Looking at this for adult Labrador Retrievers or Labrador Retrievers with weight management ? We are building dedicated pages for these combinations.
Auto-matched from this product's measurements (ingredients, life stage, calorie density) to a breed archetype. Not a substitute for vet input on your specific dog.
Research informing this analysis
MethodologyThe Sniff System grades this product against 3 cited studies relevant to its profile. Each link opens the original source.
- Brooks et al., 2014diagnostic · protocol · satiety· cited in 5 claims
- APOP, 2023prevalence
- Raffan et al., 2016genetics
Every claim on Sniff traces to a source. If you find a citation that's wrong, outdated, or misapplied, tell us.
At 64/100, this formula lands in solid B territory. The lift comes from carbohydrate quality, worth 16 points to the final number: Quality carbohydrate sources with fermentable fiber. Where it lost ground: protein quality, costing 16.5 points. Low protein quality. chicken meal delivers limited bioavailable amino acids. The path to A-tier is about 11 points; protein quality is the structural lever.
Quality carbohydrate sources with fermentable fiber.
AAFCO formulation inferred from declared adult maintenance. Verbatim statement not published by retailer.
Low protein quality. chicken meal delivers limited bioavailable amino acids.
- Top 10% for overall Sniff Score in Ultimates's lineup (64/100)
- Bottom 10% for protein quality in Ultimates's lineup (8.6/27)
- Top quartile for caloric density in Ultimates's lineup (365 kcal/cup)
Computed against the rest of our catalog. Percentiles refresh on each catalog update.
Similar dog foods worth considering
Three lenses on products with formulation profiles similar to this one.
Diamond Naturals Large Breed Adult Chicken & Rice Formula Dry Dog Food, 40-lb bag
Scores 13 points higher with a similar formulation profile.
Diamond Naturals Large Breed Adult Lamb Meal & Rice Formula Dry Dog Food, 40-lb bag
$1.17/lb vs your seed's $1.54/lb (24% less) at a comparable score.
Wholesomes Fish Meal & Rice Formula Adult Dry Dog Food, 40-lb bag
Whitefish instead of chicken, 1 point higher, different brand.
Surfaced from a vector similarity search across 3,491 scored dog foods. How this works.
Read why each ingredient is good or bad for dogs.
- 1protein animalchicken meal
Chicken with the water cooked out. Per pound, packs more protein than fresh chicken. See why →
Position 1: primary protein source. After cooking removes water, this may drop in proportional weight, but it anchors the recipe.
- 2grainbrown rice
Whole grain that's easy to digest. Steady carb energy plus a little fiber.
Position 2: major carbohydrate source.
- 3grainground rice
Cracked rice for binding and texture. Fine but unremarkable as a nutrient source.
Position 3: major carbohydrate source.
- 4fatchicken fat
Despite the name, a high-quality energy source. Concentrated calories plus essential fatty acids like linoleic acid. See why →
Position 4: secondary fat. Often where marine oils sit when present alongside a primary land-animal fat.
- 5grainrice
Generic rice. Could be white or brown, the label doesn't say. Brown rice would be specified if it were.
Position 5: supporting grain. Smaller contribution to the carb deck.
- 6fiberbeet pulp
Soluble fiber from sugar-beet processing. Sometimes treated as a filler, but it's actually one of the better fiber sources in kibble. See why →
Position 6: functional fiber for digestion or satiety.
- 7fatflaxseed
Plant source of omega-3. Helpful for skin and coat, though dogs absorb omega-3 from fish more efficiently.
Position 7: trace fat. Below the level that materially shifts the fat profile.
- 8mineralsalt
Sodium chloride. Required at small doses for normal physiology. Not a quality concern in standard amounts.
- 9mineralpotassium chloride
Required mineral. Sometimes used as a salt substitute. Standard inclusion in complete diets.
- 10supplementcholine chloride
Essential nutrient for liver and brain function. Standard inclusion in complete dog foods.
- 11supplementglucosamine hydrochloride
Joint-support compound. Most useful in larger doses for older dogs. The kibble dose is real but modest.
- 12supplementchondroitin sulfate
- 13vitaminvitamin e supplement
Required nutrient and a natural antioxidant. Often pulls double duty as a preservative.
- 14vitaminniacin supplement
B vitamin (B3). Required in complete dog foods, added as a supplement to standardize the dose.
- 15vitamincalcium pantothenate
Same as d-calcium pantothenate. Vitamin B5 in standardized form.
- 16vitaminvitamin a supplement
Vitamin A in stable, standardized form. Required for vision, immune function, and growth.
- 17vitaminriboflavin supplement
B vitamin (B2). Required in complete dog foods. The standardized form ensures consistent dosing.
- 18vitaminthiamine mononitrate
B vitamin (B1). Essential for nervous system function. Cooked-in vitamin loss is why thiamine is always added back.
- 19vitaminpyridoxine hydrochloride
B vitamin (B6). Essential for protein metabolism. Standard inclusion in complete formulas.
- 20vitaminbiotin
B vitamin that supports skin and coat health. Required for AAFCO-complete formulas.
- 21vitaminvitamin b12 supplement
Essential for red blood cell formation and neurological function. Plant ingredients lack B12, so it has to be added.
- 22vitaminvitamin d3 supplement
The active form of vitamin D dogs need. Required for calcium absorption and bone health.
- 23vitaminfolic acid
B vitamin (B9), essential for cell function. Standard in complete dog foods.
- 24mineralzinc sulfate
Inorganic zinc. Effective at AAFCO doses but less well-absorbed than chelated forms like zinc proteinate.
- 25mineralferrous sulfate
Inorganic iron. Standard mineral source. Iron proteinate is the gentler, better-absorbed premium form.
Showing first 25 of 34. Position 1-5 has the largest weight in the recipe.
24 of 25 ingredients have a curated note. Coverage grows over time.