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Best Dog Food for Bernese Mountain Dogs 2024
Written by Jasmine Sawatzky
Veterinary reviewed by:
Published: 07/14/2023, edited: 03/15/2024
The Wag! team conducts independent research and consults pet experts to curate our recommendations. This content is supported by our affiliate pet partners and we may receive a commission on the links provided.
Bernese Mountain Dogs were originally bred as farm dogs and now are a well-loved family pet. They’re built for hard work, but with a sweet and affectionate nature. This giant breed usually lives from 7-10 years, and weighs between 65-120 pounds.
Although they’re a relatively healthy breed, these large dogs still need thoughtful care put into their nutrition. With a good diet, they can be athletic powerhouses.
The most common health problems a Berner might encounter are orthopedic, so it’s important that their dog food contains the right blend of calcium and phosphorus for strong bones with joint-supporting nutrients such as glucosamine and chondroitin.
Here are some factors to consider when choosing the best food for your Bernese Mountain Dog:
- High-quality, natural ingredients: Your dog's health can be directly connected to the food they eat. Look for a dog food with whole-food ingredients, avoiding byproducts, fillers, and artificial additives.
- Avoid common allergens: Allergies and intolerances are common with Bernese Mountain Dogs, so you may need to consider a food that does not contain common allergens like corn, wheat, chicken, and beef.
- Rich in premium animal protein: On average, adult dogs need 18% protein in their diet, ideally from animal sources like meat, poultry, and fish. However, a giant working breed like the Bernese Mountain Dog needs extra protein to maintain lean muscle mass. Whole meat should be the number one ingredient in a high-quality dog food.
- Low levels of healthy fat: Check the fat content of the dog food. Bernese Mountain Dogs are only moderately active, and some can be prone to becoming overweight. It’s a good idea to feed them a diet with low or moderate levels of healthy fats and Omega 3 fatty acids so their coat stays nice and shiny.
It’s always a good idea to talk with your vet before making a change to your dog's food. Even among the same breed, every dog is different. A vet can assess your pup's personal needs and help you make a grrrreat decision.
Here are our top dog food choices for Bernese Mountain Dogs! Dr. Georgia Jeremiah, a member of Wag!’s licensed veterinary team, even personally recommends many of these brands to her clients!
Overview
Raised Right Dog Food
Vet recommended
Raised Right is a human-grade dog food that would be a woofderful choice for any dog breed. For a Berner, it packs a mountain of nutrition in every serving.
These fresh dog foods are low in carbs, high in protein, and have limited ingredients, just what your Bernese Mountain Dog needs to stay in tip-top shape.
Dr. Jeremiah notes, “Raised Right offers a human-grade dog food consisting of only whole foods and no fillers or synthetic additives such as vitamin and mineral powders. Their ingredients can also be traced back to the source, and each batch is tested for safety.”
From their website, you can make a one-time purchase, or subscribe to a customized meal plan service. The meals will be delivered to your door, lightly cooked, frozen, and ready to be served fresh.
Your pup will definitely feel like part of the family with these “home-cooked style” meals.
Raised Right Original Adult Dog Food variations:
- Original Turkey
- Original Beef
- Original Pork
- Original Chicken
Raised Right Paté Adult Dog Food variations:
- Turkey & Pumpkin Paté
- Beef & Pumpkin Paté
- Pork & Pumpkin Paté
- Chicken & Pumpkin Paté
Raised Right Dog Food
Why Wag! Loves It
- Human-grade pet food made with sustainable, whole-food ingredients
- All recipes are made with a single source of animal protein
- Batches are individually lab tested for safety prior to shipping
- Ingredients are all traceable
Considerations & Concerns
- Recipes aren’t portioned according to individual calorie needs
- More expensive compared to other dog food on the market
- Requires freezer storage space
What pet parents say about Raised Right
“I had heard about this new brand from a friend. I was a little hesitant as it is a premium “human grade” food (my wife even tried it!), but am glad I did. You can see Charlie waits anxiously for his morning meal, and gobbles it up quickly! His hair is softer and his digestion (poops) are so healthy now. Definitely a great (and tasty) option for your best furry pals.”
“I have two dogs and they love the beef Raised Right!! It is a little pricey but I mix it with their regular food to make it last longer! It's shipped really well with dry ice and is completely frozen when you get it!”
Read more reviews on Amazon.
Product image sourced from the Raised Right website. Copyright Raised Right Pets LP.
Merrick Backcountry Raw Infused Large Breed Recipe
Vet recommended
Merrick Backcountry Raw Infused dog food is designed to replicate the natural raw diet your dog's ancestors would have eaten in the wild, but in a safe and convenient kibble form.
This grain-free large breed recipe will give your big pal all the protein they need, minus the risk of allergens that come from common grains.
All Merrick Backcountry recipes are rich in Omega fatty acids for healthy skin, and glucosamine and chondroitin to support joint health.
According to Dr. Georgia Jeremiah, "Merrick products are made with high-quality, whole food ingredients, and they use no artificial preservatives, colors, or flavors.”
Nothing but the best dog food for your hardworking cuddle-buddy!
Merrick Backcountry Raw Infused Dog Food
Why Wag! Loves It
- Features high quality proteins like lamb, chicken and duck
- Contains raw-coated kibble for extra flavor and nutrition
- Does not contain any artificial preservatives, colors, or flavors
- Crafted with omega fatty acids for healthy skin and coat plus glucosamine and chondroitin to support hips and joints
- Is grain-free
Considerations & Concerns
- Can be more expensive than some other options on the market
- Contains a high-calorie content
- Small kibble size
What pet parents say about Merrick Backcountry Raw Infused Large Breed Recipe
“I have two large dogs, one is a foster dog and after a month of eating this food her coat is thicker, and she looks so much better. She is the first to the table to eat now!”
“My Rottie loves the taste!! It agrees well with [his] stomach and his fur looks great! A bit expensive but worth every [penny] to keep my boy happy!”
Read more reviews on Chewy.
Product image sourced from the Chewy website. Copyright Merrick Pet Care.
Taste of the Wild Dog Food
Vet recommended
Taste of the Wild is an affordable, high-quality dog food option inspired by the protein sources your pet was meant to eat as part of their ancestral diet.
This brand uses unique protein sources like wild boar, bison, smoke-flavored salmon, roasted duck, venison, and Angus beef that your pup will crave.
A great thing about Taste of the Wild is its variety of foods. Options include grain-free in its original line, grain-inclusive in its Ancient line, and limited-ingredient dog foods in its PREY line. If your Berner has any allergies, you'll have plenty of choices to help them feel their best.
Many of their recipes have a protein content of over 30%, which is plenty to keep your giant doggo's muscles in shape. And the ancient grains they use, like sorghum, millet, quinoa, and chia seed, are naturally high in fiber and rich in protein too!
Taste of the Wild is another food recommended by Dr. Georgia Jeremiah. “Taste of the Wild offers both wet and dry dog and cat foods for all life stages incorporating species-specific probiotics, antioxidants from ancient grains, fruits and seeds, and omega fatty acids.”
Taste of the Wild dry dog food flavors include:
- High Prairie Puppy Recipe with Roasted Bison & Roasted Venison
- High Prairie Canine Recipe with Roasted Bison & Roasted Venison
- Pacific Stream Puppy Recipe with Smoke-Flavored Salmon
- Pacific Stream Canine Recipe with Smoke-Flavored Salmon
- Pine Forest Canine Recipe with Venison & Legumes
- Sierra Mountain Canine Recipe with Roasted Lamb
- Southwest Canyon Canine Recipe with Wild Boar
- Wetlands Canine Recipe with Roasted Fowl
- Ancient Mountain Canine Recipe with Roasted Lamb
- Ancient Prairie Canine Recipe with Roasted Bison & Roasted Venison
- Ancient Stream Canine Recipe with Smoke-Flavored Salmon
- Ancient Wetlands Canine Recipe with Roasted Fowl
- PREY Angus Beef
- PREY Trout
- PREY Turkey
Taste of the Wild wet dog food flavors:
- High Prairie Canine Recipe with Bison in Gravy
- Pacific Stream Canine Recipe with Salmon in Gravy
- Sierra Mountain Canine Recipe with Lamb in Gravy
- Southwest Canyon Canine Recipe with Beef in Gravy
- Wetlands Canine Recipe with Fowl in Gravy
Taste of the Wild Dog Food
Why Wag! Loves It
- High-quality ingredients
- High in protein
- Natural and holistic
- Wide variety of unique flavors
- More affordable than other high-end dry dog foods
Considerations & Concerns
- Limited availability in stores
- High in calories
- History of lawsuits and recalls
What pet parents say about Taste of the Wild
“All 3 of my German Shepherds love Taste of the Wild. Especially the Bison and Venison flavor. Even my puppy loves it (the puppy recipe of course). We feed it with a moist topper to make it even more desirable. The high protein content gives them energy and all the vitamins and minerals they need to develop greatly.”
“Our finicky furbaby loves this food! We struggled to find a food he would eat for more than a day! He has been eating this for over a week now and loves it. The kibble is larger and doesn’t get lost in his jowls! The staff at Chewy are amazing. We ordered food in the past and he would NOT eat it, they refunded our purchase without hesitation. We donated it to our local shelter. Thank you Chewy.”
Read more reviews on Chewy.
Product image sourced from the Chewy website. Copyright SCHELL & KAMPETER, INC.
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Large Breed Recipes
Vet recommended
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula is a vast product range, but the Large Breed recipes will give your Bernese Mountain Dog just what they need to keep thriving.
This pawpular brand gives a True BLUE Promise that real meat is the first ingredient with no poultry by-product meals, no corn, wheat, or soy, and no artificial flavors or preservatives.
These dog foods will provide your pupper with sustained healthy energy from high-quality animal-based proteins, and contains glucosamine and chondroitin to support the mobility needs of larger dogs.
In addition, LifeSource Bits are mixed into every bowl, giving your pup a precise blend of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals to support your dog’s immune system and overall health.
Dr. Jeremiah says, “Blue Buffalo dog food products cater to different life stages, sizes, and breeds of dogs. They offer formulations containing limited ingredients, which may be beneficial for dogs with certain dietary sensitivities.”
Overall, Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Large Breed is a solid and slightly more affordable choice for your beloved Bernese.
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Large Breed variations:
- Puppy Large Breed Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe
- Adult Large Breed Beef & Brown Rice Recipe
- Adult Large Breed Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe
- Adult Large Breed Lamb & Brown Rice Recipe
- Senior Large Breed Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Dog Food
Why Wag! Loves It
- Made with high-quality ingredients
- Does not contain by-product meals
- Does not contain artificial preservatives, colors or flavors
- Is rich in vitamins and minerals
- Offers different flavors
Considerations & Concerns
- Contains grains, which can be an allergen or cause digestive issues in some dogs
- Is high in calories
- Not for dogs who are sensitive to pea protein
What pet parents say about Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Large Breed Formulas
“I buy this for my 2 [year-old] Bernese [Mountain] Dog. I mix actually with another product to have full health benefits. His coat is shiny, has a good tummy which helps as these guys tend to be very fussy, and I'd suggest there are no fillers as he is very regular with good soft, perfectly shaped stools.”
“Dempsy loves Blue Buffalo. She's never had any stomach issues with it and she is very healthy. Blue Buffalo also has a nice rewards program that gets you a free bag of treats every couple of bags of food you buy. Always inventory available too.”
Read more reviews on Chewy.
Product image sourced from the Chewy website. Copyright Blue Buffalo Company, Ltd.
Nutro Ultra Large Breed Adult Dry Food
Your giant furbaby will love the protein trio of chicken, lamb, and salmon in Nutro's Ultra Large Breed Adult Dog Food. All this protein is just what your big mountain of fluff needs to stay strong and athletic.
Along with real chicken as the first ingredient, you’ll find 15 pet-friendly superfoods including blueberries, kale, and chia. You can’t go wrong when the ingredients are sourced from trusted farmers and are rigorously tested for quality and food safety.
You also won’t find any of the nasties like GMO ingredients, artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives. Delicious and nutritious!
Nutro Ultra Large Breed Dog Food
Why Wag! Loves It
- Meat is always the first ingredient
- Made without artificial ingredients
- Available in most pet food retailers
- Made in the U.S.
Considerations & Concerns
- Brand has a history of recalls
- Owned by a large parent company
- Pet parents have complained about poor packaging
What pet parents say about Nutro Ultra Large Breed Adult Dry Dog Food
“Our German Shepherd was getting finicky eating the Nutro regular lamb food so we upgraded to this after trying another brand which she thoroughly didn't enjoy. Once we mixed the Nutro Ultra in she started eating much better. She loves this and I don't have any problems with her eating it. Worth the extra cost!”
“This is great dog food. It smells so fresh and is helping with my dog's skin and coat. The ingredient list is superb. Most important of all my 65 pound Cur dogs love it!”
Read more reviews on Chewy.
Product image sourced from the Chewy website. Copyright Mars Petcare.
FAQ
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