Best Dog Food for Working Breeds 2025

Written by Adam Lee-Smith

Veterinary reviewed by:

Published: 06/08/2023, edited: 02/28/2025

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.


If you have a pup that spends their days rounding up livestock, helping people with disabilities, or working with emergency services, they'll need a diet that supports their active lifestyle. Working dogs are more active than your average canine and require a high-quality diet to stay at the top of their game.

Working dogs need a diet that's high in protein and fat to maintain high energy levels and promote muscle strength. If possible, food for working dogs should be human-grade and free from artificial additives and preservatives. Whole, human-grade protein sources are easier to digest and contain higher taurine levels, which boosts heart and muscle health.

Here's a look at some of the best dog foods for working dogs and how they can benefit a highly active hound.

Overview
Spot & Tango
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5
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Vet recommended


Spot & Tango is an excellent grain-inclusive dog food for working dogs. Each Spot & Tango recipe comprises fresh, human-grade ingredients, including 50% meat. Spot & Tango features whole-muscle and organ meats, which contain high levels of essential nutrients like amino acids and taurine.

This unique brand offers personalized meal plans to ensure your dog receives the right amount of food per meal. To get started, hop over to the Spot & Tango website, then provide some info about your pup's gender, weight, age, activity level, and health. Spot & Tango will then calculate the ideal serving size for your dog — super convenient!

Spot & Tango fresh dog food meets the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) nutrient profiles for all life stages. This brand is also personally recommended to clients by Dr. Georgia Jeremiah, member of Wag!’s licensed veterinary team:

“Spot & Tango offers customized human-grade meal plans for pups with the added benefit of being shelf-stable. Nutrient profiles are preserved through low-temperature dehydration, products have guaranteed nutrient analysis, and all recipes are developed by certified veterinary nutritionists. If your pup turns their nose up, Spot & Tango also offers a ‘Happy Pup Guarantee’ and will give you 100% of your money back after your 2-week trial.”

Read our full Spot & Tango dog food review for the lowdown on ingredients, pros, cons, FAQs, and more!

Spot & Tango Fresh Dog Food

Why Wag! loves Spot & Tango

  • Human-grade ingredients
  • Every recipe includes 50% USDA meat and above-average protein levels
  • No artificial preservatives or additives
  • Calorie-specific servings help balance your dog's nutrition

Considerations & concerns

  • High-quality food means higher prices
  • Only monthly delivery options in most regions

What pet parents say about Spot & Tango

"We recently switched to Spot & Tango fresh food for our dog Ziggy. He loves the taste and we love the high quality of the food! The convenience of delivery and pre-portioned packs is another plus. Thank you for making dog food that we're all happy with!"

"Spot & Tango delivered on everything they said they would. They have a great customer support system, and certainly would be willing to use them again. If you truly care about your pet, then don't hesitate to order from Spot&Tango!"

Read more reviews on Trustpilot.


Product image sourced from the Spot & Tango website. Copyright Breuer Premium Pet Food Company Inc.

Raised Right
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5
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Vet recommended


Raised Right dog food is a human-grade fresh dog food that's free from GMOs and artificial preservatives. Raised Right's recipes are high in protein and low in carbs, making them ideal for working dogs.

Each formula contains around 20% protein, 2% carbs, and 8% fat as fed. Raised Right uses single-source protein, which aids digestion and is pawfect for dogs with food allergies. The meal calculator shows you how many calories your dog should consume daily, and meals are delivered directly to your front door.

All Raised Right dog foods meet the AAFCO's nutrient profiles for maintenance (adults) or growth (puppies). Raised Right dog foods are limited-ingredient; for example, its Original recipes contain 10 ingredients max.

This is another brand that Dr. Jeremiah personally recommends to her clients:

“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.”

Read our full Raised Right dog food review for a closer look at the products on offer from this brand.

Raised Right Dog Food

Why Wag! loves Raised Right

  • Human-grade ingredients
  • High in single-source meat protein, low in carbs
  • Limited-ingredient recipes — no fillers here!
  • Convenient delivery options

Considerations & concerns


What pet parents say about Raised Right

"My dog, a Cane Corso, loves his Raised Right! We feed him in his crate and when he sees us opening a batch, he runs to his crate and waits while he drools. I love that it has few ingredients and no synthetics."

"My dogs love the food. It is eaten in seconds. They really enjoy the choices they have. The dogs seem healthier with this food. I would highly recommend this food."

Read more reviews on Raised Right.


Product image sourced from the Raised Right website. Copyright Raised Right Pets LP.

Taste of the Wild Grain Free Dry Dog Food
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4.5
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Vet recommended


Taste of the Wild is a family-owned, US-based premium dog food company. Based on your dog's ancestral diet, Taste of the Wild's recipes attempt to recreate what your pup's inner wolf would enjoy eating.

Grain-Free is Taste of the Wild's most pawpular sub-brand. Taste of the Wild Grain-Free dry food contains around 30% crude protein and 17% crude fat, which is more than enough for a working dog breed. These protein and fat levels differ slightly from recipe to recipe.

This dog food contains a signature blend of K9 Strain Probiotics, which are specifically designed to help with quick digestion in active dogs. Taste of the Wild Grain-Free dog food also contains an omega-3 fatty acid called DHA that helps with brain development and will keep your working dog's brain in the best condition possible.

All adult Taste of the Wild Grain-free dry dog food recipes meet the AAFCO's nutrient profiles for maintenance (adults) or all life stages.

Taste of the Wild comes also personally recommended by Dr. 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.”

Read our full Taste of the Wild dog food review to learn why we give this brand 4 (and a half) paws up!

Taste of the Wild Dog Food

Why Wag! loves Taste of the Wild

  • High-quality kibble
  • Rich in protein and fat to support an active lifestyle
  • K9 Strain Probiotics to support healthy digestion

Considerations & concerns

  • Isn't human-grade
  • Includes meat meal
  • Contains pea and potato protein which are low in nutritional value
  • Concerns about whether grain-free foods are healthy for dogs

What pet parents say about Taste of the Wild

"I was surprised to see that my dog loved a reasonably priced dog food of such quality. I did notice a renewed zip in his step, and his fur looks fuller and has a wonderful gloss. I like the way it looks and smells also."

"When it comes to Taste of the Wild Pacific Stream dog food, my Lab Goes Crazy over it! I mean he hops around, and drools over it! He has a lot of allergies so I have to be careful what I feed him. Taste of the Wild Pacific Stream dog food is the only one that works for him. If he's happy, and healthy, then I'm happy too!"

Read more reviews on Consumer Affairs.


Product image sourced from Chewy. Copyright SCHELL & KAMPETER, INC.

Dr. Gary’s Best Breed Holistic Working Dry Dog Food
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4

Dr. Gary’s Best Breed Holistic Working Dry Dog Food is super energy-dense, with above-average protein (26.6% as dry matter) and fat (24.4% as dry matter) to fuel an active lifestyle. At 587 calories per cup, it provides working dogs with all the energy they need to go about their business.

Chicken meal is the top ingredient - which, while highly processed - consists of 300% more protein than whole cuts of chicken. This grain-inclusive working dog food features no filler ingredients like corn, soy, or wheat. The primary grains are oatmeal and brown rice, which are high in fiber, which helps maintain a healthy weight, and key nutrients like iron, zinc, and B vitamins.

Dr. Gary’s Best Breed adds green-lipped sea mussels and glucosamine to its Holistic Working Dry Dog Food, which are proven to reduce joint pain and inflammation. 

Dr. Gary’s Best Breed Holistic Working Dry Dog Food meets the AAFCO nutrient profile guidelines for all life stages, including the growth of large dog breeds (70 lbs or more as adults). 

Read our full review of Dr. Gary’s dog food to see what we think of this brand!

Dr. Gary’s Best Breed

Why Wag! loves Dr. Gary’s Best Breed

  • High in calories, fat, and protein 
  • No corn, soy, or wheat
  • Added green-lipped sea mussels and glucosamine to help reduce symptoms of arthritis
  • Flaxseed is high in antioxidants to support immune health

Considerations & concerns

  • Meat meal is the top ingredient
  • Some lower quality ingredients like dried beet pulp

What pet parents say about Dr. Gary’s Best Breed Holistic Working

"My Malinois/Shepherd mix absolutely loves it. I was giving her Purina Pro plan for puppies up to two yrs old. She is now 1.5 yrs old & I’ve noticed no more lose or runny poops & she loves eating it."

"This is a very high end kibble. I have spoken with a dog nutritionist and they can only say good things about Dr. Gary's. This working dog food has done wonders for my German shepherd. 10/10"

Read more reviews on Chewy.


Product image sourced from Chewy. Copyright Dr. Gary’s Best Breed.

Victor Classic Dry Dog Food
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3.5

Victor markets itself as a premium dog food brand, with every ingredient in its recipes serving a nutritional purpose. Victor Classic is the brand's highest-quality range, formulated to support growth and active lifestyles. Each recipe (except Multi-Pro) lists named meat meal as the top ingredient, with at least 70% of protein coming from meat sources in all variations.

Victor Classic Hi-Pro Plus is the brand's best food for working dogs, with 30% crude protein, 20% crude fat, and 406 calories per cup. Victor's patented VPRO blend adds amino acids, minerals, and vitamins to help support joint health, digestion, immunity, and coat health. Yeast culture prebiotics strengthen the immune system and aid digestion.

All Victor Classic dry dog food varieties meet the AAFCO's nutrient profile for all life stages.

Read our full Victor dog food review to find out more about this brand!

Victor Dog Food

Why Wag! loves Victor Classic

  • Excellent protein-to-fat ratio
  • 70%+ protein from meat sources
  • VPRO Blend adds amino acids, vitamins, and minerals
  • No artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives

Considerations & concerns

  • Multi-Pro variety lists grain sorghum as the top ingredient
  • Meat meal listed as the first ingredient — not human-grade
  • Some recipes contain filler ingredients like tomato pomace

What pet parents say about Victor Classic Dog Food

"I highly recommend this to anyone especially if you have a very athletic dog! I will continue to feed my dogs this brand! My dogs absolutely love it! I recommend this to anyone asking for dog food suggestions."

"I recently switched all my dogs (I have 6) to this food after the breeder for my new puppy suggested this food. They are doing wonderful on it. No issues switching at all and their coat looks so much better already. Definitely recommend. Great price too."

Read more reviews on Chewy.


Product image sourced from Chewy. Copyright Victor Pet Food.

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