Best Dog Food Ingredients For Medium-Sized Dogs

Medium-sized dogs make perfect companions, whether you're looking for a farmhand or a friend.

Neither too small nor too big, medium-sized dogs fit perfectly into our lives. But just like humans, each dog breed is different, with different nutritional and digestive needs.

In this article, we'll go over the best dog food ingredients for each of the top 10 medium-sized dog breeds, from pit bulls to poodles.

It's important to note, however, that all meal suggestions are based on a standard, healthy dog. If your dog is overweight, or suffering from a health condition, his or her needs will be different.

1. American Pit Bull Terrier

Also known as the American Staffordshire Terrier, or simply as "pit bulls," these dogs have unfairly gained a bad reputation as vicious fighters. The truth is that, if they haven't been trained to be violent, pit bulls make loving and loyal companions.

The American Pit Bull Terrier as we know it was developed from an English breed called the Staffordshire Bull Terrier. They were brought over from England to Florida in the late 1800's where they were fed a diet much like those of Florida's native settlers: corn, soy, rice, venison, and fish.

Rick's Dog Deli Meal Match: Chicken & Oats

2. Australian Cattle Dog

As its name suggests, the Australian Cattle Dog originated in Australia's outback, where it was essential at herding sheep. Thus, they have very high stamina and a caloric need to match.

Low-fat, high-fiber diets are best for this breed. While the original Cattle Dogs dined on kangaroo, your family pet will thrive on beef, eggs, brown rice, and vegetables.

Rick's Dog Deli Meal Match: Beef & Sweet Potato

3. Basset Hound

Basset hounds' short legs and loose skin can sometimes make them look overweight, but these breeds rarely have such issues. Far more important is making sure they receive the proper nutrients from an easily digestible source.

For the Basset hound, this includes a diet of poultry, eggs, brown rice, and vegetables.

Rick's Dog Deli Meal Match: Chicken & Oats

4. Border Collie

Border Collies are the ultimate "working dog," bred for intelligence and performance rather than looks. They have been known to cover 100 miles in a single day without a break.

All this activity requires a diet with a high carb to protein ratio. The best dog food ingredients for Border Collies are wheat, potatoes, corn, lamb, fish, and poultry.

Rick's Dog Deli Meal Match: Chicken, Fish, & Rice

5. English Bulldog

Bulldogs are known for their short, stocky musculature and strong willed temperaments. Their bodies develop more slowly, so they should be fed like a puppy until they are 30 months old.

Their diet should have a high carbohydrate to protein ratio, such as potato, beef, wheat and corn. 

 Rick's Dog Deli Meal Match: Beef & Sweet Potato

6. Cardigan Welsh Corgi

Not to be confused with their "royal" cousins (the Pembroke Welsh Corgi), the Cardigan Welsh Corgi is a faithful babysitter and hunter with a long history. They were originally used to chase rather than round up cattle, so you're more likely to see Cardigan Corgis chasing away squirrels than nipping at children's heels.

Their diet in their native Wales would have included potatoes, carrots, fish, and beef.

Rick's Dog Deli Meal Match: Beef & Sweet Potato

7. English Springer Spaniel

 The English Springer Spaniel has origins in both Spain and Britain, and requires a different amino acid profile than most other dogs. 

Because wild poultry has different amino acids than the domestic chicken, the Springer spaniel's diet requires more than just chicken to meet its nutritional needs. The ideal diet should include chicken and fish, eggs, brown rice, and vegetables. 

Rick's Dog Deli Meal Match: Chicken & Oats

8. Standard Poodle

Aside from the obvious size difference, there is a world of difference between Miniature and Standard Poodles. The Standard Poodle requires high amounts of phenylalanine and minerals. Without these essential nutrients, you might see loose gums and a discolored, loose coat.

Wheat, corn, fish, poultry, and pork make the best diet for a Standard Poodle.

 Rick's Dog Deli Meal Match: Chicken, Fish, & Rice

9. Brittany Spaniel

The Brittany Spaniel might bear a striking resemblance to the English Springer Spaniel, but their backgrounds and nutritional needs could not be more different. The Brittany Spaniel was developed by French nobles in a swampy area that didn't support grain crops.

The traditional dog food ingredients for Brittanys would have included poultry, fish, beets, and potatoes.

Rick's Dog Deli Meal Match: Chicken & Oats

10. Cocker Spaniel

Cocker Spaniels come in two varieties: the American Cocker Spaniel and the English Cocker Spaniel. Of the two, the English Cocker Spaniel tends to have a harder time adapting to food changes and also a higher probability of skin allergies. 

Potatoes, poultry, lamb, wheat, and oats make up the best diet for Cocker Spaniels.

Rick's Dog Deli Meal Match: Chicken & Oats

Conclusion

Whichever breed you have, it's important to choose high-quality, wholesome dog food ingredients that they'll thrive on.

At Rick's Dog Deli, all of our meal formulations are wholesome, real, human-grade food, not "dog food."  

If you have any questions or you'd like help developing a customized diet for your dog's individual needs, contact us through our website or call/text us at 407-505-2839. We want to see your dog thrive!