10 Best Dog Food For Dobermans (Review & Buying Guide)

Doberman Puppies’ Food Requirements 

Dobe puppies need slightly fewer calories and between 28 and 32% protein in their food. That puts this kibble right in the zone, as the protein count is 28%, with fat coming in at 12%. Puppies need around 1800 calories a day and should be fed three meals a day until the age of 8 weeks, so the calorie count of 377 in this food is quite decent and leaves space for a few treats in between. 

DHA for Puppies 

DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) is an amino acid that is greatly helpful for growing dogs. It assists in the development of healthy eye tissue, which is great for puppies even if the breed isn’t predisposed to eye conditions later in life, and also helps brain tissue to form correctly, which is obviously a good thing for any breed. A dose of this in a puppy food helps your pup to start off on the right foot when it comes to nutrition and growing up healthy.

Lower Protein, Lower Calorie 

23% is what the protein count sits at in this food. While 25% is the recommended minimum for active, healthy Dobermans, this is only slightly below that number but should be adequate to give the kidneys and liver less work to do to process it. The calorie count is slightly low, at 327 per cup, so this food would be better suited for less-active pups, unless you’re making up the caloric difference with some high-calorie treats. If you choose to do this, make sure you get treats that are low in protein! 

The protein sources are easy to digest and the grains add some extra fiber to the 4% total on the label. Omega fatty acid levels are also pretty good, and the fat count of 13% is quite good for a lower protein food. This food also contains glucosamine which isn’t included in all low-protein foods, which is helpful for dogs who are prone to joint dysplasia. 

Carbohydrates for Energy 

Some really good “superfood” carbs are included in this food, such as kale, pumpkin, quinoa, blueberries, chia seeds, and coconut. This combo gives your pooch a good dose of slow-burning carbs to see them through the day while adding a heap of antioxidants to promote health. 

In addition to this, L-carnitine is a super helpful ingredient for maintaining weight and energy balance, and dried kelp is great for Dobes as it keeps the thyroid stimulated. This dog food is definitely recommended for parents whose Dobes need a low-protein diet but still want as much nutrition and goodness in their food as possible.

Great Nutrition for Dobermans 

Although this food has fewer than 400 calories per cup (390, so not by much), it’s still a great option to feed a healthy, active Dobe. 32% protein is a good number for dogs who get plenty of exercise, and will help their muscles stay strong and supple. 14% fat is also a pretty good count, and will be burnt off as your pup exercises. 

The protein consists of deboned salmon (which doubles as an amazing source of Omega fatty acids), chicken meal and turkey meal, all of which are high-quality ingredients. There are a whole lot of fruits and veggies on their list, including peas, sweet potatoes, chickpeas (another little dose of protein), carrots, and blueberries. These will go a long way towards providing sustained energy for your pup throughout their day. Chicken fat, flaxseed, and salmon oil are fantastic fat sources, and Menhaden fish meal is another premium ingredient that will add a bit more protein and healthy fat. 

Additional Benefits  

The calcium and phosphorus ratio is great for keeping your active pup’s bones strong. Glucosamine and chondroitin do the same for your dog’s joints, which is especially useful for dogs such as Dobermans who are prone to joint dysplasia. The Omega fatty acid levels are great, and DHA is a particular addition that isn’t often found in adult dog foods but can only be a good thing, as it’s an amino acid that contributes to good health. 

This food also has a dose of dried kelp in it,which is great for dog breeds predisposed to hypothyroidism as it stimulates the thyroid. All in all, this food is a great option for the average Doberman and won’t empty the Dobe mom or dad’s pocket.

High Calorie, Low Protein 

Wet food is usually fairly high in calories but doesn’t add too much by way of protein, which is not a bad thing at all. If you’re already feeding your dog a high-protein kibble, you don’t want to overdo it. This stew has 9% protein, which is already on the higher side for a canned food, and it comes from great, healthy sources. 

Other Ingredients 

Beef and lamb broth add to the protein and also to the moisture count, which is a good thing. Carrots, peas, and pumpkin make up the healthy, easy-to-digest carbs, and sunflower oil and menhaden fish oil bring all the good fats.

Limited Ingredients But High Quality 

Although the ingredients may be few, the quality is superior. One of the greatest things about the salmon flavour in particular is that salmon is not only a superb protein source, but it acts as a great fat source too. Salmon meal and menhaden fish meal are fantastic ingredients to up both the protein and fat counts, and complex carbs include sweet potatoes, peas, and potatoes. Limited ingredient doesn’t have to mean limited nutrition, and this food hits all the right notes when it comes to doing the limited ingredient philosophy right. 

Chelated Minerals in L. I. D. Foods 

It may be confusing to look at the ingredient list of a limited ingredient food claiming to have 10 or fewer ingredients and see a list just as long as any other food. This is because the remaining ingredients are vitamins, minerals, and a large majority of them are something called chelated minerals, which are minerals that are bonded to an amino acid for easier digestion. This may sound sciency and over the average person’s head, but trust us, this is great for easier absorption of nutrients. For dogs who may need to be on a limited ingredient diet, this helps alleviate digestive upset.

Optimal Nutrient Counts for Seniors 

This food comes in at 383 calories per cup, which is great for a senior, provided it’s fed as per their feeding guidelines. The protein count sits at 28%, right at the optimal level for a healthy older guy or girl, with fat content at 12%. This works well as they’re likely to be burning less fat for energy as they become less active. 

The calcium and phosphorus ratio is also great, which should assist in keeping your older guy’s bones tough and sturdy as he ages. Blue Buffalo’s specially formulated LifeSource Bits also give a great dose of vitamins and minerals that assist in metabolism, immune system health, and life stage changes. 

Omega Fatty Acids 

Omega fatty acids are absolutely necessary for your dog’s health. The levels of general Omega-3 and -6s in this food are great, and there are some extra, more specific types thrown in there too to spruce up your older Dobe’s wellbeing. 

DHA and EPA are more commonly seen in puppy food as they help promote healthy eye and brain tissue growth. It’s great to see them in a senior food, though, as they keep your old girl’s eyes and brain functioning optimally for as long as possible. L-carnitine and glucosamine and chondroitin are amino acids that are also highly beneficial for older pups, contributing to maintaining healthy energy levels and weight, and keeping joints strong and supple. These are all super additions for older pups who are slowing down a little.

Human-Grade Food 

This means that the quality of ingredients in this food are so good that you could eat it for dinner with your Dobe if you really wanted to. This speaks volumes for the quality of a dog food, as it means there is no artificial stuff in there that could be harmful to the body. This is made up of dehydrated ingredients, which keeps them fresher for longer. They’re superior quality ingredients too, consisting of a single protein source and carbs such as spinach, sweet potatoes, and quinoa. Kelp is also present in this food, which is always good for breeds predisposed to thyroid troubles. 

Added Moisture 

This food is super easy to prepare, and just requires the addition of water (and love, as per their packaging). Active dogs such as Dobermans can sometimes not get quite enough water in during their days, especially during the summer months, so having a food that adds some extra hydration is a bonus. You can add cold or warm water depending on your dog’s preference, and depending on the weather, so your pup can have a nice cooling or hearty warming meal.

Ingredient Quality 

Real meat is number one on this list, which is always a winner. A couple of named meat meals add to the protein count, as well as some plant protein in the form of pea protein. Menhaden fish meal, chicken fat, and flaxseed are what give this food it’s good fat count, and they’re high-quality sources. The complex carbs in this food include potatoes, sweet potatoes, carrots, blueberries, and cranberries, which are a little lower down the list but are great to see. 

Other things that are helpful for promoting general health include turmeric (in small quantities), dried kelp, barley grass, and parsley, which are herbs that will aid in digestion. All in all, this food is a high-quality, recommended meal for any healthy Doberman. 

LifeSource Bits for Extra Vitamins and Minerals 

One of the great things about Blue Buffalo’s food is that they add their own vitamin and mineral mix in the form of their original LifeSource Bits. Formulated by a bunch of professionals well-versed in animal nutrition, and cold-formed so that they lose no nutrition, these little bits are scattered throughout the regular kibble and give your pup a direct dose of vitamins and minerals that assist with specific life stage requirements and keeping the immune system healthy and functioning optimally.

Great Nutrient Levels for Dobermans 

Although the calorie count is a little low at 370 per cup, it’s very easy to remedy by simply feeding your pooch slightly more to make up their calorie count for the day. You can also make it up by throwing in some high-calorie treats, if you’d prefer. 

With 32% protein and 18% fat, this kibble is actually at optimal levels for healthy, athletic Dobermans. Omega fatty acids are also great and promote health and immune system strength. 

Good Nutritional Value for Treats 

With 41 calories per treat, you can add a good few hundred calories per day depending on how many of these you feed your pet. They contain 30% protein and 15% fat, which are very nice numbers and are great supplements to your pet’s daily kibble. The fact that they’re made from very good quality ingredients is also a bonus.