Breed-Specific Notes: Frenchies, Labs, Shepherds, and More
Breed isn't destiny — every dog is an individual and the quiz handles 95% of personalization automatically. But there are a few breed-typical patterns we see often enough on our Denver delivery routes that they're worth flagging upfront. If your pet falls into one of these categories, the notes below are starting points; adjust based on what your specific dog actually does in the first month.
French Bulldogs
Frenchies are notorious for being protein-sensitive — chicken in particular is the most common allergen we see in the breed. If your Frenchie has had recurring ear infections, hot spots, or itchy paws on a chicken-based kibble, start them on turkey or beef, not chicken. We can route your subscription to those proteins by default.
Watch the fat percentage too. Frenchies have a higher-than-average rate of pancreatitis, and a high-fat raw recipe can trigger flare-ups in a previously-undiagnosed dog. We can route to lower-fat recipes if you let us know — message us with "Frenchie, lean recipes please" and we'll handle it.
A small detail: their flat faces mean they sometimes struggle with chicken necks as a bone add-on. Ground bone in the recipe is fine; whole bones are a supervision call.
Labradors
Labs are built to over-eat. The single biggest mistake Lab owners make on raw is using their pet's current weight in the quiz when they're already 10 pounds heavy. Use target weight, not current weight. A 90-lb Lab who should be 75 lb gets a 75-lb portion calculation, not a 90-lb one. Otherwise you'll plateau forever.
Most adult Labs benefit from joint support past about age 6 — fish oil and the joint support add-on are both worth considering, especially for active dogs that hike or swim regularly. Hip and elbow dysplasia run in the breed, and good joint nutrition early is much cheaper than treatment later.
Labs also tend to handle protein rotation better than most breeds. Don't be shy about switching every 2-3 weeks once they're settled.
German Shepherds
GSDs run sensitive stomachs more often than the average dog — soft stool, gas, and occasional vomit are common during diet transitions, even gradual ones. Two adjustments help:
- Start with turkey (gentler than chicken or beef for sensitive guts).
- Stretch the transition ramp by an extra few days. Instead of 10 days, plan for 14.
The probiotic add-on is genuinely worth it for German Shepherds — we see noticeable stool improvements within 2 weeks for most. Add it for the first 2 months of raw feeding, then re-evaluate.
Doodles (Goldendoodles, Bernedoodles, Labradoodles)
Doodles are wildly variable in size — a "mini Goldendoodle" might be 25 lb or 55 lb depending on the breeding. Don't try to use a "doodle" preset; use the quiz weight bands and pick based on actual current weight (or target if they're growing).
The good news: coat shine response on raw is dramatic and visible quickly in doodles. Most owners notice by week 2-3. The curly/wavy coat texture seems to highlight the change more than a short coat does.
If your doodle has the typical "dog-park celebrity" lifestyle (lots of exercise, lots of social play), use the active multiplier in the quiz, not average.
Toy and small breed dogs
Small dogs eat less by volume but typically need more frequent meals — especially for breeds prone to hypoglycemia (Yorkies, Chihuahuas, Maltese, Toy Poodles). The quiz flags this if you select a toy breed and recommends splitting daily portions into 3 meals instead of 2. Don't skip that.
Small breeds also have proportionally bigger teeth-cleaning benefits from raw — mechanical chewing on appropriately-sized chicken necks (NOT chicken wings, which are a choke risk for very small mouths) makes a real difference to their dental health.
Cats: indoor mixed-breed
Most indoor cats settle into a 9-12 lb adult range and the standard cat box covers their needs perfectly. Two exceptions worth flagging:
- Maine Coons, Norwegian Forest Cats, and other large breeds can hit 15-20 lb of healthy weight. These cats may need an add-on portion to the standard box. Message us with their target weight and we'll size correctly.
- Senior or kidney-disease cats sometimes do better on lower-protein recipes. We can route to specific recipes if your vet has flagged this — share the diagnosis and we'll work with you.
When breed is misleading
A reminder: breed averages are starting points, not destiny. We've had German Shepherds with iron stomachs and Labs with picky-eater habits. Your dog is the data, not the breed page on Wikipedia. Adjust based on what you actually see in the first month, and message us if you want a sanity check.
Border Collies & Australian Shepherds (Denver trail breeds)
High-drive herding dogs on Front Range trails often need above-average calories despite a lean frame. Use the active multiplier in the quiz; verify body condition at week 3 (ribs palpable, visible waist). Underfeeding shows up as coat dullness and obsessive scavenging.
These breeds also tolerate protein rotation well once settled — useful if chicken sensitivity appears as paw licking.
Siberian Huskies & northern breeds
Huskies are efficient metabolically — some run lower than label percentages suggest. Watch weight weekly; adjust portions before switching proteins. They can be picky during transitions — warm food slightly and use the extended ramp.
Corgis & long-backed breeds
Weight management is critical — extra pounds stress the spine. Use target weight in the quiz. Avoid high-fat novelty proteins during the first month if pancreatitis runs in the line.
Pit bulls & muscular breeds
Often do well on raw with excellent coat response. Watch for chicken sensitivity (ears, skin). Beef or turkey starters are common choices. Chew enrichment: appropriate raw meaty bones only with supervision — see bones 101.
Denver apartment breeds (Boston Terrier, Shih Tzu, etc.)
Brachycephalic dogs may gulp food — slow feeders help. Smaller daily volumes mean tight thaw discipline; see thaw guide.
Working with your vet
Bring our guaranteed analysis and ingredient list to annual visits. Breed notes here are not medical advice — they are pattern recognition from Denver-area feeders.