Puppy kibble for medium and large breeds: how to choose the best nutrition from 4 to 18 months?
Choosing the right kibble for a medium or large breed puppy is an important decision. Between 4 and 18 months, their body evolves very rapidly: muscles develop, the skeleton is built, the brain continues its maturation, joints are under strain, and the digestive system must adapt to a young dog’s diet.
However, not all puppy kibble meets the same needs.
A Labrador, Golden Retriever, German Shepherd, Malinois, Beauceron, Boxer, or even a mixed-breed young dog destined to become large is not necessarily best served by a very small kibble designed for a small jaw.
The goal is therefore to choose a complete diet, adapted to the puppy’s age, future size, jaw, and growth rate.
It is precisely with this logic that Pavllove® Standard Poultry Puppy Kibble – Medium & Large Breeds – 4 to 18 months was developed.
Which kibble should you choose for a medium or large breed puppy?
Good kibble for a growing puppy must combine several elements:
quality protein, an adapted energy density, vitamins and minerals, essential fatty acids, elements that promote digestive balance, and a kibble size adapted to the jaw.
Pavllove® Standard Puppy Kibble notably provides:
- 37% dehydrated poultry protein
- 30% crude protein
- 15% fat
- 1.5% calcium
- 1% phosphorus
- 0.51% omega-3
- DHA from fish oil
- FOS and MOS
- glucosamine and chondroitin
- vitamins A, D3, E and B-group vitamins
- zinc, iron, copper, manganese, iodine, and selenium.
The recipe is made in Auvergne and benefits from steam pre-cooking.
Why is protein important for a puppy?
During growth, the young dog's body is constantly building new tissues.
Proteins contribute significantly to the renewal and development of muscle tissue.
The Pavllove® formula contains 37% dehydrated poultry protein, for an analytical content of 30% crude protein.
This allows for a diet adapted to a period during which the puppy grows, plays, learns, runs, and progressively develops its muscle mass.
For an owner looking for protein-rich kibble for large breed puppies, this is an important criterion.
Calcium and phosphorus: supporting skeletal construction
A puppy destined to become a medium or large-sized dog can gain a lot of weight and height in just a few months.
Their diet must therefore provide them with essential minerals.
Pavllove® Standard Puppy Kibble contains:
Calcium: 1.5%
Phosphorus: 1%
These two minerals participate in the formation and normal maintenance of the bone structure.
The recipe also contains:
80 mg/kg glucosamine sulfate
40 mg/kg chondroitin sulfate
Two components frequently sought in food intended for young medium and large breed dogs.
DHA and omega-3: brain, learning, and vision
A puppy does not only develop its body.
Between 4 and 18 months, they learn continuously:
potty training, recall, walking on a leash, interactions with other dogs, house rules, new environments, and the behaviors expected by their owner.
The Pavllove® formula contains 1% fish oil, a natural source of DHA.
It also provides:
0.51% omega-3, including EPA + DHA: 0.07%.
DHA is particularly interesting during development periods, notably for the normal functioning of the brain and vision.
It is one of the most sought-after elements today in premium puppy food.
FOS, MOS, chicory, and beet pulp: working for digestive balance
Owners often look for easy-to-digest puppy kibble, especially when they observe irregular stools, frequent dietary changes, or a still-sensitive digestive system.
The Pavllove® recipe combines several sources of fiber and prebiotics:
2.5% chicory fiber, a natural source of inulin and FOS;
1% brewer's yeast, a natural source of MOS;
3% dehydrated beet pulp.
FOS and MOS are frequently used in premium foods to support the intestinal environment.
However, no kibble can guarantee "perfect digestion" in every dog. Each puppy has its own digestive sensitivity.
The point is therefore to offer a coherent formulation and to carry out a progressive food transition.
Omega-3 and omega-6 for skin and coat
The coat is often one of the first visible elements of a dog's general state.
Pavllove® Puppy Kibble provides:
Omega-3: 0.51%
Omega-6: 3.18%
They also contain 0.6% Tradilin® flax seeds.
These fatty acids notably participate in the normal functioning of the skin and the quality of the coat.
It is therefore a particularly interesting element for owners looking for puppy kibble for a beautiful coat, without making excessive promises.
Why can a large kibble be interesting?
Not all Pavllove® puppy kibbles have the same size by design.
The Standard Puppy 4–18 months reference is designed for young dogs that already have good chewing capacity.
An appropriately sized kibble can encourage the dog to chew their food more, rather than immediately swallowing very small kibble.
This can also contribute to the mechanical action related to chewing.
If your puppy has a small jaw or belongs to a small breed, the Pavllove® range also includes Mini Puppy Kibble.
For very young puppies after weaning, Pavllove® also offers a Weaning Puppy 2 to 4 months reference.
The idea is simple:
adapt the kibble to the puppy rather than asking the puppy to adapt to a universal diet.
Which dogs is Pavllove® Standard Puppy Kibble intended for?
They are particularly adapted to medium and large breed puppies and young dogs aged approximately 4 to 18 months, possessing a sufficiently developed jaw.
This can notably concern many puppies such as:
Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever, German Shepherd, Australian Shepherd, Malinois, Beauceron, Husky, Boxer, Dobermann, Rottweiler, American Staffordshire Terrier, and various medium or large-sized mixed-breed dogs.
The exact age for switching to an adult diet, however, depends on the breed, the expected adult weight, and the growth rate.
Kibble for sterilized puppies: are they suitable?
Yes, a diet intended for growth can be suitable for a sterilized puppy, provided the portion is precisely adapted.
After sterilization, energy needs can change.
Therefore, one must monitor:
weight, silhouette, physical activity, and mass gain.
The daily portion should not be automatic.
It must be adapted to the dog.
Why choose kibble made in Auvergne?
The product's origin has become a real choice criterion for many owners.
Pavllove® Standard Puppy Kibble is made in Auvergne.
Pavllove® favors an approach based on proximity, the selection of raw materials, and supply chains that are controlled as much as possible.
For a consumer looking for puppy kibble made in France, this origin also provides more transparency regarding production.
What is steam pre-cooking?
Pavllove® production incorporates a steam pre-cooking step.
This step occurs in the process of preparing materials before the final production of the kibble.
It contributes to controlling the manufacturing process and obtaining a regular and palatable product.
For Pavllove®, premium quality does not rely solely on a list of ingredients.
It also concerns the way the kibble is made.
A recipe enriched with vitamins and minerals
The formula contains several essential vitamins and trace elements:
vitamins A, D3, E, B1, B2, B3, B4, B5, B6, B9, and B12, as well as zinc, iron, copper, manganese, iodine, and selenium.
These micronutrients are involved in many of the body's normal functions.
They thus complement the supply of protein, fat, fiber, and major minerals.
A complex of plants and plant extracts
The recipe also includes:
Camellia sp., Yucca schidigera, Quillaja saponaria, Chenopodium quinoa, hawthorn, pumpkin, black radish, rosemary, blackcurrant, and pomegranate.
This combination contributes to the uniqueness of the Pavllove® formulation.
How much kibble should you give a puppy?
The portion depends on several factors:
age, current weight, expected adult weight, physical activity, breed, sterilization, and body condition.
The Pavllove® feeding chart serves as a starting point.
Afterward, you must observe your puppy.
A portion may need to be slightly increased for a particularly active puppy or reduced when excessive weight gain appears.
Clean, fresh water must always remain available.
How many meals per day for a puppy?
For young dogs, it is generally better to divide the daily portion into several meals.
As they grow, the number of meals can gradually decrease.
The total daily quantity remains the essential point, however.
How to change your puppy's kibble?
Avoid switching suddenly from one diet to another.
A transition can be done gradually, for example:
mostly the old food at the beginning, then gradually increasing Pavllove® until reaching 100% of the new diet.
The exact duration depends on the dog's digestive sensitivity.
What is the difference between Puppy Standard, Puppy Mini, and Puppy Weaning?
Pavllove® Puppy Weaning: approximately 2 to 4 months
Designed for the first stages after weaning.
Pavllove® Puppy Mini: small breeds and small jaws
Kibble size adapted for small-sized young dogs.
Pavllove® Puppy Standard: approximately 4 to 18 months
Larger kibble size for medium and large breed puppies that already have good chewing capacity.
This segmentation makes it possible to offer a diet that is better adapted to the dog's actual build.
How to identify good kibble for a large breed puppy?
Do not rely solely on the price of the bag or marketing terms like "premium".
Look instead at:
the source and proportion of protein, the analytical protein content, fat content, calcium and phosphorus, potential presence of DHA, omega-3 and omega-6, fiber and prebiotics, vitamins and minerals, kibble size, manufacturing origin, and transparency of the composition.
A good product sheet should allow you to easily find this information.
Composition of Pavllove® Standard Puppy Kibble
Dehydrated poultry protein (37%), corn, rice, poultry fat (8%), dehydrated beet pulp (3%), dehydrated chicory fiber, natural source of inulin and FOS (2.5%), animal protein hydrolysate, peas, fish oil, natural source of DHA (1%), brewer's yeast, natural source of MOS (1%), Tradilin® flaxseed (0.6%), extruded fava beans (0.4%), plant complex rich in saponins, glucosamine, hawthorn, pumpkin, black radish, rosemary, chondroitin, blackcurrant, and pomegranate.
Analytical constituents
Crude protein: 30%
Fat content: 15%
Omega-3: 0.51%
EPA + DHA: 0.07%
Omega-6: 3.18%
Crude fiber: 1.8%
Inorganic matter: 6.5%
Calcium: 1.5%
Phosphorus: 1%
Large breed puppy kibble: frequently asked questions
What is the best kibble for a large breed puppy?
There is no single ideal kibble for every dog. You must look for a complete diet adapted to the size, age, activity, and development of the puppy, including protein, fats, calcium/phosphorus, vitamins, essential fatty acids, and good digestive tolerance.
Which kibble for a Labrador puppy?
A growing Labrador generally needs a diet intended for medium or large-sized puppies, with a portion size adapted to avoid excessive weight gain.
Which kibble for a German Shepherd puppy?
A diet specific to growth, sufficiently nutritious and adapted to their build is recommended. Proteins, DHA, minerals, and digestive balance are among the elements to check.
Which kibble for a Malinois puppy?
A young Malinois can be particularly active. The portion size must take into account their actual activity in addition to their age and weight.
Until what age should I feed puppy kibble?
This depends on their adult size. Small dogs generally reach maturity faster than large dogs. The Pavllove® Standard Puppy reference covers approximately the 4 to 18-month period.
Why choose Pavllove® Standard Puppy?
Because a growth period cannot be repeated.
During these few months, your dog discovers the world while building its adult body.
Pavllove® combines in this recipe:
37% dehydrated poultry protein, DHA, omega-3 and omega-6, calcium and phosphorus, FOS and MOS, glucosamine and chondroitin, vitamins, minerals, selected plants, steam pre-cooking, and manufacturing in Auvergne.
A formulation intended to accompany the main stages of their growth with a kibble adapted to young dogs with good jaws.
And if you don't want to think about ordering their kibble anymore?
A puppy's growth is a time when dietary consistency is particularly practical.
With the Pavllove® subscription, you can automatically receive their food according to the chosen frequency, without having to reorder every time.
The benefit is twofold:
do not risk running out of kibble and benefit from the pricing advantages provided for subscribers.
You can adjust your subscription as your puppy grows, then switch to a Pavllove® adult recipe when the time comes.
A diet adapted today. Nutritional continuity tomorrow.
Discover Pavllove® Standard Puppy Kibble
With poultry • 4 to 18 months • Medium & large breeds • Made in Auvergne
Grow. Learn. Run. Discover.
Their growth deserves nutrition that matches it.



















