Puppy & Performance Chicken Meal With Ancient Grains Recipe Dry Dog Food
Verified Jun 15, 2026
This is a high-protein, high-fat dry puppy and performance diet made with chicken meal as the main protein source and a blend of ancient grains like brown rice, sorghum, and barley. It’s designed for growing puppies, including large breeds, and active young dogs who need extra energy, with added omega fatty acids, beet pulp, and flaxseed to support digestion and skin and coat health. The recipe also includes probiotics and chelated minerals aimed at supporting digestion, joints, brain development, and overall immune function.
Nutritionally, this is a strong option for growing puppies and active young dogs, including large breeds, who need higher protein and fat for growth and performance. It uses chicken meal as a concentrated protein source and combines it with digestible grains and added omega fatty acids. The AAFCO statement for growth including large-breed growth, plus probiotics and chelated minerals, makes it well-rounded for most healthy puppies, especially those with higher energy needs.
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At a Glance
KibbleLab Review
Strengths
- 30% protein and 20% fat are well-suited for growing and working dogs that need more energy and building blocks for muscle and tissue development.
- Formulated to meet AAFCO nutrient profiles for growth including large-breed puppies, which is important for safe large-breed development.
- Chicken meal as the first ingredient provides concentrated, high-quality animal protein, supported by egg and fish oil for a complete amino acid and fatty acid profile.
- Includes prebiotics (beet pulp), multiple probiotic strains, flaxseed, and menhaden fish oil to support digestive health, skin and coat, and overall wellness.
Considerations
- Chicken and egg are common food allergens for some dogs, so this formula wouldn’t be a good fit if your puppy has known sensitivities to these ingredients.
- The calorie density is quite high at about 462 kcal per cup, so portion control is important to avoid overly rapid growth or excess weight, especially in large-breed puppies.
- Contains pea protein, which adds plant-based protein; while it’s not the main ingredient here, owners specifically avoiding peas or legume ingredients should be aware of its presence.
Full Ingredient List
Ingredients and analysis reflect manufacturer data at the time of our last update and can change without notice. Always check the actual product packaging before feeding.
Ingredient filtering helps identify compatible options but is not a substitute for a veterinary elimination diet.
Top 5 Ingredients Explained
01
Chicken
Chicken is a common animal-based protein in dog and cat foods, supplying essential amino acids, B vitamins, and energy-dense fats that support muscle maintenance, growth, and overall health; for cats it also contributes toward dietary taurine but must be present in sufficient amounts or provided via supplementation. It is prized for its digestibility and palatability, though some pets develop sensitivities or allergies to chicken, and nutritional value and safety depend on ingredient quality and processing—raw chicken carries pathogen risks and whole bones can pose choking or GI hazards.
02
Brown Rice
Brown rice is a whole-grain carbohydrate and fiber ingredient commonly used in dog and cat foods to provide digestible energy, dietary fiber, and modest amounts of B‑vitamins and minerals; it typically offers more nutrients and fiber than white rice. It’s generally well tolerated and can help with sensitive stomachs, but because it is high in carbohydrates (not a primary protein source) and can contain trace inorganic arsenic depending on sourcing, it should be included in balanced formulations and monitored in overweight or diabetic pets.
03
Chicken Fat
Chicken fat is used in dog and cat foods as a concentrated energy and flavor source that supplies essential fatty acids (notably linoleic acid) and aids absorption of fat‑soluble vitamins, improving palatability and supporting skin and coat health. Because it is calorie‑dense, diets must account for added fat to prevent weight gain, and quality (proper rendering and antioxidant protection to prevent rancidity) is important; although fats are less commonly allergenic than proteins, pets with poultry sensitivities may still react in some cases.
04
Mixed Tocopherol
Mixed tocopherols are a blend of natural vitamin E compounds (alpha, beta, gamma and delta tocopherols) used in pet foods primarily as a natural antioxidant and preservative to protect fats and fat‑soluble nutrients and extend shelf life. They also supply dietary vitamin E—an essential antioxidant for immune function, skin and coat health and cellular integrity in dogs and cats—and are generally safe at typical use levels, though they are not a substitute for a complete vitamin formulation and may be less effective in animals with fat‑absorption disorders.
05
Beet Pulp
Beet pulp is a moderately fermentable fiber ingredient derived from sugar beet processing that is commonly added to dog and some cat foods to provide soluble and insoluble fiber for healthy digestion and firmer stool. It supports beneficial gut bacteria and satiety by producing short-chain fatty acids, but it is not a significant source of protein or vitamins and quality can vary, so pets with specific dietary sensitivities or strict low‑carbohydrate needs should have its use discussed with a veterinarian.
Nutritional Breakdown
How to read As Fed versus Dry Matter
As fed shows the numbers straight off the label, water included. Dry matter removes the water so you can compare a wet food and a dry food fairly.What is calorie density
How many calories the food packs per unit. Denser foods mean smaller portions for the same calories.Product Details & Brand
Product Specs
AAFCO Nutritional Adequacy
What is AAFCO
Association of American Feed Control Officials. It sets the nutritional
adequacy standards US pet foods are measured against.
What is AAFCO
Association of American Feed Control Officials. It sets the nutritional adequacy standards US pet foods are measured against.Brand
Blackwood is a premium pet food brand that offers small-batch, slow-cooked recipes for dogs and cats made in the USA. The brand targets pet owners seeking natural, high-quality nutrition with an emphasis on digestibility, freshness, and family-owned production values.
Visit BlackwoodManufacturer
Blackwood Pet Food manufactures its products in-house in the USA at USDA-inspected, AAFCO-compliant facilities. All recipes are slow-cooked in small batches to ensure better nutrient retention, with oversight on ingredient sourcing and process control.
Manufacturing details are compiled from public sources and not independently verified; they may not reflect contract manufacturing or co-packing.
Recall History
Blackwood Puppy & Performance Chicken Meal With Ancient Grains Recipe Dry Dog Food has no recalls since 2014.
Source: FDA Pet Food Recall Database · Monitored daily
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Frequently Asked Questions
Has Blackwood ever been recalled?
We have no recalls on record for Blackwood. We monitor the FDA Pet Food Recall Database daily.
How does KibbleLab rate foods?
Our scores are based on ingredient composition, nutritional profile, AAFCO compliance, and health considerations. We don't penalize by-products, grains, or synthetic preservatives. Brands cannot pay for higher scores.
Is KibbleLab a substitute for veterinary advice?
No. KibbleLab provides data-driven food analysis, not medical advice. Always consult your veterinarian before making dietary changes, especially for pets with health conditions.
KibbleLab provides informational content only. This is not veterinary advice. Always consult a qualified veterinarian before changing your pet's diet.
KibbleLab may earn affiliate commissions through product links. No one can pay for a higher score, or to change what we recommend for your pet.
Product data sourced from manufacturer websites, AAFCO statements, and FDA recall database. Last verified dates reflect our most recent data check.
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