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FREEZE-DRIED RAW FEEDING GUIDE

How to feed a Dutch Shepherd

The Dutch Shepherd is a working athlete - bred to herd, guard, and now to track and search - running on 90 minutes to two hours of hard activity a day. A body like that doesn't run on filler; it runs on real fuel.

Here is exactly how to feed a Dutch Shepherd on freeze-dried raw: by weight and life stage, with the protein, joint support, and gentle digestion this driven, deep-chested breed needs.

  • Adult weight42–70 lb
  • SizeMedium
  • EnergyVery high
  • Lifespan12–15 years
  • CoatShort to medium, dense, weather-resistant brindle — moderate shedder
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A healthy Dutch Shepherd
iStock / Getty Images Plus via Getty Images

What a Dutch Shepherd's body needs

Every Dutch Shepherd trait comes back to one thing: how you feed them. Here's what matters most.

  • High-drive working athlete

    Needs: High-quality animal protein

    Freeze-dried raw is 83% meat, organs, and bone - fueling lean muscle and steady, all-day energy for agility, tracking, and long runs, without carb fillers that spike and crash.

  • Hip & elbow dysplasia risk

    Needs: Joint support + lean weight

    Real meat, organ, and ground bone supply natural glucosamine and chondroitin; omega-3s calm joint inflammation, and staying lean takes load off hard-working joints.

  • Deep-chested, bloat-prone

    Needs: Smaller, calorie-dense meals

    Freeze-dried raw is dense, so a satisfying meal is a smaller volume - easy to split into two measured feedings, the safest pattern for a deep-chested breed.

  • Dense, weather-resistant coat

    Needs: Omega-3 fatty acids

    Whole-food animal and fish fats feed the skin barrier from the inside, supporting the coat through the moderate year-round and heavier seasonal shedding this breed is known for.

  • Sharp, busy mind

    Needs: Stable whole-food energy

    A low-filler raw diet delivers even fuel for the focus this breed needs in training and nose work - no sugar-style energy swings from heavy carbohydrates.

How much to feed a Dutch Shepherd

Quick answer: a healthy adult Dutch Shepherd (42–70 lb) needs about 6.3–10.5 oz of freeze-dried raw per day, split across two meals. Freeze-dried is calorie-dense and measured dry — so it's much less by volume than kibble. Feed to a lean waistline and adjust every few weeks.

Ideal adult weightFreeze-dried per dayPer meal (×2)
42 lb 6.3 oz 3.2 oz
49 lb 7.4 oz 3.7 oz
56 lb typical Dutch Shepherd 8.4 oz 4.2 oz
63 lb 9.5 oz 4.7 oz
70 lb 10.5 oz 5.3 oz

Starting points for a moderately active adult (~0.15 oz of freeze-dried per lb of ideal weight). Active dogs need a little more, couch companions a little less — always adjust to body condition, not the bag.

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What to feed a Dutch Shepherd

For a Dutch Shepherd we recommend complete freeze-dried raw as the daily base - real meat, organs, and ground bone with no heat-processed filler - or as a topper while you transition. Minimally processed food is gentle on digestion and skips the starchy fillers that can aggravate a sensitive, deep-chested gut.

High-quality proteins suit their active lifestyle: lean Chicken for everyday feeding, Wild-Caught Salmon for skin, coat, and joints, and richer Beef for hard-working or underweight dogs. Just add water and serve.

Recipes for Dutch Shepherds

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Daily support for Dutch Shepherds

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Treats Dutch Shepherds love

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Feeding a Dutch Shepherd by life stage

  • Puppy: Dutch Shepherd puppies are athletic and grow fast - feed roughly 5-8% of current body weight across 3-4 small meals to protect developing hips and elbows. Multiple small meals also suit this deep-chested breed and lower bloat risk; resist overfeeding, since steady growth is safer than rapid growth.
  • Adult: Feed to a lean, visible waist, split across two meals to reduce bloat risk. Use the chart below as a starting point and adjust to body condition and workload - working dogs in heavy training may need the higher end of the range.
  • Senior: Activity tapers but the appetite and drive often don't. Trim portions to hold a lean weight, keep protein high to preserve lean muscle, and lean into joint-supporting nutrition for the hips and elbows.

Common Dutch Shepherd concerns — and the diet connection

  • Hip & elbow dysplasiaLargely genetic, but lean body weight plus joint nutrients - natural glucosamine from bone and cartilage, plus omega-3 - support comfort and day-to-day mobility in this active breed.
  • Bloat (GDV)A deep-chested risk, not a diet you can cure, but feeding habits help: smaller, calorie-dense raw meals split twice daily, floor-level bowls, and calm time around meals all support safer digestion.
  • Skin & coat healthA dense, weather-resistant coat and seasonal shedding ask a lot of the skin barrier; an omega-rich, whole-food, low-filler diet supports coat condition and helps manage shedding.
  • Energy & lean muscleWorking Dutch Shepherds run on clean animal protein and fat for sustained energy and muscle maintenance - not on carbohydrate fillers that burn out fast.

Diet supports health but doesn't replace veterinary care — ask your vet about any specific condition.

Feeding a Dutch Shepherd: what to know

Dutch Shepherds are deep-chested, which puts them at risk for bloat (GDV) - a true emergency. Feed two smaller measured meals a day rather than one large one, keep bowls on the floor (not elevated), and avoid hard exercise right around mealtime.

Match the portion to the work. A Dutch Shepherd doing agility, nose work, or long daily runs burns more than a couch-bound day, so feed to a lean, visible waist and adjust as the season and workload change.

Dutch Shepherd feeding questions

How much should I feed my Dutch Shepherd?
A healthy adult Dutch Shepherd (42-70 lb) needs roughly 6-11 oz of freeze-dried raw per day, split between two meals. Freeze-dried is calorie-dense and measured dry, so it's far less by volume than kibble - feed to a lean waistline and bump portions up for heavy work or training days.
What is the best food for a high-energy Dutch Shepherd?
A complete freeze-dried raw diet built on high-quality animal protein. Real meat, organs, and bone deliver the sustained energy and lean muscle this working breed needs, without the carb fillers that cause energy crashes during long activity.
How do I lower bloat risk when feeding a Dutch Shepherd?
Feed two smaller measured meals instead of one big one, keep bowls on the floor rather than elevated, and avoid vigorous exercise right before or after eating. Freeze-dried raw's density makes a satisfying meal a smaller volume, which fits this routine well.
How do I switch my Dutch Shepherd to raw?
Transition over 7-10 days, mixing a little more Land Animal into the old food each day. Go slow with this deep-chested breed, start at the lower end of the range, and feed to a lean, visible waist.
Does a Dutch Shepherd need joint support?
Most working and athletic Dutch Shepherds benefit from it, given the breed's hip and elbow dysplasia risk. Freeze-dried raw with real bone and organ provides natural glucosamine and omega-3, and keeping your dog lean is the most effective joint protection there is.
Is a Dutch Shepherd the same as a Belgian Malinois?
No - they're distinct breeds that look and work alike. From a feeding standpoint both are high-drive athletes that thrive on a high-protein, low-filler diet to match their energy; the Dutch Shepherd's brindle coat and slightly calmer build don't change the core nutrition needs.

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  • "Knowing exactly how much to feed took all the guesswork out. He's leaner, with more energy on our walks."

    — Jenna & Cooper

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    — Priya & Luna
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Portions are starting points for freeze-dried raw and AAFCO complete-and-balanced recipes. Always feed to your individual dog's body condition and ask your vet about specific health needs.