Label states it is formulated to meet AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for All Life Stages except for growth of large size dogs (70 lb. or more as an adult). This is formulation-based compliance, NOT feeding trial validated. Important note for Randall: Bruno is 80 lbs — this food is explicitly excluded for growth of large dogs his size. As an adult, the 'all life stages' claim covers him, but this is a SMALL BREED formula. At 80 lbs, Bruno is NOT a small breed. The kibble size, calorie density, and nutrient ratios are designed for dogs under 20 lbs. This is a mismatch.
A decent formula undermined by a few cheap inclusions and a critical mismatch for Bruno specifically.
Randall, let me be straight with you about two things. First — the formula itself: Boundless Acres Small Breed Chicken & Brown Rice is a DECENT mid-tier kibble. Chicken is the real first ingredient, brown rice is a solid grain, the preservatives are natural, the mineral package uses chelated forms, and there's no cancer-causing garbage in here. The pea protein inflating the protein number and the brewers rice are the worst offenders — cheap moves, but not dangerous. Score: 85, A-minus. Not bad at all. HOWEVER — and this is the big one — this is a SMALL BREED formula and Bruno is an 80-pound Treeing Tennessee Brindle. This food was designed for Chihuahuas and Yorkies, not a muscular coonhound-type dog. The kibble is likely tiny (designed for small mouths), the calorie density is high (small breed dogs have faster metabolisms), and the glucosamine/chondroitin levels that might be adequate for a 15 lb dog are LAUGHABLY insufficient for Bruno's joints at 80 lbs. At 6 years old, Bruno is entering middle age for a dog his size — he needs a large breed or all-breed adult formula with appropriate kibble size, and a standalone glucosamine/chondroitin supplement at therapeutic doses (500-1000 mg glucosamine per day minimum). Get Bruno off this small breed formula and onto something designed for his actual body. The food isn't bad — it's just wrong for YOUR dog.