At Earls Dog Food®, we are dedicated to providing delicious, nutritious, and affordable dog food for hardworking pups across the UK. Our journey began over 50 years ago, when our founder, Earl Smith, recognized the need for high-quality dog food tailored specifically for working dogs like sheepdogs, gun dogs, and sled dogs.
Our Humble Beginnings
Earl himself grew up on a farm where dogs were considered vital members of the staff. He saw firsthand how these intelligent, energetic working dogs needed hearty meals to fuel their demanding jobs herding sheep, hunting game, or pulling sleds. When he moved to the city and opened a small pet shop, Earl found most commercial dog foods lacking in quality ingredients and nutritional value.
Using family recipes passed down through generations of farmers, Earl began making his own proprietary dog food right in the back of his shop. Word spread quickly about this new type of dog food made just for working breeds. Local farmers, hunters, and mushers traveled from miles around to buy Earl’s hand-crafted kibble and tinned foods.
Within a few years, demand outgrew Earl’s tiny production capabilities. So in 1968, he opened the first Earls Dog Food® factory to mass produce his original formulas. For the first time, people could buy Earl’s authentic working dog food all across the country.
What Makes Us Different
Back when Earls Dog Food® was just getting off the ground, most commercial dog foods focused on affordability and mass appeal. Formulas were full of cheap fillers like corn and wheat instead of high-quality animal proteins. Preservatives and artificial colors helped extend shelf-life. And there was little consideration for a dog’s age, size, or unique nutritional needs.
Earl refused to compromise when it came to ingredients or preparation. He insisted on using farm-fresh meats, wholesome grains, and natural flavors. Our proprietary recipes are carefully balanced with vitamins, minerals, fats, and protein levels tailored specifically for active working dogs. And we still cook our meaty recipes in small batches to retain nutritional integrity.
Today, the Earls Dog Food® commitment to quality remains stronger than ever. We only use premium ingredients like:
- Free-range chicken, beef, lamb, or fish: Excellent lean protein sources packed with essential amino acids for building and maintaining muscle.
- Whole grains like brown rice and oatmeal: Slow-burning complex carbs to fuel those long days herding, hunting, or mushing.
- Farm-fresh fruits and veggies: Natural sources of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants for overall health.
- Omega fatty acids from salmon oil: Help support healthy skin, a glossy coat, and joint health.
- Pre- and probiotics: Aid digestion and nutrient absorption.
- Natural flavors and colors: Enhance taste and appeal without artificial additives.
No matter which recipe or formula you choose, you can trust Earls Dog Food® to provide complete and balanced daily nutrition without unnecessary filler ingredients.
Quality Control & Safety Standards
Our kitchens utilize rigorous quality control procedures and food safety standards to ensure consistency and purity in every batch. State-of-the-art equipment allows us to carefully monitor:
- Ingredient freshness, temperatures, and proportions
- Mixing and cooking times
- Microbial testing
- Metal detection
- Production hygiene
Once cooked and packaged, our foods undergo further testing:
- Lab analysis confirms precise nutritional values and guaranteed analysis percentages.
- Shelf-life studies verify taste, texture, and vitamin stability over time.
- Palatability testing with real dogs ensures flavors meet with canine taste bud approval!
These exhaustive quality and safety checks allow us to provide well-balanced, great tasting dog food you can feel good about feeding your precious pup.
Specialized Working Dog Diets
While our original recipes focused on the unique needs of active working breeds, today Earls Dog Food® offers custom formulas ideal for dogs of all ages, sizes, and lifestyles.
Puppy Formulas
Puppies require more calories, protein, vitamins, and minerals to support rapid growth and development. Our puppy recipes feature smaller kibble sizes for little mouths along with DHA for healthy brain development.
Adult Formulas
Adult working dogs benefit from high protein and fat to maintain muscle mass and energy levels. Antioxidants like vitamin E promote a healthy immune system during their prime years.
Senior Formulas
For less active older dogs, our senior recipes have reduced calories to prevent weight gain. They also contain glucosamine and chondroitin to support joint health as well as easily digestible carbs and protein.
Weight Control Formulas
Overweight dogs need a lighter diet for safe, effective weight loss. Our weight control recipes are lower in fat but still packed with nutrients thanks to high-quality protein sources.
Limited Ingredient Formulas
For dogs with food sensitivities, we offer limited ingredient recipes made with a single novel protein and carbohydrate source like duck and sweet potato.
Grain-Free Formulas
Some dogs have difficulty digesting grains. Our grain-free meals feature “carb-smart” alternatives like lentils, peas, and chickpeas instead of corn, wheat, rice, or oats.
No matter your dog’s life stage, activity level, or dietary needs, Earls Dog Food® offers the perfect formula to nourish their body and delight their taste buds.
Our Product Lines
We proudly manufacture all Earls Dog Food® recipes in our own UK-based facilities. This allows for stringent oversight of ingredients, production, and quality control. We offer a wide variety of product types to suit every feeding preference:
Dry Kibble
- Complete nutrition in a crunchy, bite-sized form
- Convenient for free-feeding
- Stays fresh in the bag for easy storage
- Easy to digest thanks to high-quality carbohydrate sources
- Natural kibble helps clean teeth and freshen breath
- Resealable bags to maintain freshness
Wet Canned Food
- Savory stews, pâtés, and minced recipes
- Contains at least 60% meat ingredients
- Increased palatability for picky eaters
- 75-95% moisture supports hydration
- Easily mixed with kibble for added flavor and moisture
- BPA-free cans for safety
Meaty Meals
- Gently cooked chunks and strips of real meat
- Delicious way to add protein variety
- Mix with kibble or serve as a special treat
- Convenient single-serving pouches
Treats
- Oven-baked biscuits for training rewards
- Processed rawhide chews support dental health
- Jerky tenders and meaty sticks for longer-lasting chewing
- Always made from our signature recipes without fillers
No matter which recipes or textures your dog loves, we offer cost-effective formula variety packs so you can add enrichment and try new flavors.
Our Commitment to Customers
Since the early days when Earl himself sold his hand-mixed dog food out of the back of his shop, outstanding customer service has been central to the Earls Dog Food® mission. We never forget that your dog is a valued family member first and foremost. Their health, happiness, and safety is our top priority.
To ensure your complete satisfaction, we provide:
- Nutritionists and veterinarians available to answer your pet diet questions
- Swift resolution if you ever have an issue with a damaged or defective product
- 100% money-back guarantee if you are ever unsatisfied for any reason
- Consumer education about canine nutrition and our brand values
- Rewards programs for loyal customers
- Recyclable, sustainable packaging to reduce environmental impact
We know you want the very best for your hardworking dog – and that’s what drives us every day at Earls Dog Food®. Contact us anytime with questions, comments, or feedback. We can’t wait to hear from you!
Getting Involved in Our Community
In the spirit of our founder Earl, Earls Dog Food® believes in contributing to causes that make a difference for dogs and the people who love them. That’s why we proudly partner with and donate to organizations like:
- Dog charities that rescue, rehabilitate, and re-home abandoned pups
- Service dog organizations that train assistance dogs for veterans, the disabled, and those with medical needs
- Sled dog racing sponsorships to support mushers and their incredible canine athletes
- Animal therapy programs that brighten the lives of people in nursing homes, schools, and hospitals
- K9 police units which help protect our communities
- Disaster relief groups that care for lost and displaced pets
Our most cherished tradition is the annual Earls Dog Food® 5K Fun Run & Walk. This nationwide event brings tens of thousands of dogs and dog lovers together to socialize, exercise, compete, and fundraise for local animal welfare groups. We can’t wait to see you and your furry friends there!
The Future of Earls Dog Food®
Thanks to our loyal customers, Earls Dog Food® has grown over the decades from Earl’s tiny homemade operation into one of the nation’s leading makers of premium dog food. But our roots remain strong.
We still oversee production from our UK factories. Our original recipes using fresh meats and wholesome ingredients continue to drive innovation. And nothing brings us more joy than sharing our passion for canine health and nutrition.
Looking ahead, we remain committed to:
- Utilizing the latest research to enhance our specialty diet formulas
- Expanding our product ranges to offer even greater variety
- Investing in state-of-the-art technology and production methods
- Finding new ways to reduce our environmental impact
- Supporting causes that improve canine health and wellbeing
Most of all, we’ll never stop loving dogs – it’s in our name! From our family to yours, thank you for trusting Earls Dog Food® to feed and nourish your beloved pup. We can’t wait to see what the next 50 years has in store!
