Working dogs are remarkable animals. Whether they are gathering sheep across a hillside, retrieving on a shoot, assisting someone with a disability or competing on the track, their work can place very different demands on them from those experienced by the average family pet.

Naturally, those demands can also affect how they should be fed.

With McDug’s larger bags moving to a new 13.5kg format — and a new two-bag, one-box option on the way — we thought this was the perfect time to explain what “working-dog food” really means.

What makes a dog a working dog?

A working dog is defined by what the individual dog does, rather than simply by its breed.

A Border Collie living as a family pet is not automatically a working dog because Border Collies are traditionally associated with farms. Equally, breed, size or energy level alone does not determine whether a dog is genuinely working.

In its guidance on food for working dogs, HMRC gives examples including:

• Working sheepdogs of any breed
• Assistance dogs
• Dogs trained and used as gundogs
• Racing greyhounds

The important distinction is between a dog that performs a genuine working role and a companion dog that happens to be active or belongs to a traditional working breed.

You can read the full definition in HMRC’s guidance on animals and animal food.

Assistance dogs: work that changes lives

Not every working dog spends its day on a farm or in the countryside. Some perform life-changing roles alongside individuals, families and communities.

McDug is proud to supply dog food to our friends at Dogs for Good.

Dogs for Good brings people and dogs together through carefully matched assistance-dog partnerships, family-focused guidance and community programmes. Its specially trained dogs can provide both practical and emotional support, helping people build confidence, enjoy greater independence and live fuller lives.

These wonderful dogs are a powerful reminder that “work” can take many different forms. Their role may include retrieving objects, supporting everyday routines, improving access to the world or helping someone feel more confident and connected.

Behind every successful partnership is a great deal of careful training, dedication and trust — alongside the need to keep each dog healthy, happy and properly nourished.

What is different about feeding a working dog?

A dog’s nutritional needs are influenced by far more than its size. Its workload, environment, age, body condition and the type of activity it performs can all make a difference.

A working dog may need additional energy to support:

• Long periods of sustained activity
• Short bursts of intense physical effort
• Regular training and recovery
• Working outdoors in cold or demanding conditions
• Maintaining a healthy weight and body condition during busy periods

However, not every working dog needs the same amount of food.

A sheepdog working for several hours on a cold hillside will have different demands from an assistance dog whose role may be less physically intensive. Feeding should therefore be based on the needs of the individual dog rather than the job title alone.

Does working-dog food mean “more protein”?

Protein is important because it contributes to the growth and maintenance of muscle mass. However, good working-dog nutrition is not simply about finding the highest protein percentage on a label.

The quality and digestibility of the ingredients, the overall energy content of the recipe and the balance of nutrients all matter. The right food should support the dog’s workload while helping it maintain a healthy weight, firm stools and good overall condition.

At McDug, we believe the starting point should always be a complete, balanced recipe made with carefully selected ingredients — not an impressive-looking number on the front of a bag.

How much should a working dog eat?

The feeding guide on the bag provides a useful starting point, but it cannot account for every dog or every working day.

A dog’s portion may need to change depending on:

• How frequently it works
• The length and intensity of its activity
• Its age and body weight
• Its natural metabolism
• The season and temperature
• Whether it is maintaining, gaining or losing weight

Keep an eye on your dog’s body condition rather than relying only on the number on the scales. You should be able to feel the ribs without pressing heavily, while the dog should have a visible waist when viewed from above.

Very active dogs may benefit from having their daily food divided into two or more meals. Avoid feeding a large meal immediately before or after strenuous activity, and make sure fresh drinking water is always available.

If you are unsure about your dog’s weight, health or nutritional requirements, speak to your vet.

Is working-dog food only about VAT?

Working-dog food is often discussed in connection with VAT, but the definition is not determined simply by the size of the bag.

HMRC’s guidance says that qualifying food must be held out for sale exclusively for working dogs. Food promoted as suitable for every breed, size and age of dog is treated differently.

McDug is not currently VAT registered and does not add VAT to its selling prices. We therefore do not promote our working-dog range by promising a “20% VAT saving”. Our priority is to present the range clearly and responsibly so customers can select the appropriate option for their dog.

If your dog is a family companion rather than a genuine working dog, please choose from our regular range.

Why are McDug’s larger bags changing to 13.5kg?

Over the next few weeks, our existing 12kg and 15kg options will begin moving to a new 13.5kg bag format.

This is a packaging change. The recipes themselves are not being changed as part of the move to the new bag size, so your dog can continue enjoying the McDug food it knows and loves.

Because the transition will happen gradually, you may temporarily see a mixture of 12kg, 13.5kg and 15kg options while existing packaging is replaced.

When comparing the old and new formats, remember to check both the total bag price and the displayed price per kilogram. A 13.5kg bag will also last for a different length of time, depending on your dog’s daily feeding amount.

Introducing our two-bag, one-box option

Alongside the new bag size, we will be introducing an option to order two 13.5kg bags together.

That provides 27kg of food delivered in one outer box, making it a useful choice for multi-dog households, working-dog owners with higher feeding requirements and customers who prefer to place larger, less frequent orders.

It will also allow you to keep a second sealed bag ready without having one very large bag open for an extended period.

Proper food for dogs with a job to do

Working dogs give an enormous amount through their focus, intelligence, stamina and loyalty. Feeding them well means looking beyond labels and choosing food that suits the individual dog, its workload and its condition.

Our friends at Dogs for Good demonstrate just how much a well-trained and well-cared-for dog can contribute to someone’s life. We’re proud that McDug food helps support their dogs as they prepare for such important roles.

Our new 13.5kg bags and two-bag, one-box option are intended to make ordering simpler and more convenient, without changing the trusted recipes inside.

Keep an eye on the McDug website and Weekly Walkies emails as the new bag options become available.

Proper food. Happy dogs.