Merrick Backcountry Big Game Dry Dog Food, 22 Lbs.

Well worth the price. We have noticed a significant increase in the energy level and overall health of our dogs after switching their diets to this brand. While it is nearly twice the price of normal dog food, it is well worth the peace of mind knowing the dogs are getting great quality of ingredients. They seem to enjoy it very well, after diving right into eating it. The Freshir ingredients and the lack of chemicals are the ingredients list certainly helps us rest easy now we are feeding our dogs a great product. They are looking and feeling great, and almost appeared to have more energy and be more vinyl wood plank or working around the yWe have noticed a significant increase in the energy level and overall health of our dogs after switching their diets to this brand. While it is nearly twice the price of normal dog food, it is well worth the peace of mind knowing the dogs are getting great quality of ingredients. They seem to enjoy it very well, after diving right into eating it. The fresher ingredients and the lack of chemicals are the ingredients list certainly helps us rest easy now we are feeding our dogs a great product. They are looking and feeling great, and almost appear to have more energy and be more vital when playing or working around the backyard

I've tried several of the other varieties/flavors of this particular product. The Game Bird has a much, much lower ratio of the freeze-dried all meat nuggets to kibble than the other flavors.The Chicken flavor has consistently had the highest ratio of the freeze-dried meat nuggets, and those seem to be my dog's favorite part. I've recently discovered and have been ordering additional treat size bags of Merrick's freeze-dried beef nuggets that are identical to the nuggets mixed with this kibble in order to add additional meat protein. I received a rescued dog 16 months before writing this review and early on, I tried a variety of higher end packaged dog food. Aside from various brands of refrigerated dog foods (which I occasionally use as more of a treat), this variety of Merrick food seems to be my dog's favorite brand--I'm convinced it's the freeze-dried nuggets as he not only consistently looks forward to meal time, he eats the freeze-dried nuggets first. Other brands and even different varieties of Merrick's that when offered for the first time, he would dive in for most new brands, but after 2-3 servings, he wouldn't be as quick to eat it the next meals. However, after several continuous bags of this particular style of Merrick's,food in the Chicken flavor, he still goes for it as if it were a new food. Equally important is that I'm satisfied with the ingredients, from where they are sourced and where the manufacturing is done for this item.

My old dog can't handle ANY grain, not even an oatmeal dog treat. She tolerates this food well, and this is a good price. Poor old Tashi - I thought she was suffering from dementia, exhibited really aberrant behavior. Tashi appeared to be in pain, and I considered that this might be the end time for her. (She is 11, weighs in at 50 lbs.) This dog panted, walked in circles on the bed at night, and often got one or two Xanax pills to get through the night. She would also scratch at me, and when I was working at the computer she would grab at my arms to take my hands off the keyboard. A Thundershirt helped a little, but I was lacking sleep and not getting much work done. She didn't throw up, didn't have diarrhea, but something was wrong. After two vets telling me that grain free food was pretty much a con, that dogs weren't gluten sensitive, I thought it was worth a try. The other options didn't look too good. My vet admitted that yes, I have a dog that is obviously allergic to gluten.Voila! I have my dog back!! She is happy, healthy, and I am so glad I tried this food.She is doing just fine, sleeps through the night (which means I am, too), and she even plays with my other dog in the yard, tail wagging, acting almost like a puppy. I am grateful.

This is the only food my dog will eat. It’s super fresh and great ingredients!

Our Border Collie, Gibson Coal Porter, just had his first birthday December 2nd, and he has switched to adult dog food. I knew the best food for him was Merrick Backcountry. I have had Gibson since he was a baby, and he was fed exclusively Merrick Backcountry Puppy Food. For his first year, he has thrived on Merrick. His eyes are bright, his fur is shiny, muscle and bone structure is superb; vet tells us he is in excellent health. I mixed the Merrick Adult and Puppy Food half-and-half in order to get Gibson's digestion used to the adult diet. I have experienced zero problems with stomach upset. I chose the Merrick Hero's Banquet as I am so pleased to know Merrick supports our Veterans through a program with this dog food. I also like the ingredients with this food. No problems getting him to eat; Gibson really enjoys this food. This high protein, grain-free food gives him energy and supports his immune system, and also helps ensure his muscle development has all the nutrients he needs to continue to develop as he should. I save the freeze-dried bits for training. Gibson thinks they are wonderful.

This is my 4th bag & I got a bag with 4 raw pieces in it. FOUR pieces- from a 12 lb bag. Not happy, as the price is crazy high for this lack of quality control.Update: The company is sending me a replacement bag. Maybe they just had an issue at the packing facility & didn’t catch them all before they went out?I just purchased my 5th bag of this food & quality is back to normal. My dog loves this food & never fails to eat it all. Also knowing the charity my money is helping gives me warm fuzzies- in spite of the price. Took off one star for the hassle of having a disappointed dog for a month without his raw pieces. He is such a spoiled brat!Photo shows a normal portioned mix of the kibble & freeze dried raw pieces.

I buy this dog food because my dog won’t eat anything else. The 30$ + for 4 lbs isn’t cheap or fair but he eats it without complaint. Not sure what’s going on but this bag and the one previously are half crumbs. This did not happen with the first few I bought. So about 15$ wasted.

FInd it to be a knock off to what we buy in stores. Dogs have way more droppings on this batch