Brit Fresh Duck & Millet, 12 kg is a dry food for active adult dogs made with fresh duck and millet. The first ingredients are fresh duck (40%) and dried duck (30%), followed by chicken fat preserved with mixed tocopherols, oats, millet (4%), buckwheat, apples and beetroot. Then come salmon, chicken liver, brewer's yeast, flaxseed, collagen, courgette (2%), spinach (0.4%) and herbs. The food contains the probiotic Enterococcus faecium, glucosamine (1700 mg/kg) and chondroitin sulphate (1300 mg/kg). Its energy value is 4200 kcal/kg.
Ingredients in detail
The herbs and plant additions include seaweed, blackcurrant, parsley, rosemary, thyme, calendula (0.3%) and dandelion. Functional additives per kilogram: fructo-oligosaccharides 220 mg, beta-glucans 200 mg, mannan-oligosaccharides 180 mg and yucca 150 mg. Green-lipped mussel is listed in the card as "100 kg/kg", which is clearly a typo; in the sister Brit Fresh formula the same additive is given as 100 mg/kg.
Key specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Type | dry food, holistic class |
| For | active adult dogs |
| Meat and fish | fresh duck 40%, dried duck 30%, salmon, chicken liver |
| Cereals | oats, millet 4%, buckwheat |
| Glucosamine / chondroitin | 1700 / 1300 mg/kg |
| Probiotic | Enterococcus faecium |
| Energy value | 4200 kcal/kg |
| Pack size | 12 kg |
Pros
- 70% duck. Fresh and dried duck at the top of the list.
- High energy. 4200 kcal/kg for dogs with heavy workloads.
- Joints. Glucosamine 1700 mg/kg and chondroitin 1300 mg/kg matter for running and jumping.
- Probiotic and prebiotics. For stable digestion.
- Vegetables and herbs. Courgette, spinach, calendula and blackcurrant.
- 12 kg bag. Good value for large active dogs.
Cons and what to watch
- Not just duck. Chicken fat and chicken liver rule it out for chicken-allergic dogs.
- Too rich for lazy dogs. A less active dog can easily gain weight.
- Typo in the card. The mussel content is given as "100 kg/kg".
- No analysis. Protein and fat are not listed in the card.
What "for active dogs" means
Active dogs are those that run a lot, work, do sports or spend several hours outdoors every day: hunting and herding breeds, agility and canicross dogs, young energetic pets. They need more calories and protein to recover their muscles. A food with 4200 kcal/kg covers this need with a smaller portion. If your dog walks for half an hour a day, Brit Fresh Chicken & Potato at 3810 kcal/kg will suit it better.
Duck and millet
Duck is a fatty, tasty meat, so even fussy dogs usually eat this food willingly. Millet together with oats and buckwheat provides energy and fibre; most dogs tolerate these cereals without problems. The food is not grain-free, but there is no wheat or corn in it either. The vegetables — courgette and spinach — add fibre and variety.
Joints under load
In active dogs the joints take a beating: jumps, sudden stops, long runs. High glucosamine and chondroitin, plus collagen and mussel, are a strong point of this formula. It is support, not treatment: limping and pain need a vet check. Warm your dog up before serious exercise and let it rest afterwards.
How much to feed
The amount on the pack depends on weight and activity level. On rest days you can reduce the portion slightly, and on competition days or long hikes increase it. Watch your dog's shape: an active dog should have easily felt ribs and a visible waist. The calculation is in how much food to give a dog per day.
Water and meal timing
An active dog loses a lot of fluid, so water must always be available, and you should take it with you on walks and training. Do not give a big meal right before intense exercise or straight after it — allow an hour or an hour and a half of rest, which lowers the risk of stomach problems. In hot weather, move exercise to the morning and evening — see dogs in hot weather: how to prevent overheating.
Storage
After opening, close the 12 kg bag tightly and keep it in a dry, cool place. Duck fat and salmon are prone to oxidation, so it is best to finish the food within six to eight weeks. Details are in how to store dry food.
Who it suits
The food suits active, working and sporting adult dogs without a chicken allergy. Less active dogs are better off with a lower-calorie formula. Other options are in our holistic dog food collection and the dry dog food section.
Verdict
Brit Fresh Duck & Millet is an energy-dense food for active dogs: 70% duck, millet, oats and buckwheat, a probiotic, high doses of glucosamine and chondroitin, and 4200 kcal/kg. The downsides are the chicken fat and liver in the recipe, the typo in the mussel content, the missing analysis, and the risk of weight gain for a less active dog.
FAQ
Which dogs is this food for?
Active adult dogs.
How much duck does it contain?
40% fresh duck and 30% dried duck.
Does it contain chicken?
Yes, chicken fat and chicken liver.
How many calories?
4200 kcal/kg.
Is it grain-free?
No, it contains oats, millet and buckwheat.
Are there joint additives?
Yes: glucosamine 1700 mg/kg, chondroitin 1300 mg/kg, collagen and mussel.
Will it suit a less active dog?
A lower-calorie food is a better choice.
