Happy Dog Welpen NaturCroq, 4 kg is a complete premium dry food from the German brand Happy Dog for puppies of all breeds aged 4 weeks to 6 months. It's designed around the special needs of a growing body: valuable animal proteins, easily digested grains and all the necessary vitamins, minerals and trace elements. An important detail: the manufacturer recommends moving medium and large-breed puppies to the second phase, Happy Dog Supreme Junior with reduced protein, from 5 months.
Why switch at 5 months
In medium and large breeds the bones grow for a long time, and overly rapid growth puts extra strain on the joints. So after the teeth change, these puppies need food with less protein and energy for steadier growth. Small-breed puppies grow faster and can stay on Welpen until 6 months. Feeding by age is covered in detail in what to feed a puppy by age.
Ingredients
Poultry meal, wheat flour, maize flour, rice flour, whole maize, poultry fat, beef fat, fish meal, liver hydrolysate, sugar-free beet pulp, meat meal, dried apple pulp (0.8%), dried yeast, malt sprouts, salt, and dried herbs — green oats, sunflower, cress and parsley (0.3% in total). Per kilogram it adds vitamins A, D3 and E, B vitamins, biotin, iron, copper, zinc (including chelated), manganese, iodine and selenium. The antioxidants are natural tocopherol extracts.
Key specs
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Age | 4 weeks to 6 months (medium and large breeds — up to 5 months) |
| Breeds | all |
| Protein / fat | 29% / 14% |
| Fibre / ash | 3% / 7% |
| Calcium / phosphorus | 1.25% / 0.85% |
| Energy | 3720 kcal/kg |
| Pack | 4 kg |
Pros
- From 4 weeks. Suitable for weaning and the first months of life.
- Poultry comes first. The animal protein source is poultry meal.
- For bones. Calcium 1.25%, phosphorus 0.85% and vitamin D3.
- For all breeds. A clear switching plan for medium and large breeds.
- Herbs and yeast. For digestion and appetite.
- Natural antioxidants. Tocopherol extracts.
Cons
- Lots of grain. Wheat, maize and rice flour plus whole maize.
- Several animal proteins. Poultry, beef fat, fish and unspecified meat meal.
- A short window. Medium and large-breed puppies need to switch as early as 5 months.
- No feeding table on the product page. Check the amount on the bag.
How to feed a puppy
Choose the amount from the table on the bag based on age and the expected adult weight. Puppies under 3 months usually need 4–5 meals a day, and 3–4 up to 6 months. For very young puppies the kibble can be softened with warm water. If the puppy is still on its mother's milk or bottle-fed, introduce the food gradually; for a milk replacer see our review of Beaphar Lactol Puppy Milk. Part of the daily ration makes a handy training reward — more in treats for dog training.
A puppy at home: what else to consider
Don't change food in the first days after the move — the puppy has enough stress as it is. Weigh it weekly and compare the gain with the table. A list of puppy essentials is in a puppy at home: shopping list, and vaccinations are covered in vaccinations for puppies and kittens. For the next stage in large breeds, compare with Brit Premium Junior L.
Who it suits
Puppies of all breeds from 4 weeks — small breeds up to 6 months, medium and large breeds up to 5 months — without food allergies. More foods are in the dry puppy food section.
Verdict
Happy Dog Welpen NaturCroq is a German starter food for puppies from 4 weeks, with poultry first, balanced calcium and phosphorus and natural antioxidants. The downsides are a lot of grain and several protein sources. The key is to move medium and large-breed puppies to Junior on time, at 5 months.
FAQ
From what age can it be fed?
From 4 weeks.
Until what age?
Small breeds up to 6 months; medium and large breeds up to 5 months.
What should I switch to afterwards?
The manufacturer recommends Happy Dog Supreme Junior with reduced protein.
How much protein and fat?
Protein 29%, fat 14%.
Does it contain grains?
Yes — wheat, maize and rice flour and maize.
Can the kibble be soaked?
Yes, for very young puppies it can be softened with warm water.
How many calories does it have?
3720 kcal per kilogram.
