Dutch Shepherd feeding guide: how much and how often
Daily calories, portions by age and practical feeding tips for the Dutch Shepherd.
A working or sport Dutch Shepherd of 28 kg (62 lb) often eats around 350 to 450 g of dry food a day, roughly 3.5 to 4.5 cups, and more during heavy training blocks. A pet with moderate exercise needs less. Keep your dog lean enough that the last couple of ribs are faintly visible when it moves; spare weight slows a dog built for agility and loads its joints.
Many handlers feed part of the daily ration during training, which turns meals into work and builds focus on the handler. Avoid intense exercise within an hour of the main meal, since the breed has a fairly deep chest. Fast eaters do well with a slow feeder or a food-dispensing toy, which also hands a busy brain something to solve.
Dutch Shepherd feeding in numbers
Illustrative adult portions
| Dog | Weight | Calories | Dry food per day |
|---|---|---|---|
| Female, relaxed lifestyle | 26 kg | 1130 kcal | 305 g (3 cups) |
| Female, typical pet | 26 kg | 1290 kcal | 350 g (3.5 cups) |
| Male, typical pet | 31 kg | 1450 kcal | 395 g (4 cups) |
| Male, very active | 31 kg | 1820 kcal | 490 g (5 cups) |
Puppy portions need measured weight, growth stage and the food’s energy content. A breed-average curve is not a feeding plan. Calculate with measured inputs and review the result with your vet.
Bowl capacity
1800 ml
21.5 cm across
Product height estimate
40.5 to 46.5 cm
not a veterinary recommendation
Rough drinking estimate
1.4 to 1.7 L
keep fresh water freely available
Adult examples assume midpoint breed weights, neutered pets and food with 370 kcal per 100 g. Cups assume 100 g per cup; actual food density varies. These are not measured breed requirements. Use actual weight, the food label and veterinary body-condition advice.