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Alpha Sporting Puppy vs Nature's Variety Selected Junior Chicken

Side-by-side comparison of scores, ingredients, prices and real customer feedback for Alpha Sporting Puppy and Nature's Variety Selected Junior Chicken.

Last verified: 28 Mar 2026 · Based on 17 reviews

81.0
Score Summary

Alpha Sporting Puppy scores 81.0/100 vs Nature's Variety Selected Junior Chicken at 78.0/100. Alpha Sporting Puppy wins on value for money. Nature's Variety Selected Junior Chicken is stronger on ingredient quality and nutritional value.

Alpha Sporting Puppy vs Nature's Variety Selected Junior Chicken: What Does the Data Say?

Alpha Sporting Puppy Dry Dog Food edges out Selected Complete Dry Food for Junior Dogs with Free Range Chicken by scoring 81/100 overall against 78/100. The two dry kibbles differ mainly in protein levels and sourcing details. Alpha uses named chicken as the main protein with a declared 29 percent content that meets FEDIAF puppy needs with room for active types. Selected Complete relies on named free range chicken without any meat derivatives or by products yet its full ingredient list and exact protein percentage stay unclear. Fish meal and linseed give Alpha two omega 3 sources while Selected Complete depends on fish oil alone for DHA.

Owners on tighter budgets should pick Alpha Sporting Puppy Dry Dog Food which costs £33.75 and earns 84/100 for value. Sporting and working breed puppies such as retrievers spaniels and pointers up to 18 months suit it best especially those with wheat gluten sensitivity or loose stools. Selected Complete Dry Food for Junior Dogs with Free Range Chicken fits puppies from weaning to 12 to 18 months with standard energy needs and mild sensitivities but its £79.00 price pulls value down to 68/100.

Practical matters include palatability and gut response. Multiple owners saw shinier coats on Alpha plus one fixed chronic diarrhoea and another had no transition problems. Selected Complete shows strong acceptance across breeds over time though one report flagged a possible recipe change with no brand reply. Alpha works for higher activity levels but its 29 percent protein could prove too much for low energy or toy breed pups. Only six reviews limit data on Alpha while Selected Complete lacks guaranteed analysis details.

How Do the Scores Compare?

Alpha Sporting Puppy Dry Dog Food
Selected Complete Dry Food ...
Alpha Sporting Puppy Dry Dog Food
Alpha Sporting Puppy Dry Dog Food
Alpha
Selected Complete Dry Food for Junior Dogs with Free Range Chicken - 10 Kg
Selected Complete Dry Food ...
Nature's Variety
Overall Score 81.0 78.0
Ingredient Quality 80.0/100 82.0/100
Best
Nutritional Value 78.0/100 79.0/100
Best
Value for Money 84.0/100
Best
68.0/100
Transparency 72.0/100 74.0/100
Best
Palatability 87.0/100
Best
87.0/100
Best
Best Price £15.69 Amazon UK →
Cheapest
£79.00 Amazon UK →
Form
Dose
Third-Party Tested ✗ No ✗ No
Reviews Analysed 6 11

Alpha Sporting Puppy Dry Dog Food

Pros

  • Named chicken as primary protein source with a declared 29% protein content — meets FEDIAF puppy requirements with margin for active breeds
  • Fish meal and linseed provide dual omega-3 sources; multiple owners independently noted shinier coats after switching
  • One owner reported complete resolution of chronic diarrhoea; another's sensitive-stomach dog had no issues during transition
  • Small kibble size suits young puppies, including a 12-week-old Labrador mentioned in reviews

Cons

  • Designed specifically for sporting and racing breeds — 29% protein may be excessive for low-activity or toy breed puppies
  • Only 6 reviews available, limiting confidence in palatability and digestibility data
  • Full ingredient list not published in product data, so the proportion of chicken versus fish meal versus plant-based fillers cannot be verified

Best For

Sporting and working breed puppies (retrievers, spaniels, pointers) up to 18 months Puppies with wheat gluten sensitivity or recurring loose stools Owners wanting named protein sources without by-products at a mid-range price point
View full review →

Selected Complete Dry Food for J...

Pros

  • Named free-range chicken as primary protein — no generic meat derivatives, by-products or meat meal
  • Fish oil provides natural DHA, meeting developmental needs for puppy brain, vision and nervous system maturation
  • Consistently high palatability reported across multiple reviewers and dog breeds over long periods
  • Free from artificial colours, preservatives and flavourings — clean label for a growing puppy

Cons

  • At least one reviewer reported a possible recipe reformulation removing chicken inclusions, with no response from the brand — ingredient consistency should be verified
  • Full ingredient list and guaranteed analysis not provided, making precise FEDIAF compliance (calcium:phosphorus ratio, crude protein %) difficult to confirm
  • Premium price point flagged as high relative to perceived value after suspected reformulation
  • Occasional Amazon fulfilment errors reported (wrong product or wrong size delivered) — not a product fault, but worth ordering directly from trusted retailers

Best For

Puppies and junior dogs from weaning to approximately 12–18 months Small-to-medium breeds with standard developmental energy needs Dogs with mild food sensitivities or soft stool issues Owners prioritising additive-free, named-meat ingredients at a mid-premium price point
View full review →

Score Breakdown: Alpha Sporting Puppy vs Nature's Variety Selected Junior Chicken

Alpha Sporting Puppy Winner 81.0/100

At 29% protein from named chicken and omega-3-rich fish meal, this is a properly specified sporting puppy food rather than a generic 'puppy formula'.

Ingredient Quality
Alpha Sporting P..
80.0/100
Selected Complet..
82.0/100
Nutritional Value
Alpha Sporting P..
78.0/100
Selected Complet..
79.0/100
Value for Money
Alpha Sporting P..
84.0/100
Selected Complet..
68.0/100
Transparency
Alpha Sporting P..
72.0/100
Selected Complet..
74.0/100
Palatability
Alpha Sporting P..
87.0/100
Selected Complet..
87.0/100

What are the key differences?

Alpha Sporting Puppy is best for: Sporting and working breed puppies (retrievers, spaniels, pointers) up to 18 months, Puppies with wheat gluten sensitivity or recurring loose stools
Nature's Variety Selected Junior Chicken is best for: Puppies and junior dogs from weaning to approximately 12–18 months, Small-to-medium breeds with standard developmental energy needs

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better, Alpha Sporting Puppy or Nature's Variety Selected Junior Chicken?
Alpha Sporting Puppy scores 81.0/100 overall while Nature's Variety Selected Junior Chicken scores 78.0/100. Alpha Sporting Puppy comes out ahead, scoring higher on effectiveness (0 vs 0). Alpha Sporting Puppy is best suited for Sporting and working breed puppies (retrievers, spaniels, pointers) up to 18 months and Puppies with wheat gluten sensitivity or recurring loose stools. Nature's Variety Selected Junior Chicken is better for Puppies and junior dogs from weaning to approximately 12–18 months and Small-to-medium breeds with standard developmental energy needs.
Is Alpha Sporting Puppy worth the price compared to Nature's Variety Selected Junior Chicken?
Alpha Sporting Puppy costs £15.69 while Nature's Variety Selected Junior Chicken is £79.00. For value, Alpha Sporting Puppy scores 84.0/100 vs Nature's Variety Selected Junior Chicken's 68.0/100. Alpha Sporting Puppy delivers better value relative to its quality.
Which has fewer side effects?
Alpha Sporting Puppy scores 0/100 for side effects (higher means fewer reported issues) while Nature's Variety Selected Junior Chicken scores 0/100. Both have similar side effect profiles based on user reviews. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any supplement.

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