Nature's Variety Selected Junior Chicken vs Dr John Puppy Chicken
Side-by-side comparison of scores, ingredients, prices and real customer feedback for Nature's Variety Selected Junior Chicken and Dr John Puppy Chicken.
Last verified: 01 Mar 2026 · Based on 23 reviews
Our Verdict: Nature's Variety Selected Junior Chicken or Dr John Puppy Chicken?
Nature's Variety edges ahead with higher ingredient quality (82 vs 73) and effectiveness scores, making it the better choice for most junior dogs. However, at £19.27 versus £79.00, Dr John is the clear pick for budget-conscious owners of active or sporting breed puppies who want named-meat nutrition without the premium price.
— AIScored Editorial Team
Nature's Variety Selected Junior Chicken scores 78.0/100 vs Dr John Puppy Chicken at 76.0/100. Nature's Variety Selected Junior Chicken wins on ingredient quality, nutritional value, transparency. Dr John Puppy Chicken is stronger on value for money.
Nature's Variety Selected Junior Chicken vs Dr John Puppy Chicken: What Does the Data Say?
Both are complete dry puppy foods, but they sit at opposite ends of the price spectrum. Nature's Variety Selected uses free-range chicken as its primary protein — a meaningful distinction from vague "meat derivatives" — and includes fish oil for natural DHA to support brain and vision development. At £79.00 for 10kg, it scores 78/100 overall, with ingredient quality and effectiveness both at 82. Dr John, made by Gilbertson & Page, also names its proteins (chicken and salmon) and adds salmon oil for DHA/EPA, scoring 76/100 — but costs just £19.27 for the same weight, earning an 81/100 on value against Nature's Variety's 68.
If budget is a real concern, Dr John is difficult to argue against for most puppy owners — the ingredients story is genuinely decent for the price, and reviewers report dogs take to it well. Nature's Variety is worth paying more for if your puppy has a sensitive stomach or you want the reassurance of free-range sourcing, though there are unconfirmed reports of a recipe change, so it's worth checking the current bag's ingredient list before committing.
One practical note: Dr John is aimed at sporting and working breed puppies, so it may not be the right fit for large or giant breeds that need carefully controlled calcium and phosphorus ratios during growth.
How Do the Scores Compare?
Selected Complete Dry Food ...
Nature's Variety
|
Dr John Dry Puppy Food 10kg...
Gilbertson & Pag
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Score | 78.0 | 76.0 |
| Ingredient Quality |
82.0/100
Best
|
73.0/100 |
| Nutritional Value |
79.0/100
Best
|
74.0/100 |
| Value for Money | 68.0/100 |
81.0/100
Best
|
| Transparency |
74.0/100
Best
|
69.0/100 |
| Palatability |
87.0/100
Best
|
85.0/100 |
| Best Price | £79.00 Amazon UK → |
£25.49
£19.29
Amazon UK →
-24% deal
|
| Form | ||
| Dose | ||
| Third-Party Tested | ✗ No | ✗ No |
| Reviews Analysed | 11 | 12 |
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
Dr John Dry Puppy Food 10kg with...
Pros
- ✓Named chicken and salmon — no vague meat derivatives or by-products
- ✓Salmon oil provides DHA/EPA Omega-3s, supporting puppy brain and visual development
- ✓Dogs consistently reported to enjoy the taste and smell across multiple reviews
- ✓Prebiotics and dietary fibre for healthy digestion; owners report firm, consistent stools
Cons
- ✗Formulated primarily for sporting and working breed puppies — not optimised for large/giant breed puppies who need controlled calcium and phosphorus levels
- ✗Carbohydrate base is likely rice/grain-heavy (noted by reviewers), which, while digestible, dilutes overall meat content
- ✗Exact named-meat inclusion percentage not published, limiting full ingredient quality assessment
- ✗Yucca extract provides mild joint support but at typical inclusion rates the benefit is marginal
Best For
Score Breakdown: Nature's Variety Selected Junior Chicken vs Dr John Puppy Chicken
Nature's Variety Selected Junior with Free-Range Chicken is a premium puppy dry food built around a clearly named, high-welfare protein source and no by-products or meat meal, which places it above average for ingredient transparency in the puppy-food segment.
What are the key differences?
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Nature's Variety Selected Junior Chicken or Dr John Puppy Chicken? ▼
Is Nature's Variety Selected Junior Chicken worth the price compared to Dr John Puppy Chicken? ▼
Which has fewer side effects? ▼
Related Product Comparisons
Alpha Sporting Puppy Dry Dog Food
vs Selected Complete Dry Food for Junior Dogs with Free Range Chicken - 10 Kg
Alpha Sporting Puppy Dry Dog Food
vs Dr John Dry Puppy Food 10kg with Omega-3s - Chicken Recipe - Complete Nutrition for Puppies of Sporting Active Breeds - Junior High Protein Dry Dog Food.
Kibble + Raw Puppy Food - Free Run Turkey (5 x 1.5kg) ❘ Nutritious High Protein Kibble Combined with Freeze-Dried Raw Meat Nuggets, Contains Essential Oils & Minerals, Grain & Gluten Free
vs Selected Complete Dry Food for Junior Dogs with Free Range Chicken - 10 Kg
Kibble + Raw Puppy Food - Free Run Turkey (5 x 1.5kg) ❘ Nutritious High Protein Kibble Combined with Freeze-Dried Raw Meat Nuggets, Contains Essential Oils & Minerals, Grain & Gluten Free
vs Dr John Dry Puppy Food 10kg with Omega-3s - Chicken Recipe - Complete Nutrition for Puppies of Sporting Active Breeds - Junior High Protein Dry Dog Food.
PRO PLAN Medium Puppy Healthy Start up to 12-15 Months Dry Dog Food Chicken 3kg Pack
vs Selected Complete Dry Food for Junior Dogs with Free Range Chicken - 10 Kg
PRO PLAN Medium Puppy Healthy Start up to 12-15 Months Dry Dog Food Chicken 3kg Pack
vs Dr John Dry Puppy Food 10kg with Omega-3s - Chicken Recipe - Complete Nutrition for Puppies of Sporting Active Breeds - Junior High Protein Dry Dog Food.
Disclaimer: AIScored provides data-driven comparisons based on publicly available reviews. This is not medical advice. Affiliate links may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you.
Feedback & Suggestions
Spotted an issue? Wrong price, incorrect data, or something else off? Let us know and we'll fix it.
Missing a product you'd like us to review? Tell us the product name and we'll consider adding it.