Editorial ratings based on published specifications, manufacturer data and verified owner reviews. We have not physically tested this product.
| DURABILITY | 80 | STRONG | |
| VALUE INDEX | 90 | STRONG | |
| BREED COMPATIBILITY | 85 | STRONG | |
| EASE OF USE | 80 | STRONG | |
| AU SUPPLY CHAIN | 95 | STRONG |
What’s in it
According to Black Hawk’s own product page, Black Hawk Large Breed Adult contains at least 23% protein and 14% fat, and provides about 3,690 kcal per kilo. The main protein is chicken meal, a rendered, dried chicken protein that is more concentrated by weight than fresh meat. At 23%, its protein is lower than Advance (25%) and Royal Canin Maxi Adult (26%), but higher than Hill’s Science Diet Large Breed (20.5%).
The carbohydrates come from rice and oats, with no wheat or corn, which is Black Hawk’s main selling point. Field peas add protein and fibre, but plant proteins raise the protein figure without the full range of amino acids found in meat. Fats come from chicken fat, fish meal, canola oil and emu oil.
Emu oil
Black Hawk’s distinctive ingredient is Australian emu oil. It is naturally rich in omega-3, omega-6 and omega-9 fatty acids and is known for anti-inflammatory properties. For heavy dogs whose joints take a lot of strain, it adds to the support from the glucosamine and chondroitin in the food.
Black Hawk doesn’t say how much emu oil the food contains. It appears near the end of the ingredient list, so the amount is probably small. If you want exact figures, Hill’s Science Diet is the only one of the four foods we compare that states its glucosamine (300 ppm) and chondroitin (550 ppm) levels on the label.
Joint support
Glucosamine and chondroitin are added directly, rather than coming from other ingredients such as hydrolysed crustaceans (Royal Canin) or green-lipped mussel (Advance). That should make the amounts more consistent, but because they aren’t stated on the label, you can’t tell how much your dog is getting. For breeds at high risk of joint problems, such as German Shepherds, Rottweilers and Great Danes, consider asking your vet about a separate joint supplement.
Digestion and kibble size
Chicory root (a source of inulin) and beet pulp provide prebiotic fibre to feed good gut bacteria. Fibre is capped at 4.5%, and yucca extract is added to reduce stool odour.
The kibble is made larger for big jaws, which encourages chewing and slows eating. Eating more slowly may help reduce the risk of bloat (gastric dilatation-volvulus) in deep-chested dogs, though kibble size is only one of several factors.
Skin, coat and antioxidants
The mix of fats (emu oil, fish meal, canola oil and chicken fat) provides a broad range of omega fatty acids for healthy skin and coat. Dried blueberries, cranberries, dandelion, peppermint, rosemary, tomato powder and carrots add antioxidants. Each is present in small amounts, but together they reflect Black Hawk’s “natural” approach.
What it costs per day
At about $150 for a 20 kg bag ($7.50 a kilo, October 2026), Black Hawk is the cheapest per kilo of the four large-breed foods we compare. The 20 kg bag is also the largest, compared with Royal Canin (15 kg), Hill’s (12 kg) and Advance (15 kg). Estimated daily cost at normal activity:
25 kg dog: about 240-300 g a day = $1.80-$2.25 a day
30 kg dog: about 275-345 g a day = $2.06-$2.59 a day
35 kg dog: about 310-390 g a day = $2.33-$2.93 a day
40 kg dog: about 340-430 g a day = $2.55-$3.23 a day
50 kg dog: about 400-505 g a day = $3.00-$3.79 a day
A 20 kg bag lasts about 40 to 83 days, depending on your dog’s size. For a typical 35 kg dog that is about $850 to $1,070 a year, the lowest of the four foods.
How it compares
Royal Canin Maxi Adult ($10.53/kg): Royal Canin has more protein (26% against 23%) and states its omega-3 levels. It’s imported, costs about 40% more per kilo, and gets its joint support from hydrolysed crustaceans and cartilage rather than added glucosamine and emu oil.
Hill’s Science Diet Large Breed ($12.58/kg): Hill’s gives the clearest supplement figures (300 ppm glucosamine, 550 ppm chondroitin) and adds its ActivBiome+ prebiotic blend. It has the lowest protein (20.5%), the highest price per kilo and a 12 kg bag. Black Hawk costs about 40% less per kilo, in a bag almost twice the size.
Advance Large Breed ($9.27/kg): Advance is the closest rival. Both are Australian-made and include joint support. Advance uses green-lipped mussel; Black Hawk uses added glucosamine and chondroitin plus emu oil. Advance has a little more protein (25% against 23%) but comes in a smaller 15 kg bag. Black Hawk is wheat-free and cheaper per kilo.
Where to buy it in Australia
Black Hawk describes this food as Australian-formulated and produced. It’s stocked nationally at Amazon Australia (ASIN B07GD9X5VM), Pet Circle, Petstock, Petbarn and independent pet shops. No recalls have been recorded for this product (checked March 2026).
Yearly cost
For a typical 35 kg dog over 12 months:
Food: about $850-$1,070 a year (based on $150 per 20 kg bag, 310-390 g a day)
Per month: about $71-$89
Per day: about $2.33-$2.93
Compared on price per kilogram (October 2026): Black Hawk about $7.50, Advance about $9.27, Royal Canin $10.53 and Hill’s about $12.58. Black Hawk is the best value of the four, and a good choice if you want a wheat-free food with emu oil and don’t need maximum protein.
Breeds that suit this food include active, working-type dogs such as the Australian Cattle Dog, Rottweiler and Labrador Retriever.
| Bag Size | 20kg |
| Main Protein | Chicken meal |
| Protein | 23% (min) |
| Fat | 14% (min) |
| Fibre | 4.5% (max) |
| Ash | 11% (max) |
| Moisture | 10% (max) |
| Energy | 3,690 kcal/kg |
| Carbohydrate Sources | Rice, oats, field peas |
| Joint Support | Glucosamine and chondroitin (added directly) |
| Anti-inflammatory | Australian emu oil |
| Prebiotics | Chicory root (inulin), beet pulp |
| Also Contains | L-carnitine, kelp, yucca extract |
| Fruit and Herbs | Blueberries, cranberries, dandelion, peppermint, rosemary |
| Made In | Australia |
| Wheat/Corn | None |
| Price per kg | ~$7.50 AUD (October 2026) |
| ASIN | B07GD9X5VM |
| Source | blackhawkpetcare.com product page, October 2026 |
Emu oil or green-lipped mussel: which is better for joints?+
They work differently. Emu oil (in Black Hawk) supplies omega fatty acids with anti-inflammatory properties that may help joint comfort and skin health. Green-lipped mussel (in Advance) supplies glycosaminoglycans, chondroitin and omega-3, which are building blocks for cartilage. Neither brand says how much it uses, so you can't compare their strength directly.
Why is Black Hawk's protein lower than some other large-breed foods?+
At 23%, Black Hawk Large Breed has less protein than Royal Canin (26%) and Advance (25%), but more than Hill's (20.5%). Moderate protein and fat can help large breeds that put on weight easily. For a moderately active pet, 23% is well above the AAFCO minimum of 18%. Very active or working dogs may do better on a higher-protein food.
Is Black Hawk wheat-free and grain-free?+
Black Hawk Original recipes are wheat-free and corn-free, but they are not grain-free: rice and oats are the main carbohydrates. If your dog needs a fully grain-free diet, Black Hawk makes a separate Grain Free range. The Original recipe suits dogs that react specifically to wheat or corn.
How much does Black Hawk cost per day for a 35 kg dog?+
At about $150 for a 20 kg bag, feeding a 35 kg dog costs about $2.33 to $2.93 a day, or $850 to $1,070 a year. That is the lowest of the four foods we compare: a little less than Advance (about $2.64 to $3.34 a day) and well below Royal Canin (about $4.10 to $4.60) and Hill's (about $4.20 to $5.05).
Does Black Hawk say how much glucosamine and chondroitin it contains?+
Not on the label we checked. Glucosamine and chondroitin are listed as added ingredients, but the amounts aren't printed on the packaging. Hill's Science Diet, by contrast, states 300 ppm glucosamine and 550 ppm chondroitin. If you need exact figures for managing your dog's joints, Hill's is clearer.