NEW YORK — BARK, formerly known as BarkBox, announced earlier this month it has expanded its BARK Food portfolio to include a line of breed-specific dog nutrition formulations. The line is designed to meet specific needs of some of BARK’s most commonly served breeds — Pit bulls, Chihuahuas and Labradors — with “more breeds coming soon.”

According to the company, BARK has been developing its breed-specific line for two years. Each collection in the line targets breed-specific conditions, eating styles and “personality quirks,” the company stated. Each product meets nutritional standards recommended by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO).

“For our first seven or eight years, we focused on making dogs happy through play, with products like BarkBox and SuperChewer,” said Matt Meeker, chief executive officer of BARK, in a company blog posted on Aug. 1. “During that time we learned dogs’ unique and special needs extend further than just toys and treats though, so we started working on food and health products that are customized for each dog. In the past couple years, we built a team with over 100 years of combined experience in making great dog food, and they’ve been hard at work. Today we get to announce the result of their hard work."

The three initial breeds were chosen because the company serves more than 275,000 Pit bulls, Chihuahuas and Labs each month. Each breed-specific collection includes a complete-and-balanced kibble diet that can be paired with a functional supplement.

For example, the Pit Bull kibble is formulated with wild-caught Pollock and rice and includes Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids to support skin and coat health, pre- and probiotics and natural fiber to support digestion, and natural sources of glucosamine to target bone and joint health. Wild-caught, sustainably sourced Alaska pollock is the first ingredient in this formula. Other ingredients in the diet include antioxidant vitamins E, C and selenium, as well as "gently-cooked" whole grains like brown rice and oatmeal, according to BARK.

The Farm-Raised Chicken & Rice Recipe for Chihuahuas is formulated to help these dogs build muscle and burn fat, and also includes natural sources of glucosamine for mobility, as well as pre- and probiotics and natural fibers for digestion health. The first ingredient in this diet is US-sourced chicken. The formulation also features antioxidant vitamins E, C and selenium, and “gently-cooked” whole grains to support digestion, the company stated.

The Labrador kibble features farm-raised chicken and rice. The diet includes Omega fatty acids to skin health support, natural sources of glucosamine for mobility, and is also designed to help dogs build muscle and burn fat. The ingredient list also contains natural fiber and biotic nutrition, whole grains such as brown rice and oatmeal, antioxidant vitamins E, C and selenium, and added taurine to support heart health.

BARK Food offers Skin & Coat Supplements for Pit Bulls and Hip & Joint Supplements for Chihuahuas and Labradors, which pet owners can pair with their breed-specific diet orders.

According to Meeker, BARK will roll out kibble and supplement products for additional breeds “over the next few months.”

For pet owners who sign up for repeat deliveries of BARK's breed-specific nutrition products, the company shared it will keep its prices the same regardless of inflationary pressures.

Read more about new pet food and treat products.