Harringtons and Skinners are two of the most popular mid-range dry dog foods in the UK. Both are British-made. Both cost roughly the same per kilogram. Both have loyal followings.
But they’re aimed at quite different dogs, and the ingredient quality between them is more different than you might think. If you’re trying to pick one, the right choice depends heavily on what kind of dog you have and what you’re feeding them for.
I’ve compared these two brands head-to-head: ingredients, nutrition, price, and suitability for active and working dogs. Here’s what I found.
We’ve also compared Harringtons to Wagg, which is another popular UK-made budget brand. That comparison is useful if you’re shopping at the very bottom of the price range.
## Brand backgrounds
Harringtons is a family-run business based in Thirsk, North Yorkshire. The company started in 2008 as a response to the growing demand for natural dog food at reasonable prices. Everything in the Harringtons range is made in the UK, and the brand has expanded from its original dry food into wet trays, treats, and puppy-specific recipes.
The company positions itself as a step up from supermarket own-brands without the price tag of premium foods like James Wellbeloved or Orijen. That’s roughly where they sit in the market: better than Bakers or Wagg, cheaper than Burns or Lily’s Kitchen. They’re the “good enough” option for owners who want decent ingredients without spending premium money.
Skinners is an older name. The company has been making dog food in Suffolk since the 1970s, though the Skinner family’s connection to animal feed goes back much further. Skinners is best known for its Field & Trial range, which is aimed specifically at working and active dogs.
The working dog market is important here. Working dog food in the UK can be sold without VAT, which makes it significantly cheaper. Skinners has built its reputation on this: good-quality food at working dog prices. Many non-working dog owners buy it anyway because the value is hard to argue with. The VAT loophole means pet owners get a 20% discount without doing anything illegal.
Both brands manufacture in the UK. Both use British-sourced ingredients where possible. And both avoid some of the worst ingredients found in cheaper brands (no added sugar, no artificial colours, no vague “EC permitted additives” lists). That puts them both a clear step above supermarket own-brands.
## Ingredient comparison
Let’s look at what actually goes into each brand. I’m using the most popular adult recipes from each.
### Harringtons Complete Adult Chicken
– Chicken meal (26%)
– Maize
– Rice
– Peas
– Chicken fat
– Beet pulp
– Linseed
– Minerals
– Yeast
– Seaweed meal
Harringtons uses chicken meal as its primary ingredient. Chicken meal is a concentrated form of chicken where the water has been removed, which means it’s a dense protein source. 26% chicken meal is a reasonable proportion for food at this price point. For context, premium dry foods often use 40-60% meat meal, while budget brands like Bakers or Wagg typically use 15-20%. Harringtons sits comfortably in between.
The carbohydrate sources are maize and rice. Both are digestible, though maize is a less common allergen than wheat (which some budget brands use). Rice is gentle on the stomach and one of the better grain choices for dog food. Peas add a modest amount of plant protein and fibre.
There’s no added sugar. No artificial colours. No “meat and animal derivatives” (the vague category used by cheaper brands). The ingredient list is clear and specific. You can see exactly what’s in the bag.
The inclusion of linseed (flaxseed) is a plus. Linseed provides omega-3 fatty acids, which support coat condition, joint health, and immune function. You’d normally pay more for food with added omega-3 sources. Seaweed meal adds trace minerals, and yeast can support digestive health.
### Skinners Field & Trial Chicken & Rice
– Chicken meal (21%)
– Rice
– Maize
– Maize gluten
– Chicken fat
– Beet pulp
– Linseed
– Minerals
– Vitamins
– Salmon oil
Skinners also uses chicken meal, but at 21% it’s lower than Harringtons’ 26%. The difference is partly made up by maize gluten, which is a plant protein. Maize gluten is decent quality. It falls short of animal protein for a dog’s nutritional needs. Dogs process animal protein more efficiently than plant protein, so 5% less chicken meal is a meaningful gap.
The real strength of the Skinners recipe is the salmon oil. Where Harringtons uses linseed for omega-3, Skinners adds salmon oil, which is a more bioavailable source. Fish-derived omega-3 (EPA and DHA) is easier for dogs to absorb than plant-derived omega-3 (ALA). This matters for coat condition, joint inflammation, and brain function.
Skinners also adds specific vitamins and minerals to the Field & Trial range, with higher levels of certain nutrients (like vitamin E and B vitamins) designed for active dogs. Vitamin E acts as an antioxidant, which helps working dogs recover from physical stress.
All About Dog Food rates both brands, and the scores reflect this ingredient difference. Harringtons generally scores slightly higher on ingredient quality because of the higher meat content. Skinners scores well on value and its additional functional ingredients.
### The maize gluten question
Maize gluten deserves a specific mention because it’s the main ingredient difference that affects quality. Maize gluten meal is a byproduct of corn processing. It’s high in protein (around 60%), which is why it appears in Skinners’ recipe. It boosts the overall protein percentage without costing as much as meat.
The protein in maize gluten is less complete than animal protein. It’s lower in certain essential amino acids, particularly methionine and cysteine. Dogs can use it, but not as efficiently as chicken protein. Think of it like this: eating maize gluten gives your dog calories and some protein, but it’s not the same quality of protein as chicken meal.
Harringtons avoids maize gluten entirely in its standard adult recipe. That’s part of why it costs slightly more per kilogram, and why it scores better on ingredient quality assessments.
## Nutritional comparison
Here’s how the guaranteed analysis stacks up:
| Nutrient | Harringtons Adult Chicken | Skinners Field & Trial Chicken |
|———-|————————–|——————————-|
| Protein | 25% | 23% |
| Fat | 12% | 10% |
| Fibre | 3% | 3% |
| Ash | 8% | 7.5% |
| Omega-6 | 1.8% | 1.4% |
| Omega-3 | 0.3% | 0.4% |
Harringtons has higher protein (25% vs 23%) and higher fat (12% vs 10%). That 2% difference in protein might not sound like much, but for a 15kg bag it works out to 300g more protein from animal sources. Over a month of feeding, that’s a noticeable amount of additional animal nutrition your dog is getting.
Skinners has slightly more omega-3 (0.4% vs 0.3%), which reflects the salmon oil in the recipe. That’s a meaningful difference for dogs with joint issues or dry skin. The EPA and DHA in salmon oil are more potent anti-inflammatories than the ALA in linseed. If your working dog has stiff joints after a long day in the field, the salmon oil gives Skinners a small but real advantage.
The ash content is interesting. Ash represents the mineral content of the food. Higher ash means more minerals, which is generally good for bone health but can be a concern for dogs prone to bladder stones. Both figures are within normal ranges, so this isn’t something most owners need to worry about.
FEDIAF nutritional guidelines recommend a minimum of 18% protein and 5.5% fat for adult maintenance. Both brands comfortably exceed these minimums. Both also exceed the protein recommendation for working dogs (25%), with Harringtons hitting it exactly and Skinners falling slightly short.
## Price comparison
Here’s where things get interesting for anyone watching their budget.
| Product | Size | Typical price | Price per kg |
|———|——|————–|————-|
| Harringtons Adult Chicken | 2kg | £6.00-£7.00 | £3.00-£3.50 |
| Harringtons Adult Chicken | 12kg | £28.00-£34.00 | £2.33-£2.83 |
| Harringtons Adult Chicken | 15kg | £32.00-£38.00 | £2.13-£2.53 |
| Skinners Chicken & Rice | 15kg | £32.00-£37.00 | £2.13-£2.47 |
Skinners working dog food is sold without VAT, which is why it undercuts Harringtons on price per kilogram. The VAT exemption applies to food labelled specifically for “working dogs.” If you’re buying Skinners for a pet dog, technically you should be paying VAT, but most retailers sell it at the working dog price regardless.
In practice, both brands end up costing roughly £2.20-2.80 per kilogram when you buy the biggest bags. Harringtons has a slight edge on ingredient quality (more meat), while Skinners has a slight edge on price. It’s close enough that price shouldn’t be the deciding factor.
Amazon UK sells both brands, and subscribe-and-save can knock another 5-10% off. PetPlanet, Zooplus, and direct from the manufacturers’ websites are also worth checking for deals. Harringtons’ own website sometimes runs free delivery on orders over a certain amount.
For a 25kg dog eating roughly 250g per day, the monthly cost works out to about £17-22 for either brand. That’s genuinely affordable for most households. Compare that to premium brands like Orijen or Acana, where feeding the same dog would cost £40-50 per month.
If you want to see how these compare to the very cheapest options, our best dry dog food under £10 guide and our best cheap dog food guide cover the bottom of the market.
## Which is better for working and active dogs?
This is where the comparison gets more nuanced, because “active” covers a broad spectrum.
For a dog that gets a couple of walks a day and spends most of its time on the sofa, either brand is perfectly fine. The difference in protein and fat between the two won’t matter much for a moderately active pet dog.
For a dog that actually works (sheepdogs, gun dogs, agility dogs, trail dogs), the conversation shifts.
### Energy density
Working dogs burn a lot of calories. A sheepdog working hills all day can burn 2-3 times more energy than a pet dog of the same size. They need food that provides energy efficiently. Fat is the most energy-dense macronutrient: fat provides roughly 2.25 times more calories per gram than protein or carbohydrate.
Harringtons’ higher fat content (12% vs 10%) means it’s more calorie-dense. A cup of Harringtons delivers more energy than a cup of Skinners. For dogs working long days in cold weather, that extra energy matters. Gundogs standing in freezing water for hours need every calorie they can get.
But Skinners makes specific working dog variants with higher fat content. Their Field & Trial “Energy” formula has 15% fat, designed specifically for dogs in hard work. If you’re feeding a genuine working dog, look beyond the standard Chicken & Rice recipe. The Energy variant costs roughly the same but provides significantly more calories.
### Joint support
Active and working dogs put more strain on their joints. A springer spaniel running through brambles all day, a Labrador jumping for dummies in cold water, a collie twisting and turning on a hillside: all of these dogs are asking a lot of their joints.
The omega-3 fatty acids in both foods help, but Skinners’ salmon oil is arguably more effective than Harringtons’ linseed for this purpose. Fish-derived EPA and DHA have stronger anti-inflammatory properties than plant-derived ALA. Multiple veterinary studies have shown that fish oil supplementation reduces joint inflammation in dogs with osteoarthritis.
Even so, neither food contains added joint supplements like glucosamine or chondroitin. If your dog has existing joint issues, you’d need to supplement separately, regardless of which brand you choose. A good quality fish oil capsule (roughly 1000mg per 10kg of body weight) is cheap and effective.
### Digestibility during work
Dogs that work hard need food they can digest quickly and efficiently. Running on a field with a belly full of undigested maize isn’t pleasant for anyone. Both brands use rice as a primary carbohydrate, which is one of the most digestible grains available. Neither should cause problems in this area.
Timing matters too. Working dog owners often feed in the evening, not before work. Feeding a large meal 2-3 hours before intense exercise increases the risk of bloat (gastric dilatation-volvulus), which is a life-threatening emergency. Both brands are fine to feed after work, which is the safer approach.
The British Veterinary Association recommends feeding working dogs a diet matched to their activity level. Overfeeding a dog that’s not in active work leads to weight gain, and both these brands are calorie-dense enough to cause problems if portion sizes aren’t adjusted.
The PDSA estimates that around 40% of UK dogs are overweight. Working dog food fed to pet dogs is part of that problem. If your dog doesn’t genuinely work, be honest about their activity level and feed accordingly. A postman’s dog that walks 10 miles a day is active. A dog that walks to the park and back for 30 minutes is not.
For large active dogs specifically, we’ve got a dedicated guide covering the best budget options.
## Range and variety
One area where Harringtons pulls ahead is the breadth of its range.
Harringtons offers:
– Complete Adult (chicken, lamb, turkey)
– Grain-Free Adult (turkey, salmon, lamb)
– Senior
– Puppy (and large breed puppy)
– Small Breed
– Sensitive (rice-based)
– Wet food trays and pouches
– Treats and chews
Skinners’ Field & Trial range includes:
– Chicken & Rice
– Duck & Rice
– Lamb & Rice
– Salmon & Rice
– Sensitive (oat-based)
– Energy (high fat, for hard-working dogs)
– Puppy (and junior)
– Superior (slightly higher spec)
Skinners is more focused. Nearly everything in their range is designed with working dogs in mind. Harringtons casts a wider net with more life-stage and lifestyle options.
If you have a puppy that will grow into an active adult, Harringtons gives you a clearer progression path: puppy food, then adult, then senior, all from the same brand. With Skinners, the puppy options are more limited.
If you feed wet and dry together, Harringtons has the advantage of its own wet food range. You can buy matching Harringtons kibble and wet trays. Skinners is dry-only, so you’d need to pair it with a different brand’s wet food if you want variety.
## What dog owners say
I’ve read through owner reviews across Amazon, Trustpilot, and specialist dog forums. The feedback patterns are revealing.
Harringtons gets consistent praise for coat condition. A lot of owners mention their dog’s coat looking shinier after switching from cheaper brands. The ingredient quality seems to make a visible difference within a few weeks. Complaints tend to focus on the kibble size being small (dogs eat it too quickly) and occasional flatulence from the maize content. Some owners with small dogs find the kibble size is actually fine, while owners with large dogs wish the pieces were bigger.
Skinners owners love the value. The most common positive comment is some variation of “can’t believe how cheap this is for the quality.” Working dog owners, in particular, rate it highly. The salmon oil in the recipe gets mentioned a lot in connection with coat condition. Complaints about Skinners are rare, though a few owners mention it being too rich for dogs with sensitive stomachs (despite the “Sensitive” variant existing).
Both brands have much better owner satisfaction rates than budget options like Bakers or Winalot. The step up from supermarket own-brands to either Harringtons or Skinners is one that most owners notice and appreciate. The difference in stool quality alone is enough to convince many owners to stick with these mid-range brands.
The cheap vs premium comparison is worth understanding because both these brands sit in the middle. They’re better than Bakers and Pedigree but not as good as Orijen or raw feeding. For the price, they represent solid value.
## The honest verdict
There’s no clear winner here because the right choice depends on your dog.
For most pet dogs, Harringtons is the slightly better food. The higher meat content (26% chicken meal vs 21%) makes a real difference to the overall quality. The ingredient list is cleaner, and the range is broader. If your dog is a standard pet with moderate activity levels, Harringtons gives you more nutrition for your money.
For working dogs and genuinely active dogs, Skinners makes more sense. The salmon oil is a better omega-3 source than linseed. The VAT exemption makes it cheaper per kilogram. And the brand’s entire range is built around the needs of active dogs. If your dog burns serious calories through work or sport, Skinners has recipes designed for exactly that.
If I had to pick just one? I’d lean Harringtons for most people. The higher meat content is hard to argue with at this price point, and the range covers more situations. But if you’ve got a proper working dog or a very active breed (springer spaniel, border collie, Vizsla, GSP), Skinners deserves serious consideration.
The best approach is probably what most experienced dog owners do: try a bag of each and see how your dog responds. Coat condition, energy levels, stool quality, and enthusiasm at mealtime will tell you more than any ingredient list. Pay attention to what your dog is telling you.
## What about senior dogs?
Senior dogs have different nutritional needs. As dogs age, their metabolism slows down, their joints stiffen, and their digestive system becomes less efficient. Both brands make senior-specific foods, though the approaches differ.
Harringtons Senior has lower protein (22% vs 25% in the adult) and lower fat (8% vs 12%), which reflects the reduced calorie needs of older dogs. It also includes glucosamine and chondroitin for joint support, which is a real benefit for stiff older dogs. The kibble is the same small size as the adult version, which some senior dogs actually prefer because it’s easier to chew.
Skinners doesn’t have a specific senior product. Their Field & Trial range is designed for active dogs of all ages, and they don’t currently offer a lower-calorie senior variant. Older dogs can still eat standard Skinners, but you’d need to reduce the portion size to account for their lower energy needs. Some owners switch from Skinners to a different brand in their dog’s later years for this reason.
If your senior dog has slowed down significantly, Harringtons Senior is probably the better choice. The joint supplements and reduced calorie content are genuinely useful. If your senior dog is still active (some 10-year-old spaniels never stop), standard Skinners with reduced portions works fine.
Our complete guide to choosing the right dog food covers more options if neither of these feels right.
## Frequently asked questions
### Is Harringtons or Skinners better for puppies?
Harringtons has a more developed puppy range, including a specific large breed puppy formula. Skinners makes a Field & Trial Puppy/Junior food that works well, but the range is narrower. Both meet FEDIAF growth standards. For most puppies, either brand works. If you have a large breed puppy (expected adult weight over 25kg), Harringtons’ large breed formula has a better calcium-to-phosphorus ratio for controlled growth.
### Can I feed Skinners working dog food to a pet dog?
Yes, many people do. The nutritional difference between “working” and “pet” food is mainly the VAT classification and sometimes slightly higher protein or fat. The food itself is perfectly safe and nutritionally complete for any healthy adult dog. Just be aware that working dog formulas can be more calorie-dense, so you might need to feed slightly smaller portions than the guidelines suggest. Monitor your dog’s weight and adjust accordingly.
### Which brand is better for a dog with allergies?
Both brands make “sensitive” variants: Harringtons Sensitive uses rice and a single protein source, while Skinners Sensitive uses oats instead of rice. For dogs with confirmed grain allergies (relatively rare, wheat allergies are more common), Skinners’ oat-based formula might be preferable. For dogs with meat protein allergies, both brands offer fish-based alternatives. If your dog has ongoing allergy symptoms, work with your vet on a proper elimination diet rather than guessing.
### How do Harringtons and Skinners compare to premium brands like James Wellbeloved?
They sit a tier below. James Wellbeloved uses higher-quality ingredients, more named meat, and excludes a wider range of potential allergens. It costs roughly 50-70% more per kilogram. Whether that extra spend is worth it depends on your dog and your budget. Many dogs thrive on Harringtons or Skinners and have no need for more expensive food. Others, particularly those with health issues or allergies, benefit from the cleaner ingredient lists of premium brands.
### Where’s the best place to buy Harringtons and Skinners?
The cheapest per-kilogram price is usually the largest bag sizes bought online. Amazon UK sells both brands with subscribe-and-save discounts. PetPlanet and Jollyes regularly run multi-buy promotions. Buying direct from the manufacturer’s website sometimes gets you free delivery on big orders. Supermarkets stock Harringtons (particularly the 2kg bags) but rarely stock Skinners, which is more of a specialist product. For the absolute lowest price, look for 15kg bags of Skinners Field & Trial online, where prices can drop below £2.20 per kilogram. Amazon UK is a good starting point.
## Storage and freshness
Dry dog food keeps much longer than wet food, but it still needs proper storage. Both Harringtons and Skinners recommend keeping the bag sealed and storing it in a cool, dry place.
Once opened, a 15kg bag of either brand will stay fresh for roughly 6-8 weeks. After that, the fats in the food start to oxidise, which reduces nutritional quality and can make the food taste stale. Dogs might still eat it, but they’re not getting the full nutritional benefit.
If your dog is small and a 15kg bag lasts more than 2 months, consider buying smaller bags instead. The 2kg bags of Harringtons cost more per kilogram, but you avoid the waste of stale food. Alternatively, decant a portion into an airtight container and keep the rest sealed in the original bag.
Neither brand requires refrigeration. Keep the food away from direct sunlight and damp conditions. A cool garage or pantry works well. Don’t store dog food next to cleaning products or chemicals, as the kibble can absorb odours.
