Below are widely recommended premium dry‑dog‑food brands (with short notes about what makes each one “premium”) and a brief checklist to help pick the right formula for your dog in Australia.

Top premium brands (available in Australia)

• Orijen — very high animal‑protein, “biologically appropriate” recipes using fresh regional meats; good for active dogs that tolerate high protein. (duringdays.com.au)
• Acana — from the same parent company as Orijen; high meat inclusion, regionally sourced ingredients, several poultry/fish/lamb recipes. (duringdays.com.au)
• Ziwi Peak — New Zealand made, very high meat/organs content (often used as a raw alternative or topper); limited carbs, premium ingredient sourcing. (myrainbowpets.com.au)
• Black Hawk (Australian) — well regarded local premium brand, Australian‑made recipes with real meat and no artificial preservatives. (pet-friendlyaccommodation.com.au)
• Ivory Coat (Australian) — popular Australian premium brand offering grain‑free and grain‑inclusive formulas with added superfoods and prebiotics. (pet-friendlyaccommodation.com.au)
• Taste of the Wild — “ancestral” style recipes using novel proteins (venison, bison, salmon); good protein levels at a mid‑to‑premium price point. (myrainbowpets.com.au)
• Merrick — high‑quality US brand using deboned meat first, good protein/fat ratios and a range of grain‑inclusive and grain‑free recipes. (dogfoodadvisor.com)
• Royal Canin — veterinary‑focused formulas (breed, size and health‑specific diets); often recommended by vets for medical or life‑stage needs. (adspet.com.au)
• Hill’s Science Diet — science‑backed, vet‑trusted ranges for life stages and specific conditions (digestive, weight, skin). (duringdays.com.au)
• Purina Pro Plan / Purina ONE — broad range, evidence‑based lines including sensitive‑stomach and performance formulas. (duringdays.com.au)

Selection checklist (what to look for)

• Appropriate life stage and breed/size formula (puppy, adult, senior; large‑breed vs small‑breed). (vetschoice.guildinsurance.com.au)
• Nutritional adequacy statement (AAFCO or equivalent / feeding‑trial or nutrient‑profile claim) — shows the food meets minimum complete & balanced standards. (vetschoice.guildinsurance.com.au)
• Recipe transparency and a named source of animal protein (debonded meat, meat meal, etc.) — higher quality diets tend to list real meat first. (dogfoodadvisor.com)
• Company quality controls and access to a veterinary nutritionist (WSAVA recommends brands that involve qualified nutritionists). (wsava.org)
• Recall history and reputation — pick brands with robust quality control and few/no recent safety recalls. (dogfoodadvisor.com)

Practical tips

• If your dog has allergies, consider limited‑ingredient or novel‑protein premium lines (e.g., ZIWI, CANIDAE PURE, some Merrick/Taste of the Wild recipes). (duringdays.com.au)
• Transition slowly over 7–10 days and monitor stool, energy, coat and any skin/itching changes. (vetschoice.guildinsurance.com.au)
• For specialised medical needs (kidney, urinary, GI, weight loss), use vet‑prescribed therapeutic diets (Royal Canin, Hill’s). (adspet.com.au)

If you want, I can:

• Narrow this to the best choices for your dog’s age/weight/health (say breed, age, known sensitivities), or
• Compare 3–4 specific formulas (nutrition panel, protein/fat percent, pros/cons) you’re considering.

Sources: Dog Food Advisor, Australian pet retailers and brand pages, WSAVA global nutrition guidance, and Australian vet‑advice resources. (dogfoodadvisor.com)