My female Akita had shoulder arthritis and it was for her that I started feeding with raised bowls. The bonus was that they slowed down the dogs' eating (Akitas are prone to bloat) and resulted in just one small burp afterwards. I've used raised feeders for larger dogs ever since.
Sunnie has never agreed to eat off the floor. If not a raised feeder, I must hold her bowl. She's not as tall as a Lab. Danny eats off the floor. Neither of these dogs is a real gulper so I'm not concerned....as, as yet, neither seems to have any front-end issues.
I swear by them for larger dogs.