Debt - Schedule of Debt Instruments (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013 Senior Notes Due 2018	Dec. 31, 2013 Dean Foods Company	Dec. 31, 2012 Dean Foods Company	Dec. 31, 2013 Dean Foods Company Senior Secured Credit Facility		Dec. 31, 2012 Dean Foods Company Prior Credit Facility		Dec. 31, 2013 Dean Foods Company Senior Notes Due 2016	Dec. 31, 2012 Dean Foods Company Senior Notes Due 2016	May 17, 2006 Dean Foods Company Senior Notes Due 2016	Dec. 31, 2013 Dean Foods Company Senior Notes Due 2018	Dec. 31, 2012 Dean Foods Company Senior Notes Due 2018	Dec. 16, 2010 Dean Foods Company Senior Notes Due 2018	Dec. 31, 2013 Subsidiary Debt Obligation	Dec. 31, 2012 Subsidiary Debt Obligation	Dec. 31, 2013 Subsidiary Debt Obligation Receivables Securitization	Dec. 31, 2013 Subsidiary Debt Obligation Senior Notes Due 2017	Dec. 31, 2012 Subsidiary Debt Obligation Senior Notes Due 2017
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Credit facility						$ 50,250		$ 1,292,197										$ 213,000
Senior notes			475,600							475,579	499,167		23,812	400,000					132,808	130,879
Capital lease and other																1,813
Long-term debt	897,262	2,322,243		549,641	2,191,364											347,621	130,879
Less current portion	(698)	(10,535)
Capital lease and other						1.67%	[1]	4.82%	[1]									1.19%	6.90%	6.90%
Total long-term portion	$ 896,564	$ 2,311,708		$ 549,641	$ 2,180,829
Interest Rate										7.00%	7.00%	7.00%	9.75%	9.75%	9.75%				6.90%

[1] Represents a weighted average rate, including applicable interest rate margins.