Dogs of various sizes, shapes and proportions with differing temperaments are available for dog lovers to make their choice. The breeds range from gentle ones that wish to sit comfortably in your lap to some awesome giants that excel as guard dogs, police dogs and military dogs.
This muscular pitbull shown above is in excellent shape and shows great conformation.
A muscular dog, as the name suggests, is a muscular, strong and powerful dog and the fact is many dog lovers are crazy about a handsome, robust, well-built muscular dog. There are many muscular dog breeds and there is also considerable variation in the different dogs’ muscle mass. Here are some of the most muscular dog breeds:
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The American Staffordshire Terrier – The American Staffordshire Terrier is strikingly similar to the American Pit Bull Terrier and shares the same temperament and traits. These dogs are known for their playful nature and are not averse to moving with other dog breeds if they are introduced to them at a young age. This energetic breed is known for its agility and weight pulling prowess, musculature and body strength. The American Staffordshire Terriers can be quite dangerous particularly if they fall into irresponsible hands or if they are maltreated or irresponsibly bred. This breed has a low tolerance for outdoor temperature and they must be kept cool during summer months. Pit Bull Bloodlines in general are very muscular dogs.
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Doberman Pinscher – This is a heavily built working breed that has been trained to perform as a police and guard dogs. Because of its arresting personality, many dog lovers train this breed as family pets. Though its physical build may be misleading, this breed is amiable, mentally alert and extremely responsive to training. The Doberman Pinscher is one of the most recognizable dog breeds as it is ubiquitously seen on television, movies, dog shows etc. This dog breed has a lean, athletic, and muscular build and posses a great amount of endurance and speed. They have an awesome grasping power and have worked exceedingly well as police and military dogs. The truth is Doberman Pinscher appears more fearsome than they actually are. This breed is of strong character, imperious and impulsive but can be trained to behave soberly.
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Rottweiler – This is a big size dog versatile dog trained for a variety of purposes. In Germany – its native country – they were predominantly used to pull carts, transport goods, herd livestock and serve as guard dogs. But things have been changing and today more and more Rottweiler dogs are family pets. Please remember that Rottweilers need well-planned socialization training as well as obedience training. They have a tendency to become assertive and exercise dominance over any dog of similar build and size. You should therefore earnestly do obedience training early if you do not want to lose control over your dog. They are an exceptionally intelligent breed that requires a great deal of mental stimulation and if you do not keep them engaged, you will have to face behavioral problems.
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Boxer – The American Boxer dog is of a medium build with some hard robust muscles and a pronounced square muzzle. The breed owes its origin to the Mastiff type of dogs. Boxers are adorable family pets and they interact exceptionally well with children. They are also terribly energetic, stubborn and headstrong and suspicious of strangers. It is these qualities that make them eligible to be trained as efficient guard dogs. The Boxer has very strong jaws and a powerful bite and keeps hanging on to large prey. The Boxer has very strong jaws and a powerful bite and keeps hanging on to large prey. Boxers are extremely active, strong dogs and need constant exercises to prevent bad behaviors such as chewing, digging, or licking. According to 2011 statistics revealed by American Kennel Club, Boxers are the seventh most popular breed of dog in the United States. According to 2011 statistics revealed by American Kennel Club, Boxers are the seventh most popular breed of dog in the United States. Boxers need regular outlets for their energy, but care must be taken in warm weather because of their short muzzles. They should not be overly exposed to the weather particularly during summer months.
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Dogo Argentino – The Dogo Argentino dogs are generally strong and sturdy and endowed with a muscular structure. They have an innate quality to fight with larger animals and even kill them. But, they are steadfastly loyal to its master and his family. The Dogo Argentino is a muscular dog breed that was bred in Argentina specifically as a game hunting dog. Historically speaking, the breeder of this dog was a man by the name of Antonio Martinez. He wanted to create a dog that showed bravery and a desire to protect its owner. It was first created in 1928 by breeding the Cordoba Fighting Dog along with a wide variety of other dog breeds. The Dogo Argentino behaves in a disciplined manner and seldom barks and remains unusually calm and well-poised. The dog can be aggressive when provoked and if not trained properly from an early age. They were originally used as fighting dogs in hunting areas.
Further reading on muscle in dogs can be found in the dog muscle anatomy section. Part two of the: top 10 Most Muscular Dog Breeds
