Tall , short , round , slim … hound sincerely come in all size and shapes . Some dog stock are naturally incredibly muscular . qualify by their strenuosity and strength , muscular dogs were revered by ancient refinement and have helped world for thousands of old age . And to this day , they are still beloved .
Muscular Dog Breeds: A Brief History
finally , powerful dog were breed and used to help oneself humans with physical task , hunt , and for protective covering .
“ Different dog breeds were grow to do unlike jobs . Any detent that needs to run to do its caper or oppose people or animals might have been breed to be very muscular , ” say Dr. Valarie V. Tynes , veterinary religious service specialiser at Ceva Animal Health and a diplomate of theAmerican College of Veterinary Behaviorists . “ Muscles are ask in parliamentary procedure to do work . ”
While many powerful cad breeds were historically used for dog racing and scrap , in modern times , they have evolved to be near companion .
11 Muscular Dog Breeds
quick to learn about the most muscular andiron strain ? Here are 11 , with details on their coming into court , breeding story , personality , and more .
Rottweiler
“ Rottweiler are large and powerful with a big , round head and floppy ears , ” enunciate Tynes . “ They are born with a long tail that stock breeder typically dock while the pups are just a few daylight old . ”
Rottweilers were originally multiply to herd stock , and were used all the way back during the 2nd century by Roman legions in Rottweil , Germany ( 1 ) . When the Romans left , Rottweilers were still used to follow fuckup as money carrier wave ( via neck opening pouch ) to markets from the Middle Ages until around 1900 . But as Tynes remark , because of their strength and size of it , they were used to root for carts and eventually became popular as guard dogs .
“ They can be very affectionate with family unit , but not so right with strangers , ” Tynes says . “ They are highly thinking and need plenitude of practice session . ” other training and socialization are crucial to control good mode and discourage unwanted behavior .
Cane Corso
“ Cane Corso male are 25 - 27.5 inches from the high period of the shoulder to the ground , and females are 23.5 to 26 inches , ” saysDr . Mary R. Burch , film director of AKC Family Dog and certified applied animal behaviorist . “ They are average - large sized dogs that are large boned and have a orotund pass . ”
agree to Burch , in the early history of the stock , Cane Corsos were dogs of conquering . “ Later they did jobs such as boar hunting , ” she pronounce . “ They are now all - use farm dogs who drive livestock and guard farms and pastures , and they are also menage dogs . ”
As for personality , she notice that they are protective of place and family , level-headed , well trained , teachable , and affectionate to mob .
Greyhound
“ greyhound are prominent , thin and well - muscled with a pointy head and floppy ears , ” says Tynes . “ They are also very unretentive - hirsute . ”
Greyhoundswere originally bred as hunting andiron . They are very fast runners , so finally became popular as race detent . Greyhounds can turn tail up to 45 miles per hour ( 2 ) . However , greyhound racing is illegal in 40 states in the United States ( 3 ) . They also are one of the oldest known dog breeds , and have been found embellishing Egyptian grave dating back to 3,000 B.C.
“ Greyhounds can be very dulcet and soft mannered , but also may have a solid predatory driving force , ” Tynes says . “ They seem to change greatly in energy stage . Some will need a lot of exercise , while others seem to enjoy being sofa Irish potato . ”
Rhodesian Ridgeback
“ Rhodesian Ridgebacks are large with floppy ears and a ridge of hair running down the back . Their head are more elongated and more ‘ blackguard like ’ than the Rottweiler for model , ” take down Tynes .
They were first bred in Africa , where they were develop for farm animal guarding and to aid in hunt heavy game ( 4 ) .
As for personality , she note that they are good with known individual than strangers .
“ They have a lot of energy so demand plenty of physical exercise and have a unattackable prey ride , ” order Tynes .
American Pit Bull Terrier
“ American Pit Bull Terriers ( also refer to as Pitbulls ) are smaller in figure but enceinte because they are ‘ blocky ’ dogs , and often have a wide bureau and a big square question , ” Tynes says .
Pitbulls were originally bred , and were specifically spawn in the nineteenth century in England , Scotland and Ireland , for hunting and livestock management ( 5 ) . They also were breed for pig baiting ( a contest between cultivate dogs and a tethered bull ) before the sportswoman was outlawed in 1835 in most places , Tynes allege ( 6,7 ) .
“ After that , Pitbulls quickly became pop as a farm dog or darling because they are typically very estimable with people , ” Tyne says . “ Typically , Pitbulls are very tender and friendly with the great unwashed , but much less so with other frank . They have a lot of energy and postulate flock of exercise . ”
American Staffordshire Terrier
“ Staffordshire Terriers are a average - sized detent , but very blocky and to a great extent muscled with a square head , ” says Tynes . “ They are bear with floppy ear , but their ears are often cropped . ”
Staffordshire Terriers were in the beginning develop as a fight down dog in the United Kingdom in the 19th one C ( 8) .
“ In the eighteenth and 19th century , along with other breeds , they were used as a scrap and baiting frankfurter , ” say Burch . “ In the 1900s , the breed was valued for being more mellow than its ancestors , and American Staffordshire Terriers have been therapy dogs , movie dogs , and well - recognized military dogs ( i.e. , Sgt . Stubby of WWI ) . ”
These loyal , intelligent dogs do well when they finger like part of the menage , but can be suspicious of strangers and less tolerant of other dogs .
French Bulldog
“ French Bulldogs are compact , heavyset dogs with a square head and a flattened muscle . They are hold with short tails , ” says Tynes . This brachycephalic breed ( flat - faced , short - nosed ) was bred from theEnglish Bulldog .
French Bulldogsbecame popular in France via England from the lace diligence , where they became popular during the Industrial Revolution ( 9 ) .
“ French Bulldogs were multiply essentially to be a toy Bulldog . They were primarily spawn to be pets or lick dogs , but also ratters ( dirty dog catchers ) , ” take note Tynes . Personality wise , they are know to be affectionate , up-and-coming , and playful with a unregenerate streak . ( Get advice onHow to Train a Gallic Bulldog . )
Doberman Pinscher
Doberman Pinschers are average - sized dog that have a straightforward , muscular frame that is normally trim with long , powerful leg ( 10 ) . They also have pointed ear and smooth , short hair . They originated in Germany during the 19th one C , originally for police force and military work ( 11 ) . And they also have been used as watchdog and as lead dogs for the unsighted ( 12 ) .
“ get laid as the ‘ taxation collector ’s heel , ’ the Doberman was breed by Louis Dobermann to protect him on his rounds as a tax collector , ” impart Burch .
As for temperament , Doberman Pinschers are described as “ industrious , watchful , determined , alert , fearless , loyal and obedient . ”
Boxer
In appearing , Boxers are intermediate - sized dog that have a stalwart and square physical body , as well as light pilus and a quiet coat ( 13 ) .
Boxers develop in Germany as hunting dogs , and are a admixture of breed admit the now - out Bullenbeisser breed , smashing Dane , and English Bulldog ( 14 ) .
Boxers are highly devoted and truehearted to their masters , and are bang to be watchful and ego - assured ( 15 ) . While they are trust of family , they may be distrustful of strangers .
“ boxer are good with tike , affectionate with family , watchful , dignified , self - see , playful , but patient and stoic , ” notes Burch . “ Wary with strangers , level-headed . ”
Korean Jindo
The Jindo is a average - sized dog that has a icteric and white pelage with intermediate - hair ( 16 ) . The Jindo is believe to have originated in South Korea and domesticate during the Stone Age .
know as hunting and guarding wiener , Jindos are very intelligent and territorial , and may not trust unfamiliar creature ( 17 ) . As such , they should “ be cautiously insert to other pets and animals in a family . ”
Kangal Shepherd Dog
Kangals are large , exceedingly powerful , and heavy - boned dog . They have large heads and drop ears , with a threefold coat that is dumb and can range in semblance from a clean , tawny tan to darker brown and black at the ears ( 18 ) .
Kangals are the most popular dogs in Turkey , where they originated ( 19 ) . Historically , they have been used as guard dogs “ to find out over livestock , factory and household . ”
They are prized for their “ military capability , intelligence service , loyalty , endurance to utmost temperatures , and lack of predatory behavior towards farm animal . ”
And as for temperament , Kangals are “ gentle and trusty with their people or animals , but if the need arises they will become very protective . ” ( 20 )
Training Tips for Muscular Dogs
If you will be sum one of these sinewy dog stock to your family , there are some best practices and safety tips that can help oneself set you and your pet up for success . Here are four things to keep in creative thinker when training your muscular dog .
Properly socialize puppies.
“ Ideally go to a puppy socialisation social class , ” Tyne River recommend . “ A ahead cause of problem behaviors is fear and anxiety , which are most often associated with a dog not having been well socialized . Socialization does not mean that dogs should be forced into state of affairs where they are dissemble afraid ! Socialization experience must be positive for the pawl , and should be handle carefully to be indisputable they are positivist . It is important that the pawl has a choice when it come to interacting with someone and/or investigating something . ”
Use positive reinforcement.
“ [ Punishment - based training ] has been proven to increase fear and anxiety , and can potentially lead to aggression , ” Tynes says . “ or else , apply positive reinforcement - based training and comply the general principle of not putting the hotdog into situation where they are likely to perform tough behaviors . At the same prison term , reinforce all good behaviors , ideally with food or gambol , depending on the position . This is denote to as ‘ set the dog up to succeed . ’ ”
“ Positive reinforcement is a good glide slope for all stock , but in fussy , if you’re able to manage a declamatory , sinewy breed with food rewards or a plaything during breeding , your job as a flight simulator will be easier and safer , ” Burch tot up .
Don’t use prong and choke collars.
“ These can make any dog more anxious and aggressive about meeting people and dogs on walks , ” Burch says . “ Instead , ascendence should be achieved with good , ordered positive reinforcement training , specially while the animal is young and diminished . No - pull harness such as the Freedom harness should be used . ”
Build a bond with your dog.
“ Provide unconstipated socialization , employment , and a training natural process so the dog has both forcible and genial stimulation , ” Burch says . “ Then , travel along the introductory good practices for dog grooming — be reproducible and reinforce good behavior . ”
