A proper way to develop a Muscular Rottweiler is by providing exercises to your Rottie which will involve some form of resistance. Straining the muscles can cause your Rottweiler to become more muscular. After strenuous physical activity, the Rottweiler will need sufficient time to relax and allow their body to fix the muscles. For example, sit to stand exercise strengthens the hamstrings and quads of the hindquarters.
Rottweilers are domestic dogs, medium to large or large. As common as with the larger breeds, Rottweilers mature slowly. These dogs were known in German as Rottweiler Metzgerhund, meaning Rottweil butchers’ dogs, and their primary purpose was to pull carts loaded with butchered meat and herd livestock.
Most adult dogs do not reach full size until they turn 2 or 3 years of age. Their chest gets broadened, and they become solid-built dogs with age. On the other hand, some Rottweilers can be skinny, and the possible reasons can be due to genetics or with their diet or some ailments. Rottweilers are naturally muscular like many guard dogs, including Boxers, Dobermans, Pitbulls, and Bulldogs.
An ideal Rottweiler is a medium-large, muscular, and powerful dog with a solid black coat. His compact and sturdy build signifies superior strength, agility, and stamina. Rottweiler males are characteristically more massive throughout, with a larger frame and heavier bone than females but without any weakness of structure or substance.
Some Rottweilers may have a thinner body built by nature. As a result, they may not be as muscular as their owners expect. If your focus is on making your Rottie muscular, then you must provide your dog with the right type of nutrition and daily exercise. It is always better if you do not try to surpass your Rottweiler’s typical size and proportion.
Any effort to bulk them up would only result in causing harm in the long term. While even when you are building your Rottweiler as a muscular dog, start with lesser weights and gradually increase. Too much exercising can be harmful, and it also causes damage to the skeletal frame of your dog. At the same time, this is vital in young Rottweilers as their muscles would still be tender and immature.
Rottweilers would grow slightly slower than their other counterparts. The pet parents may notice that their puppy may grow fastly. However, they do not reach their full height till they turn two. It will probably take six to eight months until the Rotties have fully scored the muscle mass. Rottweilers aren’t considered fully grown or muscular until the age of three. They grow to their full glory when they are three years old.
Muscular Rottweiler Temperament Overview
Affection level
Medium to high
Family-friendly
High
Kid-friendly
Medium to high
Pet-friendly
Low to medium
Stranger -friendly
Medium to high
Muscular Rottweiler Living Condition Overview
Good for apartment living
Low to medium
Good to new owners
Low
Sensitivity level
Medium to high
Tolerates being alone
Low
Cold-tolerance
Low to medium
Heat-tolerance
Medium
Muscular Rottweiler Trainability Overview
Easy to train
Medium to high
Intelligence
High
Mouthiness tendencies
Medium
Barking and Howling tendencies
Medium to high
Prey drive
Medium to high
Wanderlust tendencies
Low to medium
Muscular Rottweiler Exercise Needs
One of the essential things you can do to make your dog muscular is by giving them sufficient exercise. Physical activities are vital for Rottweilers to help them burn their suppressed energy and prevent obesity. According to AKC, obesity in dogs is linked to several health issues from increased risk of arthritis, liver disease, diabetes, kidney. Activities like walking up and down the hills, leg lifts, walking backward, making Rottweilers walk on uneven surfaces can strengthen his core muscles. Some exercises that experts suggest are as follows:
Cardiovascular Exercise
Cardio exercises boost Rottie’s lung and heart health. It also helps disburse his energy and burn calories. In addition, these exercises strengthen the immune system, promote gastrointestinal regularity, and regulate sleeping and eating patterns. Another advantage of engaging dogs in activities is it helps prevent behavioral issues like chewing on furniture and nuisance barking.
Muscle-Building Workouts
Workouts that target muscles in the shoulder and chest to hindquarters. In some cases, dogs can appear very bulky in the forebody due to uneven training. This can cause immobility, hip problems, and backache.
Fetch: Fetch is a simple game that can help improve your Rottweiler’s muscles. Using plastic dumbbells or sand-filled water bottles can be a tremendous physical stimulation.
Spring Pole:Spring Pole can be an excellent option when the pet parents do not have energy and time. It contains a spring connected to a rope, and you can hang it from a beam or branch. This way, your dog will play solo tug of war. When Rotties crouch, they put effort on different muscles of their legs.
Squats: When Rotties performsit and stand squats, with a weighted vest, add resistance that is not more than ten percent of your Rottie’s overall body weight.
Climbing Stairs: Going up and coming downstairs. This will also use leg muscles that they don’t generally use. Going downstairs also enhances core stability and balance.
Sled Pulling:To add more power to your dog’s muscles, the pet owners can add some resistance. Weight or sled pulling exercise is an ideal choice for muscle building by training them to pull the weight for about 10 to 20 yards and then rest for a while before repeating. Pet parents should add weight gradually to avoid overexertion.
Swimming: The best physical activity of all is swimming. A ten-minute swim is equal to an hour of walking. It strengthens your Rottie’s muscles proportionately. When your Rottie’s body is supported by water, it takes the weight off the Rottweiler’s bones and joints, making it suitable for dogs with an injury and older dogs. However, some Rottweilers cannot float due to their vast muscle mass, and it is best to put a life jacket on them while you take them swimming.
Running or walking on shallow water or sand: Making Rottweilers walk on sand or surface water may develop more resistance than regular walking.
Jumping on a bench and off: Have your Rottweiler jump up on a park bench or kind of a platform and then jump off again. This is an excellent way of using their power to jump on and develop control on the agility to alight. Jumping down the bench is slightly more impactful than other physical activities. However, this is unsuitable for dogs with injuries, especially on the forequarters.
Two Leg Walking: To strengthen their forequarters, the pet parents can lift their Rottie’s front legs off the ground and have them walk on their front legs like a wheelbarrow. Walk for a short distance that is not longer than 30 seconds.
Exercise Need Overview
Energy level
Medium to high
Exercise needs
High
Intensity
Medium to high
Playfulness
High
Resting Days
A rest day is a break from any walks – no contact with the outside world. It allows your Rotties to relax and stay calm. Technically there will be no production of cortisol. This resting period gives Rottweiler’s body some time to recover from its physical activities and allows the muscle to grow. Intense training can cause a small crack in the muscle fibers. The muscles repair and add up the desired weight during this resting time. The resting period can also help prevent injuries related to excessive physical exertions. Rottweilers are susceptible to specific health issues, including ACL damage and hip dysplasia. Before you start any exercise routine, consult a veterinarian. This is essential for overweight or older dogs.
However, they may also require some physical and mental stimulation to ensure that dogs do not end in boredom and show undesirable behaviors. Pet parents can replace their exercise by having playtime indoors. Resting time also helps enhance the relationship between pets and pet owners by spending quality time. Some physical activities that you can give them on rest days include:
Scent games on the lawn
Some treats stuffed in kongs or toys
Teaching your puppy some new tricks
Hide and seek
Chew games
Playing with toys
Most dogs don’t get enough sleep, so dogs should also be allowed to rest and sleep 12 to 16 hours for adult dogs and 18 to 20 hours for puppies.
Recovery
Your Rottweilers need some time for their muscles to recover after a challenging workout. This will help their muscles to mend. However, too much exercise can harm your dog’s skeletal frame and muscles. Pet parents should care while training their young Rotties since younger pups can be energetic and eager to please. In addition, their muscles are just growing, and they are prone to illnesses.
Muscular Rottweiler Health
Rottweilers are usually prone to several diseases that pet parents should know. Your best chance at avoiding Rottweiler’s health issues is to purchase a pup from an ethical, authorized breeder who has papers to show that the dogs are free of genetic disease. If you prefer to adopt, be sure to get as much medical history as the rescue organization can provide.Treatment of back leg weakness in canine surgery might be recommended for many health conditions. The vet might recommend canine surgery in treating back leg weakness for many health conditions. At the same time, anti-inflammatory drugs or managing with medicines are possible for other ailments like degenerative myelopathy, Cushing’s disease, intervertebral disc diseases, cancer, and Wobblers syndrome. Take care of your Rotties during exercise sessions by not over-exercising them. They may suffer from joints, ligaments, and bone issues if exercised too hard. In some cases, over-exercising can also cause cardiac problems.
Some signs of an over-exercised dog are:
Excessive panting during or after the exercise sessions.
Extreme thirst
Lameness, limping, or lethargy
Stiffness and sore muscles
Lack of focus and confusion
Exhausted after exercise or sleeping or laying down more than expected time.
Signs of an overheated dog’s syndrome:
Excessive fidgeting and whining
Panting with tongues out
Weariness, sluggish movement, and confusion
Reddening of tongue and gums
Foaming at the mouth
Thickening of saliva
Breathing difficulties
Dehydration
When you find them with these signs, immediate action would be to take them indoors or to the shade and give them sips of cold water. Pet owners should use a wet cloth to cool their armpits, groin, and paws. However, cooling them too quickly can also lead to shock in dogs. If your Rottie suffers from vomiting, seizures, or weakness, they will need medical attention with IV fluids injected by the vet. Some common Rottweiler health conditions are as follows:
Joint Dysplasia: Joint dysplasia, which affects the growing joints, predisposes Rottweilers to early-onset arthritis and joint problems. Rotties are known to develop several dysplasias, including Rottweiler hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, and also Osteo Chondritis Dissecans (OCD). To avoid common dysplasia problems in Rottweilers, try purchasing dogs from breeders who certify their dogs as joint dysplasias free through the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals or PennHIP.
Hip Dysplasia: Hip dysplasia is an abnormality of the hip joint where the socket portion does not entirely fit the ball portion, resulting in an ascending risk for joint dislocation. Hip dysplasia may occur at birth or in early life. As the dog ages, arthritis can develop. Some dogs exhibit discomfort and lameness on one or both rear legs. The Orthopedic Foundation does x-ray screening for hip dysplasia for Animals or the University of Pennsylvania Hip Improvement Program. Dogs who suffer from hip dysplasia should not be bred.
Aortic Stenosis: Aortic stenosis is a hereditary condition where the aorta, the main artery that carries blood to the rest of the body from the heart, is too thin. Aortic stenosis can cause a heart murmur, dizziness, and difficulty breathing. Affected dogs aren’t allowed to breed. Mild to severe cases of aortic stenosis are treated with medication and, if required, surgery.
Cancer: They are prone to cancer as they grow older. Cancer can be cured by surgical removal of tumors and chemotherapy. It is essential not to ignore the symptoms and diagnose them earlier.
Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus: Commonly called bloat, a life-threatening disease that affects large, deep-chested dogs like Rottweilers, especially if fed one large meal a day, eat fast, drink large volumes of water after meal, and exercise vigorously after eating. Bloat occurs when the stomach is swollen due to pressure with gas or air and then twists. The dog cannot vomit to get rid of the excessive air in their stomach, and the average remit of blood to the heart is impeded. Blood pressure falls, and the dog goes into shock. Without prompt medical attention, the dog can expire. Suspect bloat if your dog has a swollen abdomen, is drooling excessively, and retching without throwing up. They also may be restless, lethargic, depressed, and weak with a rapid heart rate. It’s crucial to get your dog to the vet as soon as possible.
Entropion: Entropion is when the eyelid rolls inward, irritating the eyeball from eyelashes rubbing on the surface. In critical cases, entropion can cause a corneal ulcer. The treatment for this disease is surgical.
Ectropion: Ectropion is a condition in which the eyelid rolls outward, causing irritation, dryness, and damage to the eyeball and conjunctiva (the tissues surrounding the eye). The treatment for this disease is surgical.
Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Problems: In Rottweilers, the knee’s Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) is known to tear and cause severe hindlimb lameness. The precise cause for this disease is unknown, but genetics, conformation, ligament laxity, and obesity are believed to play a role. A torn ACL creates uncertainty and activates the joint to early-onset osteoarthritis, pain, and movement loss. Surgical treatment is available and recommended at the early stages of the disease to avoid the development of osteoarthritis.
Allergies: Few Rottweilers suffer from various allergies, differing from contact allergies to food allergies. Allergies in dogs are similar to those in humans. If your Rottweiler is scratching, licking at their paws, or rubbing their face a lot, suspect that they have an allergy and take them to the vet.
Heart Disease: It causes abnormal heart murmurs and heart rhythm. The best way of diagnosis is through an X-ray, an ECG, or an echocardiogram. Treatment includes medication, dental care, and weight control.
Diabetes: Diabetes mellitus is a common disease among dogs. In diabetes, the dogs cannot metabolize blood sugar, causing increased drinking, eating, urination, and weight loss. Treatment includes medication and insulin injection.
Dental disease: It affects 80% of pets by two. It causes tartar build-up on the teeth, infection of the gums and roots, and in extreme cases, loss of teeth and damage to the kidneys.
Infections: Rottweiler is prone to certain bacterial and viral infections such as rabies, parvo, and distemper. Viral infection can be prevented by vaccination based on the dog’s age.
Parasites: Rottweilers can be infested with worms, bugs, fleas, and ticks that can get into their systems through unclean water, contaminated soil, or bitten by an infected mosquito. It can also be transmitted to you and your family. Symptoms include discomfort, pain, and even death.
Obesity: It is a significant health condition in Rottweilers. Excess weight can cause joint problems, back pain, digestive disorders, and heart disease. The best way to prevent this lifestyle disease is a healthy diet and regular exercise.
Spay or Neuter: In spay, the ovaries or uterus in females is removed, and in the neuter, the testicles of the male dogs are removed. It is done to eliminate the possibility of pregnancy or fathering unwanted puppies and decrease the likelihood of certain types of cancer.
National Breed Club Recommended Health Tests for Rottweiler
Hip Evaluation
Elbow Evaluation
Cardiac Exam
Ophthalmologist Evaluation
Health Overview
Overall health
Low to medium
Weight gain tendencies
High
Size
Medium
Muscular Rottweiler Diet and Nutrition
Pet owners should feed their Rottweilers with at least 290 calories per 15 pounds daily to aid them in weight gain. The pet parents should mix some puppy food with regular food to avoid an upset stomach. Some best dog food formulas to gain weight have high calories and protein levels. A dog food like Purina One Smart Blend Dog Food has 17% fat, 30% protein, and real meat as prominent ingredients.
You can add some home foods like eggs, cheese, vegetables, fresh meat, and some protein-rich food to your Rottweiler’s diet to increase the weight of a Rottweiler. However, some greasy meat can lead to diarrhea and weight loss. Also, never feed your dogs with steroids to enhance their muscles.
Things to Remember Before building a Muscular Rottweiler
The factors responsible for building muscles in Rottweilers are exercise, a healthy diet, resting period, and recovery. It is vital to balance all three components to get the best results. Start with a few recommended exercises and gradually build the resistance to avoid untoward incidents.
