If you are looking for a new dog, there are many traits to look for, and a breed that’s exceptionally well developed and muscular is one of them. Muscular dog breeds make perfect watchdogs because their intimidating size often scares off would-be intruders before the dog even needs to bark.
We’ve rounded up all the muscular dog breeds we could find and composed this list of 23 unique dogs to present to you.
Muscular Dog Breeds
1. Alaskan Malamute
The Alaskan Malamute can grow as large as 85 pounds and is an ancient dog used for transporting heavy loads by sled over long distances. Its durability and resistance to cold weather have allowed it to pull sleds on expeditions in Antarctica. It doesn’t bark much and instead will talk and howl. If left alone, they tend to roam long distances.
2. American Alsatian
The American Alsatian is a powerful dog that can reach up to 100 pounds. It’s bred from several dogs to resemble the Dire Wolf, a large now-extinct wolf from North America. Besides impressive strength, these dogs possess intelligence and intuitiveness, and despite its size and intimidating appearance, its friendly and enjoys the company of children.
3. American Bully
The American Bully is a relatively new breed created in the 1980s to be a family companion dog. It’s extremely muscular frame is available in several varieties based on size, including standard, pocket, XL, and others. The standard American Bully can weigh up to 65 pounds and stand 20-inches tall. It’s an adaptable breed and a loving companion with all aggression bred out as per the breed standard.
4. American Pit Bull Terrier
The American Pit Bull Terrier can weigh up to 60 pounds and stand 21 inches tall. It has a well-defined muscle structure and a stable, compact frame. It has a deep love of children in is enthusiastic when interacting with family members. It’s friendly and kind, even with strangers, and it likes to work.
5. American Staffordshire Terrier
The American Stafford Shire terrier can weigh up to 70 pounds standing 19-inches tall. It’s intelligent and makes an excellent watchdog and protector. It’s much more docile than its pit fighting ancestors and has been an American favorite for over 100 years.
6. Australian Cattle Dog
The Australian Cattle Dog only weighs up to 50 pounds but possesses amazing strength and unending stamina. It’s intelligent and able to work independently to solve problems and is quick to get involved if it notices its owner is upset. It rarely barks and only does so when it’s part of a greater plan.
7. Bandog
The Bandog is also known as the American Bandog Mastiff, but its origin is unknown. It’s been strictly a working dog bred for hunting and protecting property. It can reach up to 120 pounds and stand 30 inches tall. It’s very muscular and has wide shoulders.
8. Boxer
The Boxer can reach 80 pounds and stands about 25 inches tall. Like the other dogs on this list, it has a powerful muscular frame. It’s fearlessly protective of family members, but gentle with children and other pets.
9. Bully Whippet
A Bully Whippet is a genetic deficiency that causes the Whippet dog breed to develop double the muscle mass, giving them a bodybuilder like appearance. The condition only affects muscle mass and does not change their temperament or affect their internal organs.
10. Carpathian Shepherd
The Carpathian Shepherd is a large dog breed the can reach up to 110 pounds standing 29 inches. Despite its impressive strength, it’s well-mannered and rarely becomes aggressive toward people or other animals. It likes to be part of a pack and requires an owner that becomes the pack leader, or it will try to take on the role itself.
11. English Bulldog
The English Bulldog is a smaller but powerful dog that weighs roughly 50 pounds and stands 16 inches. It has a sweet and gentle disposition that’s predictable and dependable. They are loving to most children but make excellent watchdogs and can be aggressive to some animals.
12. Cane Corso
The Cane Corso often weighs more than 100 pounds and can stand 27 inches tall. You can trace this breed back to the Roman Empire, where the name roughly translates to “bodyguard-dog.” It’s an intelligent, assertive breed that’s not afraid to let you know what’s on its mind though it’s very affectionate and playful with family.
13. Doberman Pinscher
The Doberman Pinscher is a medium-large dog that can weigh up to 99 pounds. It stands up to 28 inches tall and is focused, tenacious, and stubborn. If properly trained, they’re loving and devoted companions and fantastic watchdogs. The class will be easy to train and capable of learning complex, multistep tasks.
14. Dogo Argentino
The Dogo Argentino is a large white muscular dog developed to hunt wild boar. It can weigh up to 99 pounds and stands about 27 inches tall. It’s extremely intelligent and used in rescue missions and police work. The Dogo Argentino is also very social and likes to be part of family activities.
15. German Shepherd
A German Shepherd can weigh up to 88 pounds and stands 26-inches tall. It was originally a herding dog, but its high intelligence level became useful in search and rescue, guide, police, and military jobs. German Shepherds are bred specifically for their intelligence and accel at any task that requires reasoning.
16. Greyhound
The Greyhound can reach 88 pounds and stands 30 inches tall. It has powerful legs that can reach speeds of 40 mph. It doesn’t like strangers, but it is very affectionate to people it knows and likes. They are lazy and easy-going when they don’t have a job to do, and they enjoy being in the company of humans.
17. Jack Russell Terrier
A Jack Russell Terrier is a small but extremely powerful dog that can weigh up to 17 pounds standing 15 inches tall. Despite its compact package, many owners struggle to keep up with its high level of intensity. It’s primarily a working dog bred for long hours, and it can be challenging for inexperienced owners to burn off the excess energy and get your pet to settle down for the night.
18. Kangal Shepherd
The Kangal Shepherd dog is a large dog that can reach 145 pounds when fully grown. Its massive size is intimidating, but it’s a relatively calm dog that never becomes aggressive. It likes to sit back and watch over its flock, including the family, where it will remain throughout the day unless summoned for a different task.
19. Rat Terrier
The Rat Terrier is another compact dog with amazing strength for its size. It weighs about 25 pounds and stands 18 inches tall. It comes in a wide variety of colors, and the ears are large and erect. It’s very intelligent and easily trained, but extensive socialization early in life is required for them to get along with other family pets.
20. Rhodesian Ridgeback
The Rhodesian Ridgeback is another giant breed that can reach 110 pounds standing 31 inches tall. It’s known to be intelligent and loyal but shy around strangers and requires constant socialization and training to keep them open to meeting new people. Despite their large size, they are very sensitive and do not handle mistreatment well.
21. Rottweiler
Rottweilers are large dogs that can exceed 130 pounds. They stand by 27 inches tall and have a short double coat. Its strength comes from its history of pulling carts, and its intelligence level allows it to be used for police duty and search and rescue. It’s a good-natured dog that’s obedient and loyal to its family.
22. Saint Bernard
The Saint Bernard is one of the largest dogs on this list, and it can reach up to 180 pounds. Despite its large size, it has a very gentle disposition and has long been in the business of search and rescue. Saint Bernards are very patient and good with children, but you will require training to properly handle such a large breed.
23. Siberian Husky
The Siberian Husky is a medium-sized dog that can weigh up to 50 pounds and stands about 23 inches tall. It’s a compact dog that’s extremely muscular and built for endurance. It spread to pull sleds at high speed over long distances, and Siberian Huskies once pulled a sled more than 658 miles in only five days.
Conclusion
ConclusionWe hope you have enjoyed our look at these different muscular dog breeds and have found one you like the best. It’s hard to compete with the strength of a Saint Bernard, but that’s not the best dog for inexperienced owners due to its massive size. American Alsatian dogs are calm and good around children, and it may be a good choice if you’re inexperienced but still want something muscular and intimidating.
If you have found a few dog breeds on this list you hadn’t heard of before, please share these 23 muscular dog breeds on Facebook and Twitter.
Featured Image Credit: Sztrapacska74, Pixabay
Contents
- Muscular Dog Breeds
- 1. Alaskan Malamute
- 2. American Alsatian
- 3. American Bully
- 4. American Pit Bull Terrier
- 5. American Staffordshire Terrier
- 6. Australian Cattle Dog
- 7. Bandog
- 8. Boxer
- 9. Bully Whippet
- 10. Carpathian Shepherd
- 11. English Bulldog
- 12. Cane Corso
- 13. Doberman Pinscher
- 14. Dogo Argentino
- 15. German Shepherd
- 16. Greyhound
- 17. Jack Russell Terrier
- 18. Kangal Shepherd
- 19. Rat Terrier
- 20. Rhodesian Ridgeback
- 21. Rottweiler
- 22. Saint Bernard
- 23. Siberian Husky
- Conclusion
