Rottweilers are big dogs, with males weighing upward of 130 pounds and females as much as 110 pounds. If you’re the proud owner of a Rottie, you know that big size is matched by big energy: These canines love to run around and play with their owners.

You want your dog to maintain its size and bulk without carrying excess fat. The solution? Help them build and maintain lean muscle mass. This guide explains how to safely and effectively build muscle on your Rottweiler dog.

Ensure Your Rottweiler Gets Their Exercise

Physical activity is important because it helps your dog burn off pent-up energy and prevents obesity. According to the American Kennel Club, obesity in dogs is linked to a slew of health problems, from an increased risk of arthritis to liver disease, diabetes, kidney disease, and more.

Rottweilers have naturally muscular physiques like many guard dogs, including boxers, bulldogs, Dobermans, and pit bulls. One of the most important things you can do to help your Rottweiler bulk up is to ensure they get sufficient physical activity.

Cardiovascular Exercises

Cardiovascular exercise boosts your dog’s heart and lung health. It also helps expend energy and burn calories, preventing unhealthy weight gain. It can further promote gastrointestinal regularity, boost the immune system, and regulate eating and sleeping patterns.

Sufficient exercise also keeps your dog entertained, preventing boredom. This helps stave off potential behavioral issues like nuisance barking or tearing up your furniture.

To get your dog moving, take them for walks, play with them outside, or have them run alongside you as you cycle. If you have a body of water nearby and your Rottie likes to take a dip, swimming is another option.

Muscle-Building Exercises

Muscle training should target the entire body, from the chest and shoulders to the haunches and back legs. You’ve probably seen dogs that appear overly bulky at the front. This is due to uneven training. It’s problematic, as it can cause balance issues and result in mobility problems, back pain, and hip issues.

Here are some activities you can do with your Rottweiler to boost muscle evenly:

• Flirt pole: A flirt pole has a long handle with a toy or lure at the end. It’s like a giant cat toy. You move the lure in different directions and let your pup chase it. You can work different muscles in your dog’s body by having them go up stairs, run around poles, and jump over objects.
• Fetch: Yes, even a simple game of fetch can help boost your Rottweiler’s muscles — if you add weight! Have your dog play fetch using a heavy object, like a plastic dumbbell or a water bottle filled with sand.
• Tug of war: A sturdy rope is great for this resistance training activity. Encourage your Rottie to stay low to the ground as they pull. When they crouch, they work a different set of muscles in their legs than when moving forward.
• Stair climbing: Going up and down stairs likewise requires your dog to make use of leg muscles they don’t normally put to use on flat ground. Going down stairs also enhances balance and core stability.
• Squats: Have your dog repeatedly sit and stand to perform “doggy squats.” You can use treats to motivate them. Add resistance with a weighted vest. Just don’t add more than 10% of their overall body weight.
• Spring pole: If you don’t have time or energy to invest in your Rottweiler’s workouts, a spring pole is a great solution. It consists of a spring connected to a rope you can hang from a beam or branch. This way, your pup can play tug of war solo.
• Weight pulling: If you really want to amp up your dog’s muscles, you’ll have to add more resistance to their muscle-building workouts. Weight pulling is ideal. You put your dog in a specialized weight-pulling harness and then have them drag a weight behind them. Have them go 10 to 20 yards at most and then rest for two minutes before repeating. Make sure to build up weight gradually to avoid overexertion.

Rest Days

Just like humans, dogs need rest days if they’re getting a lot of exercise. Rest days give your Rottie’s body time to recover from workouts and allow muscle growth. A strength-training workout will cause small tears in the muscle fibers. When your dog rests, the muscles repair themselves and grow, adding bulk you’re hoping to achieve.

Rest days can also help prevent injuries related to excessive exercise. Rottweiler dogs are susceptible to certain health issues, including hip dysplasia and ACL damage. Before you start your pup on any new exercise routine, consult a veterinarian. This is especially important for older or overweight dogs, which increases the risk of joint problems.

Give Your Dog the Fuel They Need With High-Quality Food

Rottweilers are a hardworking breed, and they need plenty of energy to foster their physical activity. Food provides them the fuel they need for maximum performance. Diet helps repair and build tissues, including muscle fibers. A healthy diet also promotes shiny fur, supports healthy hormone regulation, and increases energy levels and immune function.

When planning your dog’s diet, consider factors like their current fitness level, age, and existing health problems. For example, if your dog is overweight, it may benefit from diet kibble. Here’s a generalized breakdown of dog caloric needs:

• A healthy adult dog needs about 2,200 calories per day.
• Pups that get a lot of physical activity may need up to 3,500 calories.
• Less active dogs (like senior dogs that have slowed down) may need less: 1,800 calories a day will likely be sufficient.

So, just what should you be feeding your Rottie? Prioritize a high-protein diet since protein is the basic building block needed to build muscle. As a general rule of thumb, a dog should get 1 gram of protein per pound of body weight every day.

Don’t skimp on your pup’s food: Aim for the best dog foods. Bully Max offers high-protein dog food with a balance of 30% protein and 20% fat. This formula is designed to boost energy, alertness, and strength. These products are packed with healthy, natural ingredients and trusted by K-9 units, champion breeders, and vets alike.

Avoid giving your dog foods lacking in nutritional value — so-called “empty calories.” Table scraps are generally a no-no. Plus, many human foods are actually dangerous for dogs. Gnawing on a chicken or turkey drumstick can be a hazard if it splinters and cuts the delicate tissues inside your dog’s mouth, for example. Save the people food for people.

Finally, make sure your Rottweiler is getting sufficient fresh water as part of their diet. This prevents dehydration, which can lead to weight loss. In general, Rotties require about 20 to 40 milliliters of water per pound of body weight. Your dog will drink when it’s thirsty, so let them have as much water as they want to consume. 

Try Supplements to Build Muscle and Speed Post-Exercise Healing

Often, a standard dog food diet alone isn’t enough to give your Rottie the vitamins and minerals they need to grow and maintain muscle. In this case, supplements can help. You feed your dog supplements alongside their regular diet, giving them an added boost of nutrition in a small dose.

Bully Max supplements are veterinarian-formulated and all-natural. They are 100% safe and contain no harmful ingredients like steroids or creatine. With 19 ingredients, these supplements offer a healthy dose of amino acids, fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals — all the goods your Rottie needs to bulk up.

These supplements can further improve your pup’s mobility and flexibility, helping keep joints healthy as the dog gets older. They also speed recovery time after muscle-building workouts, keeping your dog’s muscle-growth momentum on track.

Bully Max Has the Key to Building Muscle on Your Rottweiler

As the above guide has hopefully made clear, there is no silver-bullet solution to building muscle on a Rottie. It requires a balanced approach combining diet, exercise, and supplements. In general, it’s always best to consult a veterinarian before making any major changes to any dog breed’s care plan.

Bully Max supplements and food are veterinarian-formulated and can serve as a critical part of your Rottweiler’s muscle growth. Bully Max offers free shipping to dog owners throughout the United States, plus a 30-day guarantee. If you don’t see a change in your dog’s appearance or energy levels, you can return the unused supplements and get your money back.