Jason Morgan 
Doberman is a large breed dog and very active by nature. They regularly required a certain amount of exercise to keep themselves engaged and occupied. Dobermans are naturally muscular and well-defined dogs. Doberman is among those breeds that can build muscle faster than other breeds. And it is not difficult to get Dobermans to build muscles as they love to stay active. So now you must be thinking about how to build muscles in a Doberman and why it is important?
Before discussing how to build muscle in a Doberman, let’s discuss why it is so important to do exercise and build muscles in a Doberman
Why is it important?
There are several reasons why it is important to exercise and build muscle:
- Increase strength
- Improve overall health
- Reduce muscle loss
- Helps to regain muscles after injury, illness, or surgery
- Enhances their ability to perform better
Before you start exercising, you Dobie.
Before you begin any type of exercise or muscle-building training, there are certain things that you need to keep in mind. Such as:
Consult with your Veterinarian
Go to a vet and tell them that you want to start physical training for your Doberman. Ask for their advice about whether you should give this training or not. And give the vet a copy of the training schedule you have planned for your Dobie.
Before and after details
Before beginning the training session take photographs from the back, front, sides, and top; you can also take measurements of your Dobie’s body. These photos and measurements will help you compare the Doberman’s before and after look.
Daily Check
Regularly check the whole body of the Doberman to have a greater knowledge that your Dobie is free from injuries and illness. Always look for cracked or swollen body parts and trim their nails frequently. And if you notice any unusual behavior, skip training and take your Dobie to your vet.
Safety Measures
Suppose you are looking for tips that you can use to build a little muscle in your Dobie along with increasing their endurance. Then this is the perfect article for you. While training your Doberman, you must be aware of the safety measures. A few things that you need to keep in mind are:
- You should never start providing exercise to your Doberman before 18 to 2 years of age. Because the Doberman’s body is still growing or developing during this period, their bone and joints may not be strong enough to handle the pressure of exercising. It may create some permanent damage to your Dobie puppy.
- Always start with slow and simple exercises; through this, you can avoid major mishaps or injuries. Such as, if you want your Dobie to carry your backpack on a hike, then start by giving him/her empty bags and gradually add weights to them.
- Always pay attention to your Dobie while doing exercises. Notice whether your Dobie is pushing himself too much or suffering from pain or injury. It is a matter of concern if you notice any unusual signs such as foaming around their mouth, excessive panting, or whining.
- Dobermans have issues with getting too hot. So always give sufficient water to your Dobie to keep him hydrated, and if you observe your Dobie’s body temperature becoming too hot, then take him under a shade or near a tree and allow him to take some rest.
- Always access their body to check whether there are any injuries or damage. The early you will notice, the better it is to deal with
- Give them enough time to rest and relax.
- Try providing alternative exercises to your Doberman; it will provide the muscles time to recover.
- Never try to exceed the natural form of the Doberman.
- Do warm-up and cooling exercises.
How to Build Muscles in a Doberman?
One of the effective ways to build muscle in your Dobie is by feeding a high-protein diet along with some fun and enjoyable resistance-based exercises. However, it is also important to remember that genetically Dobermans are made as marathon runners, not as bodybuilders. So no matter how much exercise or physical activity they do, they can become muscular to a certain point, but not beyond that. Hence, just to gain a muscular body, you should never force them to exercise more as this will not give you a muscular body. Rather the Doberman will become more tired.
Dobermans are energetic dogs requiring at least 2 hours of exercise regularly. Here are some activities that you can motivate your Dobie to do
Improve Endurance
To increase endurance, the Doberman needs regular exercise, and you can do this by encouraging the Doberman to do physical activities that he enjoys. Such as, Dobermans love to walk with their owner, play fetch, and so on. Remember that not all exercise is suitable for every Doberman; hence you should consult with your vet to know which exercise is best and required for your Dobie. Most importantly, keep in mind to start any exercise slowly.
Building Muscle Mass
Like endurance training to build muscle mass, your Dobie needs to exercise regularly. Several different exercises are available to build or strengthen muscle mass, such as Swimming, Hiking, Running, and so on.
Tone And Definition
Dobermans naturally have a toned & lean structure and have very low fat in their body. So you don’t need to put much effort into toning their body. Regular basic exercise can naturally tone a Doberman’s body. Still, if you want to make it more prominent, then rather than giving them strength-building exercises once a week, you can provide them twice a week.
Activities to Build Muscle Mass
Walking is one of the effective ways to build muscle in your Doberman. But along with walking, your Dobie needs high-intensity exercise to maintain its toned muscle. Regular exercise strengthens their muscles, supports their joints, and prevents injury. A few activities are given below:
Flirt Pole
It is a perfect exercise for Dobermans as it works for their whole body and strengthens their muscles. It also helps in burning more calories quickly. However, do not forget to warm up your Dobie before beginning this activity, and do not allow them to destroy the toy.
Fetching
Playing fetching with your Doberman is another excellent physical activity to burn your Dobie’s pent-up energy. Dobermans love to play this game. If you don’t have much time to play with your Dobie for an extended period, then purchase an automatic ball launcher so that your Dobie can play fetch by themselves.
Weighted Hikes
Most Dobermans can handle weight up to 20% of their weight. To improve their muscle strength, do some weighted hikes with your pet. To train your Dobie, start with an empty backpack for the initial few hikes and gradually add more weights to it.
Strength building Activities
To increase their overall strength, make them do some strength-building activities. However, you should do it only once a week. Some examples of strength-building exercises are, running up the hill, running in the sand, running uphill in the sand, and so on.
Swimming
Swimming is another way to build strength in a Doberman. Though Dobermans love to play with water due to their lean body, it is a bit difficult for them to swim for a long time. But if you train your Doberman to do so, it is a great exercise to burn energy and uses all of their muscles, particularly the legs and shoulder.
Bottom Line
Dobermans are naturally large dog breeds with a lean body and strong muscle. With little effort and training, you can build more toned muscles and define every single feature of your Dobermans body.
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of exercise does a Doberman need?
Though Dobermans are large breed dogs, they don’t require a lot of physical activities. To keep your Dobie active, you can take them for running, walking, hiking, and swimming. At least 1 to 2 hours of exercise daily is enough for a Doberman.
How much exercise do Dobermans need?
Dobermans are high-energy dogs requiring daily exercise to burn their energies. According to the vet, a Doberman needs 2 hours of exercise daily.
How can I help my dog build muscle?
Several activities are available to build muscle in your dog, such as running, swimming, spring pole exercise, weight training, and so on.
How many miles should a Doberman run?
Dobermans can run between 5 to 10 miles. However, it varies from one Dobermans to another.
