Muscle Development in a Growing Subject
Muscle development in a subject that has difficulty increasing lean mass and consequently gaining weight during growth must be approached carefully and at the right time.
It is advisable to begin muscle strengthening only after 12 months of age and exclusively after completing radiographic screening for dysplasia (which can also only be performed after 12 months). Starting earlier could be harmful to the subject and would not improve the desired outcome.
Radiographic examination provides a complete overview of the pelvis: a well-formed pelvis fully encloses the femoral head within the acetabulum, thereby excluding the presence of dysplasia. For this breed, a subject is considered free from dysplasia if the hip grade ranges from A to C and the elbow grade is 0 or BL.
How to Carry Out Muscle Development
The first step is to carefully manage and increase nutrition. A useful recommendation is to include boiled meat and two eggs per week in the diet. Body weight should be monitored weekly, as the subject may gain or lose weight depending on dietary input and physical activity.
A key factor is the type of physical work performed: high heart rate activity (anaerobic work) leads to excessive calorie burning, which is not beneficial for the intended goal. Instead, aerobic work is preferred, maintaining a moderate heart rate through a steady pace on short but steep inclines. Additionally, it is helpful to include treadmill sessions 2–3 times per week with variations in speed.
At the same time, daily caloric intake should be gradually increased by introducing supplements progressively, while always maintaining a base of feed (10 g per kg of body weight).
Expected Results
By following this approach, improvements will be seen in the development of the back, shoulders, and chest. The hamstrings will also be strengthened, promoting correct hindquarter angulation. As a result, the subject will become more stable, stronger, and will show an increase in lean muscle mass.
