Strongly built dog (5)
I believe the answer is:
husky
'dog' is the definition.
(husky is a kind of dog)
I can't explain the rest of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for husky that I've seen before include "Slightly hoarse; dog" , "Arctic sled dog" , "sounding a little hoarse" , "Sled-dog" , "Sledge-dog" .)