Isn’t it the best feeling in the world when your dog comes bounding to the front door to greet you when you get home from work? But as you may have noticed, especially if you are a parent to multiple breeds, some dogs can cover distance faster than others. So, have you ever wondered: How fast can a dog run? Read on to find out.
Dogs can normally run at about 15-20 miles/hour. However, some breeds are a lot faster and others are a lot slower than this average.
Greyhounds are the fastest runners among dogs. This breed can reach speeds of up to 40-45 miles/hour. The greyhound’s aerodynamic build helps it pick up and sustain high speeds. Other dog breeds that can run fast and their average speeds are listed below:
Interestingly, some of these breeds were developed as working or hunting dogs, and they needed speed, muscular bodies, and aerodynamics to perform their jobs effectively. Now, domestic pets are no longer used for these tasks, but the breeds have retained their ability to run fast. So, if you’re an active individual or family that loves to play fetch, these are some of the breeds that will chase the ball with energy and bring it back to you in a jiffy.
If you love running and are looking for a dog that will not only keep up with you but also push you to keep up with it, there are breeds that have both speed and endurance, such as German Shorthaired Pointers, Siberian Huskies, Rhodesian Ridgebacks, English Setters, and Weimaraners.
As mentioned, an aerodynamic build (long, lean body) is one of the key anatomic characteristics that gives dogs speed when running. Other factors that make some dogs better sprinters than others include a better grip on the paw pads and more traction in their claws, a strong spine and abdominal muscles, and a double suspension gallop (where all four legs can go up in the air at once while running). These features add up to give some breeds their excellent speed.
Some of the slowest dog breeds are Pugs, Shih Tzus, and Basset Hounds. They all run at average speeds of 5-10 miles/hour. We’ve written a blog outlining the pros and cons of getting a Shih Tzu if that’ s a breed you’re considering. You can also look up the breed specific pages on Puppy Hero to learn more about the temperament, exercise needs, grooming care, and health issues for each dog breed.
Here are some other dog breeds that are also slow runners:
If you are looking for a walking companion who likes to take it easy, for example, if you’re an older adult, then these breeds may be a good pick for you.
Now, if you’re already the proud parent of an energetic speedster and are thinking of creating a space for your pooch to exercise safely, be sure to read our blog on the optimum size for a dog run.
23 February, 2024