Last Updated on March 2, 2024 by Aftab Tariq
Fastest dogs are known for their love of running. Do you know what your dog loves to do most? Some like to dig, some like to hunt, but many of them share a common love for running. They enjoy chasing after balls, frisbees, or even other dogs.
Some dogs are especially good at running fast. Long ago, people bred certain types of dogs to be very fast because they needed to run quickly for their jobs. Some of these dogs are still around today, like racing dogs and hunting dogs.
Even though many dogs aren’t working anymore and are now just pets, some can still run impressively fast. Some of these speedy dogs even enjoy taking part in events like Fast CAT, which lets them show off their sprinting skills.
“Fastest dogs race through life like the wind, showing us the power of speed and determination.”
In this article, we’ll talk about 15 of the fastest dogs. We’ll learn about how fast they can run, what they look like, and why they’re so good at running.
List of 15 Fastest Dogs Breeds
Here is the list of fastest dogs breeds:
1. Border Collie
Border Collies are a type of dog known for being smart and easy to train. People first bred them to help with herding sheep, so they needed to be quick and nimble. Like lots of other dogs that have jobs, they enjoy running a lot.
In fact, a Border Collie can run really fast – up to 30 miles per hour! These dogs have a lot of energy, so they need to get plenty of exercise every day. Whether they’re chasing a ball or helping out with herding animals, making sure a Border Collie stays active is super important.
2. German Shepherd
German Shepherds are some of the fastest dogs around. They’re often seen working with the police and military because they can run really fast and are easy to train.
They can go as fast as 30 miles per hour in short bursts. Apart from their speed, they’re also great at protecting things. They’re brave, loyal, and a lot of people love them.
3. Borzoi
Originally, Borzois were created for hunting and chasing animals like wolves, rabbits, and foxes. They are big dogs and can run faster than most other big dogs.
Borzois are very gentle and make great pets for families. A healthy adult Borzoi can run as fast as 35 miles per hour.
4. Dalmatian
Dalmatians are unique dogs known for their alertness, energy, and activity. They’re playful and enjoy being outside, with lots of stamina.
Their strong bodies allow them to run as fast as 37 miles per hour. In the past, they guarded Dalmatia’s borders, which required them to be quick and watchful. However, their speed and alertness can sometimes lead to clumsiness.
5. Great Dane
Great Danes are one of the biggest breeds of dogs and are known to be among the fastest dogs. Despite their large size and muscular build, they can run really fast.
They’re strong and have a lot of energy, allowing them to sprint quickly. However, they can’t maintain their speed for long periods and tend to get tired quickly during prolonged running sessions.
So, if you’re planning to take them for a long run, it’s important to provide them with plenty of water and breaks. Even though they’re fast, they need to rest and hydrate to keep their energy up.
An adult Great Dane can reach speeds of up to 30 miles per hour, showcasing their impressive speed despite their size.
6. Greyhound
Greyhounds are super speedy dogs! They were first bred to hunt, but now they’re famous for being the fastest dogs around, reaching impressive speeds up to their renowned greyhound top speed. People have been using them for racing for a long time.
Greyhounds are full of energy, and their legs can zoom as fast as 45 miles per hour. That’s why they’re known as racing dogs.
7. Jack Russell Terrier
Jack Russell Terriers are known as the “fastest, smallest” dog breed. Even though they’re small, they’re super speedy! They can run as fast as 30 miles per hour, darting around quickly for short distances. Originally, they were bred for hunting foxes.
These dogs are tough, strong, and always ready for action. They’re also very protective of their owners and where they live. If you like being active, a Jack Russell Terrier might be the perfect small dog for you.
8. Doberman Pinscher
Doberman Pinschers are often trained for protection jobs. They were first bred in 1880 by a tax collector named Karl Friedrich Louis Dobermann for this purpose. Known as one of the best protection dogs, the Doberman is athletic and can run up to 32 miles per hour.
Although they might not be the absolute fastest, they can still cover short distances swiftly. This ability makes them great guard dogs.
9. Poodle
10. Sloughi
The Sloughi is one of the rarest dog breeds, and it’s super speedy. It’s a type of sighthound mainly found in countries like Algeria, Morocco, Libya, and Tunisia.
These dogs have been around in North Africa for many years. Even though they’ve been around for a long time, they were only officially recognized by the AKC in 2016. Sloughis are really athletic and can zoom as fast as 42 miles per hour.
They’re usually calm and very sensitive, so it’s important to train them gently and avoid being too harsh.
11. Siberian Husky
Siberian Huskies are sled-pulling dogs. They were bred for running and working. While they might not be the absolute fastest, they make up for it with their strong endurance.
These dogs can run more than 100 miles every day! When they pull sleds, they can go at speeds of 10 to 15 miles per hour. Without sleds, they can run as fast as 30 miles per hour.
Their ability to go long distances makes them known for their great stamina. That’s why they’re still used for sled pulling today, like in the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race in Alaska.
12. Vizsla
The Vizsla is a type of dog from Hungary. It’s not too big and has short hair. They’re great at hunting. In Hungarian, their name means ‘tracker‘. These dogs have been around for a long time and are one of the oldest breeds in Europe.
At points, there weren’t many left. They have strong muscles and slender bodies, which help them run as fast as 40 miles per hour! Even though they’re full of energy, Vizslas are usually really gentle.
They’re good with families, including kids, and they’re friendly to strangers. Sometimes they can act like guard dogs too.
13. Whippet
Whippets are medium-sized dogs that come from England. They’re like smaller versions of Greyhounds and are known for being among the fastest dogs. These dogs were made for hunting by sight, so they needed to be quick.
While they’re not as fast as Greyhounds, they can still run pretty fast, up to 35 miles per hour, for long distances to catch their prey. That’s why they’re considered one of the fastest dogs around.
Even though they’re full of energy, Whippets are really gentle with kids, which makes them great pets for families.
14. Afghan Hound
The Afghan Hound is one of the fastest dogs, able to reach speeds of up to 40 miles per hour. They’re similar to other sighthounds but can be a bit more distant and stubborn, which makes training them tough.
Afghan Hounds have a strong urge to chase small animals, which can be a problem. They’re like the Saluki breed and were specially bred to hunt in the cold mountains of Afghanistan.
Originally, they hunted big animals in the mountains and deserts. Despite their silky fur, they have strong muscles that help them run super fast.
15. Saluki
Salukis are another type of Sighthound breed. They’re really athletic and can run very fast. People first used them for hunting animals like foxes, gazelles, hares, and jackals.
You can see Salukis in races at the Falconry Festival in the United Arab Emirates. They’re good at watching over things but not so great at protecting them. Salukis can sprint as fast as 42 miles per hour.
When they’re healthy and grown up, they can keep up their fast pace for two to three miles. Because they can run long distances at high speeds, they’re a popular choice for dog races in North Africa and the Middle East.
Note: To learn more about pets, you can read our article on Harpersatelier.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who Was Crowned the Fastest Dog in the World in 2023?
The Greyhound, hailed as the fastest dog in the world 2023, can reach speeds of up to 45 mph with its graceful movement. Their tall and elegant build adds to their charm as they sprint. Renowned for their gentle nature, they enjoy both chasing small animals and relaxing with their owners.
Sources
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