Dogs are excellent athletes and love nothing more than a good run. A dog’s stamina is excellent, so running long distances comes naturally to them. In this article, we will provide the answer to the most common question regarding how fast can the average dog run? Read the article until the end to know everything about this topic.
What I Will Learn?
How Fast Can The Average Dog Run Under Normal Circumstances?
The average dog can run at a speed of about 16-22 mph. The speed depends on different factors like age, health conditions, and the daily exercise routine of the dog.
Like humans, the reflexes of dogs slow with age. Older dogs cannot run as fast as young active ones. Similarly, ill or injured dogs will not be able to run at all. So there is a cut-off point when it comes to how fast an average dog can run.
For most healthy dogs, their top running speed is around 19-25 mph under normal circumstances. However, some dogs do have the ability to reach speeds of up to 30 mph, but it is rare. An average dog can run for about an hour without getting tired.
What Factors Affect The Speed of The Dogs?
Few factors affect the speed of the dog. Here are some of them:
- Health Condition – Dogs who are not healthy enough cannot run at full speed. Some dogs cannot run at all if they are ill or injured.
- Age – Age also has a great impact on the speed of the dogs. Older dogs are slow as compared to the young puppies.
- Regular Exercise Routine – A dog’s metabolism increases with more exercise and activity which allows them to run faster during regular activities
Apart from these factors, the speed of a dog depends on its breed and genetics. Dogs that are bred to run, such as Greyhounds and Huskies, are naturally faster than other breeds. Also, when the dogs are excited, scared, and are chasing an animal, their speed naturally increases. The speed of dogs is slow when they are not interested or excited about something.
How Fast Can Dog Breeds Run?
The fastest breed of the dog is the Greyhound. They can reach speeds of up to 43 mph in short bursts and have excellent Stamina. Their muscular legs make them such good runners that they do not need a lot of space to run.
The speed of breeds depends on their category. The dog breeds are divided into some categories. The categories include:
Working: The speed of this category is about 27 mph, their body is built for endurance, and they can run all day long without getting tired. For example Finnish Lapphund, Swedish Lapphund, and Canadian Eskimo Dog
Herding: The speed of this category is around 30 mph and they are energetic and agile. Their body is built for speed and agility. For example Border Collie, Icelandic Sheepdog, Norwegian Buhund
Sighthounds: The speed of this category is up to 36 mph and they have excellent scenting skills with great eyesight. They can detect the movements of other animals before they even start running. For example Greyhound, Saluki, and Afghan Hound
Toy: Dogs that are in this category can only run up to 11 mph. They are tiny dogs with short legs and have no muscle power at all. For example Pug, Shih Tzu, Chihuahua
Terrier: Dogs that fall into this category can run up to 30 mph. They are active little dogs with high energy levels and they have a sturdy build. For example Fox Terrier, Airedale Terrier
Non-Sporting: These dogs have an average speed of about 29 mph. They may not be as fast as other categories but their stamina levels are very high. For example Boston Terrier, Boxer, and Bulldog
Sporting: This category comprises dogs with an average speed of 32 mph. They have a strong body built for endurance and stamina. For example Golden Retriever, Labrador, and Weimaraner
Hound: This category has a speed of 32 mph. They have an excellent sense of smell and they are often used as hunting dogs. For example Beagle, BloodHound, and Foxhound
Why Some Dogs Can’t Run Fast?
If a dog is not healthy, it can lose the ability to run fast. A dog with an injury or other serious health problems cannot even run because of the pain, and he appears very slow as a result. A dog who is obese or older than 5 may also lose the ability to run fast. The dog may be unable to run if the owner does not take proper care of them.
Conclusions
To conclude we can say that the speed of a dog depends on how strong and healthy he is. Every dog has its own speed and can run faster or slower than other dogs. Several factors affect the speed of dogs, but their overall health is what makes or breaks their ability to run fast.
FAQs
1. How fast can the fastest dog in the world run?
The fastest dog in the world can run up to speeds of 43 mph.
2. How fast does a dog run a mile?
On average, dogs can run up to 10 miles per hour.
3. What is the slowest dog in the world?
The slowest dog in the world is a Shih Tzu.
