18 of the Fastest Dog Breeds in the World
Updated: Apr. 10, 2024
Blink and you might miss them. These fastest dog breeds are lightning-fast!
Dogs certainly have some advantages over us two-legged humans when it comes to natural athleticism. They can jump high fences in a single bound, detect thousands of smells and hear things we can’t. But figuring out which are the fastest dog isn’t as simple as it appears. Some of the biggest dog breeds can reach incredible speeds and some of the best runners are also the most lazy dog breeds around. As we all know, running is good exercise for both humans and dogs (though not for puppies, whose bones are still growing), and going on a run with your dog can be a great way to bond. Many people stay away from a high-energy dog when they’re looking for a pet, but if you’re committed to giving them (and you!) the exercise they need to be happy and healthy, dogs that love to run can be a fantastic addition to your family. Some dogs are definitely better suited to be running buddies than others, though, and it isn’t necessarily the fastest dogs that make the best jogging companions but the dogs with the best endurance.
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How fast can a dog run?
In general, most dogs can run about 15 to 20 miles per hour for a short distance. Lean, long-legged dogs with deep chests (meaning big lungs) tend to be able to run the fastest, from 25 to 45 miles per hour. For dogs like sighthounds, long strides and small mass keep them moving forward quickly. The fastest breeds run using a gait called a double-suspension gallop, where all four feet are off the ground twice during a stride instead of just once, like a horse. Many also have larger hearts and even higher levels of red blood cells. But small dog breeds with short legs like Shih Tzus or huge breeds like St. Bernards tend to be slower because of the former’s short gait and the latter’s mass. Other dogs have trouble running fast because they simply can’t breathe well enough to be that athletic. Those are brachycephalic, or flat-faced dogs with a short snout, like pugs, bulldogs and Basset hounds. The dogs that can run the longest are the Alaskan Malamute and Siberian Husky. Both bred as sled dogs, they are strong, with plenty of stamina, and can maintain a good running pace of 10 to 15 mph for hours and hours.
How we calculated the fastest dog breeds
To find the fastest dog breeds on the planet, we looked to the American Kennel Club’s Fast CAT® coursing ability test, which times how fast a dog can run in 100 yards. In the agility trial, each dog runs by itself while chasing a lure, so there are no distractions from competitors. In fairness, some large breed dogs may actually run faster than demonstrated in the AKC trials, if only because their larger frame and heavier weight means they need more space to pick up full speed, which the 100-yard course doesn’t allow for. But there’s no doubt that the 18 fastest dog breeds we’ve listed here are speedy—just take a look at some of the mphs they clocked!
#1: Greyhound
Top speed: 42 mph
Standing up to 30 inches high at the shoulder, greyhounds are the fastest dog in the world, and among the fastest sprinters on the planet. Like cheetahs, they run in a double suspension gallop, meaning that their bodies contract and extend as they run, with all four feet leaving the ground in each movement. In fact, when a greyhound runs, its feet are touching the ground only 25% of the time! And how fast can a greyhound run? The fastest dog in the world can reach top speed within six strides, up to a whopping 42 mph, per the Guinness Book of World Records. However, owners of greys know that their day-to-day speed is more snoozer than sprinter: They’re known as couch potatoes who sleep as much as cats—about 18 hours a day! Weirdly, despite their size and speed, greyhounds are ideal apartment dogs because of their massive capacity to just chill out. Just take the fastest dog in the world out on a daily walk and let them tear around the park a couple of times a week, and they should be good!
#2: Whippet
Top speed: 39 mph
If you think the sleek Whippet resembles a smaller Greyhound, you’re right! These medium-sized dogs are descended from Greys; they’re both racing dog breeds, which is why Whippets are the fastest dogs of their size, reaching speeds of up to 35 mph. Also like the Greyhound, Whippets are gentle dogs who love to lounge and cuddle for all the hours when they’re not sprinting. They’re great apartment dogs, especially given their aversion to barking. With regular exercise and a few sprints a week, Whippets make sweet family dogs.
#3: Borzoi
Top speed: 36 mph
Also known as Russian Wolfhounds, the Borzoi is a gorgeous, goofy, leggy hound with a love of both sprinting and lounging. Like Greyhounds, they’re great apartment dogs despite their large size. With gentle and happy-go-lucky personalities, Borzois show little sign of what they were bred for: hunting wolves. Their long coats need regular grooming, but Borzoi owners will find themselves with a graceful and rewarding dog companion.
#4: Belgian Malinois
Top speed: 33 mph
You may have marveled at a handsome Belgian Malinois’s ability to excel in agility trials, take commands from their person or even … climb trees? Yep, these fearless, multitasking dogs are used by the police and military, thanks to their ability to sniff out explosives or take down an adversary. But these hyper-alert and ready-to-please beauties are also fast—reaching speeds up to 33 mph. While they can make good family pets, a Malinois is first and foremost a working dog, which means they’re best for the active owner who can devote time—and lots of it—to keeping their canine pal on the go, whether with daily hikes or runs, long games of fetch or agility exercises.
#5: Saluki
![A saluki dog [Persian greyhound] running on the beach with a tennis ball in it's mouth](https://www.rd.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/GettyImages-655745200.jpg?fit=680%2C454)
Top speed: 32 mph
Hailing from the Fertile Crescent in the Middle East, Salukis are an ancient breed of hunting dog. They were used by kings to hunt down speedy game like gazelle, and they’ve retained their sprinting skills today. Roughly the same shape as a Greyhound, with a recognizable small waist and deep chest, Salukis are very beautiful dogs with long, feathered, floppy ears and gentle dispositions. Like Greyhounds, Salukis are sighthounds—dogs that hunt primarily by sight rather than smell. As such, they have a high prey drive. Salukis have more endurance than Greyhounds and may make better running companions among the fastest dog breeds.
#6 (A five-way tie!): Afghan hound
Top speed: 31 mph
Sensing a theme among these fastest dog breeds? These long-legged hounds sure can run! Although Afghans look more like supermodels than sprinters, they’re another old breed whose thick, silky coats and large paws allow them to keep up and keep warm on the rocky hunting grounds of their Central Asian homeland. If you can commit to a grooming regimen to take care of that coat, an Afghan can be a wonderful, sensitive companion. They also make a great running partner! Having been bred for all-day hunts, these hounds have tons of stamina and can definitely keep up on the miles.
#6: Weimaraner
Top speed: 31 mph
Originating in Germany (hence the proper pronunciation of “Vy-ma-rah-na”), a Weimaraner is instantly recognizable by its silvery-gray coat, floppy ears and blue or amber eyes. A medium-sized, versatile gun dog, the Weimaraner is extremely intelligent and needs a lot of exercise to be happy and healthy. These athletic pooches were bred to be all-round hunting dogs when the Duke of Weimar crossed Bloodhounds with French and German hunting dogs. The result is a wonderful family dog that is eager to join in with any adventure.
#6: Border collie
Top speed: 31 mph
Intelligent, energetic and speedy, the Border collie is a beloved dog that also happens to be one of the fastest dog breeds. And did we mention energetic? If you’re not a rancher already, this breed is particularly suited to the time-rich and active, who can dedicate the sort of time the Border collie needs to fulfill its exercise and mental stimulation needs. They were originally bred as herders, and their skills translate into the sport of agility in non-farm dogs. Border collies are extremely smart and trainable and would make perfect running companions, especially if you’re training for a marathon! Their endurance means they can run all day, and you may be the one trying to keep up.
#6: Ibizan hound
Top speed: 31 mph
These bat-eared sweeties have the long, slim legs and bodies we’ve seen on the other fastest dog breeds, which explains their top speed of 40 mph. Hailing from the Catalan region of Spain and France, Ibizan hounds, or “Beezers,” as they’re known by their owners, were bred to hunt smaller game-like rabbits. They hunted by leaping high above the shrub to keep their game in sight and are amazing jumpers. The smooth- or wire-coated red and white hounds are smart and playful, making good family dogs as long as they are properly socialized.
#6: Boxer
Top speed: 31 mph
You may think “boxer” and imagine a loveable goofball who’s always ready to jump, romp, play ball or create some mischief. And you wouldn’t be wrong! But boxers are also fast—they’ve been clocked at 31 mph. Descended from thousands of years of working dogs, this loveable does need to be kept active, but running, other than short bursts, may not be the best activity. Although not to the extent of pugnose breeds like pugs and bulldogs, boxers are a brachycephalic breed, meaning they have a shortened skull and nose and are susceptible to breathing problems. They’re also not tolerant of extreme heat or cold, so keep that in mind when exercising them.
#11 (An eight-way tie!): Doberman Pinscher
Top speed: 31 mph
How many times have you seen the bad guy in a movie stop dead in his tracks when he sees a Doberman Pinscher? That’s because as every burglar and bandit knows, you don’t mess with a diligent Dobie, who’s as fast as he is relentless and protective of his home. But these famous guard dogs are much more than their stereotypes of studded collars and snarling teeth. They’re exceedingly loyal family dogs who are affectionate, playful and great with children. Just give them lots of daily exercise, lest they mistake the couch for an intruder and rip it to shreds!
#11: Italian greyhound
Top speed: 30 mph
With their small size and regal bearing, Italian greyhounds have typically been thought of as lovers, not fighters—they were once a status symbol in European courts. But these pint-sized pups are fast—they’re sighthounds that are ready to chase after a small animal. In turn, these sleek bolts of speed may attract the attention of larger sighthounds. So for their own safety and that of the neighborhood squirrels, IGs’ should be kept on a leash or in an enclosed yard. They’re also sensitive to cold, so prefer a cozy warm bed—ideally, yours.
#11: Great Dane
Top speed: 30 mph
You might not associate a dog that can tip the scales at 175 lbs with speed, but these big boys can move. Great Danes were originally bred to take on wild boar, so high-speed running is still in their DNA. But your Dane doesn’t need to jog or even run—a few brisk walks and some good games of fetch should give him the exercise he needs. Because Great Danes are prone to gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV), a potentially deadly event, you should never exercise your pup around mealtime.
#11: Belgian Tervuren
Top speed: 30 mph
If you mistake a Belgian Tervuren for a shaggy Belgian Malinois, we won’t hold it against you: the breeds are related, and very similar in agility, intelligence and the love of having a job to do. Tervs have long, lush coats and wolflike stature, so much so that they’ve doubled for wolves in the movies. And like their European cousins, they’re known for trying to outsmart their human companions. These former farm dogs are fast and need an owner who keeps them on their paws.
#11: Sloughi
Top speed: 30 mph
Elegant, agile and generally docile Sloughis are an ancient breed with a hazy family tree. They’re thought to have originated in North Africa and are often referred to as the “Arabian greyhound.” They’re similar in stature to their better-known cousins, and like greyhounds and other sighthounds, are highly prey-driven. For that reason, these speedy pups need room to run, but in confined spaces where they’re safe to cut loose a little bit without being a risk to themselves or to small animals that might cross their paths.
#11: Vizsla
Top speed: 30 mph
Instantly recognizable by their bright, reddish-gold coats, Vizslas (pronounced “Veeshla,” and also known as Hungarian Pointers) are all-around athletes that also make the list of fastest dog breeds, able to reach speeds of 30 mph. Equally proficient in hunting, retrieving, swimming and agility sports, Vizslas are super smart and energetic. They tend to bond closely and affectionately to their owners, and with their graceful gait and immense stamina, they’d be perfect running, hiking or cycling companions. Vizslas’ tails are quite brittle and are therefore often docked a third of the way down to prevent injury, although the necessity of this operation is contested. Either way, the Vizsla makes a wonderful companion for an outdoorsy type.
#11: Dalmatian
Top speed: 30 mph
One of the most distinctive-looking dogs, the gorgeous spotted Dalmatian is also one of the fastest dog breeds, clocking in at 30 mph. You may picture them on the back of a fire truck or carriage, but Dalmatians have the kind of athleticism and stamina that makes them perfect for hikers, joggers and outdoors enthusiasts. Originally bred as guard dogs, high-energy Dalmatians can be aloof with strangers and are protective of their humans. With regular exercise and lots of love, Dals make wonderful companions.
#11: German shorthaired pointer
Top speed: 30 mph
Though they’re considered an ideal hunting dog, German shorthaired pointers are also loving and loyal family pets—great with kids, big cuddle bugs and adaptable in most situations. But because they’re a high-energy breed, they need frequent exercise, in the form of brisk daily walks, runs, games of fetch or even swimming. Keep a GSP active and worn out and you’ll have a pup that’s content to sack out on the couch with you at the end of the day.
Why trust us
At Reader’s Digest, we’re committed to producing high-quality content by writers with expertise and experience in their field in consultation with relevant, qualified experts. For this piece, Chloë Nannestad tapped her experience covering dog breeds, and then Caroline Coile, PhD, an award-winning journalist specializing in canine breeds, health and science, gave it a rigorous review to ensure that all information is accurate and offers the best possible advice to readers. We verify all facts and data, back them with credible sourcing and revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.
Sources:
- AKC: Fast Cat Top 20 Fastest Dogs By Breeds
Originally Published: March 20, 2024
