Are you looking for a running, biking, or hiking canine buddy? If so, you need to consider the fastest dog breeds out there that can keep up with your active lifestyle. There are a variety of breeds that have different talents and run fast. It’s up to you to decide which one is best suited for your daily life.
A workout buddy that stays by your side keeps up with you, challenges you, and encourages you is hard to find in a human friend. However, an active dog known for its fast running skills is the ultimate workout buddy, best friend, and family pet.
If you live on a ranch or farm, you should look towards a hunting or herding breed so that they can help out on your property. Can you imagine a herding dog that is lightning fast? Your ranch or farm will be highly organized and run smoother with this particular hound helping out.
The challenge with choosing just one of these incredible breeds is finding the right one that fits into your lifestyle. The following information will help guide you towards the ideal breed that will fit into your life.
Fastest Dog Breeds
1. Dalmatian
This breed was initially bred to trot alongside a coach or carriage to prevent robberies. While they don’t do this job any longer, they still have a dignified and reserved posture. They are dependable watchdogs that are loyal, bright, and loving. They can run up to 37 mph.
Key Information
- Height – 19 to 24 inches
- Weight – 45 to 70 pounds
- Physical Features – Long legs, black-spotted coat, muscular and powerful hindquarters.
2. Greyhound
This dog breed is usually recognized due to its ability to race. They can run up to 45 mph and achieve this
speed during the first six strides. These champion sprinters have an independent personality and are sweet-tempered, gentle, and generous as a companion pet. Their graceful appearance won the hearts of kings, poets, and artists for thousands of years.
Key Information
- Height – 28 to 30 inches
- Weight – 65 to 70 pounds
- Physical Features – Lean body, a deep chest that gently curves, tucked waist, and graceful appearance.
3. Doberman Pinscher
This breed is a working dog that was bred for speed. They are knowledgeable and athletic. They are excellent protection dogs due to their fearless nature. They make great family pets and are known for protecting the family, household, and property. They can run up to 32 mph.
Key Information
- Height – 26 to 28 inches
- Weight – 75 to 100 pounds
- Physical Features – Muscular build, shiny coat, wedge-shaped head, pointy ears, and healthy posture.
4. Border Collie
This breed is known for herding sheep and other farm animals. They are excellent workers that steer and
run alongside farm animals. They can run up to 30 mph if needed.
They thrive when they are working and are great family pets. However, they are natural workaholics that require plenty of exercises to meet their physical and health needs.
Key Information
- Height – 19 to 22 inches
- Weight – 30 to 55 pounds
- Physical Features – They are energetic, have a long coat, strong legs, and a kind expression on their face.
5. Standard Poodle
Soft fluffy curls and a friendly personality might not scream athleticism, but the Poodle can run up to 30 mph. They were initially bred to be duck hunters, which required them to run long distances quickly. They make an excellent companion and family dogs due to their kind nature, intelligence, and loyalty.
Key Information
- Height – 15 inches
- Weight – 60 to 70 pounds
- Physical Features – Long legs, hypoallergenic coat, curly hair, long snout, and floppy ears.
6. German Shepherd
This breed is known for its ability to guard and as working dogs for the military and police. They can run
up to 30 mph, making it easy for them to chase their target when on duty.
They have a sweet loving nature and a high intelligence level. While they are great working dogs, they also make fantastic family pets that remain loyal and protective to the entire family.
Key Information
- Height – 22 to 26 inches
- Weight – 50 to 90 pounds
- Physical Features – Natural gait, graceful curves, pointy ears, long snout, muscular legs, and expressive eyes.
7. Great Dane
This gentle giant can sprint up to 30 mph. Their large size is often intimidating to most people, but they are like big kids and easy to live with indoors. They are sweet, kind, caring, and enjoy attention from their owners.
Key Information
- Height – 28 to 32 inches
- Weight – 140 to 175 pounds
- Physical Features – Long legs, tail, and snout. Pointed ears that stand erect. Muscular body and short-haired coat.
8. American Pit Bull Terrier
This breed is good-natured, confident, intelligent, and loyal. They run up to 27 mph and reach this speed
quickly. They often get a bad reputation when their owner trains them to be aggressive, but their original character is kind, sweet, gentle, and playful.
They do exceptionally well in public when they are appropriately socialized. They are excellent family pets but require plenty of exercises.
Key Information
- Height – 17 to 19 inches
- Weight – 40 to 7 pounds
- Physical Features – Broadhead, round eyes, pronounced cheekbones, well-defined jaw, and springy gait.
9. Siberian Huskies
This breed is most often seen pulling a dogsled in Alaska. They run up to 28 mph and capable of running up to 125 mph per day. Siberian Huskies are intelligent, friendly, and dignified. They thrive when they are working and require large amounts of exercise daily.
They adapt consideringly well to various living conditions and make an excellent pet for a family that lives an active lifestyle walking, running, and hiking.
Key Information
- Height – 20 to 23 inches
- Weight – 35 to 60 pounds
- Physical Features – Almond-shaped eyes, muscular, thick coat, pointy ears, long snout, and strong legs.
10. Borzoi
This breed is a Russian wolfhound that dates back to the 17th century. They have an extraordinary ability to run 35 to 40 mph. They are loyal, agreeable, and dignified. They have a graceful appearance combined with a long coat which makes them look like they are almost flying when they reach up to 40 mph.
Key Information
- Height – 26 to 28 inches
- Weight – 60 to 105 pounds
- Physical Features – Long narrow-shaped head and snout, long legs, small floppy ears, slight curves similar to a greyhound, and a thick fur coat.
11. Australian Shepherd
This breed is commonly seen on the rodeo circuit and as family pets. They are excellent ranch dogs that
thrive when working and doing a fantastic job for their owner. Australian Shepherds are highly intelligent, energetic, and friendly. They can run up to 30 mph and require daily exercise to release their high energy levels.
Key Information
- Height – 18 to 23 inches
- Weight – 40 to 65 pounds
- Physical Features – Medium size body, floppy ears, long snout, bright eyes, long hair, and strong legs.
Bottom Line
Fast dog breeds are great as working dogs. Most of the species have high energy levels that are easily used on a farm or ranch. Herding breeds that run fast will make life on a running ranch or farm easier. Their ability to gather and group livestock and other animals rapidly due to their unique ability to run fast is a useful trait.
Those looking for a family pet that can run fast need to have plenty of room outdoors for the dog to use up their energy. A high-energy dog that doesn’t have the opportunity to run around daily will focus its energy on destroying the furniture, house, and anything it can find. Ensure your home and yard is suitable for a high-energy dog that runs fast.
These incredible dogs can reach speeds up to 40 mph, depending on the breed you choose. When considering welcoming one of these fast breeds into your household and life, it’s best to drive in your car up to the speed they can run.
This will give you insight into the amount of energy the dog breed has and the quantity of exercise needed daily. Choosing one of these unique dog breeds as a pet takes careful thought and consideration.
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