Well, that’s actually not a question that’s very easy to answer. That is to say, it depends greatly on the specific type of dog we’re talking about. Some dogs can run remarkably fast, while other dogs are on the slower side of things.

Another distinction that needs to be made is between dogs who can run really fast, but only for short distances, and dogs who are meant to run long distances, be it at a slightly lower speed.

However, as a general rule of thumb, you could say that the average speed of a dog is about 15 to 20 miles per hour. But again, you should remember that this absolutely doesn’t apply to each and every dog. Some dogs can reach a speed that’s way above this average speed, while some other dogs can’t even come close to it.

How Is This Possible?

Great Grip

How can a dog run so fast? First and foremost, dogs have a way better grip on the ground than humans. Accordingly, dogs have more control over the way that they run, resulting in a higher speed.

Muscle And Bone Structure

Another reason why dogs can rust so fast is just the way dogs are built, anatomically speaking. More concretely, dogs have remarkably flexible joints, strong muscles, and a spine that’s practically designed to go running. As a result, dogs can exert more power when they’re running, which again results in a higher speed. Here’s how to build muscle on a dog.

Top 5 Fastest Dogs

1.Greyhound

Which are the fastest dogs? By far the fastest dogs in the world are the Greyhounds. Even more so, these types of dogs are so notably fast that there are entire race contests dedicated to this race.

To make this less abstract, the Greyhound dog can easily run as fast as 40 miles per hour. Some Greyhounds can even run up to 45 miles per hour, which definitely is a speed that shouldn’t be underestimated! Additionally, Greyhounds are not only remarkably fast, but they are also able to achieve impeccable speeds in a very short time.

2.Saluki

Next up, Salukis deserve the second highest place on this list. These dogs are slightly slower than Greyhounds but are still able to run about 40 miles per hour. With this piece of information in the back of your mind, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that these dogs have an amazing hunting instinct!

3.Viszla

Furthermore, there’s the Viszla dog. Just like Salukis, these dogs are a great help when it comes to hunting, partly because of their speed. They can also run up to 40 miles per hour and even more so, they look remarkably elegant while doing so!

4.Dalmatian

Another dog that shouldn’t be left out of this list is the Dalmatian dog. Partly because of the Dalmatian’s long legs, this type of dog can also easily reach the speed of 40 miles per hour.

5.Borzoi

Finally, the last dog on this list is the Borzoi dog. This dog is related to the Greyhound so that’s why it’s definitely not shocking that the Borzoi is extremely fast as well. Just like the above-mentioned dogs, the Borzoi dog can run as fast as 40 miles per hour!

How To Run With Your Dog

Most dogs sincerely enjoy running and if you’re a runner yourself, you could even take this as an opportunity to bond with your dog. Want to discover how fast can a dog run? You can start running along with your dog. If you’re planning on doing this, you need to know how to do this exactly and what to take into account.

First Things First: Wait Until Your Dog Is Fully Grown

The first thing you need to make sure of is that your dog is fully grown, meaning that it’s not a puppy anymore. Concretely, when you have a puppy, its bones have not developed fully yet.

Consequently, when your dog is still a young pup, running with it might not be the best idea. Instead, try waiting until your dog is an adult dog, or at least until your dog’s bones are grown. As usual, this waiting time depends greatly on the specific race of the dog in question.

Gradually Work Your Way Up

Secondly, as is also the case with humans who decide to start running, you need to gradually work your way up if you want to go running with your dog.

Thus, remember to start with a running schedule that won’t be too physically challenging for your dog.

Once you notice that your dog is ready for more, you can try running faster and/or longer. As long as you check up on your dog every now and then, everything should be completely fine!

Be Consequent

Furthermore, it’s also always beneficial if you have a dog who listens to you. So, if your dog struggles with obedience, you might want to work on that issue first before you try running with your dog.

Once you feel like you have your dog completely under control, you can start running with your four-legged friend. Make sure that your dog stays right by your side the entire time and be consequent with this. This will make the whole experience significantly more pleasant for both of you.

Don’t Let Your Dog Eat Right Before

Another thing to remember is to not feed your dog right before you go running together. That is to say, this will feel very heavy on your dog’s stomach and that’s something you’ll want to avoid at all costs if you’re planning on going running. Instead, try waiting at least one hour after you’ve fed your dog to make sure that everything goes smoothly.

Monitor Your Dog’s Behavior

Moreover, make sure that you keep a close eye on how your dog behaves while you’re running. To make this less abstract, you need to ensure that your dog isn’t struggling too much or that there are no signs of dehydration, for example.

Make Sure Your Dog Is Hydrated

Last, but certainly not least, you should also make sure that you bring enough water for your dog to drink while you’re running. In this aspect, dogs are very similar to humans. Namely, your dog will need to be hydrated the entire time so he can run properly and healthily!

Always Remember: Every Dog Needs exercise

It should be noted, that while not every dog can run extremely fast, they still all need to exercise daily to maintain good health. Of course, the specific amount of exercise that your dog needs heavily depends on certain factors such as age, body weight, race, and health. Nonetheless, exercising remains important for every dog.

Conclusion

All in all, there’s no unambiguous answer to the question of how fast can a dog run exactly. However, generally speaking, the average dog runs about 15 to 20 miles per hour. Also, whether your dog can run fast or not, it’s extremely important to remember that every dog needs to exercise to stay strong and healthy!

How Fast Can A Dog Run?

How Fast Can Dogs Run?