How fast can dogs run?

Toss a ball, and most dogs will eagerly go to retrieve it. How fast they run to the ball depends on a few factors, including their breed, build, age and personality. Some might shuffle over to the toy, and others are more likely to sprint all out.

Short answer: most dogs can sprint about 15 to 20 mph (Oregon Museum of Science and Industry). The greyhound is the fastest breed and has been clocked at 45 mph (Greyhound Club of America). In the AKC’s timed 100-yard dash, the fastest greyhound and whippet of 2025 averaged about 36 mph from a standing start, while a large Labrador hit 29 mph and the fastest Chihuahua ran 19 mph (AKC). Below is a speed table for 47 breeds, plus how to time your own dog.

How fast can a dog run?

Most dogs can reach sprinting speeds of 15 to 20 mph, and a dog’s size, body shape and health all affect how fast it can go (OMSI). The AKC says dogs have been known to reach 35 to 45 mph at the very top end (AKC).

For reference, Usain Bolt’s fastest speed was almost 28 mph (AKC). Plenty of dogs beat him: the AKC notes that a Pembroke Welsh Corgi can hit 25 mph, faster than Bolt’s average speed over his 100-meter world record (AKC). The cheetah is still in another league. The highest speed recorded for a land mammal is a cheetah’s 63.7 mph, timed in 1965 (Wildlife Conservation Society).

Dog speeds by breed (table)

Most “top speed” lists online repeat the same round numbers without saying where they came from. The speeds below are real timed runs. Each one is the fastest final run by that breed’s top dogs at the AKC 2025 Fast CAT Invitational, Best of Breed results, held in October 2025. Fast CAT is a timed 100-yard dash where dogs chase a lure one at a time, and the time is converted to miles per hour (AKC).

Two things to keep in mind. These are among the fastest dogs of each breed in the country, so a typical pet will be slower. And because each run starts from a standstill and averages the whole 100 yards, a dog’s peak speed mid-run is higher than the number shown.

Source: AKC 2025 Fast CAT Invitational, Best of Breed results. Speed is the 100-yard time converted to mph; km/h converted by Spots.com.

The 10 fastest dog breeds

By the AKC’s 2025 timed results, these were the fastest breeds (mixed-breed dogs left out):

1. Greyhound: 36.5 mph. The breed has been clocked at 45 mph, and a working racing greyhound averages about 38 to 39 mph (Greyhound Club of America).
2. Whippet: 36.3 mph. NIH researchers found that a mutation in a muscle gene called myostatin is much more common among the fastest racing whippets (NHGRI).
3. Borzoi: 31.6 mph
4. Belgian Malinois: 30.7 mph. This is a common police and military K9 breed, along with the German Shepherd (28.1 mph).
5. Saluki: 30.7 mph
6. Border Collie: 29.1 mph
7. Labrador Retriever: 29.1 mph
8. Vizsla: 28.9 mph
9. Australian Cattle Dog: 28.9 mph
10. Boxer: 28.5 mph

Sighthounds like greyhounds, whippets, borzois and salukis were bred for centuries to chase game by sight. They’re built for speed, with long legs, deep chests and lean bodies. The biggest surprise for many owners is how quick ordinary breeds are. Large mixed-breed dogs ran 31.8 mph, faster than any purebred except the greyhound and whippet.

Which dog breeds are the slowest?

Short legs, heavy bodies and flat faces all cost speed. In the same AKC results, the slowest breeds included the Shih Tzu (12.2 mph), St. Bernard (17.1 mph), Basset Hound (19.1 mph), Chihuahua (19.2 mph), Dachshund (19.4 mph) and Pug (20.5 mph). Giant breeds like the Mastiff (21.8 mph) and Newfoundland (21.7 mph) aren’t sprinters either, though the Bullmastiff (25.2 mph) was faster than many people expect.

Even the “slow” breeds can outrun most people over a short distance.

How fast is your dog? How to time them

You can work out your own dog’s speed with a stopwatch and a measured distance. Fast CAT turns a 100-yard time into miles per hour (AKC), and you can do the same math at home:

1. Find a safe, fully fenced area with flat, soft ground, like a fenced field. Measure 100 yards (or 50 yards if that’s all you have).
2. Get your dog running flat out. Have a helper hold your dog at the start while you call them, or toss a favorite toy past the finish.
3. Time the run from the start line to the finish line. A phone video is easier to time accurately than a stopwatch.
4. Do the math. For 100 yards, divide 204.5 by the time in seconds. For 50 yards, divide 102.3 by the seconds. Example: 100 yards in 8 seconds is 204.5 ÷ 8 = about 25.6 mph.

Because your dog starts from a standstill, this gives an average speed, which is how Fast CAT measures it too, so you can compare your dog with the table above. If you want an official time, any dog at least 12 months old can enter AKC Fast CAT, including mixed breeds (AKC). Skip timed sprints for puppies, seniors, dogs with joint problems and flat-faced breeds, and never run your dog hard in the heat.

How long can a dog run without stopping?

That depends almost entirely on the dog and its training. There’s no single safe distance: some dogs can handle several miles, and others do better with shorter runs (AKC). Many dogs that are fast over 100 yards, like greyhounds, are sprinters rather than distance runners.

Trained endurance dogs are a different story. In one study, Alaskan sled dogs completed a 490-km (about 305-mile) race in 70 hours at an average of 7 km/h, about 4.3 mph, including rest stops (American Journal of Veterinary Research). Teams in a 1,600-km race averaged 123 to 160 km a day (Journal of Nutritional Science). Those are elite, conditioned working dogs, not a guide for pets.

For your own dog, build up slowly. VCA recommends starting by alternating walking and jogging over short distances, then gradually building endurance before adding speed or distance (VCA).

The benefits of running for dogs

Whether you let your dog run free at the dog park or go for regular jogs together, there are many benefits to exercising your favorite furry pal (VCA; AVMA). And you can reap some of the same benefits if you’re tagging along.

• Improved heart health
• Better mood
• Mental stimulation
• Improved joint health
• Better digestive and urinary health
• Bonding time for you and your dog

Which breeds are the best running partners?

The fastest breeds aren’t always the best running partners. If you’re looking for a dog to join you on regular runs, consider the breed and the individual dog’s temperament. The AKC names Weimaraners, Vizslas, German Shorthaired Pointers and Rhodesian Ridgebacks as breeds known for strong endurance (AKC). And remember that your buddy won’t be up for 10-mile runs right away. Dogs benefit from training, too. Find out more in our guide to running with your dog.

Some breeds are poor running partners because of their build. Dogs with short legs or very large bodies tend to be slower, and small dogs may have trouble keeping up with you. Dogs with short noses, like pugs or bulldogs, can have trouble breathing during hard exercise (VCA), which makes running a real health risk for them.

Is it safe for dogs to run?

Let a dog hang around a backyard, and they’ll likely break out running at some point. It’s a natural movement for them, whether chasing squirrels or squeaky toys. But too much running can pose an injury risk, and all dogs have limits.

• Puppies: hold off on jogging with a puppy on a leash until it’s mature. The AKC puts that at about 6 to 8 months for small breeds, 12 months for medium breeds, 12 to 18 months for large breeds and 18 to 24 months for giant breeds (AKC).
• Older dogs: joint problems like arthritis can make running painful, so have your dog examined by a vet who can outline a safe routine (VCA).
• Surfaces: hard surfaces are tough on joints, and softer trails are a safer choice for longer runs (AKC).

Use the right gear, too. A good dog running leash keeps your hands free, and a well-fitted harness keeps pressure off your dog’s neck.

Takeaway

Most dogs can sprint 15 to 20 mph, and the fastest breed, the greyhound, has been clocked at 45 mph. In real timed runs, top greyhounds and whippets average about 36 mph over 100 yards, many popular breeds run in the mid to high 20s, and small or flat-faced breeds are closer to 12 to 20 mph.

Speed and stamina aren’t the same thing. Some breeds are better endurance runners, and others do better going fast. Not every dog is built for regular run training, so keep that in mind before bringing Fido along for marathon training sessions.

FAQs

How fast can the average dog run?

Most dogs can sprint about 15 to 20 mph (OMSI). Size, body shape, fitness and health all make a difference, so a fit Labrador will usually be much faster than a Pug.

What is the fastest dog breed?

The greyhound. It has been clocked at 45 mph (Greyhound Club of America) and posted the fastest time at the 2025 AKC Fast CAT Invitational, 36.5 mph averaged over 100 yards (AKC). The whippet was a close second.

How long can a dog run without stopping?

It depends on the dog’s breed, age and conditioning. Some dogs can handle several miles, while others do better with shorter distances (AKC). Highly trained sled dogs can cover more than 100 miles a day with rest stops, but pet dogs need to build up slowly.

How fast can a Labrador run?

The fastest Labrador Retriever at the 2025 AKC Fast CAT Invitational averaged 29.1 mph over 100 yards (AKC). A typical pet Lab will be slower.

How fast can a German Shepherd or police K9 run?

The fastest German Shepherd at the 2025 AKC Fast CAT Invitational ran 28.1 mph, and the fastest Belgian Malinois ran 30.7 mph (AKC).

How fast can a pit bull run?

The AKC doesn’t register the American Pit Bull Terrier, so it isn’t in Fast CAT results. A close relative, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, ran 25.6 mph at the 2025 Invitational (AKC).

How fast can a Mastiff run?

The fastest Mastiff at the 2025 AKC Fast CAT Invitational ran 21.8 mph, and the fastest Bullmastiff ran 25.2 mph (AKC).

How fast can a Chihuahua run?

The fastest Chihuahua at the 2025 AKC Fast CAT Invitational ran 19.2 mph over 100 yards (AKC). That’s fast for a dog that weighs a few pounds.

How fast can a puppy run?

There’s no reliable speed data for puppies. AKC Fast CAT only times dogs that are at least 12 months old (AKC), and the AKC advises against jogging with a puppy on a leash until it’s mature (AKC).

What dog breed can run the longest?

It depends on the individual dog, but some breeds are known for endurance. The AKC lists Weimaraners, Vizslas, German Shorthaired Pointers and Rhodesian Ridgebacks among the best long-distance running partners (AKC).