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15+ Of The Fastest Dog Breeds

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Kerry
Updated on

Have you ever watched in awe as a superfast dog really goes for it after a ball in the park?

Some dogs are super energetic and just love to run as fast as they can to burn off all their excess energy before they go home to unwind.

And some dogs are so fast that they take part in races, where people place bets on which dog is going to win, just like they do with horse races.

But different breeds of dog differ in just how fast they can run. You can get some that don’t like to run at all until they absolutely have to, and at the other end of the spectrum, you can get dogs that run faster than a car in the suburbs.

In this article, we’ve put together a list, with pictures, of some of the fastest dog breeds in the world for you to check out – we hope you enjoy it. 

So in no particular order, here goes!

1. Greyhound – Speed: 45 mph

Running greyhounds

The greyhound is the fastest breed of dog in the world. They’re bred to be able to run long distances without tiring, and they were used by the Romans to chase hares across the countryside.

They’re also known for being very friendly towards humans, but they’re not always good around children.

2. Saluki – Speed: 40 mph

Saluki jumping

A Saluki is an ancient breed of dog from the Middle East and is almost as fast as the Greyhound.

They’re often used for hunting, and they’re famous for having excellent stamina and endurance.

They’re also great pets, and they make wonderful companions for families.

3. Ibizan Hound – Speed: 40 mph

Two ibizan hound

An Ibizan Hound is another swift breed of dog and one of Spain’s most popular breeds.

They’re usually about 25 inches tall and weigh between 35 and 55 pounds. They’re very loyal and affectionate, and they’re great family pets.

4. Afghan Hound – Speed: 40 mph

Afghan hound breed

This is another swift breed and has been used for thousands of years to hunt large games such as antelope.

They’re still used today, and they’re knowledgeable and trainable. They’re also straightforward to care for and make fantastic pets.

5. American Pit Bull Terrier – Speed: 40 mph (males)

American pit bull terrier on a grass

The American Pit Bull Terrier was developed during the 19th century to fight other dogs.

They’re very well-mannered and gentle today, making them ideal family pets. They’re also very protective of their owners and great guard dogs.

6. Vizsla – Speed: 40 mph

Happy vizsla in backpack

The Vizsla is a Hungarian hunting dog and one of the world’s fastest breeds.

They’re small, weighing only 30 pounds or sometimes less, and they’re very agile and athletic. They’re also brilliant, and they’re good with kids.

7. Australian Cattle Dog – Speed: 39 mph

Australian cattle dog breed

The Australian Cattle Dog is a crossbreed between the dingo and the working dog called the Koolie.

It’s a mighty breed, and they’re also very agile and athletic. But they’re also very friendly towards strangers and make great pets.

8. Basset Hound – Speed: 38 mph

Vertically challenged

The Basset Hound is a smallish breed of dog that originated in France.

They’re very active, energetic, and enthusiastic, which makes them perfect for people who love going on adventures.

9. English Mastiff – Speed: 37 mph

English mastiff standing guard

The English Mastiff is a massive breed of dog, weighing up to 200 pounds.

They’re solid and can easily take down prey larger than themselves. They’re also very loyal and loving, and they make great companions.

10. Dalmatian – Speed: 37 mph

Dalmatian breed

The Dalmatian is a medium-sized, sturdy breed of dog originating in Croatia.

They have a lot of energy and are happy running around all day. They’re also very friendly towards both adults and children.

11. Great Dane – Speed: 36 mph

Sitting great dane

The Great Dane is a giant breed of dog, similar in size to a horse.

They were originally bred to be draft animals, but now they’re commonly kept as companion dogs. They’re very loyal to their owners, and they make excellent watchdogs.

12. Boxer – Speed: 36 mph

Happy boxer

The Boxer is an incredibly muscular breed of dog originating from Germany.

They’re known for being extremely aggressive towards other dogs, so it’s best not to get this breed if you don’t like others getting hurt. They’re also very independent, stubborn, and headstrong.

13. Doberman Pinscher – Speed: 36 mph (males) / 33 mph (females)

Standing doberman pinscher

The Doberman Pinscher is a large breed of dog originating during World War II.

Because of its huge size, it has become famous for guarding things. It’s also very protective of its owner and is a wonderful pet. They’re also knowledgeable, and they’re very trainable.

14. Pharaoh Hound – Speed: 36 mph (male)

Pharaoh hound on a grass

The Pharaoh Hound is an ancient Egyptian breed of dog, and it’s thought that they were used as pets.

They’re very affectionate and playful, and they’re also highly trainable. This means that they’ll do anything you ask of them, and they’ll work hard at it, too!

15. Irish Wolfhound – Speed: 36 mph

Irish wolfhound breed

The Irish Wolfhound is a medium-sized breed of dog, very similar to the Greyhound.

They’re swift, and they’re also quite graceful. Because of their speed, they’re often used by police forces around the world. They’re also very smart, and they’re very good with kids.

16. Borzoi – Speed: 36 mph

Borzoi breed

The Borzoi is a Russian breed of hunting dog, originating from the Caucasus Mountains.

These dogs are incredibly beautiful, and they’re also incredibly rare. They’re also very fun-loving, and they make fantastic companions. They’re also very gentle, and they’re very easy to train.

17. Whippet – Speed: 35 mph

Happy whippet

The Whippet is a small, speedy breed of dog that was first developed in England.

This breed is known for being very energetic and they’re also very active. They’re also very obedient, and they love to run with or without their owner by their side.

18. Weimaraner – Speed: 35 mph

Purebred weimaraner dog outdoors in nature

The Weimaraner is a German breed of dog originating in the 1800s.

This breed is great for people who want a loving, loyal, and devoted companion. These dogs are very protective of their family members, and they’re also known for being fearless hunters.

19. German Pinscher – Speed: 33 mph

Running german pinscher

The German Pinscher is a medium-sized dog breed that originates from Germany.

They have a lot of energy, and they’re very friendly. They’re also solid, and they can pull heavy loads. They’re also very protective of their owners, and they’re very loyal.

20. Border Collie – Speed: 30 mph

Border collie breed

The Border Collie is a working dog that originated in Britain.

It’s a trendy breed among dog lovers and one of the most popular breeds in the United States. They’re very loyal, and they’re extremely affectionate.

21. Siberian Husky – Speed: 30 mph

Purebred siberian husky puppies indoors

The Siberian Husky is a large, powerful breed of dog that originated in Russia.

They’re very intelligent, and they’ve got a lot of stamina. They’re also very athletic and can easily keep up with their owner on long walks.

22. Italian Greyhound – Speed: 30 mph

Italian greyhound puppies

The Italian Greyhound is a medium-sized breed of dog that originated in Italy.

They’re very loyal, and because of this, they’re very well suited for families. They’re also very affectionate, and they make wonderful pets.

23. Australian Shepherd – Speed: 30 mph

White and gray australian shepherd puppy sitting on grass field

The Australian Shepherd is an extremely versatile dog that originated in Australia.

They’re very happy when they’re with their owner, and they’re also extremely playful. They’re also very independent, and they require a lot of exercises.

24. German Shepherd – Speed: 30 mph (35 mph)

Two adult black-and-tan german shepherds running on ground

The German Shepherd is a medium-large breed of dog that originated during World War I.

They’re brilliant, and they’re also highly trained. They’re also very courageous, and they’re courageous. They’re also very loyal, and they make excellent guard dogs.

25. English Bulldog – Speed: 30 mph

Happy english bulldog

The English Bulldog is a very short, stocky breed of dog that originated centuries ago in England.

These dogs were bred as companions, and they’re very playful. They’re also incredibly loyal, and they’re very affectionate.

26. Brittany Spaniel – Speed: 29 mph

Brittany spaniel puppies

The Brittany Spaniel is a small breed of dog that originated several hundred years ago in France.

They’re very cheerful, and they’re also incredibly affectionate. They’re also swift and very agile.

Wrap Up

So, there we have it, a long list of over 15 different superfast breeds of dogs. Most of these will be too fast to run with, often speeding faster than a car. Hope you enjoyed it!

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About the author

Kerry

Kerry White is an avid dog lover and writer, knowing all there is to know about our furry friends. Kerry has been writing for PetDT for three years now, wanting to use her knowledge for good and share everything she can with new dog owners. Kerry has two dogs herself - a German shepherd called Banjo and a chocolate labrador called Buttons. Kerry knows more than anyone how adjusting to new life with a puppy can turn your life upside down, and she wants to ease some of the burdens through her articles.