August 12, 2020
Top 5 Fastest Dog Breeds in The World
Who doesn’t enjoy having a furry friend around? Although speed is not the foremost factor when it comes to loving man’s best friend, it does come in handy during playtime and exercise. Dogs are not only extremely friendly pets but are incredibly fast, with enough space to run around. If you have enough yard and patience to train your dog, then it is worth checking out the top fastest dog breeds in the world.
The fastest dog breeds are characterised by similar physical traits that they share. This includes long legs and slender bodies. Over time, they have evolved to be mentally and physically stimulated and energetic. More than the famous Greyhound, check out our list for other breeds that make the cut.
Top 5 Fastest Dog Breeds
1. Greyhound
The Greyhound is the fastest dog breed in the world. Kept initially as race dogs, the breeds have earned their place as family pets primarily due to the decline in Greyhound racing. The breed is characterised by their keen sights and swiftness coupled with a flexible spine, sturdy legs, and deep chest. The overall slim build lets the dog reach an average race speed of 64 kilometres or 40 meters per hour. At full speed, the Greyhound breed can average 70 kilometres or 43 miles per hour within 30 meters. They are somewhat the Ferrari of the dog world. There is not much to their appearance as the dogs have short furs that are easy to maintain. Females are smaller with a shoulder height of up to 71 centimetres, while the males sometimes measure up to 76 centimetres. They also make lovely pets that enjoy the company of those they come to know.
2. Saluki
The Saluki dog breed is similar to the Hounds with mild differences. Also referred to as the Persian or gazelle Hound, the Salukis hunt by sights than they do with sound or scent. The dogs are characterised by their droopy ears, large eyes, deep chest, and long heads. Born in different colours and appearances, the tail of the dog is curved and long. Although the Greyhound is the fastest breed, it is closely followed by the Saluki. The Guinness Book of Records lists the dog as the quickest breed over longer distances traveling at 69 kilometres or 42.8 miles per hour. The average size ranges between 58-71 cm and weighs up to 29 kg.
3. Afghan Hound
Coming in third place is the Afghan Hound. Notable for its thick and silky coat, the dog is one of an ancient breed to make it one of the oldest of its kind in the world. The appearance of the dog is one that oozes style, and a charming personality as the coat could be of any colour. With a standing height of 74cm and a weight of 27 kg, the dog is one of the fastest breeds of dog. Huge paw pads act as shock-absorber to help them navigate terrains with ease and pace. If dogs are clowns, then you can call the Afghan Hound a dog clown as it has a clownish character when playing. They can travel as fast as 64.4 kilometres or 40 miles per hour.
4. Visla
This Hungarian dog breed doubles as a loyal companion and a sprint dog. Known to have some of the most appealing characteristics among all dog breeds, the dog is well-mannered, affectionately sensitive, and fast. The medium-sized male dogs can reach up to 69 cm in height and weigh up to 30 kg. The females weigh up to 25 kilograms and 61cm height. With a running speed of 64 kilometres or 39 miles per hour, the pointing dog thrives on interaction, exercise, and attention.
The Ibizan Hound with origin in Spain belongs to the Hound family. Little surprise why it is lean and agile. They are of two types based on their coat characteristics. The dogs could either have a smooth or rough coat, with the smooth and soft-coated ones receiving most prominence. The athletic dog has an attractive outline with a noticeable lean and long neck. The supper arm is relatively straight, and the shoulders are well laid-back for speed. Their height ranges between 36-74 cm and weighs up to 65 pounds with the male slightly bigger than their female counterparts. The Hound is engaging by nature and is very active. It can run as fast as 64 km or 39 miles per hour and can jump as high as 6 feet.