A dog is not just your best friend, but sometimes your fastest training partner. Or well, just try keeping up with them.
The dogs on this list are built for speed. They have deep chests for massive lung capacity, long legs, and muscles of steel. While a human sprinter (Usain Bolt) struggles to reach 45 km/h, these four-legged friends just laugh at that.
Are you considering one of these breeds? Know what you’re getting into: they need intense daily exercise, otherwise, they’ll tear your house apart out of boredom. These are the 10 fastest dogs on Earth.
10. Border Collie – 48 km/h
The Border Collie is the workaholic of the dog world. They were bred to herd sheep, which means: running, turning, sprinting, and going again. On a working day, a Border Collie easily covers 100 kilometers.
They are not just fast in a straight line, but extremely agile. They can pull a 180-degree turn at full sprint without falling over. Additionally, they are hyper-intelligent. Don’t have any sheep? They’ll happily herd your children or your bicycle instead.
9. Doberman Pinscher – 48 km/h
The Doberman looks like an athlete, and he is. Muscular, sleek, and explosive. Originally bred as a personal protection dog, he must be capable of overtaking and neutralizing an intruder.
Despite their tough appearance, they are often sensitive dogs that bond deeply with their owners. But make no mistake: if they can’t burn off their energy, they become troublesome. A walk around the block isn’t a stroll for a Doberman; it’s just a warm-up.
8. Great Dane – 48 km/h
You might not expect it from such a colossus, but the Great Dane is surprisingly fast. It’s simply a matter of taking enormous strides.
In the past, they were used to hunt bears and wild boar. For that, you didn’t just need to be strong, but also fast enough to overtake the game. Nowadays, they are often gentle giants who prefer lounging on the couch, but once they get going, they thunder past like a steam train.
7. Whippet – 56 km/h
The Whippet is often called the “poor man’s Greyhound.” They are smaller but nearly as fast. Their acceleration is particularly insane: they reach top speed within a few seconds.
Formerly used by English miners for rabbit hunting and racing, they are known for their “double suspension” gallop: their spine arches so far that their hind legs land well past their front legs, resulting in massive leaps. At home, however, they are the biggest couch potatoes in existence.
6. Weimaraner – 56 km/h
The “Gray Ghost.” That’s what the Weimaraner is called, and not just because of its beautiful silver coat. In the forest, you often don’t even see him coming because he moves so quickly and silently.
Originally, this was the hunting dog of the nobility in Germany, used for large game such as deer and bears. They have an intimidating level of endurance and a hunting instinct that simply cannot be switched off.
5. Borzoi – 58 km/h
The Borzoi (or Russian Wolfhound) looks like an aristocrat with its long nose and silky coat. But don’t be fooled: this is a wolf killer.
In Russia, they were used by the Tsars to hunt wolves in pairs. As soon as the wolf ran into the open plain, the Borzois were released. They had to be fast enough to catch a wolf and strong enough to hold it until the hunter arrived. It is a sprinter through and through.
4. Dalmatian – 60 km/h
The Dalmatian is famous for its spots and the Disney movie, but did you know they were originally “carriage dogs”?
In the 18th century, they ran for miles alongside or under the carriages of the wealthy to clear the way and protect the horses. Thus, they are built to keep up with the pace of galloping horses for hours on end. They possess an endurance that would make a marathon runner jealous.
3. Vizsla – 64 km/h
The Hungarian Vizsla is a golden tornado. These hunting dogs are incredibly athletic and are known for “sticking to their owner” (earning them the nickname “velcro dogs”).
While hunting on the Hungarian plains, they had to quickly track and point out game. They are light-footed, muscular, and have energy for ten. A bored Vizsla will destroy your house. A Vizsla that is allowed to run is the happiest dog on Earth.
2. Saluki – 65 km/h
The Saluki (Persian Greyhound) is one of the oldest dog breeds in the world. Thousands of years ago, they were used by Egyptian pharaohs to hunt gazelles in the desert.
And to catch a gazelle, you have to go seriously fast. While a Greyhound is a sprinter, the Saluki is a long-distance runner. They can maintain their top speed for miles in the scorching heat. Their paws are even built to prevent them from sinking into the sand.
1. Greyhound – 70 km/h
The undisputed king of speed. The Greyhound is the Ferrari of the dog world. It even ranks in the top 10 fastest land animals in the world.
Everything about this animal is aerodynamic: the narrow head, the deep chest, and the long, powerful hind legs. They are built for explosive sprinting on the racetrack. Funnily enough, at home, they are the biggest idlers. They sleep 18 hours a day, but that one minute they are allowed to run… they are faster than light.
