15 fastest dog breeds

Over the centuries of selection, thousands of dog breeds have been bred with their own characteristics and distinctive qualities. We have compiled a list of 15 record-breaking dog breeds that will amaze you with their speed.

15. Italian Greyhound - 40 km / h

The Small Italian Hound, or Italian Greyhound, can run at a speed of 40 km / h. This breed was developed over two millennia ago in the territories of modern Greece and Turkey. Italian greyhounds were appreciated as good companions. They are especially loved by Italians for their compact size, intelligence, light character and grace. Even some monarchs kept Italian greyhounds as pets.

These dogs are very small: their height (at the withers) is from 33 to 38 cm, and their weight is from 3.6 to 6.8 kg. Outwardly, the Italian greyhound resembles a smaller copy of a Greyhound. The Small Italian Hound is a smooth-haired dog. The color can be solid, bicolor or brindle.

14. Giant Schnauzer - 45 km / h

The Giant Schnauzer, the largest Schnauzer breed, was bred in Bavaria as a guard and herding dog. When the breed was brought to cities, dogs were used to guard stores and warehouses. The Giant Schnauzer can accelerate to 45 km / h.

Giant Schnauzers are the embodiment of elegance and intelligence. They are very intelligent, balanced, loyal dogs. The average height of the Giant Schnauzer lies in the range of 60-70 cm. The coat of this breed is thick, hard, the body is square, the ears are small, folded. The color of Giant Schnauzers is usually completely black, but sometimes there is a so-called "pepper and salt" (shades of gray, from light silver to dark steel).

13. Deerhound - 45 km / h

The Scottish Greyhound Deer, as the name suggests, was bred to hunt deer. Archaeologists have unearthed pottery from the first century BC showing a large dog hunting a deer. The dog from the picture is considered the ancestor of the deer greyhound. Deerhound can reach speeds of up to 45 km / h.

Outwardly, the deer greyhound looks like a wire-haired Greyhound. The Deerhound has very well developed muscles, slender and long legs, a small head, an elongated muzzle. The Deerhound's coat is coarse and long, especially on the head, neck and body. On the chest and abdomen, the coat is softer, silky. The height of the Scottish deer greyhound is usually from 71 to 81 cm, weight - from 33.5 to 60 kg. Most often, gray, gray-blue colors are found, although the coat colors of Scottish deer greyhounds can be very different.

12. German Shepherd - 48 km / h

The German Shepherd is a herding breed. These dogs originally guarded the sheep. Today German Shepherds are widely used by the police, the military and as a guide. These dogs have a very sensitive sense of smell, so they are indispensable in rescue work, in the detection of drugs and explosives. Also, dogs of this breed run very fast and can reach speeds of up to 48 km / h.

The head of the German Shepherd is long, wedge-shaped, the ears of the dog are erect, triangular in shape, slightly pointed at the ends, the tail is gently curved.
Dogs of this breed are of medium size, their height usually ranges from 56 to 66 cm, weight ranges from 22 to 40 kg. The coat is dense, above average length, the color is usually black and red.

11. Poodle - 48 km / h

There are three types of growth poodles: toy, miniature (dwarf) and standard (large). The large poodle can reach speeds of up to 48 km / h and is one of the nine fastest dog breeds. It is unclear who was the ancestor of the poodle, but this dog was bred to hunt ducks. One way or another, poodles are great swimmers. Also, dogs of this breed are in second position, after the border collie, in the ranking of the smartest dogs, compiled by Dr. Stanley Koren.

The poodle is very easy to recognize by its thick, curly coat. The colors of poodles are very different - from apricot to harlequin (spotted). The body of the poodle is square, ears are drooping. The height of a standard poodle is usually 38 cm or more.

10. Border Collie - 48 km / h

The Border Collie is a herding dog in the past. Distinctive features of the border collie are an extraordinary mind, complaisance, as well as agility and energy: the speed with which a dog of this breed can run can reach 48 km / h.

Such dogs are not too large and not too small in size - their height lies within 45-56 cm, their coat is long, thick, most often black and white, although there may be different colors.

9. Doberman - 51.5 km / h

Doberman pinscher opens the eight fastest dogs in the world. Its maximum speed is 51.5 km / h. This breed was bred in Germany at the beginning of the previous century as a guard dog. Dobermans were used and continue to be used in the armed forces, in the police, for personal protection. Dobermans are also quick-witted.
The average height of the Doberman is about 70 cm, the weight of the dog ranges from 32 to 45 kg. The most common color option is black or red with red spots on the face, chest, and legs.

8. Whippet - 55 km / h

The small English greyhound, or whippet, was originally used as a hunting dog, but due to the small size of the whippets, their use in hunting was prohibited. Residents began to use dogs of this breed for catching rats and participating in dog races. By the time the law again allowed hunting with whippets, they were very popular as racing dogs, because the speed that the small English greyhound can develop is 55 km / h, although there have been cases when the whippet accelerated to 64 km / h. This is the fastest small dog.

The Small English Greyhound is now very similar to a smaller copy of the Greyhound. Her height is 44.5-57 cm, weight - 7-19 kg. Whippet is a short-haired dog, the colors of dogs of this breed are very different.

7. Russian hunting sighthound - 58 km / h

The Russian hunting greyhound was bred in Russia for hunting wolves. This breed is the sixth fastest in the world and can reach speeds of up to 58 km / h.

Physically, this greyhound is similar to the Saluki, Afghan Hound, or Greyhound. The Russian greyhounds got their name "canine" from the word "dog", that is, wavy silky coat, and indeed, dogs of this breed are owners of long, luxurious wavy coat. The colors of dogs are very diverse. The growth of greyhounds of this breed is from 69 to 83 cm, weight is from 25 to 48 kg.

6. Dalmatian - 60 km / h

The Dalmatian is one of the five fastest breeds - the speed with which this spotted dog can run reaches 60 km / h. These adorable dogs are very popular and can be easily distinguished by their specific color - white with black or brown spots. Dalmatians are often depicted by artists, the first portrait of this dog was painted in 1600, in Croatia. Historically, Dalmatians have been used as guard dogs and companions. Often they had to run after carriages to protect their owners from robbers.

Dalmatians are intelligent, sociable, funny dogs, but they will not fail to show their character. These dogs value their independence very much, they tend to make decisions on their own, so it is very important that the puppy is socialized from an early age. Dalmatians are friendly dogs, they get along well with children, but at the same time they are always ready to defend the owner.

The height at the withers of dogs of this breed is from 48 to 61 cm, the coat is short.
Interestingly, Dalmatian puppies are born completely white, and spots begin to appear on them around the third week of life. Also dedicated to the Dalmatians is the Walt Disney cartoon "101 Dalmatians".

5. Jack Russell Terrier - 61 km / h

Jack Russell Terriers are miniature, sturdy and energetic dogs. It is the 4th fastest dog breed in the world, the speed at which the Jack Russell Terrier can run is 61 km per hour.The history of the Jack Russell Terrier begins in 1795, when English fox hunters needed a breed of completely white dogs to easily distinguish them from game.

Usually the height of the Jack Russell Terrier is from 25 to 38 cm, weight is from 6.4 to 8 kg. Predominantly Jack Russell Terriers are white with brown spots, the coat is of two types: short and smooth or long and hard.

4. Hungarian vizsla - 64 km / h

The maximum speed at which the Hungarian Vizsla can run reaches 64 km / h. Together with the Afghan Hound, the Hungarian Vizsla shares the third fastest speed in the world ranking of the fastest dog breeds. Hungarian vizslas are originally from Hungary, as the name suggests. At home, they were very much appreciated as excellent hunting assistants, excellent defenders and just energetic dogs.

Vyzhla is a thin, but muscular dog, the height of which usually lies in the range of 53-63 cm, weight - 18-30 kg. Usually the color of the vizsla consists of shades of brown, copper is often found.

3. Afghan Hound - 64 km / h

The Afghan Hound is the third fastest dog breed. The speed at which she can run is 64 km per hour.

The Afghan Hound is a very ancient breed of dog, there are fewer impurities in the genotype of this greyhound than in most modern breeds. The closest relative of the Afghan hound is the Saluki. The Afghan hound, as the name implies, was bred in Afghanistan specifically for the cold temperatures of the mountains.

The Afghan Hound is easily recognizable by its long, luxurious coat and saber tail. The height of an adult dog is from 60 to 74 cm, weight is from 20 to 27 kg. The color of dogs of these breeds can be very different, often Afghan hounds are distinguished by a black muzzle.

2. Saluki - 68 km / h

The second fastest dog breed in the world is the Saluki. The speed at which such a dog can run can be 68 km / h. Some experts argue that salukis can maintain high speeds longer than greyhounds. The earliest images of Saluki were found in Egyptian tombs and date back to 2134 BC. These dogs are classified as greyhounds and have historically been used to hunt gazelles, foxes and rabbits.

The dimensions of an adult dog are from 59 to 71 cm at the withers, weight is from 18 to 27 kg. Saluki come in a wide variety of colors, from pure white to completely black.

There are two main types of saluki: smooth-haired and long-haired. Saluki is distinguished by an elongated muzzle, graceful body and large hanging ears.

1. Greyhound - 72 km / h

The fastest dog in the world is the Greyhound. The speed that the fastest dog breed on the planet develops reaches 72 km / h. It is believed that the breed was brought to the British Isles from Eastern Europe. Greyhounds were used as hounds, that is, for hunting, pursuit, and also, thanks to their high speed, they took part in dog races.

Greyhounds are smart, aristocratic and effective, they easily understand the words of a person, they perfectly catch changes in the tone of voice and intonation of the owner.

The growth of an adult of this hound is about 70 cm, weight is from 27 to 40 kg. There are about 30 greyhound colors. Distinctive features of the breed are considered to be a long, thin body, a thin neck, and a pointed head.