How Many Miles Can A German Shepherd Run

How Fast Can A Pitbull Run

Although Pitbull dogs are not the fastest running breed of dog, theyre definitely high up the list of fastest running canines.

A healthy adult Pitbull dog can run at an average top speed anywhere between 26 32 miles per hour or at approximately 40.22 51.4 kilometers per hour.

Pitbull dogs can run at such a remarkable speed because of their legendary tenacity and agility coupled with their muscular strength.

Pitbull dogs have always compete and thrive in canine sporting activities.

What Is The Fastest Running Dog Breed

Greyhounds are generally regarded as the fastest dogs in the world, which is what spurred the controversial sport of dog racing.

These dogs can reach top speeds of 45 miles per hour, which definitely leaves other breeds behind. For comparison, heres a list of the top five fastest dogs in the world:

The GSD might not be able to compete at the same level as the large and fastest dog breeds like the Greyhound, Saluki, and Afghan Hound. However, they can definitely outrun the most popular breeds of similar size.

Of The Fastest Dog Breeds In The World

If you had to name your dogs favorite hobby, what would it be?

Some love to dig. Others love to hunt. But theres one activity that seems to unite the majority of pups their love for running.

Whether its chasing a ball, a frisbee, or even other dogs, many of our most-loved dog breeds love to run. And some of them love to run very, very quickly.

In the past, some dog breeds were selectively bred to be working dogs and needed to have a high top speed to perform certain tasks. Some dogs inherently run fast, such as racing dogs and hunting dogs. Although many dogs are no longer used just for these tasks and might be more commonly seen these days as pets some of the breeds that you might see in your local dog park can surprise you with how fast they can run.

In this article, well take a look at 15 of the fastest dog breeds, their top speeds, their breed characteristics, and explain what makes them such efficient runners.

Also Check: How Much Cold Can A German Shepherd Tolerate

Things To Watch Out For

There are several things to watch out for when it comes to running long distance with a German Shepherd, and not all of them have to do with the dog itself. Below are some of these things to be aware of.

Signs of Overexertion

There are signals to look for that can indicate a problem with overexertion. Some of these are your dog missing cues and commands, excessive panting or heavy breathing, extreme thirst, lagging behind, and a reluctance to run.

German Shepherds are also at risk for various muscle and joint injuries. If you are being careful and not pushing your dog too hard, this can help lessen the risk of injury, but it can still happen. Hip dysplasia is one of the more common injuries for German Shepherds, which is where the hip socket gets loose and causes damage.

Signs of hip dysplasia are limping or hooping, favoring one leg, hesitating when exercising or going up stairs, difficulty standing, and sensitivity or even aggression around the hip.

Typically this will develop if not taken care of in puppy-hood, but even adult dogs need to be careful. Developing safe running habits, with breaks and by being careful can go a long way in preventing this from occurring.

The Terrain

The Weather

German Shepherds are double-coated dogs. This means that they have two layers of fur that helps protect them and keep them insulated in the winter, but can make them prone to overheating in the summer.

When To Start Training For No

If you get your German Shepherd as a puppy, start training them while theyre young. Their size makes a difference because this task gets more and more difficult the heavier they get. You dont want to have to deal with a 70 to 90-pound puller if you can avoid it!

If you dont get your German Shepherd as a puppy, no problem. Start leash training as soon as they come home if they dont already have proper leashing walking skills.

You May Like: German Shepherd Skinny

When Trotting A German Shepherd Moves The Diagonal Pairs Of Legs Simultaneously They Can Trot 27 29 Kph

They trot because it is more efficient in the performance of their job. It enables them to move fast to establish boundaries for sheep and prevent strays.

Another reason why they wont be able to race effectively is the double-suspended gallop. Observe how a dog runs.

Youll notice 2 things:

German Shepherds can perform this double-suspended gallop at full speed. But they dont have the spinal flexibility that Greyhounds have.

Get Your Vets Ok First

The first step is to get your vets approval.

Your dog should be healthy before embarking on any exercise plan. Have some tests done to ensure your dog is 100% ready for some running.

For German Shepherds that are still puppies:

Take them running only if they have reached the right age, which is 15 months. .

If they are adults, get them a clean bill of health.

For senior dogs, strenuous running is not a good idea.

Note: You should also be healthy to pull off any exercise plan with your dog. Its helpful that your energy levels match to get the best out of running.

Also Check: How Much Cold Can A German Shepherd Tolerate

How Long Can A German Shepherd Run Without Stopping

If we talk about the strength of German Shepherd then they have such muscular bodies with solid bone structures that are all responsible to make them fast runners. They can run but not so long as they have also a respiratory system, they also need rest after getting exhausted. But how long can they run without stopping?

German Shepherds can run up to 5 to 20 miles but their running stamina depends on their diet, health, and training. If they are given proper training then they are capable of running far distances.

If we compare with other dog breeds only Greyhound and Vizsla have more average speed than German Shepherd. It all depends on the running habit but you should not try your GSD to run all the time to gain speed. You can take a break then start but they only have the stamina to go up to 20 miles.

You can also see this table where you will come to know the average speed of common dog breeds.

You can also watch this video to see the speed test done by Michael Wakley on a German Shepherd, its really entertaining to see:

How Many Miles Can A Belgian Shepherd Run

How far can a Belgian Shepherd run? The Belgian Sheepdog or Shepherd comes in 4 varieties. They all originate from Belgium and are named after the areas in Belgium from which they came: Malines , Tervuren, Groenendael, and Laeken. They are all similar in type with the main difference being the coat.

A Belgian Shepherd type breed can run anywhere from 5 miles for a healthy dog up to 20 miles for a highly conditioned fit Belgian Shepherd.

All these varieties of Belgian Shepherds are an extremely active high energy dog and require at least 60 to 90 minutes a day of energy-burning activity, but more is preferred. They were bred to work hard and all day long. For a guide to Belgian Shepherd exercise see here.

How fast can a Belgian Shepherd run? A highly trained Belgian Shepherd can run up to 35 mph or even 40 mph .

Don’t Miss: German Shepherd Vocal

How Does The Double

One reason German Shepherd would never be able to race as effectively as Greyhounds is because of the double-suspended gallop.

Despite assertions to the contrary, all dogs perform a double-suspended gallop at full speed. Double suspension simply refers to the way the dogs body is suspended during both phases of gathering his limbs underneath himself and phase II of extending front legs well forward and rear limbs all the way to the back.

This shows a working type of black GSD running at speed. Notice the two suspended periods over the duration of each stride.

Sighthounds like Greyhounds and Salukis have remarkable spinal flexibility compared to other breeds, making their double-suspended gallop dramatic and more effective. It enables these dogs to reach phenomenal speeds.

For example, a Whippet can run 35 miles per hour, a Scottish Deerhound 40 miles per hour, and a Greyhound a blistering 45 miles per hour. Retrievers only run 20 to 25 miles per hour.

The flexibility of the spine enhances the double-suspended gallop because the back is able to contract and extend like a coil.

Comparatively, a horse has a rigid spine and usually a single-suspension gallop. Think of how much bigger a horse is than a dog. It is fascinating that racehorses run a mere 44 miles per hour top speeds.

Although the record fastest equine clocked 55 miles per hour, dogs are not as far behind as you might expect.

What To Be Aware Of While Training Your German Shepherd

All of the exercises I described in the previous section help improve your dogs speed, but there are some things you ought to be mindful of while putting him through his paces. Here are the most important:

• German Shepherds new to a training regime need to build up their exercise levels slowly. Dont immediately start be letting him sprint. Begin by walking him more regularly , then build from there, both in speed and distance covered.
• German Shepherds have very thick coats, so its important not to give him intense training sessions on hot days. Also, make sure hes hydrated at all times.
• Running your dog on concrete will be uncomfortable for him. Similarly, hot surfaces in the warmer months will hurt his paws. Finding him a stretch of grass is ideal for your dog to get his exercise.
• Ensuring your dog eats nutritious meals is essential in maintaining the energy levels he needs to run quickly. Avoid giving him fatty processed foods. Instead, a high-quality specialist dog food will have all the nutrients he needs.

Don’t Miss: Why Does My German Shepherd Look Skinny

What Makes German Shepherds A Successful Runner

All dog breeds have the skill of running, some run faster while some slow down because of their physical appearance. Though if we talk about the skill of running for German Shepherd they are good sprinters what are the facts that make German Shepherds a good runner.

German Shepherds are successful runners because of their physical characteristics. They have powerful legs, great body mass, and a narrow head that allows them to run like a true sprinter. They have also grippy paw pads, toenails, flexible spines, and gait that make them stretch their body to full strength and extend to push forward.

All these characteristics allow them to gain speed ultimately and makes them good runner. Of course, the size, shape, and health are also considered for German Shepherd to run faster. If they are not fit or unhealthy they will definitely not run faster.

However, you should also see their physical characteristics in detail that allow them to run faster:

How Many Miles Can A Rhodesian Ridgeback Run

How far can a Rhodesian Ridgeback run? The lion hunting Ridgeback is a good running companion and has a good level of endurance. Due to their muscle mass they are probably not ideal for ultra long runs.

However, with training and conditioning, a run of 5 to 10 miles is well within their ability.

Rhodesian Ridgebacks are an active dog and require at least an hour of energy-burning exercise daily. For a guide to Rhodesian Ridgeback exercise see here.

How fast can a Rhodesian Ridgeback run? The Rhodesian Ridgeback can reach speeds of up to 20 mph .

Read Also: Why Are Belgian Malinois Replacing German Shepherds

Safety Tips That You Need To Consider When Training Your German Shepherd:

Terrain: When exercising or training your German Shepherd, you should be aware of your terrain.

Where possible prevent your German Shepherd from running too often on the hard floors this is because the lack of shock absorbance with regular exposure could be too hard on their joints. Icy surfaces should be avoided at all costs when running to avoid injuries.

The best terrains for your German Shepherd to run include: dirt, trails, grass and beaches.

On a hot day it is important to check how hot the terrain is on your bare foot or palm of your hand before taking your German Shepherd on it. If it feels too hot for you, it will be too hot for your furry companion.

Weather: German Shepherds are said to be double-coated this means that they have two layers of coat that aids in protecting them against weather conditions.

The double coat aids in protecting them during winter and helps to cool them in the summer however, it can causes them to overheat during humid heats or when exercising in excessive heat.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Do not be tempted to shave your German Shepherd. For reasons on why you shouldnt shave a German Shepherd please see this article.

You should avoid running with your German Shepherd when temperature exceed more than 88 degrees Fahrenheit.

Whenever the heat and humidity levels are this high, the chances of heatstroke increase massively.

During the hot months try running with your German Shepherd during cooler times, such as late evening and early morning.

How Much Exercise Does A German Shepherd Puppy Need

German Shepherd puppies wont need as much exercise as their adult companions. In fact, its important not to over exercise your puppy, as it could lead to joint and mobility issues in later life . This is especially true for this breed since they are prone to conditions like hip dysplasia.

As a rule of thumb, puppies will need five minutes of formal exercise for every month of their age.

These walks should be opportunities to explore their environment, work on training and good behaviour outdoors, and socialise with other people and dogs in a controlled manner.

Your puppy will also get plenty of exercise from tearing around the house and playing, just make sure theyre getting enough sleep and be prepared to interrupt play for naptime if needed.

The easiest way to keep track of how much exercise your puppy is doing is by using a PitPat dog activity monitor. Its small and light so they wont notice it on their collar, and itll record all the activity they are up to in a day from playing with you to pottering in the garden.

Don’t Miss: How To Stop German Shepherd Puppy From Biting

Why Do German Shepherds Make Good Police Dogs

Apart from other canines, German Shepherds make great police dogs.

They are the all-time ACE winning breed with 13 awards and countless recognitions for both service and bravery.

They form a quick bond with their owners or handlers and are very obedient. They also have a level temperament and calm disposition that allows them to excel in high-risk, tense and even dangerous situations.

Another reason why these dogs make great police dogs is because there is almostnothing that can throw off the scent of a tracking German Shepherd. Pepper, for example, may pose a minor distraction, however, it takes only minutes for the dog to pick up the trail again. Weather conditions, such as wind and rain may slow down a tracking dog, but only temporarily. This is good news for German Shepherd owners but bad news for criminals on the run!

How Come A German Shepherd Can Smell So Well

While breathing and smelling are essentially the same for human beings, a dogs nose is designed to perform both tasks

Dogs have a fold of tissue inside their noses which air used for inhaling from air used for smelling.

When a dog breathes, a portion of the air is directed toward a bony network known as turbinates. These arededicated to olfaction while the rest of the air is then diverted to the lungs.

Dogs will take deep, long breaths for breathing and use short, sniffing inhalations when smelling something. When a dog exhales, air is pushed out of the slits in the sides of the nose, thus creating an airflow that draws new smells inward.

Dogs have a part that humans dont called the Jacobsons organ. Its located near the bottom of the dogs nasal passage and allows the animal to detect pheromonesorchemical cues. These are present in all animal species and allow them to relay messages to one another, such as mating readiness. The Jacobsons organ also helps dogs to recognize the scents of others in their pack.

If a dog is trying to get more scent to its Jacobsons organ, it may pull back its upper lip and lift its head up. This is known as the flehmen reaction. It further enhances a dogs sense of smell and is quite prominent in the German Shepherd breed.

Also Check: Pitbull Vs German Shepherd Who Would Win

Do German Shepherds Slow Down With Age

Like all dogs, German Shepherds begin to slow down in their later years of life. Theyre not going to maintain a 30 mph pace throughout life. You can spot minor changes to know when they are slowing down.

There are a few predictable, noticeable symptoms of old age that contribute to a lowered running pace, and we will now take a look at what these are.