The speed of canine companions: Greyhound vs Shih Tzu – a tale of two extremes
The world of dogs is as diverse as the many breeds that grace our homes and hearts, particularly when it comes to their speed.
We explore the two ends of the spectrum, the fastest and the slowest dog breeds, with a special focus on a breed that's become synonymous with speed – the Greyhound.
Fastest Dogs
At the pinnacle of canine speed, the Greyhound reigns supreme.
These sleek and elegant dogs, originally bred for hunting and racing, can reach an astounding speed of up to 72 kms per hour (45 mph).
Their long, slender bodies and powerful legs make them perfectly suited for speed, with their swift nature often on display in professional greyhound racing competitions around the world..
Close behind the Greyhound in speed, we find the Saluki, a breed also steeped in hunting history.
With a top speed of up to 67 km per hour (42 miles per hour), this graceful and athletic breed is revered for its speed and agility, particularly in its native Middle East.
Coming in third is the Afghan Hound, a breed known for its long, flowing coat and regal appearance.
Despite their elegant looks, Afghan Hounds can reach speeds of up to 64 km per hour (40 miles per hour), showing a fierce competitive spirit on the race track.
Not far behind is the Vizsla, a Hungarian hunting breed, renowned not only for its speed but also its versatility.
Vizslas can run up to 64 km per hour (40 miles per hour), their keen sense of smell and excellent swimming abilities adding to their hunting prowess.
Rounding out our top five fastest breeds is the Whippet.
Known for their slender build and long legs, Whippets are capable of reaching speeds of up to 56 km per hour (35 miles per hour), making them a popular choice for lure coursing competitions.
Slowest Dogs
On the other side of the spectrum, we find breeds that trade speed for a more leisurely pace.
The Shih Tzu, for instance, has an average running speed of just 24 km per hour (15.3 mph).
Known for their relaxed and gentle nature, Shih Tzus are quite content with leisurely walks and lounging around.
The Pomeranian, with an average running speed of 16 km per hour (10 mph), also enjoys a slower pace. Despite their smaller size, Pomeranians don't need much exercise and are happy with a short walk around the block.
Basset Hounds, known for their laid-back nature, have an average running speed of 22 km per hour (14 mph). A short walk is usually enough to keep these dogs content, with much of their time spent lounging around.
Pugs, often seen bouncing around in excitement during playtime, have an average running speed of only 13 km per hour (8 mph). This breed doesn't need much exercise to stay fit and healthy, reflecting their preference for more leisurely activities.
Finally, the Chihuahua, despite their small size advantage, has an average running speed between 13 km per hour and 33 km per hour (8 and 21 miles per hour). These dogs usually prefer to walk or trot rather than run at their full potential.
Special Focus: The Greyhound
Turning our spotlight onto the greyhound, it's interesting to note that these fast dogs have a significant presence in Australia on greyhound tracks, and in homes.
Despite their racing heritage, greyhounds are surprisingly low-energy dogs.
They require 30-60 minutes of exercise at least twice daily, but they are also quite content to lounge around and relax.
It's this combination of speed and a relaxed temperament that makes greyhounds popular pets in Australia, and why the sport of greyhound racing is surging in popularity in Australia.
The world of dogs is one of remarkable diversity and contrast, particularly when it comes to speed.
Whether your preference is for the lightning-fast greyhound or the leisurely Shih Tzu, it's clear that there's a dog breed for every pace of life.