Which Dogs Are the Fastest – Is it the Greyhound?

As with many other things related to dogs, there is some disagreement about which dog is the fastest. Most people will concede that, inch for inch, over a short distance, nothing can beat a Greyhound. They have been clocked at 39.35 mph over a quarter mile by the World Almanac and Book of Facts. They are said to be able to run up to 48 mph for short bursts. However, there’s more to the story.

There are other sighthounds that dispute the Greyhound’s claim as the fastest dog. For instance, the Cape Hunting Dog has been clocked at 45 mph for a quarter-mile sprint. This is an endangered hunting dog from Africa, also known as the Painted Dog, African Wild Dog, or the Spotted Dog. They are wild dogs closely related to wolves and are fast runners. Although the African Wild Dog is not domesticated, they are part of the canid family, which may make them contenders for the title of fastest dog.

The Endurance of the Saluki

However, there is a domesticated rival to the Greyhound: the Saluki. This sighthound is often touted as being faster than a Greyhound over long distances. While the Saluki cannot beat the Greyhound at sprint distances, they are built for endurance and have endless stamina. Originating from desert conditions, the Saluki can hunt all day at speed. Saluki supporters often claim their dogs can reach speeds of around 40 mph, but they do not race them in official competitions. While the Greyhound may have more speed in short bursts, the Saluki excels at maintaining that speed over long distances.

Whippets, another sighthound, are medium-sized dogs used for rabbit hunting and racing. While very fast, they don’t quite match the Greyhound’s speed under equal conditions. Whippets can reach speeds of about 40 mph.

Other sighthounds can also achieve impressive speeds. Afghan Hounds, Borzoi, Irish Wolfhounds, Scottish Deerhounds, Ibizan Hounds, and Pharaoh Hounds were all bred to hunt fast prey like jackrabbits, deer, gazelles, and other animals. These dogs had to be fast enough to zigzag, catch up, and bring down their quarry under various conditions.

Today, there’s little need for these dogs to hunt jackrabbits or wolves. But fortunately, there’s still a sport that lets them exercise their love of the chase. Lure coursing allows sighthounds to chase a piece of plastic (the “prey”) pulled across a field. Since these dogs have been bred to chase movement, it’s hardwired into them. They delight in the chase just as they would after real prey. Owners enjoy spending a day “hunting” this way with their dogs running alongside. Lure coursing is particularly popular among sighthound owners.

Courses and Competition: Sighthounds in Action

Coursing as a sport is popular in some parts of the United States. Open-field coursing allows sighthounds (usually three at a time) to hunt live game, such as hares and coyotes. Greyhounds, Salukis, and others thrive in this environment. Dogs need to be fit for the sport, and it may require some early training, as they can be reluctant to return to their owners once they are caught up in the pursuit of game.

There is some debate over which dogs should be included in the sighthound group, but most people, kennel clubs, and countries agree on the basic members of the group. Inclusion is generally based on a dog’s original function, which was to hunt prey by sight and give chase. Prey was caught by speed. Some dogs, like the Basenji, are often regarded as sighthounds, though not everyone agrees. Other dogs on the fringes of the sighthound group include the lurcher, Silken Windhound, and many regional breeds of sighthound-type dogs. In all cases, sighthounds and sighthound-type dogs are considered members of the Hound group.

Members of the sighthound group include some of the oldest dog breeds. The Saluki and Afghan Hound, in particular, are among the most ancient breeds, dating back to the time when dogs diverged from wolves. This makes sense when you consider that one of the first roles early humans had for dogs was as a helper in hunting. These early dogs likely chased down prey in much the same way sighthounds do today.