How Fast Can Dobermans Run? Top Speeds & Breed Comparison (Vet-Reviewed)

By Chelsie Fraser · Reviewed & fact-checked by Dr. Maja PlatisaVet Approved

Reviewed & Fact-Checked byDr. Maja PlatisaDVM MRCVS (Veterinarian)Maja joined our team in March 2023 as one of our in-house veterinarians. She is passionate about animals and their health and loves to help the readers with any issues or questions they have regarding their four-legged friends and other animal companions. Her passion is small animal medicine and emergency work, while she also has a great interest in animal welfare.View authorThe information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research. Read about our vetsUpdated on October 12, 2026

In this article

Doberman Speeds Dobermans vs Other Fast Dogs Can a Doberman Outrun a Human?

Dobermans are powerful dogs with an impressive sense of hearing and smell. On average, a Doberman can run between 25 and 30 mph. Their muscular build and natural athleticism contribute to their speed and agility, though they are still slower than sprinting breeds like the Greyhound. But can all Dobermans run this fast? Do they like to run? Let’s look at the answers to these questions.

Doberman Speeds

The Greyhound is widely considered the fastest dog breed in the world, with some racing Greyhounds reportedly reaching speeds of around 45 miles per hour under ideal conditions. While Dobermans can’t run quite as fast as Greyhounds, they are agile and capable of quick stops and starts, along with tight turns at speed.

The American Kennel Club’s FastCAT dog speed competition results give us a good idea of how fast a Doberman can run, with some dogs reaching speeds approaching 28–31 mph.

Such speeds are reached by racing dogs, and it is important to note that the “average” Doberman won’t be able to run this fast. Dobermans in average shape can usually run around 25 mph. To reach top speed, a dog will need to be in peak condition and trained to do so, which most dogs are not.

How Dobermans Compare to Other Fast Dogs

An average sprinting speed for dogs is 15–20 mph, making the Doberman’s speed well above average. They are considered extremely quick dogs, but how do they stack up against other fast dogs?

Doberman Pinscher	28 mph
German Shepherd	30 mph
Border Collie	30 mph
Greyhound	45 mph
Whippet	35 mph

Can a Doberman Outrun a Human?

Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt holds the record for the world’s fastest human. The record was set in 2009 when he ran the 100-meter sprint at the World Championships in Berlin in 9.58 seconds. For comparison, this means Bolt averaged approximately 23.35 mph during the race, though he was clocked at a top speed of around 27.33 mph in a later race.

Comparing this running speed to that of a Doberman (25–30 mph) means even the world’s fastest human would struggle to outrun a fit Doberman. Since few humans can come close to running as fast as Usain Bolt, it’s safe to say that a Doberman can outrun a human.

Conclusion

Dobermans that are conditioned for running can reach top speeds of 28–31 mph. They exceed any human running speed, and this makes the Doberman one of the faster and more athletic dog breeds. If you’ve noticed that your Doberman runs a little faster than other dogs, it’s not your imagination!

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Sources

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