Dobermans are powerful dogs with an impressive sense of hearing and smell. They are also capable of reaching speeds of 35 miles per hour. On average, a Doberman can run between 25 and 30 MPH. This breed is genetically related to Greyhounds, which are also capable of long-distance, high-speed running. But can all Dobermans run this fast? Do they like to run? Let’s look at the answers to these questions.
Doberman Speeds
The world record for the fastest running dog is held by a Greyhound named Star, which clocked 55 miles per hour. While Dobermans can’t run quite as fast as their Greyhound relatives, they are more 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 just how fast a Doberman can run.
| Fastest top speed for a Doberman: | 34.89 MPH |
| Fastest average speed over 100 meters: | 30.07 MPH |
These 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 between 25 and 30 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 | 35 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 Olympic sprint in 9.58 seconds. For comparison’s sake, this means Usain Bolt ran at approximately 23.35 MPH during that race. However, he broke his record later the same year, running at a top speed of 27.33 MPH.
Comparing this running speed to that of a Doberman (25–35 MPH) means even the world’s fastest human cannot outrun a 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 35 MPH. They exceed any human running speed and have one of the fastest running speeds for dogs. If you’ve noticed that your Doberman runs a little faster than other dogs, it’s not your imagination!
- See Also: 10 Doberman Pros & Cons You Need to Know
Featured Image Credit: Viola Polikarpova, Shutterstock
