How Fast Can A German Shepherd Run?

You might be a German Shepherd owner or simply someone just curious about how fast a German Shepherd can run. Whoever you are, you have come to the right place.

TLDR? I got you covered;

A German Shepherd can run up to 30 miles per hour. However, several factors like health, age, weight, training, and diet, can affect how fast a German Shepherd can run.

In this article, we shall discuss how fast a GSD can run, what factors affect its speed, how to increase your German Shepherd’s speed and so much more.

So stick with me.

Table of Contents

How fast can a german shepherd run

When considering how fast a German Shepherd can run, there are two measurements you will have to put into consideration;

The Top Speed: The 30 mph speed mentioned earlier is not the speed the GSD runs at all the time. It is the utmost speed the German Shepherd can run. German Shepherds are therefore much faster than human beings, including the great Usain Bolt.

Acceleration: German shepherds can accelerate to their top speed in about 6 – 12 strides, but of course, this depends on several factors that I alluded to earlier.

Usually, a German shepherd will reach its top speed in about 8 strides.

How the German Shepherd’s speed compares to other breeds

Yes. German shepherds are pretty fast.

But surprise surprise, they are not the fastest.

The Greyhound is considered to be the fastest dog breed. They can run at speeds of up to 45 miles per hour!

Other fast breeds include;

The Jack Russell Terrier (30 mph)
The Whippet (35 mph)
The Sloughi (42 mph)
The Vizsla (40 mph)

Please remember that these are the top speeds of the breeds, not their usual running speeds.

Certain dogs are faster than others because they were specifically bred for speed.

German Shepherds, however, were bred for herding and are known for their courage, loyalty, and guarding instincts. This makes them fantastic police dogs, guard dogs, military dogs, guide dogs for the blind and search and rescue dogs.

Factors that can affect the speed of a German Shepherd

Several factors may affect whether a German Shepherd will reach the top speed of 30 mph, these include;

Age

The age of a German Shepherd can be a big factor in how fast the dog can run. Puppies and young dogs under the age of two are still growing and developing, so they may not be able to reach their full potential speed. German shepherds at ages above 6 years may also start to slow down due to age-related muscle loss and joint stiffness.

Therefore German Shepherds are fastest between the ages of 2 – 6 years.

Weight

The weight of a German Shepherd can also play a role in how fast the GSD can run. Heavier dogs will usually be slower than lighter dogs because they have to move more mass when they run. However, some very muscular and large German Shepherds can still reach high speeds.

Diet

What a German Shepherd eats can also affect its speed. Dogs that are well-nourished with a high-quality diet will usually have more energy and be able to run faster than dogs that are not as well-nourished.

Training

German Shepherds that are trained for running, will usually be able to run faster than untrained German Shepherds. This is because they have developed muscles specifically for running and have learned how to use them effectively.

Health

The health of a German Shepherd can also affect its speed. Dogs that are not in good health may not have the energy or stamina to reach high speeds. Dogs with health conditions that affect their muscles or joints (like hip dysplasia) may also have difficulty running fast.

Motivation

Dogs that are motivated to run will usually run faster than those that are not. For example, a dog chasing after a squirrel will usually run faster than a dog running for the sake of it.

Now that we know some of the factors that can affect a German Shepherd’s speed, let’s take a look at how to increase your German Shepherd’s speed.

How to increase your German Shepherd’s speed

There are several things you can do to help increase your German Shepherd’s speed.

Feed your German Shepherd a high-quality diet: Giving your German Shepherd a high-quality diet will help to ensure that the dog has enough energy to run fast. A diet that is rich in protein, vitamins, minerals, and healthy fats will fuel muscle growth and provide sufficient energy levels to run fast. Proteins should take up 18% – 22% of an adult German shepherd’s diet whereas healthy fats should take up 5%. Avoid fillers like white flour.

Provide adequate exercise: Making sure your German Shepherd gets plenty of exercise will help to keep the dog fit and help it develop the muscles needed for running. Getting regular runs or walks in, as well as playing fetch or other games that involve running, will all help to increase your German Shepherd’s speed.

Train your German Shepherd with an agility course: An agility course is a great way to train your German Shepherd to run quickly and accurately. These courses involve obstacles that the dog must navigate, such as tunnels, jumps, and weave poles. This type of training can help to increase your German Shepherd’s speed, as well as its coordination and agility.

Use positive reinforcement: Using positive reinforcement when your German Shepherd is running will help to encourage the dog to run faster. This can be in the form of treats, praise, or even a favorite toy. By rewarding the dog for running quickly, you’ll help to increase its motivation to run fast.

Take your German Shepherd to the vet for regular checkups: Keeping your German Shepherd healthy is important for its overall speed. Regular check-ups with the vet will help to ensure that the dog is in good health and doesn’t have any underlying health conditions that could affect its speed.

Let them have enough rest: Rest is just as important as exercise when it comes to increasing your German Shepherd’s speed. Well-rested dogs will have more energy and be able to run faster than those that are not. Make sure your German Shepherd gets plenty of sleep, and avoid over-exercising the dog to allow it time to recover.

By following these tips, you can help to increase your German Shepherd’s speed and keep the dog fit.

How fast are German Shepherd dog mixes?

We know about the speed of pure breed GSDs, but how about GSD mixes?

How fast are they?

German Shepherd Greyhounds are some of the quickest dogs around.

This is because they have a mix of the speed of a Greyhound with the muscle and agility of a German Shepherd.

Shugs, on the other hand, are not as quick.

This is because they have a mix of a Pug which is not the fastest breed around.

Pugs can only run at about 5 to 10 miles per hour, so this slows down the Shug significantly.

It is very difficult to know the exact speed of different GSD mixes because it highly depends on how much of each parent’s genes are inherited, amongst other factors.

So, how fast can a german shepherd run? Here is the summary.

In summary, German shepherds are fast especially compared to humans. However, you have to keep in mind that their speed will depend on several factors like health, diet, age, etc.

It is also possible to increase the speed of a German shepherd by training them, improving their diet, and ensuring they get regular exercise.