How Fast Can a Great Dane Run? Speed Comparison & FAQs

With their massive size and stride, Great Danes can look as fast as a cheetah when running. But how fast do they actually run?

At its fastest, the Great Dane can run up to 32 MPH. This makes the Dane the second-fastest dog breed in the world, second only to the Greyhound. They have to be trained to reach that level, however.

Great Danes’ Running Speed

Animals known for running speed have some things in common, such as long, thin legs compared to their body. This helps them cover ground in fewer strides.

They were also bred to be agile and quick. As a descendant of hunting dogs from the Middle Ages, Great Danes were created to hunt wild boar and deer and guard nobility. They’re relatively lean dogs with strong muscles, giving them the aerodynamics to be fast.

At their fastest, the Great Dane is capable of running 32 MPH. According to the American Kennel Club (AKC), the current record for the fastest Great Dane in the AKC Coursing Ability Test has a running speed of 32.37 MPH.

How Does the Great Dane Compare to Other Fast Mammals?

30 MPH may seem like an incredible speed, but plenty of mammals are as fast—if not faster—than the Great Dane.

So, the Great Dane comes in behind notable fast animals, including the Greyhound and a wild dog relative, but ahead of a swift fox. A Great Dane is also faster than a human, especially considering that the 27-MPH top speed record belongs to Usain Bolt. Most humans come in at a lower top speed.

Can Great Danes Run Long Distances?

Great Danes cover long distances with their big stride, but that doesn’t make them distance runners. They merely cover a lot of ground.

When it comes to distance or endurance, Great Danes are similar to other athletic breeds like Golden Retrievers. They’re just bigger and longer dogs, so they seem like they’re covering long distances.

Are Great Danes Good Running Partners?

Great Danes are among the largest dog breeds in the world. Despite this size, they love to run and enjoy being a running partner for their owners. Unless you’re an elite athlete, it’s likely that you will struggle to keep up with your Dane—not the other way around!

It’s important to wait until your Great Dane is at least two years old before going on long-distance runs, however. This is about the age when a Great Dane stops growing. If you try a lot of jogging or running before that, you could put your dog’s growing joints and bones at risk of injury.

Conclusion

Great Danes may not be known as sprinters, but they’re the second-fastest dog breed after the Greyhound. While this may be surprising based on the Great Dane’s size, it has a lot to do with its lean, agile, long body and limbs which can cover tons of ground very quickly.

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Featured Image Credit: belu gheorghe, Shutterstock