How Fast Can a Weimaraner Run? Speed Comparison & FAQ
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Weimaraners are one of the fastest dogs alive, with a top-recorded speed up to 35 mph! This sleek German hunting hound has been known to reach crazy high speeds when sprinting after small game in the forest or just chasing other animals. They have moderate endurance as far as longer distances go, able to roam 10 or 20 miles at a time before tiring out.
If you’re interested in why Weimaraners can run so fast or how they compare against some other dogs or animals, you’re in luck! Read on for a speed comparison with Weimaraners and other animals, plus other interesting info.
Why Can Weimaraners Run So Fast?
Weimaraners have an athletic physique developed over more than a century of breeding by German nobility, and each part of their body has a particular job. The long, thin legs are lightweight and capable of great power thanks to the lean, powerful core of the dog. Their tail helps guide them, and it turns before their body does.
How fast a Weimaraner goes also depends on their motivation. Chasing small game like birds and squirrels is their favorite pastime, but chasing another dog might not merit their top speed. You really have to exploit a dog’s motivations if you want to test their maximum running speed.
A dog will slow down as they age, too. Past the age of seven, some dogs may slow down or even develop joint conditions. Keeping the health of your Weimaraner in mind is important when managing their exercise and diet.
Weimaraner Speed vs. Humans and Other Animals
Weimaraners have a fairly impressive top speed of 35 mph, but it pales in comparison to some of nature’s swiftest creatures. Let’s throw in humans, too, just for fun. Compare some top speeds below for reference.
Weimaraner Top Speed vs. Other Dogs & Animals
| Animal | Top Speed |
| Weimaraner | 35 mph |
| Greyhound | 45 mph |
| Saluki | 45 mph |
| Cheetah | 75 mph |
| Peregrine Falcon | 242 mph (during a dive) |
| Human | 27 mph (top speed by Usain Bolt in 2011) |
| Pronghorn | 67 mph |
Diet and Exercise for Weimaraners
More active Weimaraners and those trained to hunt need a steady diet of high-protein dog food. Protein helps fuel their powerful muscles, calcium helps reinforce their bones, and assorted other nutrients support other bodily functions too. Weimaraners have high metabolisms and may need multiple smaller feedings per day versus comparable dog breeds.
Always follow up with a vet when you make any serious changes in your dog’s diet because disrupting a consistent diet may affect your Weimaraner’s health.
Exercise Tips for Weimaraners
Most online resources agree the Weimaraner needs 1 to 2 hours of moderate to intense exercise per day. To help you achieve your dog’s exercise goals and tire them out to prevent destructive boredom chewing, we’ve come up with some dog exercise tips for you.
- Help your dog avoid exercise in extreme weather conditions like freezing cold or blazing heat when possible. This helps to prevent heat exhaustion and hypothermia.
- Choose a grassy area to exercise, if possible, because concrete and cement are hard on a dog’s paws and joints.
- Always bring plenty of water if you’re exercising with your Weimaraner away from home for any extended period of time.
- Always be aware of your surroundings. If you are in an unsecured area, using a leash is a safe and smart choice.
Conclusion
Weimaraners can tire out humans with their top running speed of 35 mph, but active people stand a better chance of keeping up with them. Managing your dog’s exercise needs goes hand in hand with training, diet, and general health.
Featured Image Credit: Dr. Georg Wietschorke, Pixabay
