Quick Links: Table of Contents
- How Fast the Afghan Hound Can Run
- Speed of Afghan Hound Compared to Other Dog Breeds
- How Fast the Afghan Hound Can Run Compared to Other Mammals
- How to Make Your Afghan Hound Run Fast
- Conclusion on How Fast the Afghan Hound Can Run
How Fast the Afghan Hound Can Run
The American Kennel Association (AKC) and its local clubs regularly conduct timed races for dogs. This competition is called the Fast CAT®, which stands for Coursing Ability Test. The Fast CAT is a timed 100-yard (91.4 meters) race where dogs run one at a time, chasing a lure.
The AKC has been conducting Fast CAT races for dogs since 2016. You can learn more about how the rules of the fast CAT race here.
Based on our analysis of the speeds of 187 different Afghan Hounds, the average speed of the Afghan Hound is 24.6 mph (39.6 kmph). The fastest speed on AKC record that the Afghan Hound ran in a race is 34.09 mph (54.9 kmph) and the minimum speed on record in a race for a Afghan Hound is 5.4 mph (8.7 kmph).
The name of the fastest Afghan Hound in the AKC record is DC Gaston La Gaffe Del Gran Pamir SC DCAT, a male Afghan Hound. This was the Afghan Hound that set the 34.09 mph record speed.
If it comes down to the speed of the Afghan Hound male versus the female, the average speed of the male Afghan Hound is 24.9 mph (40.1 kmph), while the average speed of the female Afghan Hound is 24.2 mph (39.0 kmph).
Compared to the speed of other dog breeds, the Afghan Hound ranks number 44 out of 247 dog breeds in terms of its running speed..
The fastest dog breed is the Greyhound. Greyhounds can run at an average speed of 33.1 mph (53.3 kmph).
The slowest dog breed is the Pekingese. Pekingeses run at an average speed of 9.4 mph (15.1 mph).
Click here to see the list that rank dog breeds based on their running speeds. On the list, you will see how the Afghan Hound ranks compared to other 246 dog breeds
Note that all the speeds above are “average” speeds over a distance of 100 yards, and not peak speeds. A dog may be able to running faster than the numbers above, but it will be for a very very short distance (time).
Unlike some AKC events such as conformation shows which a dog has to be purebred to participate in, both purebred dogs and mixed dogs can compete in the AKC Fast CAT competition.
You should consider signing up your dog for this fun activity. Your dog could win a fancy AKC title! Visit the AKC website to learn more.
You can watch an AKC fast CAT tournament here on Youtube
Speed of Afghan Hound Compared to Other Dog Breeds
Afghan Hounds weigh around 50 to 60 pounds and height 24 to 26 inches tall at the shoulder.
How fast a dog breed runs depends on its weight and height. Tall dog breeds tend to run faster than shorter dog breeds.
See how the speed of the Afghan Hound compares to the speed of other dog breeds below:
| Dog Breed | Average Speed |
|---|---|
| How Fast Hokkaidos Can Run | 25.1 mph (40.4 kmph) |
| How Fast Afghan Hounds Can Run | 24.6 mph (39.6 kmph) |
| How Fast Great Danes Can Run | 22.9 mph (36.9 kmph) |
| How Fast Standard Poodles Can Run | 22.7 mph (36.5 kmph) |
| How Fast Standard Schnauzers Can Run | 22.4 mph (36.1 kmph) |
| How Fast Smooth Fox Terriers Can Run | 21.2 mph (34.1 kmph) |
| How Fast Boston Terriers Can Run | 21.2 mph (34.1 kmph) |
| How Fast Miniature Bull Terriers Can Run | 20.4 mph (32.8 kmph) |
| How Fast Leonbergers Can Run | 20.0 mph (32.3 kmph) |
| How Fast Silky Terriers Can Run | 17.5 mph (28.1 kmph) |
| How Fast Malteses Can Run | 14.7 mph (23.6 kmph) |
Read this article to learn about how fast dogs run.
Can the Afghan Hound Run Faster than the American Hairless Terrier?
The Afghan Hound can run faster than the American Hairless Terrier.
The average running speed of the Afghan Hound is 24.6 mph, while the average running speed of the American Hairless Terrier is 23.3 mph.
The fastest Afghan Hound on record ran at a speed of 34.1 mph, while the slowest Afghan Hound competing in a race ran at a speed 5.4 mph.
On the other hand, the fastest American Hairless Terrier on record ran at a speed of 31.3 mph, while the slowest American Hairless Terrier competing in a race ran at a speed 4.3 mph.
Can the Afghan Hound Run Faster than the Rhodesian Ridgeback?
The Rhodesian Ridgeback can run faster than the Afghan Hound.
The average running speed of the Afghan Hound is 24.6 mph, while the average running speed of the Rhodesian Ridgeback is 25.3 mph.
The fastest Afghan Hound on record ran at a speed of 34.1 mph, while the slowest Afghan Hound competing in a race ran at a speed 5.4 mph.
On the other hand, the fastest Rhodesian Ridgeback on record ran at a speed of 33.4 mph, while the slowest Rhodesian Ridgeback competing in a race ran at a speed of 7.9 mph.
Learn more about how fast Rhodesian Ridgebacks can run here.
Can the Afghan Hound Run Faster than the Sloughi?
The Sloughi can run faster than the Afghan Hound.
The average running speed of the Afghan Hound is 24.6 mph, while the average running speed of the Sloughi is 26.4 mph.
The fastest Afghan Hound on record ran at a speed of 34.1 mph, while the slowest Afghan Hound competing in a race ran at a speed 5.4 mph.
On the other hand, the fastest Sloughi on record ran at a speed of 31.8 mph, while the slowest Sloughi competing in a race ran at a speed of 19.2 mph.
Can the Afghan Hound Run Faster than the Canaan Dog?
The Canaan Dog can run faster than the Afghan Hound.
The average running speed of the Afghan Hound is 24.6 mph, while the average running speed of the Canaan Dog is 25.0 mph.
The fastest Afghan Hound on record ran at a speed of 34.1 mph, while the slowest Afghan Hound competing in a race ran at a speed 5.4 mph.
On the other hand, the fastest Canaan Dog on record ran at a speed of 30.0 mph, while the slowest Canaan Dog competing in a race ran at a speed of 16.7 mph.
Can the Afghan Hound Run Faster than the Transylvanian Hound?
The Transylvanian Hound can run faster than the Afghan Hound.
The average running speed of the Afghan Hound is 24.6 mph, while the average running speed of the Transylvanian Hound is 24.7 mph.
The fastest Afghan Hound on record ran at a speed of 34.1 mph, while the slowest Afghan Hound competing in a race ran at a speed 5.4 mph.
On the other hand, the fastest Transylvanian Hound on record ran at a speed of 24.7 mph, while the slowest Transylvanian Hound competing in a race ran at a speed of 24.7 mph.
How Fast the Afghan Hound Can Run Compared to Other Mammals
See how fast the Afghan Hound run compared to other mammals below:
| Mammal | Average Speed |
|---|---|
| Cheetah | 75.0 mph (120.7 kmph) |
| Horse | 55.0 mph (88.5 kmph) |
| Jackrabbit | 45.0 mph (72.4 kmph) |
| Gray Fox | 42.0 mph (67.6 kmph) |
| Wolf | 37.0 mph (59.5 kmph) |
| Grizzly Bear | 35.0 mph (56.3 kmph) |
| Domestic Cat | 30.0 mph (48.3 kmph) |
| Deer | 30.0 mph (48.3 kmph) |
| Red Fox | 30.0 mph (48.3 kmph) |
| North American Black Bear | 30.0 mph (48.3 kmph) |
| Afghan Hound | 24.6 mph (39.6 kmph) |
| Usain Bolt | 23.4 mph (37.6 kmph) |
| Squirrel | 20.0 mph (32.2 kmph) |
Can the Afghan Hound Run Faster than the Usain Bolt?
The Afghan Hound can run faster than the Usain Bolt.
The average running speed of the Afghan Hound is 24.6 mph, while the average running speed of the Usain Bolt is 23.4 mph.
Can the Afghan Hound Run Faster than the Cheetah?
The Cheetah can run faster than the Afghan Hound.
The average running speed of the Afghan Hound is 24.6 mph, while the average running speed of the Cheetah is 75.0 mph.
Can the Afghan Hound Run Faster than the Domestic Cat?
The Domestic Cat can run faster than the Afghan Hound.
The average running speed of the Afghan Hound is 24.6 mph, while the average running speed of the Domestic Cat is 30.0 mph.
Can the Afghan Hound Run Faster than the Squirrel?
The Afghan Hound can run faster than the Squirrel.
The average running speed of the Afghan Hound is 24.6 mph, while the average running speed of the Squirrel is 20.0 mph.
Can the Afghan Hound Run Faster than the Horse?
The Horse can run faster than the Afghan Hound.
The average running speed of the Afghan Hound is 24.6 mph, while the average running speed of the Horse is 55.0 mph.
Can the Afghan Hound Run Faster than the Jackrabbit?
The Jackrabbit can run faster than the Afghan Hound.
The average running speed of the Afghan Hound is 24.6 mph, while the average running speed of the Jackrabbit is 45.0 mph.
Can the Afghan Hound Run Faster than the Deer?
The Deer can run faster than the Afghan Hound.
The average running speed of the Afghan Hound is 24.6 mph, while the average running speed of the Deer is 30.0 mph.
Can the Afghan Hound Run Faster than the Wolf?
The Wolf can run faster than the Afghan Hound.
The average running speed of the Afghan Hound is 24.6 mph, while the average running speed of the Wolf is 37.0 mph.
Can the Afghan Hound Run Faster than the Red Fox?
The Red Fox can run faster than the Afghan Hound.
The average running speed of the Afghan Hound is 24.6 mph, while the average running speed of the Red Fox is 30.0 mph.
Can the Afghan Hound Run Faster than the Gray Fox?
The Gray Fox can run faster than the Afghan Hound.
The average running speed of the Afghan Hound is 24.6 mph, while the average running speed of the Gray Fox is 42.0 mph.
Can the Afghan Hound Run Faster than the Grizzly Bear?
The Grizzly Bear can run faster than the Afghan Hound.
The average running speed of the Afghan Hound is 24.6 mph, while the average running speed of the Grizzly Bear is 35.0 mph.
Can the Afghan Hound Run Faster than the North American Black Bear?
The North American Black Bear can run faster than the Afghan Hound.
The average running speed of the Afghan Hound is 24.6 mph, while the average running speed of the North American Black Bear is 30.0 mph.
How to Make Your Afghan Hound Run Fast
If you want your Afghan Hound to run fast, make sure your Afghan Hound is in good health, and that you have conditioned and trained your Afghan Hound for running. Here at the things you can do to make your Afghan Hound run fast:
- Make sure your Afghan Hound is in good health: Take them for regular veterinarian checks, feed them a good diet. This will ensure that your Afghan Hound is in good health necessary for running.
- Well-formed bones: make sure the bones of your Afghan Hound are well-formed before making your Afghan Hound run. Importantly, do not run with a puppy because you can damage a puppy`s joint and bone structure through the high impact of running on their joints.
- Condition your Afghan Hound for running: Before getting your Afghan Hound into serious running, first condition your Afghan Hound from running. First, start slow by exercising your Afghan Hound regularly. Also, play fetch with your Afghan Hound, take your Afghan Hound for regular walks. All these will make your Afghan Hound very fit for running.
- Make sure your Afghan Hound is not overweight: Learn about how you can monitor your Afghan Hound`s growth to prevent your Afghan Hound from being overweight.
Get your Afghan Hound a dog fitness tracker to monitor its activity and running performance.
The dog fitness tracker that we recommend for the Afghan Hound is the Whistle GPS Health and Fitness Tracker
. This tracker is packed with other useful features in addition to fitness tracking. The tracker can also monitor your Afghan Hound`s nutrition and sleep. It can let you know if your Afghan Hound is scratching or licking itself too much.Learn more about the Whistle GPS Health and Fitness Tracker here on Amazon.
Conclusion on How Fast the Afghan Hound Can Run
Note that the AKC`s speed test for dogs upon which this article is based does not pit dogs against each other in races as it is done in human races. Rather, a dog runs the race by chasing a lure, and the dog`s speed is recorded, and compared to the speed of other dogs.
Furthermore, the AKC speed test leverages the fact that dogs like to chase things. However, some dog breeds have a higher tendency to chase things than some other dog breeds. Breeds such as greyhounds, afghan hounds, and whippets are naturally wired to chase objects. Therefore, these breeds tend to excel in sports like the AKC speed tests.
Finally, running is a good exercise for dogs. Also, exercise is good for your dog`s health. Exercise will make your Afghan Hound live long. However, if you want to get your dog into running without getting your dog injured, make sure that your dog has grown past the puppy state, with well-formed bones, before you get your dog into running.