How Fast Cairn Terriers Can Run

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How Fast the Cairn Terrier 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 196 different Cairn Terriers, the average speed of the Cairn Terrier is 17.8 mph (28.6 kmph). The fastest speed on AKC record that the Cairn Terrier ran in a race is 23.62 mph (38.0 kmph) and the minimum speed on record in a race for a Cairn Terrier is 2.81 mph (4.5 kmph).

The name of the fastest Cairn Terrier in the AKC record is Pippin`s Pleasure CAA FCAT2 THDA RATN CGC TKE, a female Cairn Terrier. This was the Cairn Terrier that set the 23.62 mph record speed.

If it comes down to the speed of the Cairn Terrier male versus the female, the average speed of the male Cairn Terrier is 18.1 mph (29.1 kmph), while the average speed of the female Cairn Terrier is 17.6 mph (28.3 kmph).

Compared to the speed of other dog breeds, the Cairn Terrier ranks number 206 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 Cairn Terrier 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

How to Make Your Cairn Terrier Run Fast

If you want your Cairn Terrier to run fast, make sure your Cairn Terrier is in good health, and that you have conditioned and trained your Cairn Terrier for running. Here at the things you can do to make your Cairn Terrier run fast:

  • Make sure your Cairn Terrier is in good health: Take them for regular veterinarian checks, feed them a good diet. This will ensure that your Cairn Terrier is in good health necessary for running.
  • Well-formed bones: make sure the bones of your Cairn Terrier are well-formed before making your Cairn Terrier 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 Cairn Terrier for running: Before getting your Cairn Terrier into serious running, first condition your Cairn Terrier from running. First, start slow by exercising your Cairn Terrier regularly. Also, play fetch with your Cairn Terrier, take your Cairn Terrier for regular walks. All these will make your Cairn Terrier very fit for running.
  • Make sure your Cairn Terrier is not overweight: Learn about how you can monitor your Cairn Terrier`s growth to prevent your Cairn Terrier from being overweight.

Get your Cairn Terrier a dog fitness tracker to monitor its activity and running performance.

The dog fitness tracker that we recommend for the Cairn Terrier 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 Cairn Terrier`s nutrition and sleep. It can let you know if your Cairn Terrier is scratching or licking itself too much.

Learn more about the Whistle GPS Health and Fitness Tracker here on Amazon.

Fitness Tracker for Cairn Terrier

Speed of Cairn Terrier Compared to Other Dog Breeds

Cairn Terriers weigh around 13 to 14 pounds and height 9 to 10 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 Cairn Terrier compares to the speed of other dog breeds below:

The average speed of the Cairn Terrier (in black) compared to the average speed of other dog breeds (in blue)
Dog Breed Average Speed
How Fast Dogue de Bordeauxs Can Run 27.2 mph (43.8 kmph)
How Fast German Wirehaired Pointers Can Run 25.7 mph (41.4 kmph)
How Fast Italian Greyhounds Can Run 24.4 mph (39.2 kmph)
How Fast Beaucerons Can Run 24.4 mph (39.2 kmph)
How Fast Belgian Sheepdogs Can Run 24.3 mph (39.2 kmph)
How Fast Treeing Walker Coonhounds Can Run 22.1 mph (35.6 kmph)
How Fast Tibetan Mastiffs Can Run 20.4 mph (32.8 kmph)
How Fast English Cocker Spaniels Can Run 20.0 mph (32.2 kmph)
How Fast Lowchens Can Run 19.6 mph (31.5 kmph)
How Fast Polish Lowland Sheepdogs Can Run 18.1 mph (29.1 kmph)
How Fast Cairn Terriers Can Run 17.8 mph (28.6 kmph)

Read this article to learn about how fast dogs run.

Can the Cairn Terrier Run Faster than the Rat Terrier?

The Rat Terrier can run faster than the Cairn Terrier.

The average running speed of the Cairn Terrier is 17.8 mph, while the average running speed of the Rat Terrier is 23.8 mph.

The fastest Cairn Terrier on record ran at a speed of 23.6 mph, while the slowest Cairn Terrier competing in a race ran at a speed 2.8 mph.

On the other hand, the fastest Rat Terrier on record ran at a speed of 28.9 mph, while the slowest Rat Terrier competing in a race ran at a speed of 5.4 mph.

Speed of Cairn Terrier versus speed of Rat Terrier

Learn more about how fast Rat Terriers can run here.

Can the Cairn Terrier Run Faster than the American Water Spaniel?

The American Water Spaniel can run faster than the Cairn Terrier.

The average running speed of the Cairn Terrier is 17.8 mph, while the average running speed of the American Water Spaniel is 23.3 mph.

The fastest Cairn Terrier on record ran at a speed of 23.6 mph, while the slowest Cairn Terrier competing in a race ran at a speed 2.8 mph.

On the other hand, the fastest American Water Spaniel on record ran at a speed of 25.4 mph, while the slowest American Water Spaniel competing in a race ran at a speed of 21.6 mph.

Speed of Cairn Terrier versus speed of American Water Spaniel

Learn more about how fast American Water Spaniels can run here.

Can the Cairn Terrier Run Faster than the Russian Toy?

The Cairn Terrier can run faster than the Russian Toy.

The average running speed of the Cairn Terrier is 17.8 mph, while the average running speed of the Russian Toy is 17.4 mph.

The fastest Cairn Terrier on record ran at a speed of 23.6 mph, while the slowest Cairn Terrier competing in a race ran at a speed 2.8 mph.

On the other hand, the fastest Russian Toy on record ran at a speed of 20.5 mph, while the slowest Russian Toy competing in a race ran at a speed 11.8 mph.

Can the Cairn Terrier Run Faster than the Swedish Vallhund?

The Swedish Vallhund can run faster than the Cairn Terrier.

The average running speed of the Cairn Terrier is 17.8 mph, while the average running speed of the Swedish Vallhund is 19.2 mph.

The fastest Cairn Terrier on record ran at a speed of 23.6 mph, while the slowest Cairn Terrier competing in a race ran at a speed 2.8 mph.

On the other hand, the fastest Swedish Vallhund on record ran at a speed of 24.6 mph, while the slowest Swedish Vallhund competing in a race ran at a speed of 6.2 mph.

Speed of Cairn Terrier versus speed of Swedish Vallhund

Learn more about how fast Swedish Vallhunds can run here.

Can the Cairn Terrier Run Faster than the Brittany?

The Brittany can run faster than the Cairn Terrier.

The average running speed of the Cairn Terrier is 17.8 mph, while the average running speed of the Brittany is 24.4 mph.

The fastest Cairn Terrier on record ran at a speed of 23.6 mph, while the slowest Cairn Terrier competing in a race ran at a speed 2.8 mph.

On the other hand, the fastest Brittany on record ran at a speed of 32.4 mph, while the slowest Brittany competing in a race ran at a speed of 7.0 mph.

Speed of Cairn Terrier versus speed of Brittany

Learn more about how fast Brittanys can run here.

How Fast the Cairn Terrier Can Run Compared to Other Mammals

See how fast the Cairn Terrier run compared to other mammals below:

The average speed of the Cairn Terrier (in black) compared to the average speed of other mammals (in blue)
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)
Usain Bolt 23.4 mph (37.6 kmph)
Squirrel 20.0 mph (32.2 kmph)
Cairn Terrier 17.8 mph (28.6 kmph)

Can the Cairn Terrier Run Faster than the Usain Bolt?

The Usain Bolt can run faster than the Cairn Terrier.

The average running speed of the Cairn Terrier is 17.8 mph, while the average running speed of the Usain Bolt is 23.4 mph.

Speed of Cairn Terrier versus speed of Usain Bolt

Can the Cairn Terrier Run Faster than the Cheetah?

The Cheetah can run faster than the Cairn Terrier.

The average running speed of the Cairn Terrier is 17.8 mph, while the average running speed of the Cheetah is 75.0 mph.

Speed of Cairn Terrier versus speed of Cheetah

Can the Cairn Terrier Run Faster than the Domestic Cat?

The Domestic Cat can run faster than the Cairn Terrier.

The average running speed of the Cairn Terrier is 17.8 mph, while the average running speed of the Domestic Cat is 30.0 mph.

Speed of Cairn Terrier versus speed of Domestic Cat

Can the Cairn Terrier Run Faster than the Squirrel?

The Squirrel can run faster than the Cairn Terrier.

The average running speed of the Cairn Terrier is 17.8 mph, while the average running speed of the Squirrel is 20.0 mph.

Speed of Cairn Terrier versus speed of Squirrel

Can the Cairn Terrier Run Faster than the Horse?

The Horse can run faster than the Cairn Terrier.

The average running speed of the Cairn Terrier is 17.8 mph, while the average running speed of the Horse is 55.0 mph.

Speed of Cairn Terrier versus speed of Horse

Can the Cairn Terrier Run Faster than the Jackrabbit?

The Jackrabbit can run faster than the Cairn Terrier.

The average running speed of the Cairn Terrier is 17.8 mph, while the average running speed of the Jackrabbit is 45.0 mph.

Speed of Cairn Terrier versus speed of Jackrabbit

Can the Cairn Terrier Run Faster than the Deer?

The Deer can run faster than the Cairn Terrier.

The average running speed of the Cairn Terrier is 17.8 mph, while the average running speed of the Deer is 30.0 mph.

Speed of Cairn Terrier versus speed of Deer

Can the Cairn Terrier Run Faster than the Wolf?

The Wolf can run faster than the Cairn Terrier.

The average running speed of the Cairn Terrier is 17.8 mph, while the average running speed of the Wolf is 37.0 mph.

Speed of Cairn Terrier versus speed of Wolf

Can the Cairn Terrier Run Faster than the Red Fox?

The Red Fox can run faster than the Cairn Terrier.

The average running speed of the Cairn Terrier is 17.8 mph, while the average running speed of the Red Fox is 30.0 mph.

Speed of Cairn Terrier versus speed of Red Fox

Can the Cairn Terrier Run Faster than the Gray Fox?

The Gray Fox can run faster than the Cairn Terrier.

The average running speed of the Cairn Terrier is 17.8 mph, while the average running speed of the Gray Fox is 42.0 mph.

Speed of Cairn Terrier versus speed of Gray Fox

Can the Cairn Terrier Run Faster than the Grizzly Bear?

The Grizzly Bear can run faster than the Cairn Terrier.

The average running speed of the Cairn Terrier is 17.8 mph, while the average running speed of the Grizzly Bear is 35.0 mph.

Speed of Cairn Terrier versus speed of Grizzly Bear

Can the Cairn Terrier Run Faster than the North American Black Bear?

The North American Black Bear can run faster than the Cairn Terrier.

The average running speed of the Cairn Terrier is 17.8 mph, while the average running speed of the North American Black Bear is 30.0 mph.

Speed of Cairn Terrier versus speed of North American Black Bear

Conclusion on How Fast the Cairn Terrier 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 Cairn Terrier 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.