How Fast English Setters Can Run

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How Fast the English Setter 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 44 different English Setters, the average speed of the English Setter is 23.6 mph (37.9 kmph). The fastest speed on AKC record that the English Setter ran in a race is 27.66 mph (44.5 kmph) and the minimum speed on record in a race for a English Setter is 16.4 mph (26.4 kmph).

The name of the fastest English Setter in the AKC record is Sheriff Honest John CA DCAT, a male English Setter. This was the English Setter that set the 27.66 mph record speed.

If it comes down to the speed of the English Setter male versus the female, the average speed of the male English Setter is 23.7 mph (38.2 kmph), while the average speed of the female English Setter is 23.4 mph (37.7 kmph).

Compared to the speed of other dog breeds, the English Setter ranks number 82 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 English Setter 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 English Setter Run Fast

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

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

Get your English Setter a dog fitness tracker to monitor its activity and running performance.

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

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

Fitness Tracker for English Setter

Speed of English Setter Compared to Other Dog Breeds

English Setters weigh around 45 to 80 pounds and height 1 foot, 11 inches to 2 feet, 3 inches tall at the .

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 English Setter compares to the speed of other dog breeds below:

The average speed of the English Setter (in black) compared to the average speed of other dog breeds (in blue)
Dog Breed Average Speed
How Fast American Bulldogs Can Run 24.4 mph (39.2 kmph)
How Fast Australian Cattle Dogs Can Run 24.0 mph (38.7 kmph)
How Fast English Setters Can Run 23.6 mph (37.9 kmph)
How Fast Japanese Terriers Can Run 23.5 mph (37.8 kmph)
How Fast Pyrenean Shepherds Can Run 23.4 mph (37.7 kmph)
How Fast Lagotto Romagnolos Can Run 22.2 mph (35.7 kmph)
How Fast Old English Sheepdogs Can Run 21.6 mph (34.8 kmph)
How Fast Australian Terriers Can Run 18.9 mph (30.4 kmph)
How Fast Scottish Terriers Can Run 14.6 mph (23.5 kmph)
How Fast Basset Hounds Can Run 14.4 mph (23.1 kmph)
How Fast Pekingeses Can Run 9.4 mph (15.1 kmph)

Read this article to learn about how fast dogs run.

Can the English Setter Run Faster than the Chinese Shar-Pei?

The English Setter can run faster than the Chinese Shar-Pei.

The average running speed of the English Setter is 23.6 mph, while the average running speed of the Chinese Shar-Pei is 21.8 mph.

The fastest English Setter on record ran at a speed of 27.7 mph, while the slowest English Setter competing in a race ran at a speed 16.4 mph.

On the other hand, the fastest Chinese Shar-Pei on record ran at a speed of 27.7 mph, while the slowest Chinese Shar-Pei competing in a race ran at a speed 15.3 mph.

Speed of English Setter versus speed of Chinese Shar-Pei

Learn more about how fast Chinese Shar-Peis can run here.

Can the English Setter Run Faster than the Plott?

The Plott can run faster than the English Setter.

The average running speed of the English Setter is 23.6 mph, while the average running speed of the Plott is 24.0 mph.

The fastest English Setter on record ran at a speed of 27.7 mph, while the slowest English Setter competing in a race ran at a speed 16.4 mph.

On the other hand, the fastest Plott on record ran at a speed of 28.0 mph, while the slowest Plott competing in a race ran at a speed of 16.1 mph.

Can the English Setter Run Faster than the Pharaoh Hound?

The Pharaoh Hound can run faster than the English Setter.

The average running speed of the English Setter is 23.6 mph, while the average running speed of the Pharaoh Hound is 26.3 mph.

The fastest English Setter on record ran at a speed of 27.7 mph, while the slowest English Setter competing in a race ran at a speed 16.4 mph.

On the other hand, the fastest Pharaoh Hound on record ran at a speed of 31.5 mph, while the slowest Pharaoh Hound competing in a race ran at a speed of 18.1 mph.

Speed of English Setter versus speed of Pharaoh Hound

Learn more about how fast Pharaoh Hounds can run here.

Can the English Setter Run Faster than the Icelandic Sheepdog?

The English Setter can run faster than the Icelandic Sheepdog.

The average running speed of the English Setter is 23.6 mph, while the average running speed of the Icelandic Sheepdog is 23.2 mph.

The fastest English Setter on record ran at a speed of 27.7 mph, while the slowest English Setter competing in a race ran at a speed 16.4 mph.

On the other hand, the fastest Icelandic Sheepdog on record ran at a speed of 27.7 mph, while the slowest Icelandic Sheepdog competing in a race ran at a speed 6.0 mph.

Can the English Setter Run Faster than the Norwegian Elkhound?

The English Setter can run faster than the Norwegian Elkhound.

The average running speed of the English Setter is 23.6 mph, while the average running speed of the Norwegian Elkhound is 19.7 mph.

The fastest English Setter on record ran at a speed of 27.7 mph, while the slowest English Setter competing in a race ran at a speed 16.4 mph.

On the other hand, the fastest Norwegian Elkhound on record ran at a speed of 25.5 mph, while the slowest Norwegian Elkhound competing in a race ran at a speed 8.4 mph.

How Fast the English Setter Can Run Compared to Other Mammals

See how fast the English Setter run compared to other mammals below:

The average speed of the English Setter (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)
English Setter 23.6 mph (38.0 kmph)
Usain Bolt 23.4 mph (37.6 kmph)
Squirrel 20.0 mph (32.2 kmph)

Can the English Setter Run Faster than the Usain Bolt?

The English Setter can run faster than the Usain Bolt.

The average running speed of the English Setter is 23.6 mph, while the average running speed of the Usain Bolt is 23.4 mph.

Speed of English Setter versus speed of Usain Bolt

Can the English Setter Run Faster than the Cheetah?

The Cheetah can run faster than the English Setter.

The average running speed of the English Setter is 23.6 mph, while the average running speed of the Cheetah is 75.0 mph.

Speed of English Setter versus speed of Cheetah

Can the English Setter Run Faster than the Domestic Cat?

The Domestic Cat can run faster than the English Setter.

The average running speed of the English Setter is 23.6 mph, while the average running speed of the Domestic Cat is 30.0 mph.

Speed of English Setter versus speed of Domestic Cat

Can the English Setter Run Faster than the Squirrel?

The English Setter can run faster than the Squirrel.

The average running speed of the English Setter is 23.6 mph, while the average running speed of the Squirrel is 20.0 mph.

Speed of English Setter versus speed of Squirrel

Can the English Setter Run Faster than the Horse?

The Horse can run faster than the English Setter.

The average running speed of the English Setter is 23.6 mph, while the average running speed of the Horse is 55.0 mph.

Speed of English Setter versus speed of Horse

Can the English Setter Run Faster than the Jackrabbit?

The Jackrabbit can run faster than the English Setter.

The average running speed of the English Setter is 23.6 mph, while the average running speed of the Jackrabbit is 45.0 mph.

Speed of English Setter versus speed of Jackrabbit

Can the English Setter Run Faster than the Deer?

The Deer can run faster than the English Setter.

The average running speed of the English Setter is 23.6 mph, while the average running speed of the Deer is 30.0 mph.

Speed of English Setter versus speed of Deer

Can the English Setter Run Faster than the Wolf?

The Wolf can run faster than the English Setter.

The average running speed of the English Setter is 23.6 mph, while the average running speed of the Wolf is 37.0 mph.

Speed of English Setter versus speed of Wolf

Can the English Setter Run Faster than the Red Fox?

The Red Fox can run faster than the English Setter.

The average running speed of the English Setter is 23.6 mph, while the average running speed of the Red Fox is 30.0 mph.

Speed of English Setter versus speed of Red Fox

Can the English Setter Run Faster than the Gray Fox?

The Gray Fox can run faster than the English Setter.

The average running speed of the English Setter is 23.6 mph, while the average running speed of the Gray Fox is 42.0 mph.

Speed of English Setter versus speed of Gray Fox

Can the English Setter Run Faster than the Grizzly Bear?

The Grizzly Bear can run faster than the English Setter.

The average running speed of the English Setter is 23.6 mph, while the average running speed of the Grizzly Bear is 35.0 mph.

Speed of English Setter versus speed of Grizzly Bear

Can the English Setter Run Faster than the North American Black Bear?

The North American Black Bear can run faster than the English Setter.

The average running speed of the English Setter is 23.6 mph, while the average running speed of the North American Black Bear is 30.0 mph.

Speed of English Setter versus speed of North American Black Bear

Conclusion on How Fast the English Setter 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 English Setter 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.