Quick Links: Table of Contents
- How Fast the Flat-Coated Retriever Can Run
- How to Make Your Flat-Coated Retriever Run Fast
- Speed of Flat-Coated Retriever Compared to Other Dog Breeds
- How Fast the Flat-Coated Retriever Can Run Compared to Other Mammals
- Conclusion on How Fast the Flat-Coated Retriever Can Run
How Fast the Flat-Coated Retriever 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 113 different Flat-Coated Retrievers, the average speed of the Flat-Coated Retriever is 24.3 mph (39.2 kmph). The fastest speed on AKC record that the Flat-Coated Retriever ran in a race is 28.42 mph (45.7 kmph) and the minimum speed on record in a race for a Flat-Coated Retriever is 15.16 mph (24.4 kmph).
The name of the fastest Flat-Coated Retriever in the AKC record is Blacfriar Valley Of The Moon RN FCAT, a female Flat-Coated Retriever. This was the Flat-Coated Retriever that set the 28.42 mph record speed.
If it comes down to the speed of the Flat-Coated Retriever male versus the female, the average speed of the male Flat-Coated Retriever is 24.0 mph (38.6 kmph), while the average speed of the female Flat-Coated Retriever is 24.6 mph (39.6 kmph).
Compared to the speed of other dog breeds, the Flat-Coated Retriever ranks number 54 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 Flat-Coated Retriever 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 Flat-Coated Retriever Run Fast
If you want your Flat-Coated Retriever to run fast, make sure your Flat-Coated Retriever is in good health, and that you have conditioned and trained your Flat-Coated Retriever for running. Here at the things you can do to make your Flat-Coated Retriever run fast:
- Make sure your Flat-Coated Retriever is in good health: Take them for regular veterinarian checks, feed them a good diet. This will ensure that your Flat-Coated Retriever is in good health necessary for running.
- Well-formed bones: make sure the bones of your Flat-Coated Retriever are well-formed before making your Flat-Coated Retriever 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 Flat-Coated Retriever for running: Before getting your Flat-Coated Retriever into serious running, first condition your Flat-Coated Retriever from running. First, start slow by exercising your Flat-Coated Retriever regularly. Also, play fetch with your Flat-Coated Retriever, take your Flat-Coated Retriever for regular walks. All these will make your Flat-Coated Retriever very fit for running.
- Make sure your Flat-Coated Retriever is not overweight: Learn about how you can monitor your Flat-Coated Retriever`s growth to prevent your Flat-Coated Retriever from being overweight.
Get your Flat-Coated Retriever a dog fitness tracker to monitor its activity and running performance.
The dog fitness tracker that we recommend for the Flat-Coated Retriever 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 Flat-Coated Retriever`s nutrition and sleep. It can let you know if your Flat-Coated Retriever is scratching or licking itself too much.
Learn more about the Whistle GPS Health and Fitness Tracker here on Amazon.
Speed of Flat-Coated Retriever Compared to Other Dog Breeds
Flat-Coated Retrievers weigh around 55 to 70 pounds and height 1 foot, 10 inches to 2 feet 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 Flat-Coated Retriever compares to the speed of other dog breeds below:
| Dog Breed | Average Speed |
|---|---|
| How Fast Flat-Coated Retrievers Can Run | 24.3 mph (39.2 kmph) |
| How Fast Redbone Coonhounds Can Run | 23.0 mph (37.0 kmph) |
| How Fast Stabyhouns Can Run | 22.7 mph (36.5 kmph) |
| How Fast German Spitzs Can Run | 22.1 mph (35.6 kmph) |
| How Fast Miniature Bull Terriers Can Run | 20.4 mph (32.8 kmph) |
| How Fast Black and Tan Coonhounds Can Run | 19.9 mph (32.0 kmph) |
| How Fast Portuguese Podengo Pequenos Can Run | 19.2 mph (30.9 kmph) |
| How Fast Cocker Spaniels Can Run | 18.0 mph (29.0 kmph) |
| How Fast Basset Fauve de Bretagnes Can Run | 17.8 mph (28.6 kmph) |
| How Fast Clumber Spaniels Can Run | 16.7 mph (26.9 kmph) |
| How Fast Cesky Terriers Can Run | 16.1 mph (25.9 kmph) |
Read this article to learn about how fast dogs run.
Can the Flat-Coated Retriever Run Faster than the Biewer Terrier?
The Flat-Coated Retriever can run faster than the Biewer Terrier.
The average running speed of the Flat-Coated Retriever is 24.3 mph, while the average running speed of the Biewer Terrier is 16.0 mph.
The fastest Flat-Coated Retriever on record ran at a speed of 28.4 mph, while the slowest Flat-Coated Retriever competing in a race ran at a speed 15.2 mph.
On the other hand, the fastest Biewer Terrier on record ran at a speed of 18.4 mph, while the slowest Biewer Terrier competing in a race ran at a speed 11.1 mph.
Learn more about how fast Biewer Terriers can run here.
Can the Flat-Coated Retriever Run Faster than the Dachshund?
The Flat-Coated Retriever can run faster than the Dachshund.
The average running speed of the Flat-Coated Retriever is 24.3 mph, while the average running speed of the Dachshund is 13.5 mph.
The fastest Flat-Coated Retriever on record ran at a speed of 28.4 mph, while the slowest Flat-Coated Retriever competing in a race ran at a speed 15.2 mph.
On the other hand, the fastest Dachshund on record ran at a speed of 22.2 mph, while the slowest Dachshund competing in a race ran at a speed 2.9 mph.
Learn more about how fast Dachshunds can run here.
Can the Flat-Coated Retriever Run Faster than the Schipperke?
The Flat-Coated Retriever can run faster than the Schipperke.
The average running speed of the Flat-Coated Retriever is 24.3 mph, while the average running speed of the Schipperke is 19.9 mph.
The fastest Flat-Coated Retriever on record ran at a speed of 28.4 mph, while the slowest Flat-Coated Retriever competing in a race ran at a speed 15.2 mph.
On the other hand, the fastest Schipperke on record ran at a speed of 25.3 mph, while the slowest Schipperke competing in a race ran at a speed 12.7 mph.
Can the Flat-Coated Retriever Run Faster than the Pomeranian?
The Flat-Coated Retriever can run faster than the Pomeranian.
The average running speed of the Flat-Coated Retriever is 24.3 mph, while the average running speed of the Pomeranian is 15.7 mph.
The fastest Flat-Coated Retriever on record ran at a speed of 28.4 mph, while the slowest Flat-Coated Retriever competing in a race ran at a speed 15.2 mph.
On the other hand, the fastest Pomeranian on record ran at a speed of 21.7 mph, while the slowest Pomeranian competing in a race ran at a speed 7.1 mph.
Learn more about how fast Pomeranians can run here.
Can the Flat-Coated Retriever Run Faster than the Dogo Argentino?
The Dogo Argentino can run faster than the Flat-Coated Retriever.
The average running speed of the Flat-Coated Retriever is 24.3 mph, while the average running speed of the Dogo Argentino is 25.6 mph.
The fastest Flat-Coated Retriever on record ran at a speed of 28.4 mph, while the slowest Flat-Coated Retriever competing in a race ran at a speed 15.2 mph.
On the other hand, the fastest Dogo Argentino on record ran at a speed of 28.8 mph, while the slowest Dogo Argentino competing in a race ran at a speed of 20.5 mph.
Learn more about how fast Dogo Argentinos can run here.
How Fast the Flat-Coated Retriever Can Run Compared to Other Mammals
See how fast the Flat-Coated Retriever 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) |
| Flat-Coated Retriever | 24.3 mph (39.1 kmph) |
| Usain Bolt | 23.4 mph (37.6 kmph) |
| Squirrel | 20.0 mph (32.2 kmph) |
Can the Flat-Coated Retriever Run Faster than the Usain Bolt?
The Flat-Coated Retriever can run faster than the Usain Bolt.
The average running speed of the Flat-Coated Retriever is 24.3 mph, while the average running speed of the Usain Bolt is 23.4 mph.
Can the Flat-Coated Retriever Run Faster than the Cheetah?
The Cheetah can run faster than the Flat-Coated Retriever.
The average running speed of the Flat-Coated Retriever is 24.3 mph, while the average running speed of the Cheetah is 75.0 mph.
Can the Flat-Coated Retriever Run Faster than the Domestic Cat?
The Domestic Cat can run faster than the Flat-Coated Retriever.
The average running speed of the Flat-Coated Retriever is 24.3 mph, while the average running speed of the Domestic Cat is 30.0 mph.
Can the Flat-Coated Retriever Run Faster than the Squirrel?
The Flat-Coated Retriever can run faster than the Squirrel.
The average running speed of the Flat-Coated Retriever is 24.3 mph, while the average running speed of the Squirrel is 20.0 mph.
Can the Flat-Coated Retriever Run Faster than the Horse?
The Horse can run faster than the Flat-Coated Retriever.
The average running speed of the Flat-Coated Retriever is 24.3 mph, while the average running speed of the Horse is 55.0 mph.
Can the Flat-Coated Retriever Run Faster than the Jackrabbit?
The Jackrabbit can run faster than the Flat-Coated Retriever.
The average running speed of the Flat-Coated Retriever is 24.3 mph, while the average running speed of the Jackrabbit is 45.0 mph.
Can the Flat-Coated Retriever Run Faster than the Deer?
The Deer can run faster than the Flat-Coated Retriever.
The average running speed of the Flat-Coated Retriever is 24.3 mph, while the average running speed of the Deer is 30.0 mph.
Can the Flat-Coated Retriever Run Faster than the Wolf?
The Wolf can run faster than the Flat-Coated Retriever.
The average running speed of the Flat-Coated Retriever is 24.3 mph, while the average running speed of the Wolf is 37.0 mph.
Can the Flat-Coated Retriever Run Faster than the Red Fox?
The Red Fox can run faster than the Flat-Coated Retriever.
The average running speed of the Flat-Coated Retriever is 24.3 mph, while the average running speed of the Red Fox is 30.0 mph.
Can the Flat-Coated Retriever Run Faster than the Gray Fox?
The Gray Fox can run faster than the Flat-Coated Retriever.
The average running speed of the Flat-Coated Retriever is 24.3 mph, while the average running speed of the Gray Fox is 42.0 mph.
Can the Flat-Coated Retriever Run Faster than the Grizzly Bear?
The Grizzly Bear can run faster than the Flat-Coated Retriever.
The average running speed of the Flat-Coated Retriever is 24.3 mph, while the average running speed of the Grizzly Bear is 35.0 mph.
Can the Flat-Coated Retriever Run Faster than the North American Black Bear?
The North American Black Bear can run faster than the Flat-Coated Retriever.
The average running speed of the Flat-Coated Retriever is 24.3 mph, while the average running speed of the North American Black Bear is 30.0 mph.
Conclusion on How Fast the Flat-Coated Retriever 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 Flat-Coated Retriever 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.
