Quick Links: Table of Contents
- How Fast the Great Dane Can Run
- How to Make Your Great Dane Run Fast
- Speed of Great Dane Compared to Other Dog Breeds
- How Fast the Great Dane Can Run Compared to Other Mammals
- Conclusion on How Fast the Great Dane Can Run
How Fast the Great Dane 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 278 different Great Danes, the average speed of the Great Dane is 22.9 mph (36.9 kmph). The fastest speed on AKC record that the Great Dane ran in a race is 35.33 mph (56.9 kmph) and the minimum speed on record in a race for a Great Dane is 7.0 mph (11.3 kmph).
The name of the fastest Great Dane in the AKC record is Dino Lewandowski-Zais BN RI DCAT CGCA, a male Great Dane. This was the Great Dane that set the 35.33 mph record speed.
If it comes down to the speed of the Great Dane male versus the female, the average speed of the male Great Dane is 22.6 mph (36.3 kmph), while the average speed of the female Great Dane is 23.2 mph (37.3 kmph).
Compared to the speed of other dog breeds, the Great Dane ranks number 98 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 Great Dane 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 Great Dane Run Fast
If you want your Great Dane to run fast, make sure your Great Dane is in good health, and that you have conditioned and trained your Great Dane for running. Here at the things you can do to make your Great Dane run fast:
- Make sure your Great Dane is in good health: Take them for regular veterinarian checks, feed them a good diet. This will ensure that your Great Dane is in good health necessary for running.
- Well-formed bones: make sure the bones of your Great Dane are well-formed before making your Great Dane 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 Great Dane for running: Before getting your Great Dane into serious running, first condition your Great Dane from running. First, start slow by exercising your Great Dane regularly. Also, play fetch with your Great Dane, take your Great Dane for regular walks. All these will make your Great Dane very fit for running.
- Make sure your Great Dane is not overweight: Learn about how you can monitor your Great Dane`s growth to prevent your Great Dane from being overweight.
Get your Great Dane a dog fitness tracker to monitor its activity and running performance.
The dog fitness tracker that we recommend for the Great Dane 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 Great Dane`s nutrition and sleep. It can let you know if your Great Dane is scratching or licking itself too much.
Learn more about the Whistle GPS Health and Fitness Tracker here on Amazon.
Speed of Great Dane Compared to Other Dog Breeds
Great Danes weigh around 100 to 200 pounds and height 26 to 34 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 Great Dane compares to the speed of other dog breeds below:
| Dog Breed | Average Speed |
|---|---|
| How Fast Wirehaired Vizslas Can Run | 24.8 mph (39.9 kmph) |
| How Fast Weimaraners Can Run | 24.7 mph (39.7 kmph) |
| How Fast Great Danes Can Run | 22.9 mph (36.9 kmph) |
| How Fast Spinone Italianos Can Run | 20.0 mph (32.2 kmph) |
| How Fast Cavalier King Charles Spaniels Can Run | 18.8 mph (30.3 kmph) |
| How Fast Swedish Lapphunds Can Run | 18.3 mph (29.4 kmph) |
| How Fast Bologneses Can Run | 17.8 mph (28.7 kmph) |
| How Fast Bulldogs Can Run | 17.4 mph (28.0 kmph) |
| How Fast Otterhounds Can Run | 16.7 mph (26.8 kmph) |
| How Fast Bichon Frises Can Run | 16.6 mph (26.7 kmph) |
| How Fast Scottish Terriers Can Run | 14.6 mph (23.5 kmph) |
Read this article to learn about how fast dogs run.
Can the Great Dane Run Faster than the Chinook?
The Great Dane can run faster than the Chinook.
The average running speed of the Great Dane is 22.9 mph, while the average running speed of the Chinook is 22.1 mph.
The fastest Great Dane on record ran at a speed of 35.3 mph, while the slowest Great Dane competing in a race ran at a speed 7.0 mph.
On the other hand, the fastest Chinook on record ran at a speed of 25.1 mph, while the slowest Chinook competing in a race ran at a speed 15.8 mph.
Learn more about how fast Chinooks can run here.
Can the Great Dane Run Faster than the Afghan Hound?
The Afghan Hound can run faster than the Great Dane.
The average running speed of the Great Dane is 22.9 mph, while the average running speed of the Afghan Hound is 24.6 mph.
The fastest Great Dane on record ran at a speed of 35.3 mph, while the slowest Great Dane competing in a race ran at a speed 7.0 mph.
On the other hand, 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 of 5.4 mph.
Learn more about how fast Afghan Hounds can run here.
Can the Great Dane Run Faster than the Saint Bernard?
The Great Dane can run faster than the Saint Bernard.
The average running speed of the Great Dane is 22.9 mph, while the average running speed of the Saint Bernard is 19.5 mph.
The fastest Great Dane on record ran at a speed of 35.3 mph, while the slowest Great Dane competing in a race ran at a speed 7.0 mph.
On the other hand, the fastest Saint Bernard on record ran at a speed of 23.8 mph, while the slowest Saint Bernard competing in a race ran at a speed 11.6 mph.
Learn more about how fast Saint Bernards can run here.
Can the Great Dane Run Faster than the Greyhound?
The Greyhound can run faster than the Great Dane.
The average running speed of the Great Dane is 22.9 mph, while the average running speed of the Greyhound is 33.1 mph.
The fastest Great Dane on record ran at a speed of 35.3 mph, while the slowest Great Dane competing in a race ran at a speed 7.0 mph.
On the other hand, the fastest Greyhound on record ran at a speed of 40.1 mph, while the slowest Greyhound competing in a race ran at a speed of 18.3 mph.
Learn more about how fast Greyhounds can run here.
Can the Great Dane Run Faster than the German Spitz?
The Great Dane can run faster than the German Spitz.
The average running speed of the Great Dane is 22.9 mph, while the average running speed of the German Spitz is 22.1 mph.
The fastest Great Dane on record ran at a speed of 35.3 mph, while the slowest Great Dane competing in a race ran at a speed 7.0 mph.
On the other hand, the fastest German Spitz on record ran at a speed of 22.1 mph, while the slowest German Spitz competing in a race ran at a speed 22.1 mph.
Learn more about how fast German Spitzs can run here.
How Fast the Great Dane Can Run Compared to Other Mammals
See how fast the Great Dane 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) |
| Usain Bolt | 23.4 mph (37.6 kmph) |
| Great Dane | 22.9 mph (36.9 kmph) |
| Squirrel | 20.0 mph (32.2 kmph) |
Can the Great Dane Run Faster than the Usain Bolt?
The Usain Bolt can run faster than the Great Dane.
The average running speed of the Great Dane is 22.9 mph, while the average running speed of the Usain Bolt is 23.4 mph.
Can the Great Dane Run Faster than the Cheetah?
The Cheetah can run faster than the Great Dane.
The average running speed of the Great Dane is 22.9 mph, while the average running speed of the Cheetah is 75.0 mph.
Can the Great Dane Run Faster than the Domestic Cat?
The Domestic Cat can run faster than the Great Dane.
The average running speed of the Great Dane is 22.9 mph, while the average running speed of the Domestic Cat is 30.0 mph.
Can the Great Dane Run Faster than the Squirrel?
The Great Dane can run faster than the Squirrel.
The average running speed of the Great Dane is 22.9 mph, while the average running speed of the Squirrel is 20.0 mph.
Can the Great Dane Run Faster than the Horse?
The Horse can run faster than the Great Dane.
The average running speed of the Great Dane is 22.9 mph, while the average running speed of the Horse is 55.0 mph.
Can the Great Dane Run Faster than the Jackrabbit?
The Jackrabbit can run faster than the Great Dane.
The average running speed of the Great Dane is 22.9 mph, while the average running speed of the Jackrabbit is 45.0 mph.
Can the Great Dane Run Faster than the Deer?
The Deer can run faster than the Great Dane.
The average running speed of the Great Dane is 22.9 mph, while the average running speed of the Deer is 30.0 mph.
Can the Great Dane Run Faster than the Wolf?
The Wolf can run faster than the Great Dane.
The average running speed of the Great Dane is 22.9 mph, while the average running speed of the Wolf is 37.0 mph.
Can the Great Dane Run Faster than the Red Fox?
The Red Fox can run faster than the Great Dane.
The average running speed of the Great Dane is 22.9 mph, while the average running speed of the Red Fox is 30.0 mph.
Can the Great Dane Run Faster than the Gray Fox?
The Gray Fox can run faster than the Great Dane.
The average running speed of the Great Dane is 22.9 mph, while the average running speed of the Gray Fox is 42.0 mph.
Can the Great Dane Run Faster than the Grizzly Bear?
The Grizzly Bear can run faster than the Great Dane.
The average running speed of the Great Dane is 22.9 mph, while the average running speed of the Grizzly Bear is 35.0 mph.
Can the Great Dane Run Faster than the North American Black Bear?
The North American Black Bear can run faster than the Great Dane.
The average running speed of the Great Dane is 22.9 mph, while the average running speed of the North American Black Bear is 30.0 mph.
Conclusion on How Fast the Great Dane 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 Great Dane 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.
