How Fast Leonbergers Can Run

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How Fast the Leonberger 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 41 different Leonbergers, the average speed of the Leonberger is 20.0 mph (32.3 kmph). The fastest speed on AKC record that the Leonberger ran in a race is 26.06 mph (41.9 kmph) and the minimum speed on record in a race for a Leonberger is 10.19 mph (16.4 kmph).

The name of the fastest Leonberger in the AKC record is GCH CH Bluebonnet`s Patent Pending Of Tippingpoint DCAT CGC, a male Leonberger. This was the Leonberger that set the 26.06 mph record speed.

If it comes down to the speed of the Leonberger male versus the female, the average speed of the male Leonberger is 19.3 mph (31.0 kmph), while the average speed of the female Leonberger is 20.7 mph (33.2 kmph).

Compared to the speed of other dog breeds, the Leonberger ranks number 167 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 Leonberger 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 Leonberger Run Fast

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

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

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

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

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

Fitness Tracker for Leonberger

Speed of Leonberger Compared to Other Dog Breeds

Leonbergers weigh around 120 to 170 pounds and height 25 to 31 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 Leonberger compares to the speed of other dog breeds below:

The average speed of the Leonberger (in black) compared to the average speed of other dog breeds (in blue)
Dog Breed Average Speed
How Fast Australian Kelpies Can Run 27.1 mph (43.7 kmph)
How Fast Cirneco dell`Etnas Can Run 26.3 mph (42.3 kmph)
How Fast German Wirehaired Pointers Can Run 25.7 mph (41.4 kmph)
How Fast Azawakhs Can Run 25.4 mph (40.8 kmph)
How Fast Japanese Terriers Can Run 23.5 mph (37.8 kmph)
How Fast Gordon Setters Can Run 22.4 mph (36.0 kmph)
How Fast Bedlington Terriers Can Run 21.6 mph (34.8 kmph)
How Fast Leonbergers Can Run 20.0 mph (32.3 kmph)
How Fast Schipperkes Can Run 19.9 mph (32.0 kmph)
How Fast Miniature Pinschers Can Run 19.2 mph (30.9 kmph)
How Fast Yorkshire Terriers Can Run 16.1 mph (25.9 kmph)

Read this article to learn about how fast dogs run.

Can the Leonberger Run Faster than the Chinook?

The Chinook can run faster than the Leonberger.

The average running speed of the Leonberger is 20.0 mph, while the average running speed of the Chinook is 22.1 mph.

The fastest Leonberger on record ran at a speed of 26.1 mph, while the slowest Leonberger competing in a race ran at a speed 10.2 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 of 15.8 mph.

Speed of Leonberger versus speed of Chinook

Learn more about how fast Chinooks can run here.

Can the Leonberger Run Faster than the Belgian Tervuren?

The Belgian Tervuren can run faster than the Leonberger.

The average running speed of the Leonberger is 20.0 mph, while the average running speed of the Belgian Tervuren is 24.5 mph.

The fastest Leonberger on record ran at a speed of 26.1 mph, while the slowest Leonberger competing in a race ran at a speed 10.2 mph.

On the other hand, the fastest Belgian Tervuren on record ran at a speed of 30.9 mph, while the slowest Belgian Tervuren competing in a race ran at a speed of 6.5 mph.

Speed of Leonberger versus speed of Belgian Tervuren

Learn more about how fast Belgian Tervurens can run here.

Can the Leonberger Run Faster than the Bergamasco Sheepdog?

The Bergamasco Sheepdog can run faster than the Leonberger.

The average running speed of the Leonberger is 20.0 mph, while the average running speed of the Bergamasco Sheepdog is 20.1 mph.

The fastest Leonberger on record ran at a speed of 26.1 mph, while the slowest Leonberger competing in a race ran at a speed 10.2 mph.

On the other hand, the fastest Bergamasco Sheepdog on record ran at a speed of 23.5 mph, while the slowest Bergamasco Sheepdog competing in a race ran at a speed of 9.2 mph.

Can the Leonberger Run Faster than the Bluetick Coonhound?

The Bluetick Coonhound can run faster than the Leonberger.

The average running speed of the Leonberger is 20.0 mph, while the average running speed of the Bluetick Coonhound is 22.5 mph.

The fastest Leonberger on record ran at a speed of 26.1 mph, while the slowest Leonberger competing in a race ran at a speed 10.2 mph.

On the other hand, the fastest Bluetick Coonhound on record ran at a speed of 27.1 mph, while the slowest Bluetick Coonhound competing in a race ran at a speed of 19.5 mph.

Speed of Leonberger versus speed of Bluetick Coonhound

Learn more about how fast Bluetick Coonhounds can run here.

Can the Leonberger Run Faster than the Belgian Malinois?

The Belgian Malinois can run faster than the Leonberger.

The average running speed of the Leonberger is 20.0 mph, while the average running speed of the Belgian Malinois is 27.1 mph.

The fastest Leonberger on record ran at a speed of 26.1 mph, while the slowest Leonberger competing in a race ran at a speed 10.2 mph.

On the other hand, the fastest Belgian Malinois on record ran at a speed of 35.5 mph, while the slowest Belgian Malinois competing in a race ran at a speed of 15.7 mph.

Speed of Leonberger versus speed of Belgian Malinois

Learn more about how fast Belgian Malinoiss can run here.

How Fast the Leonberger Can Run Compared to Other Mammals

See how fast the Leonberger run compared to other mammals below:

The average speed of the Leonberger (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)
Leonberger 20.0 mph (32.2 kmph)

Can the Leonberger Run Faster than the Usain Bolt?

The Usain Bolt can run faster than the Leonberger.

The average running speed of the Leonberger is 20.0 mph, while the average running speed of the Usain Bolt is 23.4 mph.

Speed of Leonberger versus speed of Usain Bolt

Can the Leonberger Run Faster than the Cheetah?

The Cheetah can run faster than the Leonberger.

The average running speed of the Leonberger is 20.0 mph, while the average running speed of the Cheetah is 75.0 mph.

Speed of Leonberger versus speed of Cheetah

Can the Leonberger Run Faster than the Domestic Cat?

The Domestic Cat can run faster than the Leonberger.

The average running speed of the Leonberger is 20.0 mph, while the average running speed of the Domestic Cat is 30.0 mph.

Speed of Leonberger versus speed of Domestic Cat

Can the Leonberger Run Faster than the Squirrel?

Speed of Leonberger versus speed of Squirrel

Can the Leonberger Run Faster than the Horse?

The Horse can run faster than the Leonberger.

The average running speed of the Leonberger is 20.0 mph, while the average running speed of the Horse is 55.0 mph.

Speed of Leonberger versus speed of Horse

Can the Leonberger Run Faster than the Jackrabbit?

The Jackrabbit can run faster than the Leonberger.

The average running speed of the Leonberger is 20.0 mph, while the average running speed of the Jackrabbit is 45.0 mph.

Speed of Leonberger versus speed of Jackrabbit

Can the Leonberger Run Faster than the Deer?

The Deer can run faster than the Leonberger.

The average running speed of the Leonberger is 20.0 mph, while the average running speed of the Deer is 30.0 mph.

Speed of Leonberger versus speed of Deer

Can the Leonberger Run Faster than the Wolf?

The Wolf can run faster than the Leonberger.

The average running speed of the Leonberger is 20.0 mph, while the average running speed of the Wolf is 37.0 mph.

Speed of Leonberger versus speed of Wolf

Can the Leonberger Run Faster than the Red Fox?

The Red Fox can run faster than the Leonberger.

The average running speed of the Leonberger is 20.0 mph, while the average running speed of the Red Fox is 30.0 mph.

Speed of Leonberger versus speed of Red Fox

Can the Leonberger Run Faster than the Gray Fox?

The Gray Fox can run faster than the Leonberger.

The average running speed of the Leonberger is 20.0 mph, while the average running speed of the Gray Fox is 42.0 mph.

Speed of Leonberger versus speed of Gray Fox

Can the Leonberger Run Faster than the Grizzly Bear?

The Grizzly Bear can run faster than the Leonberger.

The average running speed of the Leonberger is 20.0 mph, while the average running speed of the Grizzly Bear is 35.0 mph.

Speed of Leonberger versus speed of Grizzly Bear

Can the Leonberger Run Faster than the North American Black Bear?

The North American Black Bear can run faster than the Leonberger.

The average running speed of the Leonberger is 20.0 mph, while the average running speed of the North American Black Bear is 30.0 mph.

Speed of Leonberger versus speed of North American Black Bear

Conclusion on How Fast the Leonberger 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 Leonberger 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.