How Fast Old English Sheepdogs Can Run

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How Fast the Old English Sheepdog 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 Old English Sheepdogs, the average speed of the Old English Sheepdog is 21.6 mph (34.8 kmph). The fastest speed on AKC record that the Old English Sheepdog ran in a race is 28.14 mph (45.3 kmph) and the minimum speed on record in a race for a Old English Sheepdog is 10.21 mph (16.4 kmph).

The name of the fastest Old English Sheepdog in the AKC record is Larame Indigo Get Off Of My Cloud CDX BN RM3 RAE3 FDC CAA BCAT SCN RATS CGCA CGCU TKI ATT, a female Old English Sheepdog. This was the Old English Sheepdog that set the 28.14 mph record speed.

If it comes down to the speed of the Old English Sheepdog male versus the female, the average speed of the male Old English Sheepdog is 21.9 mph (35.2 kmph), while the average speed of the female Old English Sheepdog is 21.5 mph (34.6 kmph).

Compared to the speed of other dog breeds, the Old English Sheepdog ranks number 142 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 Old English Sheepdog 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 Old English Sheepdog Run Fast

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

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

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

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

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

Fitness Tracker for Old English Sheepdog

Speed of Old English Sheepdog Compared to Other Dog Breeds

Old English Sheepdogs weigh around 60 pounds to 100 Pounds and height 20 inches to 24 Inches.

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 Old English Sheepdog compares to the speed of other dog breeds below:

The average speed of the Old English Sheepdog (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 Cirneco dell`Etnas Can Run 26.3 mph (42.3 kmph)
How Fast Harriers Can Run 25.0 mph (40.2 kmph)
How Fast Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers Can Run 24.0 mph (38.7 kmph)
How Fast Portuguese Water Dogs Can Run 21.8 mph (35.1 kmph)
How Fast Old English Sheepdogs Can Run 21.6 mph (34.8 kmph)
How Fast Norwegian Buhunds Can Run 21.6 mph (34.8 kmph)
How Fast Welsh Terriers Can Run 20.3 mph (32.6 kmph)
How Fast Finnish Spitzs Can Run 19.9 mph (32.0 kmph)
How Fast Grand Basset Griffon Vendéens Can Run 19.0 mph (30.5 kmph)
How Fast Pulis Can Run 18.5 mph (29.8 kmph)

Read this article to learn about how fast dogs run.

Can the Old English Sheepdog Run Faster than the German Pinscher?

The German Pinscher can run faster than the Old English Sheepdog.

The average running speed of the Old English Sheepdog is 21.6 mph, while the average running speed of the German Pinscher is 24.1 mph.

The fastest Old English Sheepdog on record ran at a speed of 28.1 mph, while the slowest Old English Sheepdog competing in a race ran at a speed 10.2 mph.

On the other hand, the fastest German Pinscher on record ran at a speed of 34.0 mph, while the slowest German Pinscher competing in a race ran at a speed of 12.3 mph.

Speed of Old English Sheepdog versus speed of German Pinscher

Learn more about how fast German Pinschers can run here.

Can the Old English Sheepdog Run Faster than the Toy Fox Terrier?

The Old English Sheepdog can run faster than the Toy Fox Terrier.

The average running speed of the Old English Sheepdog is 21.6 mph, while the average running speed of the Toy Fox Terrier is 18.8 mph.

The fastest Old English Sheepdog on record ran at a speed of 28.1 mph, while the slowest Old English Sheepdog competing in a race ran at a speed 10.2 mph.

On the other hand, the fastest Toy Fox Terrier on record ran at a speed of 25.3 mph, while the slowest Toy Fox Terrier competing in a race ran at a speed 5.3 mph.

Can the Old English Sheepdog Run Faster than the Eurasier?

The Eurasier can run faster than the Old English Sheepdog.

The average running speed of the Old English Sheepdog is 21.6 mph, while the average running speed of the Eurasier is 22.8 mph.

The fastest Old English Sheepdog on record ran at a speed of 28.1 mph, while the slowest Old English Sheepdog competing in a race ran at a speed 10.2 mph.

On the other hand, the fastest Eurasier on record ran at a speed of 22.8 mph, while the slowest Eurasier competing in a race ran at a speed of 22.8 mph.

Speed of Old English Sheepdog versus speed of Eurasier

Learn more about how fast Eurasiers can run here.

Can the Old English Sheepdog Run Faster than the Azawakh?

The Azawakh can run faster than the Old English Sheepdog.

The average running speed of the Old English Sheepdog is 21.6 mph, while the average running speed of the Azawakh is 25.4 mph.

The fastest Old English Sheepdog on record ran at a speed of 28.1 mph, while the slowest Old English Sheepdog competing in a race ran at a speed 10.2 mph.

On the other hand, the fastest Azawakh on record ran at a speed of 30.0 mph, while the slowest Azawakh competing in a race ran at a speed of 8.9 mph.

Speed of Old English Sheepdog versus speed of Azawakh

Learn more about how fast Azawakhs can run here.

Can the Old English Sheepdog Run Faster than the Bulldog?

The Old English Sheepdog can run faster than the Bulldog.

The average running speed of the Old English Sheepdog is 21.6 mph, while the average running speed of the Bulldog is 17.4 mph.

The fastest Old English Sheepdog on record ran at a speed of 28.1 mph, while the slowest Old English Sheepdog competing in a race ran at a speed 10.2 mph.

On the other hand, the fastest Bulldog on record ran at a speed of 24.1 mph, while the slowest Bulldog competing in a race ran at a speed 5.4 mph.

Speed of Old English Sheepdog versus speed of Bulldog

Learn more about how fast Bulldogs can run here.

How Fast the Old English Sheepdog Can Run Compared to Other Mammals

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

The average speed of the Old English Sheepdog (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)
Old English Sheepdog 21.6 mph (34.8 kmph)
Squirrel 20.0 mph (32.2 kmph)

Can the Old English Sheepdog Run Faster than the Usain Bolt?

The Usain Bolt can run faster than the Old English Sheepdog.

The average running speed of the Old English Sheepdog is 21.6 mph, while the average running speed of the Usain Bolt is 23.4 mph.

Speed of Old English Sheepdog versus speed of Usain Bolt

Can the Old English Sheepdog Run Faster than the Cheetah?

The Cheetah can run faster than the Old English Sheepdog.

The average running speed of the Old English Sheepdog is 21.6 mph, while the average running speed of the Cheetah is 75.0 mph.

Speed of Old English Sheepdog versus speed of Cheetah

Can the Old English Sheepdog Run Faster than the Domestic Cat?

The Domestic Cat can run faster than the Old English Sheepdog.

The average running speed of the Old English Sheepdog is 21.6 mph, while the average running speed of the Domestic Cat is 30.0 mph.

Speed of Old English Sheepdog versus speed of Domestic Cat

Can the Old English Sheepdog Run Faster than the Squirrel?

The Old English Sheepdog can run faster than the Squirrel.

The average running speed of the Old English Sheepdog is 21.6 mph, while the average running speed of the Squirrel is 20.0 mph.

Speed of Old English Sheepdog versus speed of Squirrel

Can the Old English Sheepdog Run Faster than the Horse?

The Horse can run faster than the Old English Sheepdog.

The average running speed of the Old English Sheepdog is 21.6 mph, while the average running speed of the Horse is 55.0 mph.

Speed of Old English Sheepdog versus speed of Horse

Can the Old English Sheepdog Run Faster than the Jackrabbit?

The Jackrabbit can run faster than the Old English Sheepdog.

The average running speed of the Old English Sheepdog is 21.6 mph, while the average running speed of the Jackrabbit is 45.0 mph.

Speed of Old English Sheepdog versus speed of Jackrabbit

Can the Old English Sheepdog Run Faster than the Deer?

The Deer can run faster than the Old English Sheepdog.

The average running speed of the Old English Sheepdog is 21.6 mph, while the average running speed of the Deer is 30.0 mph.

Speed of Old English Sheepdog versus speed of Deer

Can the Old English Sheepdog Run Faster than the Wolf?

The Wolf can run faster than the Old English Sheepdog.

The average running speed of the Old English Sheepdog is 21.6 mph, while the average running speed of the Wolf is 37.0 mph.

Speed of Old English Sheepdog versus speed of Wolf

Can the Old English Sheepdog Run Faster than the Red Fox?

The Red Fox can run faster than the Old English Sheepdog.

The average running speed of the Old English Sheepdog is 21.6 mph, while the average running speed of the Red Fox is 30.0 mph.

Speed of Old English Sheepdog versus speed of Red Fox

Can the Old English Sheepdog Run Faster than the Gray Fox?

The Gray Fox can run faster than the Old English Sheepdog.

The average running speed of the Old English Sheepdog is 21.6 mph, while the average running speed of the Gray Fox is 42.0 mph.

Speed of Old English Sheepdog versus speed of Gray Fox

Can the Old English Sheepdog Run Faster than the Grizzly Bear?

The Grizzly Bear can run faster than the Old English Sheepdog.

The average running speed of the Old English Sheepdog is 21.6 mph, while the average running speed of the Grizzly Bear is 35.0 mph.

Speed of Old English Sheepdog versus speed of Grizzly Bear

Can the Old English Sheepdog Run Faster than the North American Black Bear?

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

The average running speed of the Old English Sheepdog is 21.6 mph, while the average running speed of the North American Black Bear is 30.0 mph.

Speed of Old English Sheepdog versus speed of North American Black Bear

Conclusion on How Fast the Old English Sheepdog 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 Old English Sheepdog 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.