How Fast Papillons Can Run

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How Fast the Papillon 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 147 different Papillons, the average speed of the Papillon is 17.8 mph (28.6 kmph). The fastest speed on AKC record that the Papillon ran in a race is 28.7 mph (46.2 kmph) and the minimum speed on record in a race for a Papillon is 5.31 mph (8.5 kmph).

The name of the fastest Papillon in the AKC record is CH Wingssong Get Smart CD BN RA FDC CA DCAT THDN RATN CGCA CGCU TKP, a male Papillon. This was the Papillon that set the 28.7 mph record speed.

If it comes down to the speed of the Papillon male versus the female, the average speed of the male Papillon is 17.7 mph (28.6 kmph), while the average speed of the female Papillon is 17.8 mph (28.6 kmph).

Compared to the speed of other dog breeds, the Papillon ranks number 209 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 Papillon 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 Papillon Run Fast

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

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

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

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

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

Fitness Tracker for Papillon

Speed of Papillon Compared to Other Dog Breeds

Papillons weigh around 4 to 9 pounds and height 8 to 11 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 Papillon compares to the speed of other dog breeds below:

The average speed of the Papillon (in black) compared to the average speed of other dog breeds (in blue)
Dog Breed Average Speed
How Fast Salukis Can Run 27.9 mph (45.0 kmph)
How Fast Porcelaines Can Run 24.3 mph (39.2 kmph)
How Fast Curly-Coated Retrievers Can Run 23.6 mph (37.9 kmph)
How Fast Akitas Can Run 21.8 mph (35.1 kmph)
How Fast Welsh Springer Spaniels Can Run 21.1 mph (33.9 kmph)
How Fast Miniature Bull Terriers Can Run 20.4 mph (32.8 kmph)
How Fast Beagles Can Run 19.6 mph (31.6 kmph)
How Fast Swedish Vallhunds Can Run 19.2 mph (31.0 kmph)
How Fast Papillons Can Run 17.8 mph (28.6 kmph)
How Fast Affenpinschers Can Run 16.0 mph (25.8 kmph)
How Fast Japanese Chins Can Run 13.8 mph (22.2 kmph)

Read this article to learn about how fast dogs run.

Can the Papillon Run Faster than the Redbone Coonhound?

The Redbone Coonhound can run faster than the Papillon.

The average running speed of the Papillon is 17.8 mph, while the average running speed of the Redbone Coonhound is 23.0 mph.

The fastest Papillon on record ran at a speed of 28.7 mph, while the slowest Papillon competing in a race ran at a speed 5.3 mph.

On the other hand, the fastest Redbone Coonhound on record ran at a speed of 27.3 mph, while the slowest Redbone Coonhound competing in a race ran at a speed of 8.6 mph.

Can the Papillon Run Faster than the Pomeranian?

The Papillon can run faster than the Pomeranian.

The average running speed of the Papillon is 17.8 mph, while the average running speed of the Pomeranian is 15.7 mph.

The fastest Papillon on record ran at a speed of 28.7 mph, while the slowest Papillon competing in a race ran at a speed 5.3 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.

Speed of Papillon versus speed of Pomeranian

Learn more about how fast Pomeranians can run here.

Can the Papillon Run Faster than the Irish Wolfhound?

The Irish Wolfhound can run faster than the Papillon.

The average running speed of the Papillon is 17.8 mph, while the average running speed of the Irish Wolfhound is 21.8 mph.

The fastest Papillon on record ran at a speed of 28.7 mph, while the slowest Papillon competing in a race ran at a speed 5.3 mph.

On the other hand, the fastest Irish Wolfhound on record ran at a speed of 29.1 mph, while the slowest Irish Wolfhound competing in a race ran at a speed of 7.2 mph.

Speed of Papillon versus speed of Irish Wolfhound

Learn more about how fast Irish Wolfhounds can run here.

Can the Papillon Run Faster than the Curly-Coated Retriever?

The Curly-Coated Retriever can run faster than the Papillon.

The average running speed of the Papillon is 17.8 mph, while the average running speed of the Curly-Coated Retriever is 23.6 mph.

The fastest Papillon on record ran at a speed of 28.7 mph, while the slowest Papillon competing in a race ran at a speed 5.3 mph.

On the other hand, the fastest Curly-Coated Retriever on record ran at a speed of 29.2 mph, while the slowest Curly-Coated Retriever competing in a race ran at a speed of 3.6 mph.

Speed of Papillon versus speed of Curly-Coated Retriever

Learn more about how fast Curly-Coated Retrievers can run here.

Can the Papillon Run Faster than the Brussels Griffon?

The Papillon can run faster than the Brussels Griffon.

The average running speed of the Papillon is 17.8 mph, while the average running speed of the Brussels Griffon is 17.1 mph.

The fastest Papillon on record ran at a speed of 28.7 mph, while the slowest Papillon competing in a race ran at a speed 5.3 mph.

On the other hand, the fastest Brussels Griffon on record ran at a speed of 20.6 mph, while the slowest Brussels Griffon competing in a race ran at a speed 12.6 mph.

Speed of Papillon versus speed of Brussels Griffon

Learn more about how fast Brussels Griffons can run here.

How Fast the Papillon Can Run Compared to Other Mammals

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

The average speed of the Papillon (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)
Papillon 17.8 mph (28.6 kmph)

Can the Papillon Run Faster than the Usain Bolt?

The Usain Bolt can run faster than the Papillon.

The average running speed of the Papillon is 17.8 mph, while the average running speed of the Usain Bolt is 23.4 mph.

Speed of Papillon versus speed of Usain Bolt

Can the Papillon Run Faster than the Cheetah?

The Cheetah can run faster than the Papillon.

The average running speed of the Papillon is 17.8 mph, while the average running speed of the Cheetah is 75.0 mph.

Speed of Papillon versus speed of Cheetah

Can the Papillon Run Faster than the Domestic Cat?

The Domestic Cat can run faster than the Papillon.

The average running speed of the Papillon is 17.8 mph, while the average running speed of the Domestic Cat is 30.0 mph.

Speed of Papillon versus speed of Domestic Cat

Can the Papillon Run Faster than the Squirrel?

The Squirrel can run faster than the Papillon.

The average running speed of the Papillon is 17.8 mph, while the average running speed of the Squirrel is 20.0 mph.

Speed of Papillon versus speed of Squirrel

Can the Papillon Run Faster than the Horse?

The Horse can run faster than the Papillon.

The average running speed of the Papillon is 17.8 mph, while the average running speed of the Horse is 55.0 mph.

Speed of Papillon versus speed of Horse

Can the Papillon Run Faster than the Jackrabbit?

The Jackrabbit can run faster than the Papillon.

The average running speed of the Papillon is 17.8 mph, while the average running speed of the Jackrabbit is 45.0 mph.

Speed of Papillon versus speed of Jackrabbit

Can the Papillon Run Faster than the Deer?

The Deer can run faster than the Papillon.

The average running speed of the Papillon is 17.8 mph, while the average running speed of the Deer is 30.0 mph.

Speed of Papillon versus speed of Deer

Can the Papillon Run Faster than the Wolf?

The Wolf can run faster than the Papillon.

The average running speed of the Papillon is 17.8 mph, while the average running speed of the Wolf is 37.0 mph.

Speed of Papillon versus speed of Wolf

Can the Papillon Run Faster than the Red Fox?

The Red Fox can run faster than the Papillon.

The average running speed of the Papillon is 17.8 mph, while the average running speed of the Red Fox is 30.0 mph.

Speed of Papillon versus speed of Red Fox

Can the Papillon Run Faster than the Gray Fox?

The Gray Fox can run faster than the Papillon.

The average running speed of the Papillon is 17.8 mph, while the average running speed of the Gray Fox is 42.0 mph.

Speed of Papillon versus speed of Gray Fox

Can the Papillon Run Faster than the Grizzly Bear?

The Grizzly Bear can run faster than the Papillon.

The average running speed of the Papillon is 17.8 mph, while the average running speed of the Grizzly Bear is 35.0 mph.

Speed of Papillon versus speed of Grizzly Bear

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

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

The average running speed of the Papillon is 17.8 mph, while the average running speed of the North American Black Bear is 30.0 mph.

Speed of Papillon versus speed of North American Black Bear

Conclusion on How Fast the Papillon 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 Papillon 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.