Quick Links: Table of Contents
- How Fast the Portuguese Water Dog Can Run
- How to Make Your Portuguese Water Dog Run Fast
- Speed of Portuguese Water Dog Compared to Other Dog Breeds
- How Fast the Portuguese Water Dog Can Run Compared to Other Mammals
- Conclusion on How Fast the Portuguese Water Dog Can Run
How Fast the Portuguese Water Dog 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 156 different Portuguese Water Dogs, the average speed of the Portuguese Water Dog is 21.8 mph (35.1 kmph). The fastest speed on AKC record that the Portuguese Water Dog ran in a race is 27.64 mph (44.5 kmph) and the minimum speed on record in a race for a Portuguese Water Dog is 6.35 mph (10.2 kmph).
The name of the fastest Portuguese Water Dog in the AKC record is Hat Trick Princess M`Bossy CA, a female Portuguese Water Dog. This was the Portuguese Water Dog that set the 27.64 mph record speed.
If it comes down to the speed of the Portuguese Water Dog male versus the female, the average speed of the male Portuguese Water Dog is 22.5 mph (36.2 kmph), while the average speed of the female Portuguese Water Dog is 21.4 mph (34.4 kmph).
Compared to the speed of other dog breeds, the Portuguese Water Dog ranks number 136 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 Portuguese Water Dog 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 Portuguese Water Dog Run Fast
If you want your Portuguese Water Dog to run fast, make sure your Portuguese Water Dog is in good health, and that you have conditioned and trained your Portuguese Water Dog for running. Here at the things you can do to make your Portuguese Water Dog run fast:
- Make sure your Portuguese Water Dog is in good health: Take them for regular veterinarian checks, feed them a good diet. This will ensure that your Portuguese Water Dog is in good health necessary for running.
- Well-formed bones: make sure the bones of your Portuguese Water Dog are well-formed before making your Portuguese Water Dog 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 Portuguese Water Dog for running: Before getting your Portuguese Water Dog into serious running, first condition your Portuguese Water Dog from running. First, start slow by exercising your Portuguese Water Dog regularly. Also, play fetch with your Portuguese Water Dog, take your Portuguese Water Dog for regular walks. All these will make your Portuguese Water Dog very fit for running.
- Make sure your Portuguese Water Dog is not overweight: Learn about how you can monitor your Portuguese Water Dog`s growth to prevent your Portuguese Water Dog from being overweight.
Get your Portuguese Water Dog a dog fitness tracker to monitor its activity and running performance.
The dog fitness tracker that we recommend for the Portuguese Water Dog 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 Portuguese Water Dog`s nutrition and sleep. It can let you know if your Portuguese Water Dog is scratching or licking itself too much.
Learn more about the Whistle GPS Health and Fitness Tracker here on Amazon.
Speed of Portuguese Water Dog Compared to Other Dog Breeds
Portuguese Water Dogs weigh around 35 to 60 pounds with height 1 foot, 5 inches to 1 foot, 11 inches tall at the .
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 Portuguese Water Dog compares to the speed of other dog breeds below:
| Dog Breed | Average Speed |
|---|---|
| How Fast Greyhounds Can Run | 33.1 mph (53.3 kmph) |
| How Fast Catahoula Leopard Dogs Can Run | 25.2 mph (40.5 kmph) |
| How Fast Canaan Dogs Can Run | 25.0 mph (40.2 kmph) |
| How Fast Weimaraners Can Run | 24.7 mph (39.7 kmph) |
| How Fast Beaucerons Can Run | 24.4 mph (39.2 kmph) |
| How Fast Siberian Huskys Can Run | 23.7 mph (38.2 kmph) |
| How Fast English Springer Spaniels Can Run | 22.4 mph (36.1 kmph) |
| How Fast Portuguese Water Dogs Can Run | 21.8 mph (35.1 kmph) |
| How Fast Australian Terriers Can Run | 18.9 mph (30.4 kmph) |
| How Fast Cavalier King Charles Spaniels Can Run | 18.8 mph (30.3 kmph) |
| How Fast Pembroke Welsh Corgis Can Run | 17.4 mph (28.0 kmph) |
Read this article to learn about how fast dogs run.
Can the Portuguese Water Dog Run Faster than the Chesapeake Bay Retriever?
The Chesapeake Bay Retriever can run faster than the Portuguese Water Dog.
The average running speed of the Portuguese Water Dog is 21.8 mph, while the average running speed of the Chesapeake Bay Retriever is 25.1 mph.
The fastest Portuguese Water Dog on record ran at a speed of 27.6 mph, while the slowest Portuguese Water Dog competing in a race ran at a speed 6.3 mph.
On the other hand, the fastest Chesapeake Bay Retriever on record ran at a speed of 29.3 mph, while the slowest Chesapeake Bay Retriever competing in a race ran at a speed of 9.2 mph.
Learn more about how fast Chesapeake Bay Retrievers can run here.
Can the Portuguese Water Dog Run Faster than the Spanish Water Dog?
The Spanish Water Dog can run faster than the Portuguese Water Dog.
The average running speed of the Portuguese Water Dog is 21.8 mph, while the average running speed of the Spanish Water Dog is 23.3 mph.
The fastest Portuguese Water Dog on record ran at a speed of 27.6 mph, while the slowest Portuguese Water Dog competing in a race ran at a speed 6.3 mph.
On the other hand, the fastest Spanish Water Dog on record ran at a speed of 27.4 mph, while the slowest Spanish Water Dog competing in a race ran at a speed of 6.8 mph.
Can the Portuguese Water Dog Run Faster than the Alaskan Klee Kai?
The Portuguese Water Dog can run faster than the Alaskan Klee Kai.
The average running speed of the Portuguese Water Dog is 21.8 mph, while the average running speed of the Alaskan Klee Kai is 20.6 mph.
The fastest Portuguese Water Dog on record ran at a speed of 27.6 mph, while the slowest Portuguese Water Dog competing in a race ran at a speed 6.3 mph.
On the other hand, the fastest Alaskan Klee Kai on record ran at a speed of 23.4 mph, while the slowest Alaskan Klee Kai competing in a race ran at a speed 15.7 mph.
Can the Portuguese Water Dog Run Faster than the English Setter?
The English Setter can run faster than the Portuguese Water Dog.
The average running speed of the Portuguese Water Dog is 21.8 mph, while the average running speed of the English Setter is 23.6 mph.
The fastest Portuguese Water Dog on record ran at a speed of 27.6 mph, while the slowest Portuguese Water Dog competing in a race ran at a speed 6.3 mph.
On the other hand, the fastest English Setter on record ran at a speed of 27.7 mph, while the slowest English Setter competing in a race ran at a speed of 16.4 mph.
Learn more about how fast English Setters can run here.
Can the Portuguese Water Dog Run Faster than the German Shepherd Dog?
The German Shepherd Dog can run faster than the Portuguese Water Dog.
The average running speed of the Portuguese Water Dog is 21.8 mph, while the average running speed of the German Shepherd Dog is 24.4 mph.
The fastest Portuguese Water Dog on record ran at a speed of 27.6 mph, while the slowest Portuguese Water Dog competing in a race ran at a speed 6.3 mph.
On the other hand, the fastest German Shepherd Dog on record ran at a speed of 35.6 mph, while the slowest German Shepherd Dog competing in a race ran at a speed of 4.9 mph.
Learn more about how fast German Shepherd Dogs can run here.
How Fast the Portuguese Water Dog Can Run Compared to Other Mammals
See how fast the Portuguese Water Dog 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) |
| Portuguese Water Dog | 21.8 mph (35.1 kmph) |
| Squirrel | 20.0 mph (32.2 kmph) |
Can the Portuguese Water Dog Run Faster than the Usain Bolt?
The Usain Bolt can run faster than the Portuguese Water Dog.
The average running speed of the Portuguese Water Dog is 21.8 mph, while the average running speed of the Usain Bolt is 23.4 mph.
Can the Portuguese Water Dog Run Faster than the Cheetah?
The Cheetah can run faster than the Portuguese Water Dog.
The average running speed of the Portuguese Water Dog is 21.8 mph, while the average running speed of the Cheetah is 75.0 mph.
Can the Portuguese Water Dog Run Faster than the Domestic Cat?
The Domestic Cat can run faster than the Portuguese Water Dog.
The average running speed of the Portuguese Water Dog is 21.8 mph, while the average running speed of the Domestic Cat is 30.0 mph.
Can the Portuguese Water Dog Run Faster than the Squirrel?
The Portuguese Water Dog can run faster than the Squirrel.
The average running speed of the Portuguese Water Dog is 21.8 mph, while the average running speed of the Squirrel is 20.0 mph.
Can the Portuguese Water Dog Run Faster than the Horse?
The Horse can run faster than the Portuguese Water Dog.
The average running speed of the Portuguese Water Dog is 21.8 mph, while the average running speed of the Horse is 55.0 mph.
Can the Portuguese Water Dog Run Faster than the Jackrabbit?
The Jackrabbit can run faster than the Portuguese Water Dog.
The average running speed of the Portuguese Water Dog is 21.8 mph, while the average running speed of the Jackrabbit is 45.0 mph.
Can the Portuguese Water Dog Run Faster than the Deer?
The Deer can run faster than the Portuguese Water Dog.
The average running speed of the Portuguese Water Dog is 21.8 mph, while the average running speed of the Deer is 30.0 mph.
Can the Portuguese Water Dog Run Faster than the Wolf?
The Wolf can run faster than the Portuguese Water Dog.
The average running speed of the Portuguese Water Dog is 21.8 mph, while the average running speed of the Wolf is 37.0 mph.
Can the Portuguese Water Dog Run Faster than the Red Fox?
The Red Fox can run faster than the Portuguese Water Dog.
The average running speed of the Portuguese Water Dog is 21.8 mph, while the average running speed of the Red Fox is 30.0 mph.
Can the Portuguese Water Dog Run Faster than the Gray Fox?
The Gray Fox can run faster than the Portuguese Water Dog.
The average running speed of the Portuguese Water Dog is 21.8 mph, while the average running speed of the Gray Fox is 42.0 mph.
Can the Portuguese Water Dog Run Faster than the Grizzly Bear?
The Grizzly Bear can run faster than the Portuguese Water Dog.
The average running speed of the Portuguese Water Dog is 21.8 mph, while the average running speed of the Grizzly Bear is 35.0 mph.
Can the Portuguese Water Dog Run Faster than the North American Black Bear?
The North American Black Bear can run faster than the Portuguese Water Dog.
The average running speed of the Portuguese Water Dog is 21.8 mph, while the average running speed of the North American Black Bear is 30.0 mph.
Conclusion on How Fast the Portuguese Water Dog 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 Portuguese Water Dog 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.