How Fast Scottish Terriers Can Run

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How Fast the Scottish Terrier 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 Scottish Terriers, the average speed of the Scottish Terrier is 14.6 mph (23.5 kmph). The fastest speed on AKC record that the Scottish Terrier ran in a race is 21.41 mph (34.5 kmph) and the minimum speed on record in a race for a Scottish Terrier is 4.1 mph (6.6 kmph).

The name of the fastest Scottish Terrier in the AKC record is MACH Vintage Acres Digby Macnugget MXS MJS T2B BCAT, a male Scottish Terrier. This was the Scottish Terrier that set the 21.41 mph record speed.

If it comes down to the speed of the Scottish Terrier male versus the female, the average speed of the male Scottish Terrier is 14.7 mph (23.6 kmph), while the average speed of the female Scottish Terrier is 14.5 mph (23.3 kmph).

Compared to the speed of other dog breeds, the Scottish Terrier ranks number 239 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 Scottish Terrier 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 Scottish Terrier Run Fast

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

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

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

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

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

Fitness Tracker for Scottish Terrier

Speed of Scottish Terrier Compared to Other Dog Breeds

Scottish Terriers weigh around 18 to 22 pounds and height Up to 10 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 Scottish Terrier compares to the speed of other dog breeds below:

The average speed of the Scottish Terrier (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 Yakutian Laikas Can Run 22.9 mph (36.9 kmph)
How Fast American Leopard Hounds Can Run 21.9 mph (35.2 kmph)
How Fast Schapendoess Can Run 21.8 mph (35.1 kmph)
How Fast Chinese Shar-Peis Can Run 21.8 mph (35.0 kmph)
How Fast Kuvaszs Can Run 21.7 mph (34.8 kmph)
How Fast Collies Can Run 21.2 mph (34.2 kmph)
How Fast Black Russian Terriers Can Run 19.9 mph (32.0 kmph)
How Fast Russian Toys Can Run 17.4 mph (28.0 kmph)
How Fast Clumber Spaniels Can Run 16.7 mph (26.9 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 Scottish Terrier Run Faster than the Curly-Coated Retriever?

The Curly-Coated Retriever can run faster than the Scottish Terrier.

The average running speed of the Scottish Terrier is 14.6 mph, while the average running speed of the Curly-Coated Retriever is 23.6 mph.

The fastest Scottish Terrier on record ran at a speed of 21.4 mph, while the slowest Scottish Terrier competing in a race ran at a speed 4.1 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 Scottish Terrier versus speed of Curly-Coated Retriever

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

Can the Scottish Terrier Run Faster than the Portuguese Podengo Pequeno?

The Portuguese Podengo Pequeno can run faster than the Scottish Terrier.

The average running speed of the Scottish Terrier is 14.6 mph, while the average running speed of the Portuguese Podengo Pequeno is 19.2 mph.

The fastest Scottish Terrier on record ran at a speed of 21.4 mph, while the slowest Scottish Terrier competing in a race ran at a speed 4.1 mph.

On the other hand, the fastest Portuguese Podengo Pequeno on record ran at a speed of 26.4 mph, while the slowest Portuguese Podengo Pequeno competing in a race ran at a speed of 8.0 mph.

Can the Scottish Terrier Run Faster than the Vizsla?

The Vizsla can run faster than the Scottish Terrier.

The average running speed of the Scottish Terrier is 14.6 mph, while the average running speed of the Vizsla is 25.1 mph.

The fastest Scottish Terrier on record ran at a speed of 21.4 mph, while the slowest Scottish Terrier competing in a race ran at a speed 4.1 mph.

On the other hand, the fastest Vizsla on record ran at a speed of 32.3 mph, while the slowest Vizsla competing in a race ran at a speed of 7.3 mph.

Speed of Scottish Terrier versus speed of Vizsla

Learn more about how fast Vizslas can run here.

Can the Scottish Terrier Run Faster than the Sealyham Terrier?

The Sealyham Terrier can run faster than the Scottish Terrier.

The average running speed of the Scottish Terrier is 14.6 mph, while the average running speed of the Sealyham Terrier is 15.0 mph.

The fastest Scottish Terrier on record ran at a speed of 21.4 mph, while the slowest Scottish Terrier competing in a race ran at a speed 4.1 mph.

On the other hand, the fastest Sealyham Terrier on record ran at a speed of 17.9 mph, while the slowest Sealyham Terrier competing in a race ran at a speed of 8.3 mph.

Can the Scottish Terrier Run Faster than the Pomeranian?

The Pomeranian can run faster than the Scottish Terrier.

The average running speed of the Scottish Terrier is 14.6 mph, while the average running speed of the Pomeranian is 15.7 mph.

The fastest Scottish Terrier on record ran at a speed of 21.4 mph, while the slowest Scottish Terrier competing in a race ran at a speed 4.1 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 of 7.1 mph.

Speed of Scottish Terrier versus speed of Pomeranian

Learn more about how fast Pomeranians can run here.

How Fast the Scottish Terrier Can Run Compared to Other Mammals

See how fast the Scottish Terrier run compared to other mammals below:

The average speed of the Scottish Terrier (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)
Scottish Terrier 14.6 mph (23.5 kmph)

Can the Scottish Terrier Run Faster than the Usain Bolt?

The Usain Bolt can run faster than the Scottish Terrier.

The average running speed of the Scottish Terrier is 14.6 mph, while the average running speed of the Usain Bolt is 23.4 mph.

Speed of Scottish Terrier versus speed of Usain Bolt

Can the Scottish Terrier Run Faster than the Cheetah?

The Cheetah can run faster than the Scottish Terrier.

The average running speed of the Scottish Terrier is 14.6 mph, while the average running speed of the Cheetah is 75.0 mph.

Speed of Scottish Terrier versus speed of Cheetah

Can the Scottish Terrier Run Faster than the Domestic Cat?

The Domestic Cat can run faster than the Scottish Terrier.

The average running speed of the Scottish Terrier is 14.6 mph, while the average running speed of the Domestic Cat is 30.0 mph.

Speed of Scottish Terrier versus speed of Domestic Cat

Can the Scottish Terrier Run Faster than the Squirrel?

The Squirrel can run faster than the Scottish Terrier.

The average running speed of the Scottish Terrier is 14.6 mph, while the average running speed of the Squirrel is 20.0 mph.

Speed of Scottish Terrier versus speed of Squirrel

Can the Scottish Terrier Run Faster than the Horse?

The Horse can run faster than the Scottish Terrier.

The average running speed of the Scottish Terrier is 14.6 mph, while the average running speed of the Horse is 55.0 mph.

Speed of Scottish Terrier versus speed of Horse

Can the Scottish Terrier Run Faster than the Jackrabbit?

The Jackrabbit can run faster than the Scottish Terrier.

The average running speed of the Scottish Terrier is 14.6 mph, while the average running speed of the Jackrabbit is 45.0 mph.

Speed of Scottish Terrier versus speed of Jackrabbit

Can the Scottish Terrier Run Faster than the Deer?

The Deer can run faster than the Scottish Terrier.

The average running speed of the Scottish Terrier is 14.6 mph, while the average running speed of the Deer is 30.0 mph.

Speed of Scottish Terrier versus speed of Deer

Can the Scottish Terrier Run Faster than the Wolf?

The Wolf can run faster than the Scottish Terrier.

The average running speed of the Scottish Terrier is 14.6 mph, while the average running speed of the Wolf is 37.0 mph.

Speed of Scottish Terrier versus speed of Wolf

Can the Scottish Terrier Run Faster than the Red Fox?

The Red Fox can run faster than the Scottish Terrier.

The average running speed of the Scottish Terrier is 14.6 mph, while the average running speed of the Red Fox is 30.0 mph.

Speed of Scottish Terrier versus speed of Red Fox

Can the Scottish Terrier Run Faster than the Gray Fox?

The Gray Fox can run faster than the Scottish Terrier.

The average running speed of the Scottish Terrier is 14.6 mph, while the average running speed of the Gray Fox is 42.0 mph.

Speed of Scottish Terrier versus speed of Gray Fox

Can the Scottish Terrier Run Faster than the Grizzly Bear?

The Grizzly Bear can run faster than the Scottish Terrier.

The average running speed of the Scottish Terrier is 14.6 mph, while the average running speed of the Grizzly Bear is 35.0 mph.

Speed of Scottish Terrier versus speed of Grizzly Bear

Can the Scottish Terrier Run Faster than the North American Black Bear?

The North American Black Bear can run faster than the Scottish Terrier.

The average running speed of the Scottish Terrier is 14.6 mph, while the average running speed of the North American Black Bear is 30.0 mph.

Speed of Scottish Terrier versus speed of North American Black Bear

Conclusion on How Fast the Scottish Terrier 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 Scottish Terrier 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.