How Fast Shih Tzus Can Run

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How Fast the Shih Tzu 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 19 different Shih Tzus, the average speed of the Shih Tzu is 15.1 mph (24.2 kmph). The fastest speed on AKC record that the Shih Tzu ran in a race is 21.25 mph (34.2 kmph) and the minimum speed on record in a race for a Shih Tzu is 8.92 mph (14.4 kmph).

The name of the fastest Shih Tzu in the AKC record is Sweetiepie RA FDC BCAT SWA SCE SIE SBE CGCA CGCU, a female Shih Tzu. This was the Shih Tzu that set the 21.25 mph record speed.

If it comes down to the speed of the Shih Tzu male versus the female, the average speed of the male Shih Tzu is 15.5 mph (24.9 kmph), while the average speed of the female Shih Tzu is 14.6 mph (23.5 kmph).

Compared to the speed of other dog breeds, the Shih Tzu ranks number 236 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 Shih Tzu 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 Shih Tzu Run Fast

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

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

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

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

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

Fitness Tracker for Shih Tzu

Speed of Shih Tzu Compared to Other Dog Breeds

Shih Tzus weigh around 9 to 16 pounds and height 9 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 Shih Tzu compares to the speed of other dog breeds below:

The average speed of the Shih Tzu (in black) compared to the average speed of other dog breeds (in blue)
Dog Breed Average Speed
How Fast Dutch Shepherds Can Run 27.0 mph (43.5 kmph)
How Fast German Longhaired Pointers Can Run 26.4 mph (42.4 kmph)
How Fast American Water Spaniels Can Run 23.3 mph (37.5 kmph)
How Fast Icelandic Sheepdogs Can Run 23.2 mph (37.4 kmph)
How Fast Shiba Inus Can Run 22.2 mph (35.7 kmph)
How Fast Tibetan Terriers Can Run 21.0 mph (33.7 kmph)
How Fast Cavalier King Charles Spaniels Can Run 18.8 mph (30.3 kmph)
How Fast Newfoundlands Can Run 18.5 mph (29.7 kmph)
How Fast Bologneses Can Run 17.8 mph (28.7 kmph)
How Fast Shih Tzus Can Run 15.1 mph (24.2 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 Shih Tzu Run Faster than the Grand Basset Griffon Vendéen?

The Grand Basset Griffon Vendéen can run faster than the Shih Tzu.

The average running speed of the Shih Tzu is 15.1 mph, while the average running speed of the Grand Basset Griffon Vendéen is 19.0 mph.

The fastest Shih Tzu on record ran at a speed of 21.2 mph, while the slowest Shih Tzu competing in a race ran at a speed 8.9 mph.

On the other hand, the fastest Grand Basset Griffon Vendéen on record ran at a speed of 22.5 mph, while the slowest Grand Basset Griffon Vendéen competing in a race ran at a speed of 13.1 mph.

Can the Shih Tzu Run Faster than the Glen of Imaal Terrier?

The Glen of Imaal Terrier can run faster than the Shih Tzu.

The average running speed of the Shih Tzu is 15.1 mph, while the average running speed of the Glen of Imaal Terrier is 18.0 mph.

The fastest Shih Tzu on record ran at a speed of 21.2 mph, while the slowest Shih Tzu competing in a race ran at a speed 8.9 mph.

On the other hand, the fastest Glen of Imaal Terrier on record ran at a speed of 25.7 mph, while the slowest Glen of Imaal Terrier competing in a race ran at a speed of 5.8 mph.

Speed of Shih Tzu versus speed of Glen of Imaal Terrier

Learn more about how fast Glen of Imaal Terriers can run here.

Can the Shih Tzu Run Faster than the Scottish Deerhound?

The Scottish Deerhound can run faster than the Shih Tzu.

The average running speed of the Shih Tzu is 15.1 mph, while the average running speed of the Scottish Deerhound is 26.0 mph.

The fastest Shih Tzu on record ran at a speed of 21.2 mph, while the slowest Shih Tzu competing in a race ran at a speed 8.9 mph.

On the other hand, the fastest Scottish Deerhound on record ran at a speed of 30.8 mph, while the slowest Scottish Deerhound competing in a race ran at a speed of 17.5 mph.

Can the Shih Tzu Run Faster than the German Pinscher?

The German Pinscher can run faster than the Shih Tzu.

The average running speed of the Shih Tzu is 15.1 mph, while the average running speed of the German Pinscher is 24.1 mph.

The fastest Shih Tzu on record ran at a speed of 21.2 mph, while the slowest Shih Tzu competing in a race ran at a speed 8.9 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 Shih Tzu versus speed of German Pinscher

Learn more about how fast German Pinschers can run here.

Can the Shih Tzu Run Faster than the Collie?

The Collie can run faster than the Shih Tzu.

The average running speed of the Shih Tzu is 15.1 mph, while the average running speed of the Collie is 21.2 mph.

The fastest Shih Tzu on record ran at a speed of 21.2 mph, while the slowest Shih Tzu competing in a race ran at a speed 8.9 mph.

On the other hand, the fastest Collie on record ran at a speed of 28.1 mph, while the slowest Collie competing in a race ran at a speed of 6.3 mph.

Speed of Shih Tzu versus speed of Collie

Learn more about how fast Collies can run here.

How Fast the Shih Tzu Can Run Compared to Other Mammals

See how fast the Shih Tzu run compared to other mammals below:

The average speed of the Shih Tzu (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)
Shih Tzu 15.1 mph (24.3 kmph)

Can the Shih Tzu Run Faster than the Usain Bolt?

The Usain Bolt can run faster than the Shih Tzu.

The average running speed of the Shih Tzu is 15.1 mph, while the average running speed of the Usain Bolt is 23.4 mph.

Speed of Shih Tzu versus speed of Usain Bolt

Can the Shih Tzu Run Faster than the Cheetah?

The Cheetah can run faster than the Shih Tzu.

The average running speed of the Shih Tzu is 15.1 mph, while the average running speed of the Cheetah is 75.0 mph.

Speed of Shih Tzu versus speed of Cheetah

Can the Shih Tzu Run Faster than the Domestic Cat?

The Domestic Cat can run faster than the Shih Tzu.

The average running speed of the Shih Tzu is 15.1 mph, while the average running speed of the Domestic Cat is 30.0 mph.

Speed of Shih Tzu versus speed of Domestic Cat

Can the Shih Tzu Run Faster than the Squirrel?

The Squirrel can run faster than the Shih Tzu.

The average running speed of the Shih Tzu is 15.1 mph, while the average running speed of the Squirrel is 20.0 mph.

Speed of Shih Tzu versus speed of Squirrel

Can the Shih Tzu Run Faster than the Horse?

The Horse can run faster than the Shih Tzu.

The average running speed of the Shih Tzu is 15.1 mph, while the average running speed of the Horse is 55.0 mph.

Speed of Shih Tzu versus speed of Horse

Can the Shih Tzu Run Faster than the Jackrabbit?

The Jackrabbit can run faster than the Shih Tzu.

The average running speed of the Shih Tzu is 15.1 mph, while the average running speed of the Jackrabbit is 45.0 mph.

Speed of Shih Tzu versus speed of Jackrabbit

Can the Shih Tzu Run Faster than the Deer?

The Deer can run faster than the Shih Tzu.

The average running speed of the Shih Tzu is 15.1 mph, while the average running speed of the Deer is 30.0 mph.

Speed of Shih Tzu versus speed of Deer

Can the Shih Tzu Run Faster than the Wolf?

The Wolf can run faster than the Shih Tzu.

The average running speed of the Shih Tzu is 15.1 mph, while the average running speed of the Wolf is 37.0 mph.

Speed of Shih Tzu versus speed of Wolf

Can the Shih Tzu Run Faster than the Red Fox?

The Red Fox can run faster than the Shih Tzu.

The average running speed of the Shih Tzu is 15.1 mph, while the average running speed of the Red Fox is 30.0 mph.

Speed of Shih Tzu versus speed of Red Fox

Can the Shih Tzu Run Faster than the Gray Fox?

The Gray Fox can run faster than the Shih Tzu.

The average running speed of the Shih Tzu is 15.1 mph, while the average running speed of the Gray Fox is 42.0 mph.

Speed of Shih Tzu versus speed of Gray Fox

Can the Shih Tzu Run Faster than the Grizzly Bear?

The Grizzly Bear can run faster than the Shih Tzu.

The average running speed of the Shih Tzu is 15.1 mph, while the average running speed of the Grizzly Bear is 35.0 mph.

Speed of Shih Tzu versus speed of Grizzly Bear

Can the Shih Tzu Run Faster than the North American Black Bear?

The North American Black Bear can run faster than the Shih Tzu.

The average running speed of the Shih Tzu is 15.1 mph, while the average running speed of the North American Black Bear is 30.0 mph.

Speed of Shih Tzu versus speed of North American Black Bear

Conclusion on How Fast the Shih Tzu 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 Shih Tzu 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.