Have you ever seen one of those true-crime shows (or remember COPS?) and wondered how fast can a German Shepherd run? You know, the ones where the GSD police dog took off running after and tackled some criminal trying to escape? It’s pretty impressive. From those videos, it seems like it would be impossible to outrun this breed…
Just how fast can a German Shepherd run? 30 Miles Per Hour (MPH), or 48.3 Kilometers Per Hour (km/h). Like most dog breeds, they are not known to be long-distance runners but rather reach this top speed during short sprints, i.e. going after that criminal or more commonly, chasing a squirrel.
While the GSD is not the fastest breed on the books, its speed combined with its agility, trainability, intelligence, and loyalty makes it one of the most sought after and popular working breeds. Their speed is a fundamental characteristic that makes them ideal as guard dogs, for use in police work, and search and rescue operations.
But My German Shepherd is Not a Police Dog…
You most likely didn’t get a GSD (or are thinking of getting one) because you want to train them to be a police dog. You probably don’t need them to run after escaping children and probably don’t want them to tackle people innocently approaching your home.
But it’s still worth taking note that your GSD is a highly athletic dog and needs you to understand that. Understanding the nature of your GSD and working with them to exercise their special abilities will guarantee a great relationship with a well behaved dog.
Your German Shepherd Needs Exercise
And a lot of it!
As an athletic working dog, we recommend that your GSD receives a minimum of an hour of exercise a day.
Some experts recommend up to two hours. This is one of the challenges of keeping a German Shepherd in an apartment.
Giving your GSD ample opportunity for vigorous exercise (including running) will help moderate their behavior in the home and keep them in prime physical condition.
If you are not up for running or two hours of vigorous exercise, have no worries. Here are a couple of activities you can do with your dog that will not wear you out.
1. Fetch
Fetch is an obvious classic.
Your dog gets great exercise and gets to burn excess energy. Make sure to teach your dog how to “drop it” to make the game more enjoyable. This also helps ensure that your dog will return the ball, stick or other toys to you after each run.
You can really give your dog a great work out by throwing a Frisbee or other throw toy that travels far.
2. Swimming
Take your German Shepherd swimming.
Swimming is a great low-impact option for older GSDs. Because they aren’t hitting off the hard ground, they do not experience wear and tear on their joints.
Swimming can be combined with other games like fetch.
Exercise is Good for You Too!
Having a GSD is a great excuse to start a new exercise routine yourself!
If your dog needs to move a minimum of an hour a day, why not join in and share that time with him? Going for a good walk is just as good for you as it is for your dog.
If you have a young puppy, this is a particularly great way to work on training your dog and together working up to longer duration outings.
If you are just starting an exercise routine, remember the following tips for humans.
- Don’t overdo it! If you have not recently walked for a full hour, don’t just jump into it. Start out with a 10 – 15 minute walk and then play fetch with Fido so that he gets his full hour workout. Build up to those long walks little by little and remember – this should be fun!
- Stretch! Take a minute or two before your walk to stretch out your legs, back, and arms. Walking is the best exercise because it is really low impact, but if you are just getting started, it’s worth taking this extra step to avoid aches and pains.
- Stay hydrated! Bring along water for yourself and for your dog.
One of the best parts of having a dog is having that obligation to get out and about and move around a bit.
You probably need it just as much as your dog does…I know I do!
Running or Jogging With your German Shepherd
Maybe you are curious about how fast a German Shepherd can run because you are an athlete and avid runner or jogger and you are curious to know if your GSD will make a good running partner.
GSDs are actually great running partners – but just like people, they require a bit of training to get into shape.
Remember, most dogs are used to running for short distances so you need to work with your pet to build up the stamina for a long-distance run.
It’s a good idea to get the all-clear from your vet before you undertake any serious training routine with your dog. If your GSD is a puppy or even less than a year old, they may suggest waiting until your pet finishes growing and fills out a bit. Once you have the all clear, go ahead and get started, keeping the following tips in mind:
- Your dog needs to warm up just like you do! Walk around the block or to the park first before you start the run.
- When you are just starting to train, keep the running/jogging to a minimum. It’s a good idea to walk for brief periods between jogging or running.
- Keep the runs short in the beginning and slowly build up to longer runs. Well trained adult GSDs can comfortably run 10-12 miles and some have even been known to finish full-length marathons!
- Make sure to take breaks to drink plenty of water and reward your dog with a great snack.
- Do your runs in the morning or later afternoon to avoid heat stress.
Can I Bike With My German Shepherd?
Yes! Even if you are on a bike, it’s unlikely you are going to reach 30 mph to give your dog a “run for its money”.
Biking while your dog runs beside you is a great way to exercise for both you and your pooch but requires a little bit of training for both of you.
Here are a few tips to get you started biking with your German Shepherd:
- Just like with running, start slow. Get your dog used to walking next to a bike, going around curves and stopping. Before you ever ride your bike next to your dog, make sure they know all the cues to be able to do these things. Make sure they are comfortable around people, cars and other bikes.
- When you start riding next to your dog, go slow. Start out at their walking pace. Over the course of a week or two, you can build up to a speed where your GSD is running alongside you.
- Never loop the leash on your handlebar! If your dog pulls off suddenly in another direction or gets distracted by that squirrel, it could be dangerous for you. Keep the leash in your hand so you can pull back and respond to your dog.
- Pay attention to their energy levels and be responsive. You don’t want this to be a torture session for your pet and you certainly don’t want to cause them hard. Watch for them slowing down, limping or panting and cut the run short.
- Head out for your ride in the morning or afternoon but be sure to avoid the heat of the day.
- Bring lots of water for you and your dog.
You might not see your German Shepherd reach his top speed very often, but that’s ok. The most important thing is to make sure your dog is well exercised and healthy.
Being naturally athletic and having pretty good endurance can make exercising your dog a great experience for both of you!
Related Questions
The Greyhound is considered the fastest breed of all, reaching top speeds of 45 mph. However, the Saluki (one of the oldest breeds of all) can outrun the Greyhound at longer distances. It has been recorded as reaching speeds of around 43 mph but has more endurance.
Whippets also show up in the lists of fastest breeds, topping out at around 36 mph, and being able to cover 200 yards in less than 12 seconds!
The Visla, Border Collie and Alaskan Husky all appear on the lists of fastest dogs, each topping out around 30mph, the same as a GSD.
No. GSDs are generally not considered a racing breed, despite being able to reach speeds that compete with some of the faster breeds. Their ability to run at their top speed is limited, and despite having pretty decent endurance, they are not at their best when pushed to their limit.
There are lots of videos of GSDs racing online, but you will most likely never find one registered in an official racing event.
