How Fast Is The Fastest Dog?

The fastest dogs are the Sighthounds: Greyhounds, Salukis, Whippets and their kin. Many of these dogs are ancient breeds. These Sighthounds or gazehounds were developed for hunting different animals over different terrain.

Greyhound

Most people consider the Greyhound to be the world's fastest dog. These dogs have been not only used for hunting but they are also used for dog racing. They are able to reach speeds of 45 mph over short distances. The breed dates back to at least 2900 BC in ancient Egypt where they were used on all kinds of prey, from deer to mountain goats. Their natural prey is the hare.

Saluki

However, Saluki owners often claim that their dogs are faster than Greyhounds. As proof, they claim that Salukis were bred to hunt gazelles and gazelles can reach speeds faster than 45 mph. Therefore, they say, Salukis must be faster than Greyhounds since that is faster than a Greyhound's speed.

Salukis are not used for racing so they aren't timed at short distances. This makes it harder to estimate their speed. Salukis may excel at speeds over endurance distances.

Whippet

Whippets are another very fast dog. They have been used for dog racing, too. Smaller than Greyhounds, they are estimated to travel at speeds over 35 mph.

The cheetah is generally accepted to be the fastest land animal. They travel at an estimated 70 mph. Lions have been clocked at 50 mph. A Quarter Horse can travel at 47.5 mph.

Afghan Hound

Other members of the Sighthound family of dogs include the Afghan Hound - a relative of the Saluki from the cold mountains of Afghanistan. These dogs are thousands of years old and were used to hunt gazelles and hares. Even today these dogs still have a very high prey drive and it may not be safe to have them in a home with other small pets.

Irish Wolfhound

The Irish Wolfhound and the Scottish Deerhound are also Sighthounds, although because of their large size they are not as fast as some other members of the group. These dogs from the British Isles were used to hunt wolves, boar and deer. These are very

Scottish Deerhound

ancient breeds that may date back to Iron age times. The Borzoi, a tall, graceful Sighthound from Russia, was likewise used to hunt wolves.

All of these dogs are known for being fast. They had to be in order to chase and bring down their prey. Unlike some other hunting dogs which worked with humans, these dogs both found and killed their quarry, whether it was a hare, a wolf, a deer, or something else.

Borzoi

Beagle

At the opposite end of this spectrum are the scent hounds. Scent hounds, such as the Beagle, the Foxhound (American, English), Coonhounds, the Bloodhound, and so on, work by gathering scent, usually from the ground. This is often a slower process

American Foxhound

and the dogs often have their nose to the ground. They may work more closely with humans to follow and find their prey. Where a Sighthound may be out of sight of the hunter, the scent hound is usually in touch with the hunter, or at least can be heard.

Bloodhound

Today most Sighthounds excel at being great pets and wonderful couch potatoes. There is little call to use them for hunting wolves or even hares. However, lure coursing makes a fun activity that Sighthound owners can enjoy with their dogs. Lure coursing uses a piece of plastic attached to a wire and runs it across a field like it's "prey." The dogs are turned loose to chase it. Lots of Sighthounds love lure coursing. If you have a Sighthound you and your dog might enjoy lure coursing.

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6 Big Dog Breeds That Are Gentle Giants

There is a misconception that large dogs are fierce, but this isn't the case. According to dog professionals, most of the large dogs are total softies and all they want to do is snuggle. If you have always wanted a large dog, here are 6 large dog breeds that are simply gentle giants:

Bernese Mountain Dog

Also known as the German the Berner Sennenhund, these dogs is patient and mellow. They are known to be peaceful, easygoing and great family companions. While they are large and may look lazy, they aren't. They require moderate exercises and are excellent in dog sports such as rally, herding, drafting, tracking and agility. A mature dog can weigh and average of 70-120 lbs.

Irish Wolfhound

While they look ferocious, they aren't. Professionals refer to them as true giants with gentle temperaments. The dogs were originally bred in Ireland to hunt wolves, but they make excellent family companions. They get along with almost everyone including strangers, children and other dogs. If planning on keeping these dogs you should have plenty of space. This is because they are huge. They weigh 105-120 pounds and stand at nearly 3 feet tall.

Leonberger

They get their name from their origin-Leonberg, Germany. The dogs are known to be loyal, friendly and sweet. While the dogs are great to have, you should remember that they were originally bred as search and rescue dogs. Due to this, they tend to be diggers and chewers. Leonbergers are also sloppy drinkers and eaters. This makes them not a good choice if you like keeping your home pristine. If you are ready to overlook these "flaws", the dogs are great family companions.

Newfoundland

These fluffy giants are affectionate and great family companions. They stand 26-28 inches and can weigh up to 150 pounds. While they are good with all family members, they have been shown to greatly love children. While they can exercise in the field, they are happiest when in the water or when snuggling on the couch with family members.

Bullmastiff

They are characterized by a solid build and short muzzle. The dogs' bloodlines are drawn from the extinct Old English bulldog and English Mastiff. They weigh 100-130 lbs and like snuggling with family members. Since they were originally bred to guard estates they are still good guard dogs thus can guard your home and children. They easily adapt to new environment thus can comfortably live almost anywhere.

Great Dane

They are one of the tallest dog breeds in existence. The world record holder for the tallest dog was a Great Dane named Zeus. Zeus died aged 5 years and measured 111.8 cm from paw to shoulder. Due to the dogs' large size, they can have behavior problems when improperly trained and socialized; therefore, if planning of having the dog as your pet, have him properly trained.

Conclusion

These are some of the largest dog breeds that are gentle giants. For you to get a good dog ensure that you get it from a reputable shelter.

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