German Shepherds are athlete dog breeds with a lot of energy and stamina. Their energy and stamina allow them to be fit all the time. For remaining fit, all the dog breeds must go through some exercises and running is also a type of exercise that your GSD also does. But have you ever wondered about the actual speed of German Shepherds! how fast they run? and no doubt they are the fastest running canines but is it possible to outrun them?
Being an energetic breed, the answer may be either yes or no. It is impossible to outrun a German Shepherd when running short distances but we can outrun them running long distances because humans are excellent runners with great stamina only if they are athletes and cover long distances.
German Shepherds have an energetic body and practically it’s impossible to outrun them. If you think any charging German Shepherd approaching you then it’s better to never mess with them and stand by on their side as you can never outwit them.
Other animals can outrun a German Shepherd, if we talk about those animals, cats can outrun dogs over short distances.
Here in this post, we all will come to know how fast can a German Shepherd run. How long can they run without stopping and what nutrients should they get to be energetic and many more?
So Guys let’s dive into our topic and learn the running behavior of German Shepherds!
Table of Contents
How fast can a German Shepherd run?
The running skill of a German Shepherd is hereditary and a combination of history, training, and strength. Seeing their history people also used them in herding and protecting their livestock. This working breed is also the first choice for doing police and military exercises because they are good sprinters. But what about their speed? how fast German Shepherd can run?
German Shepherds are a highly strong and energetic breed that loves running just like a true sprinter. German Shepherds can hit the speed of up to 30 -32 mph with the proper training. When they are one to two years old their speed peaks up but as they become older their speed slows down.
German Shepherds have long powerful legs, lean body mass, and narrow heads that allow them to get full acceleration and run fast.
The speed of German Shepherds also depends on food and their health. When they are healthy they achieve their stamina up to mark and make use of them while running.
Dog owners who have running lifestyles are well served with this breed as a partner. But the only thing to consider is their proper diet plan, you should always provide them with proper training so that they could get the proper speed while running.
What Makes German Shepherds A Successful Runner?
All dog breeds have the skill of running, some easily gain top speed while some slow down because of their physical appearance. Though if we talk about the skill of running German Shepherds they are good sprinters what are the facts that make German Shepherds a good sprinter?
German Shepherds are successful runners because of their physical characteristics. They have powerful legs, great body mass, and a narrow head that allows them to run like a true sprinter. They have also grippy paw pads, toenails, flexible spines, and gait that make them stretch their body to full strength and extend to push forward.
All these characteristics allow them to gain speed ultimately and makes them good runner. Of course, the size, shape, and health are also considered for German Shepherds to run faster. If they are not fit or unhealthy they will not run fast.
However, you should also see their physical conditions in detail that allow them to be among the fastest dogs:
Grippy Paw Pads
The German Shepherds have Grippy Paw Pads that provide comfortable grips to hold the ground before going for a fast run. It allows them to gain the initial acceleration and catch the actual speed later on.
Toe Nails
Toe Nails of German Shepherds also allow them to hold the surface properly before gaining speed. However, the nails should not be too long as there will be a greater risk of tearing.
Long nails also change the positioning of a dog’s foot and weight distribution across the paw which will affect their speed.
Flexible spines
German Shepherds have an efficient structure with a longer back that helps them as a suspension system at a trot. Their flexible spines provide them with proper energy transfer that ultimately allows them to run faster with their full energy.
Asymmetrical Gait
German Shepherds have mainly four gaits called to walk, trot, canter, and gallop. They have an adjustable gait between the walk and the trot. These physical characteristics allow them to gain pace and enjoy running at a good speed.
You should know the proper diet chart that maintains your body shape so that you remain fit all the time and exercise regularly.
Body Shape
German Shepherds have muscular, elongated bodies with solid bone structures. Because of their strength, they can run for longer distances but once again they need to get a proper diet plan.
Maintaining a healthy body shape always allow them to be fit and do the various task that you want to do for them. It’s important to feed them a healthy diet with proper nutrition that they get from the food you give to them.
Health
Health is the most important factor that every dog owner should consider seriously. If your dog has good health then it will do its physical activities at its full strength.
When they are healthy then, of course, they will run faster and even you will also enjoy them doing such great activities.
Never feed them such food that affects their health, it’s better to follow some professionals for the best diet plan for your German Shepherd.
How Long Can A German Shepherd Run Without Stopping?
If we talk about the strength of German Shepherds then they have such muscular bodies with solid bone structures that are all responsible to make them fast runners. They can run but not so long as they have also a respiratory system, they also need rest after getting exhausted. But how long can they run without stopping?
German Shepherds can run up to 5 to 20 miles but their running stamina depends on their diet, health, and training. If they are given proper training then they are capable of running far distances.
If we compare with other dogs only Greyhounds and Vizsla have more average speed than German Shepherds. It all depends on the running habit but you should not try your GSD to run all the time to gain speed. You can take a break and then start but they only have the stamina to go up to 20 miles.
You can also go through the table listed below to know the top speed of other breeds.
| Dog Breed | Average Speed |
| Greyhound | 45 mph |
| Vizsla | 40 mph |
| German shepherd | 30 mph |
| Boxer | 30 mph |
| Jack Russell terrier | 25 mph |
| Toy poodle | 10 mph |
| Basset Hound | 5 mph |
Also Read: 20 Human Foods German shepherds Can Eat And what to avoid? A Complete Guide:
What are the factors that affect the speed of German Shepherd?
We all are aware of the strength of the German Shepherd and their running skills. Most dogs easily travel up to 30 miles per hour, but some factors can affect their sustain speeds that you should know.
Here are some of the factors that affect their running are:
Diet:
As human beings, we know the importance of diet and it also plays a significant role in the ability to run fast for the German Shepherd. The better diet they will be fed the more stamina they will gain which helps them to cover longer distances.
If you want your GSD to run with full stamina then never compromise with their diet plan and always feed them such food that helps them to gain full strength.
It will be better to consult a professional so that they could advise you on the best diet chart so that they can gain proper proteins and fat for their energetic body.
Training
The training that you are providing to your GSD has a great impact on their running skills. They also need to build up their strength, energy, and stamina to run faster.
No doubt they have the strongest muscles and they are natural sprinters but when it’s time to run for long distances then they face difficulty.
You can provide them training schedule by hiring some professionals as they are experts in providing them to gain the full skill of running.
Age
The most important factor that affects the top speed of your GSD is its age. You should not even try German Shepherd puppies to run long distances only the adult GSD can run longer distances.
On the other hand, if your canine has become older it also can’t run up to its mark as its body just will not allow them to run at full speed.
Should you allow your German Shepherd To Run For Long Distances?
It depends on you and your dog’s stamina. I think no dog owner wants their dog to run longer distances. No doubt most dogs like running but running for longer distances will not be a good idea.
Running longer distances also depends on the training they have got. If you have provided proper training then they can manage but if they are not well trained then there will be always a risk to let them run for longer distances.
If you allow them to run for longer distances they will find it fun but it’s your responsibility what type of fun you are giving to your canine without affecting their health. At the same time, there will always risk of heat exhaustion in your dog.
Final Thoughts:
I hope you understood the running capacity of German Shepherds and the factors that can affect their health.
Here is a quick review of this post:
- It’s impossible to outrun a German Shepherd in shorter distances but for longer they need proper training.
- They can run up to 30 -32 miles per hour but it depends upon their age.
- They are successful sprinters because of their physical abilities.
- Their running stamina depends on their diet, health, and the training that is provided.
- Provide a proper diet plan so that they could be fit and energetic which enhances their running skills.
You should never allow your pup and older dog to go for a longer run due to their age factor. As the puppy can only run shorter distances and the older GSD may face several health issues if you try to make them run for longer distances.
Related Questions:
Can A Human Outrun A German Shepherd?
Yes, humans can outrun a German Shepherd. Humans have longer legs than most dog breeds and can produce more power in their strides, making them faster over short distances.
Additionally, humans can think strategically when running and adjust their stride accordingly.
How Fast Can A German Shepherd run up to?
German Shepherds are extremely athletic canines that have a top speed of 30 mph! However, they only move at a 15 mph average running speed.
They can run for extended periods and do it at a steady pace. The German Shepherd is a fantastic choice if you’re searching for an energetic pet that enjoys staying in shape!
Can German Shepherds live Outside?
German Shepherds can live outside but for a limited period seeing health and weather conditions. They can stay outside for a maximum of 4 hours but being a social animal they want to spend more time with their owners.