Do you enjoy running but don't have anyone to go on a run with? Or maybe you have a running partner that you enjoy going with but your partner can't keep up?
Ask no further, get a dog that can match your running skills and endurance at the same time! Here are five dog breeds that we think you're going to want to get your hands on.
#1 Fastest Dog: Greyhound - 45 mph maximum speed
The Greyhound is considered the fastest dog breed in the world with a speed of 35 to 45 mph. Measuring up to 30 inches tall and weighing from 60 to 70 pounds, these tall and lean dogs can propel themselves at high speeds by their ability to reach maximum extension of their legs and flex its back from a near-perfect straight position to an arched, curled up back. These movements happen at highly rapid sequences that its feet can hardly be seen touching the ground. Although Greyhounds are the best at running and are viewed as athletic and love the routine of daily exercise, these dogs can sleep for hours! So, when you're done training for a marathon and needed a break, hanging out with the Greyhound can make it a perfect afternoon nap.
#2 Fastest Dog: Saluki - 42 mph maximum speed
Clocking in at a top speed of 42 miles per hour or 3 miles per hour slower than the Greyhound, the Saluki is no slow pooch. Salukis are believed to have originated from Egypt and are perhaps the oldest known breed of domesticated dog. Anecdotally, Salukis are held in such great esteem that their bodies are mummified like the bodies of Pharaohs. Just like the Greyhounds, Salukis are considered sight hounds that hunt primarily by sight and speed, rather than by scent. That said, if you're looking for a dog that still runs fast but is not a Greyhound, the Saluki will make you huff and puff by the end of the day's run.
#3 Fastest Dog: Vizsla - 40 mph maximum speed
Not to be outrun, the Vizsla also known as Hungarian Pointers can be blazingly fast but one with a superior nose suited for hunting game or quarry, rabbits, and waterfowl. Vizslas are considered quintessential dogs for their speed but also above-average trainability, affection, and loyalty. Additionally, the Vizsla's attractive golden rust color is a crowd pleaser both in the field and show ring.
#4 Fastest Dog: Afghan Hound - 40 mph maximum speed
Another long-legged hound in a world where speed is king, the Afghan Hound often referred to as an aristocrat, a breed of dog that effuses dignity and elegance with its thick, silky very fine textured hair. As the name suggests, the Afghan Hound was developed in Afghanistan during the 19th century. It's believed that the Afghan Hounds were nearly extinct during World War I up until around 1920 when the Afghan Hounds were brought to Scotland.
There aren't many owners we know who own an Afghan Hound. Although if you're an avid art collector who studied Pablo Picasso, an Afghan Hound he owned and named Kabul was portrayed in his oil on canvas painting called "Femme au Chien" (Woman with Dog) in 1962. That painting sold in 2012 for $6.3 million. That said, if Picasso had the foresight to feature his Afghan Hound dog Kabul in his oil painting, you're one of the few that truly appreciates the uniqueness of this long-legged and beautiful breed.
#5 Fastest Dog: Jack Russell Terrier - 38 mph maximum speed
Don't count out the little guy when it comes to speed. Although the Greyhound is the King of Speed of all the dog breeds known to man, the Jack Russell Terrier can kick dust at a top speed of 38 mph. Jack Russells were first developed in England in the late 1700s to hunt and chase out foxes. Today, these adorable, energetic Jack Russells are loved for their diminutive size and cuteness measuring around 10 to 15 inches at the shoulder and weighing an average of 14 to 18 pounds. Jack Russells can look cute and all, but they have a ton of stamina to make you want to skip a day's run for a day at the beach or have fun and relaxation and call it a day.