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How Fast Can a Golden Retriever Run? Breed Facts
Golden Retrievers can typically run up to 35 mph. However, just like people, dogs vary in their run speed. Dogs that are in better shape and capable of more physical exertion will run faster. However, if your Golden Retriever is obese or otherwise unfit then it likely won’t be able to reach this speed.
Furthermore, dogs that are extremely fit may be able to run faster than this. It all depends on how fit your Golden Retriever is.
However, most Golden Retrievers will have no issue keeping up with a human while running. Humans only run about 12 mph long-range. Therefore, most Golden Retrievers should be able to keep up just fine (unless there is an underlying issue or your dog is extremely obese).
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How Fast Can a Golden Retriever Puppy Run?
It all depends on how old the Golden Retriever is and how fit it is. Some puppies are larger than others at different ages, which can make the running speed vary widely. Just like human children, some dogs will simply run faster than others.
With that said, you should never force-exercise a puppy, as it can cause bone growth issues. Therefore, it is often not recommended to run with a Golden Retriever puppy, as this may force them to run further than they need to. Exercising any Golden Retriever that is not full-grown can lead to problems.
Can Golden Retrievers Go Jogging?
Yes, Full-grown Golden Retrievers should have no issue running as fast as a person, as they tend to be much faster. Therefore, these dogs have no problem jogging in most cases.
With that said, dogs do vary substantially. Some dogs won’t be able to jog very fast or very long. It all depends on how fit your dog is. Very obese dogs may have a hard time jogging very far at all. In fact, it typically isn’t recommended to make dogs jog very far if they aren’t used to working out. Just like humans, unfit dogs can injure themselves if they jump right into a different workout.
With that said, dogs can go jogging just fine in most cases. If in doubt, move slowly and increase the speed as your dog feels comfortable.
How Lazy is a Golden Retriever?
If you leave a dog in the house all day, it may appear that they are lazy. Laziness is often linked to boredom to some extent. Therefore, very bored, under-stimulated dogs may lay around much and gain weight quickly for this reason. Plus, Golden Retrievers love their food, which often means that they tend to get obese more than other dogs.
However, Golden Retrievers are not innately lazy. In fact, as a working breed, they tend to have a higher activity level than other dogs out there. They need more exercise and stimulation than other dogs out there. They aren’t best for dog owners that just want a company animal. However, if you want a dog to run with and train, this dog is a great option. They are very active and devoted to their owner, which makes them great dogs.
What Dog Breed is Fastest?
The fastest dog breed on the planet is Greyhounds. These dogs are widely accepted as the fastest breed, as they can run up to 45 mph. However, there are other breeds that get close to that or sometimes exceed that. As we’ve stated, individual dogs are a bit different from the “breed standard”. Therefore, some very fast dogs in other breeds may outrun some very slow Greyhounds.
As a highly energetic breed, you’d imagine that Greyhounds need a lot of exercise. However, these dogs are lovingly called “40 mph couch potatoes.” In other words, while they can run very fast, they aren’t as physically needy as some other breeds. They’re great at sprinting, but their endurance is lower than many other breeds out there.
Conclusion
Golden Retrievers typically run at around 35 mph. This is around 10 miles slower than the world’s fastest dog, the Greyhound. However, this is also much faster than your average person, making it pretty easy for most Golden Retrievers to keep up with their humans.
With that said, not all Golden Retrievers are as fast as others. As you’d guess, their fitness level plays a huge role in how fast they can run. Unfit, obese Golden Retrievers won’t be able to run as far as other dogs, for instance.
Therefore, while these dogs can run an average of 35 mph, some dogs exist on either side of this average.
Featured Image Credit: Katrin B., Pixabay
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Kristin is passionate about helping pet parents create a fulfilling life with their pets by informing them on the latest scientific research and helping them choose the best products for their pets. She currently resides in Tennessee with four dogs, three cats, two fish, and a lizard, though she has dreams of owning chickens one-day!
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