How Fast Do GSDs Run?
Off To The Races!
Fun Facts of The Week
How Fast Can A German Shepherd Run?
We’re more likely to think about a GSD's versatility as a working dog rather than how fast these incredible athletes can actually run.
You may be surprised to learn they’re among the fastest canines, and can reach speeds of up to 32 miles per hour.
But you may be wondering, if they’re so fast, then why don’t they race?
It seems odd that such a versatile dog doesn’t race competitively.
They’re certainly competitive and motivated enough, and have high prey drives which should only further fuel their racing abilities.
However, the gallop is not the GSD’s best gait.
The gallop is a full out run where you would measure an animal’s top speed.
Although German Shepherds are fleet of foot and among the quicker dogs, they weren’t originally intended to be runners.
Their most efficient gait is the trot, which involves the simultaneous movement of the diagonal pairs of legs.
German Shepherd show dogs exaggerate the beauty and flashiness of the breed’s trot.
But the original intention of the breed was overall utility.
Herding Shepherds were perimeter dogs who established boundaries for sheep where there were no fences.
A shepherd’s job, therefore, involved sustained trotting most of the day with periodic bursts of short sprints.
One reason GSDs would never be able to race as effectively as Greyhounds is because of the double-suspended gallop.
This refers to the way the dog’s body is suspended during both phases of gathering its limbs underneath itself and of extending the front legs well forward and rear limbs all the way to the back.
Sighthounds like Greyhounds and Salukis have remarkable spinal flexibility compared to other breeds.
This allows their backs to contract and extend like coils, making their double-suspended gallop much more effective.
A Whippet can run 35 miles per hour, a Scottish Deerhound 40 miles per hour, and a Greyhound a blistering 45 miles per hour.
Horses are another interesting comparison since they have rigid spines and usually a single-suspension gallop.
They’re considerably bigger than dogs but can only reach top speeds of 44 miles per hour.
Other animals that utilize the double-suspended gallop:
- Cheetahs, which can reach speeds of 70 miles per hour
- Gazelles, which reach speeds of 60 miles per hour
Despite all this, German Shepherds do possess the physical characteristics for speed with their:
- relatively long legs
- lean muscular bodies
- aerodynamic heads
- flexible spines
- ideal angulation of shoulders and hindquarters
For the full breakdown, click here!
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ARTICLE OF THE WEEK
Best Big Barker Dog Beds for German Shepherds – 2022 Review
Do you find it difficult finding a dog bed big enough for your large-breed dog?
If so, then you might find this week's featured article to be particularly interesting.
For a large and energetic GSD, you need a bed that is durable enough to last.
Every product that we review in this guide is designed with this in mind.
The “Big Barker” product line is one of the most popular and well-regarded brands when it comes to beds for large dogs.
Click below to learn more!
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FEATURED VIDEO OF THE WEEK
A Guide To Dumb Dog Breeds: What Is the Dumbest Dog?
What Makes A Dog Dumb?
All dogs are smart, there’s no denying that.
They don’t speak the same language as us, yet they’re able to be trained, and they listen, even though they don’t really understand what you’re saying.
The main thing that determines intelligence levels in dogs is actually a book published back in 1994.
In this book called ‘The Intelligence of Dogs’ leading psychologist, Stanley Coren, ranked more than 100 dog breeds based on their instinctive, adaptive, and working intelligence.
| WATCH FULL VIDEO |
GSD HERO OF THE WEEK
Hero Police Dog Saves Partner
A police dog named Finn was stabbed multiple times while chasing down a suspect, and was badly injured as a result.
The brave GSD fought the man with the knife in order to protect his handler, PC Dave Wardell.
This heroic dog was later awarded with the highest accolade for civilian animal bravery, a PDSA gold medal.
| Click Here For Full Story |
We would like to take this opportunity to raise awareness for www.newbeginningsrescue.com.
This is a rescue charity that does amazing work to raise awareness for the thousands of GSDs needing homes across the USA.
They're a national rescue of 17 years and have a sister rescue in LA that is a GSD rescue as well.
They do need help getting the word out that they're trying to find fosters in all states.
They also need drivers to get these amazing dogs from point A to point B in those areas.
They help countless medical cases and heartworm positive dogs and always need donations from other animal lovers as well.
Please visit their website for more information and to find out how you can help!
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