How Fast Can a Greyhound Run and Why Do Greyhounds Run So Fast?
Greyhounds can reach speeds of up to 72 kilometres per hour (45 miles per hour) over short distances. They run so fast due to their unique combination of physical attributes, including long legs, flexible ‘hinged’ spine, deep chest, fast-twitch muscle fibres, highly efficient cardiovascular system, efficient breathing, high percentage of muscle, low body fat, and genetic selection. They are sometimes regarded as the Usain Bolts of the canine world due to their effortless sprinting at high speeds.
The following attributes contribute to Greyhounds’ ability to run at high speeds:
Unique Anatomy
Muscle Composition
Cardiovascular System
Efficient Breathing
Low Body Fat
Genetic Selection
Unique Anatomy
Greyhounds have a slender and aerodynamic body with long powerful legs and a flexible ‘hinged’ spine that allow for an efficient stride length. Their deep chest allows for a larger lung capacity, whilst their narrow waist reduces wind resistance. This combination of attributes reduces air drag and maximises the greyhounds’ potential for speed. The skull shape of a greyhound which is called Dolichocephalic gives them their long face. This skull shape means that they have a larger nasal cavity which allows them to take in much bigger breaths increasing their oxygen intake.
Greyhounds have a unique leg skeletal structure. They have a bone that is called ‘carpus’ which is different to other breeds. This unique structure allows them to extend their legs further and faster than other dogs. This enables the greyhound to have a longer stride and empowers them to run faster. The greyhound also has a ‘double suspension rotary gallop’ which is the fastest running gait. During a stride, all four feet of the greyhound are free from the ground in two phases, contracted and extended. This stride is only seen in sighthounds such as the greyhound and whippet.
Muscle Composition
Greyhounds possess a high percentage of fast-twitch muscle fibres. These fast twitch muscle fibres are responsible for rapid forceful contractions, which makes them perfectly suited for explosive bursts of speed. When a greyhound accelerates in a sprint, their muscles propel them forward with incredible power that enables them to accelerate quickly to high speeds.
Cardiovascular System
The cardiovascular system of a greyhound has evolved into a highly efficient system that allows them to maintain their incredible bursts of speed. The heart of a greyhound is capable of pumping a large volume of oxygenated blood to their muscles, this ensures that they are receiving a constant supply of energy during their sprinting. A greyhound’s heart is significantly larger than most other breeds, approximately 10 to 15% larger. This efficient circulation is crucial for the greyhound to sustain high-speed sprints. Greyhounds also have a higher red blood cell count that helps them transport an increased amount of oxygen around their body and enables them to run faster for longer. This also makes them one of the most desired breeds for blood donors.
Efficient Breathing
Greyhounds are equipped with very efficient respiratory systems. Their deep chests and well-developed lungs allow them to take in large amounts of oxygen with each breath. This ensures that their muscles receive the oxygen that they need to perform at peak levels when sprinting, this also delays the onset of fatigue.
Greyhounds can reach speeds of up to 72 kilometres per hour (45 miles per hour) over short distances.
Low Body Fat
To achieve such high speeds when sprinting it is essential that greyhounds maintain a sleek, lean physique. Greyhounds typically have low body fat percentages, which in turn means that they carry less weight while racing. This reduced body fat not only makes the greyhound lighter but also contributes to the greyhound being able to accelerate quickly and maintain higher speeds with less effort than it would use to carry a heavier weight. Greyhounds have a healthy body fat percentage ranging from 5% up to 15% whereas for other breeds of dogs, the healthy body fat percentage ranges from 15% up to 35%. Some greyhounds can even have a healthy body fat percentage as low as 2% depending on the muscle mass of the greyhound.
Genetic Selection
Generations of selective breeding for racing ability have played a significant part in shaping the greyhounds’ incredible speed. Over the years breeders have carefully chosen the fastest greyhounds for breeding which have passed down their genetic traits for speed to the subsequent generations. This careful selection has led to the development of greyhounds as the ultimate racing dogs or speed machines. An example of this in Australia is the number of greyhounds that have been sired by Fernando Bale (as of June 2022 he had sired 165 Group and Listed winners). Fernando Bale was the first greyhound in Australia to surpass $1 Million in prizemoney, winning approximately $1.3 Million whilst racing with his 35 wins from 44 starts. Our two retired racers were sired by Fernando Bale, but the fastest they run now is when they hear something related to food.
The ability of the greyhound to run so fast is the result of a perfect combination of physical attributes – their unique anatomy, specialized muscle composition, efficient cardiovascular system, effective respiratory system, low body fat, and a long history of genetic selection. These attributes combine to allow the greyhound to run at speeds of up to 72 kilometres per hour (45 miles per hour) over short distances, making the greyhound the champion of the racing world. Their breathtaking speed will continue to leave us in awe. Whether on the racetrack or as beloved pets, these dogs exemplify the beauty and power of nature’s design for speed.