Fast and the furriest: Who are the fastest parkrun dogs?

We all think our dogs are the cutest—no debate there. But if you're a runner, it's all about the stats. And unfortunately, until there is a running app for dogs, it's hard to know just how fast our furry friend really are. Is it them leading us? Or are we leading them on the running track?

Elite athlete or couch companion?

Canine athletes come in all shapes, sizes, and speeds. Take canicross, for example—a sport that combines cross-country running with dog sledding. It's where some of the fastest dog-human duos in the world compete.

One standout is Ben Robinson, an elite runner with a personal best of 14:59 for 5km. But when tethered to Blake, his German Shorthaired Pointer mix, he clocked an astonishing 12:24 over 5 km at Kingsbury Water in the UK. That’s the current canicross world record, beating the previous best by 13 seconds. He also holds the parkrun course record at Penrose with a time of 13:23.

Robinson credits his bond with Blake for their success, saying it was key to ensuring they both performed at their best. For context, Blake’s pace would’ve been around 2:29 per km—a speed most of us can only dream of! He has also since set records with ‘Zuma’ at a blazing pace of 11:56 for 5kms, that’s 2:23 per km!

Fun fact: Paul Sinton-Hewitt, founder of parkrun, often ran with his dog during the earliest Bushy Park Time Trials—proof that parkrun and dogs go way back.

Working dogs get in on the fun

Even dogs that aren’t elite racers can be impressively quick. During the 2024 Cobber Challenge, a competition that tracks the activity of Australian working dogs, a Kelpie named Bear from Dirranbandi, Queensland, ran 570 km in two weeks at an average pace of 4:29/km. That means Bear would finish a 5K in about 22:24—better than many casual human runners! Keep in mind that’s an average pace across 2 weeks tracked by a GPS, which makes the pace and endurance even more impressive!

What about the average pup?

Your everyday pooch might not break records, but that doesn't mean they’re slow. A typical, healthy dog can complete 5 km in 30 to 40 minutes, depending on breed, fitness level, and age.

Some dogs, like Greyhounds, are built for speed and can hit up to 72 km/h - but only in short bursts. On the other hand, endurance breeds like Border Collies, Weimaraners, and Vizslas often thrive on longer runs.

A popular dog like a Labrador can average 32-40km/hr, German Shepards get up to 48km/hr. This puts even most average dogs at paces most humans can’t keep up with! That 1:30 per km!

Every dog is different, so what matters most is choosing the activity they enjoy.

Training your dog to run?

Thinking about taking your dog on a run? Awesome—but not every dog is built for it. Here's what you need to know:

Dogs That Shouldn’t Run

• Brachycephalic breeds (like Pugs, Boxers, Bulldogs) have shortened airways and can struggle with breathing during strenuous exercise. These breeds are more suited to a casual walk.
• Small dogs (like Chihuahuas, Yorkshire Terriers, Dachshunds) have tiny legs and bodies, making running difficult for them, especially keeping up with human runners.
• Senior dogs may have health issues like arthritis that make running painful, and put them at risk of injury.
• Puppies under 12–18 months shouldn’t run long distances due to developing joints and growth plates. Its recommended they stick to light, low-impact play.
• Overweight dogs may be at higher risk of joint injury. Start with gentle walks or swimming as they build fitness.

Running-ready dogs

Bringing your dog to the next parkrun? Or thinking about how to build your pups fitness? There’s a few general tips that are good to follow:

• Start slow and build up distance
• Avoid running in hot weather
• Bring water for your dog
• Watch for signs of fatigue like lagging behind or heavy panting
• Check with your vet before starting a new routine.