Dogs are man’s best friends and even though some dogs have developed bad reputations (which is not entirely their fault), they are great animals. They love to love, protect and play with their families, and are also used in sporting activities such as dog racing. If this interests you, here are the 15 best dog breeds for racing:
1. Greyhound
This breed was bred expressly for racing. With their slender, long bodies, greyhounds are aerodynamic sound; they can reach a top speed of 70 kph!
2. Border Collie
Also known as the Scottish Sheepdog, this breed is known for being intelligent, agile, and extremely energetic. They make great family dogs. I must admit that Border Collies are one of my favorite dog breeds (although I love all dogs). It is just that their level of intelligence astounds me. They fall under the category of “shepherd dogs”. Shepherd dogs are the dog breeds that “took care” of the cattle either with the shepherd or without by making sure that the herd did not go astray.
3. Jack Russell terrier
Jacks remind me of little children around the ages of 3-6 yrs: so full of energy. If you find a Jack that has so much energy, you better be ready to match his/her energy level. They are very smart dogs and have a sense of humor. There is a reason why this particular breed is one of Hollywood’s top choices.
4. Siberian Husky
If you have ever watched any movie shot in Alaska with a scene where dogs are pulling a sledge behind them as they run and those dogs kinda look like wolfs, then you know what Siberian Huskies look like. Every year, these dogs participate in the Iditarod sled race across harsh Alaskan terrain.
5. Pitbull terrier
Pitbulls are the most misunderstood dog breed in the entire world because of all the horror stories we hear. The movie industry doesn’t help either by putting in graphic scenes of “rabid” Pitbulls randomly attacking humans and ripping their limbs from their sockets. But the honest truth is this: Pitbulls are actually very intelligent, friendly and loyal dogs. Also, when it comes to running, their short but very strong legs carry them very well.
6. Labrador Retriever
I can easily say that this is America’s number 1 dog breed for families as Retrievers are very good with little children and other animals and are also loyal and protective of their family. They are very good at running and are very energetic. If you are a lazy person who happens to own a Labrador, be sure that he will whip you into shape!
7. Australian Shepherd
Australian Shepherds also fall under the category of shepherd dogs and do just what the Border Collies do. I love them so much! They are so cute especially when they have cool bandanas tied tied around their necks. And seeing that they are shepherd dogs, they were built for running in order to keep up with the cattle.
8. Belgian Malinois
If you are a handler in a K-9 unit, you may know a lot more about this breed than the average person. One of my favorite series Person of Interest starred a beautiful Malinois, as did the movie Max. If you have ever seen this dog in action, you will know that they are great runners!
9. American Staffordshire Terrier
This dog is more than the word energetic: he loves having something to do and if you love running or jogging, then this is the dog for you.
10. Alaskan Malamute
The Alaskan Malamutes are similar to Huskies with their thick coats and wolf-like features. Don’t underestimate them: they were bred to carry loads over long distances and so they are great endurance runners, and good for those who live in colder climates. With their hardy build and intelligence, Malamutes will gladly tough out less-than-ideal conditions by your side.
11. German Shepherd
You might find this hard to believe but this breed was first bred to herd sheep and are therefore great runners. They can run for 10 miles or even longer! Remember that Germans have thick coats; if the weather is hot, give them lots of water to drink and have them rest in a cool area.
12. Boxer
Boxers are very good at running and love having something to do but remember not to overwork them or any other dog for that matter and also, keep them hydrated.
13. Dalmatians
Also known as the Fireman dog, the Dalmatians are lean, mean, running machines! They make for great family, running dogs and will enjoy jogging through the park with you.
14. Australian Cattle Dog
The Australian cattle dog is super intelligent and is a very active dog. This breed was developed “down under” especially to handle cattle and makes for a great family dog. However they don’t like strangers.
15. Vizsla
Vizslas are not just great runners but also, great jumpers: they can mount a 6-foot fence in just one leap. No big deal. Their bloodline can be traced back to the country of Hungary were they were bred to be hunters. They are great at navigating rocky terrain.
