Updated: October 13th, 2022
This article contains affiliate links. Read the full disclosure here.
Originally bred to retrieve shot waterfowl during hunting, golden retrievers are extremely athletic and energetic dogs that love to run. Due to their working background, goldens were bred to be fast, but exactly how fast can golden retrievers run?
If you like to run or have an active lifestyle, the golden retriever is an ideal breed for you and will make an excellent workout buddy or a running partner! Besides being very fast, goldens are also great long-distance runners!
Golden retrievers have both a high top speed and good endurance and won’t have trouble keeping up on sprints or longer runs! If you plan on taking your pooch for a run, know that you’ll be dripping sweat way before your pup starts panting.
Keep on reading to discover how fast is a golden retriever and whether they are better sprinters or long-distance runners.
How Fast Can A Golden Retriever Run?
Due to their kind, reliable, and friendly temperaments, most people imagine goldens as cuddly buddies and loving companions. But, if you ever played fetch or have taken your pooch for a run, you have a good idea how fast golden retrievers actually are.
While golden retrievers aren’t the fastest dog breed, they are very fast when compared to people. Based on their age, activity level, and build, a healthy golden retriever can run up to 35 mph in a full sprint!
Most younger golden retrievers can run up to 20 or 25 miles per hour, which is still very fast when compared to an average person. Bear in mind that these dogs haven’t yet reached adulthood and their full running potential.
An active and faster adult golden retriever can typically run up to 30 miles per hour, while extremely athletic golden retrievers reach speeds of 35 miles per hour!
For comparison, the world’s fastest man, Usain Bolt, ran on average 23.35 miles per hour when he broke the world’s record running a 100-meter race in 9.58 seconds. While his top speed during that race was 27.79 miles per hour, he couldn’t keep up that pace during the entire race.
However, even if Usain Bolt managed to maintain his top speed, he would still be slower than your golden retriever!
At the end of the day, a golden retriever’s top speed is actually significantly faster than that of the world’s fastest men.
If you plan on taking your golden retriever running, you can rest assured that they will be able to keep up with your pace. But before you grab your golden’s dog leash and pull on your sneakers, ask yourself whether you’ll be able to keep up with your dog.
At A Glance: Best Selling Running Products For Golden Retrievers We Recommend
- Tuff Mutt Hands-Free Bungee Leash – Best Leash For Running
- SafetyPup XD Reflective Dog Vest – Best Safety Vest For Running
- Alfie Pet Collapsible Travel Water Bowl – Best Collapsible Bowl For Running
Factors That Can Affect A Golden Retriever’s Speed
Since golden retrievers were originally used as working dogs, they are bred to be fast runners capable of developing high top speeds. The golden retriever breed standard calls for an active dog with muscular hindquarters and powerful stride capable of being a fast runner on both short and long distances.
But, while all golden retrievers can run fast, some are slower, and others are faster. Here are several factors that can affect your golden retriever’s running speed:
1. Age
How fast a golden retriever can run depends greatly on its age. As mentioned earlier, younger goldens develop a top speed of up to 25 miles per hour. Still-growing puppies and adolescent golden retrievers simply can’t run as fast as an adult golden in their prime.
While most golden retrievers reach their adult height by the time they are one-year-old, most fill out and reach their adult weight when they are 18-months-old. This is usually the right time to start training your pooch for long-distance running and helping them reach their full potential.
Getting older can also affect a golden retriever’s speed and may even be the reason your pooch needs to stop running completely. As your pup gets older, they will have less energy and will begin to slow down to the point when running can cause them more harm than good.
If your older golden retriever shows signs of arthritis, joint pain, or other mobility issues, don’t take them running, and schedule an appointment with your vet.
2. Exercise
Golden retrievers are a highly energetic dog breed that needs lots of exercise and regular activity to say in good shape. Keeping your golden properly exercised can help increase their endurance and stamina, thus increasing their top speed.
Playing fetch is a great way to improve your dog’s speed and prepare them to use a high burst of energy for sprints over short distances. If you want to prepare your pup for long-distance running, you should take them for longer jogs that will help build their strength, muscles, and endurance.
Whether you want to improve your pup’s top speed or distance running, you’ll need to keep them properly exercised. An under-exercised golden retriever won’t be in good shape to run at its top speed nor have the strength to endure a long-distance run.
3. Health
It’s needless to say, but your dog’s overall health can affect their endurance and running speed. A completely healthy and active adult golden retriever can easily run up to 35 miles per hour or have no trouble running around five miles in one session.
However, if your pooch suffers from arthritis, hip dysplasia, heart disease, or any other condition, chances are that they will be unable to run. Furthermore, overweight and obese golden retrievers shouldn’t run a lot to avoid putting too much pressure or straining their joints.
Health problems can seriously affect your dog’s running speed and may even prevent your pooch from running altogether. As always, schedule an appointment with your vet if your golden retriever shows any signs of health problems, including obesity.
FAQs How Fast Is A Golden Retriever?
Can Golden Retrievers Go On Long Runs?
Simply put, yes, golden retrievers can go on long runs. In fact, since goldens were originally bred and used as working dogs, they are naturally excellent long-distance runners. Besides being a great form of exercise, taking your dog on longer runs can also be a great way to bond with your pup and spend some extra time together.
How Many Miles Can A Golden Retriever Run?
An adult golden retriever can run three to four miles on average, with a maximum distance being between six and eight miles. However, exactly how many miles a golden retriever can run will vary from one dog to the other and also depend on the owner. The amount of time you spend running with your dog per week will also affect how many miles your dog can run.
With consistent training, you should be able to get your golden to run up to 10 miles in one session. But, before you start preparing your pooch for a long-distance run, talk with your vet to make sure your pooch is up for it.
Is Running Bad For Golden Retrievers?
Running is in no way bad for healthy golden retrievers, and in fact, most goldens love to run and jog. If your golden isn’t obese or doesn’t have any mobility issues or joint problems, there is no reason you shouldn’t take them running. In fact, running is a great form of exercise and can help keep your pooch healthy and in excellent shape.
How Fast Can A Golden Retriever Puppy Run?
Since they are still growing and developing, golden retriever puppies shouldn’t go running. Taking a puppy for a run can injure their still growing joints and muscles and leave long-term consequences. Most puppies shouldn’t start running until they are six-months-old, while large and giant breed puppies may not be ready to try running until they are 18-months-old.
Conclusion
Knowing how fast golden retrievers run can help you decide whether you have the energy and stamina to keep up with such an athletic dog breed.
Since they were originally used as working dogs, golden retrievers love to run and can develop a top speed of up to 35 miles per hour. Besides being faster than Usain Bolt, golden retrievers love long-distance running and can make ideal jogging partners.
Whether you train for a marathon or are just an active person, don’t try to race your dog if you can’t handle a defeat! With their impressive running abilities, your golden retriever has the necessary endurance and stamina to leave you miles behind the finish line without breaking a sweat.
