Can you get a dog to run a sub 5 minute mile?

Foxhounds should be able to wear you out. But if I was looking for a breed to train with, i would try Lab (not a 120 lb, but a field trial type) Chesapeake Bay retriever, Vizla, Rhodesian Ridgeback, Coonhound, Pointer, etc.

the Australian Kelpie can cover 80km a day working.

There was an article in the news the other day where one of them saw a seal at the beach then proceeded to chase after it into the water. The owner had to get the surf life and rescue. By the time they found the kelpie it was 4km off shore still chasing the seal.

They are incredibly highly strung. Can jump 2.95m.

Dood, I have a german shorthaired pointer and it doesnt matter if she is out of shape or can chase a deer without even breathing. she is a born runner....just crazy fast! I run her almost everyday on the farm with my fourwheeler and she easily averages above 20mph for the whole run and would whip out a 5min mile at a trot.

My shitzu can run a 620 mile with me, and could probably go another half mile before giving out. That dog loves to run...

Agreed. My Dachshund dropped a sub 6 with me this summer and would have gone faster if he was chasing something. If a dog with 2-3 inch legs can bust a min mile a bigger dog can easily drop a sub 5.

I forgot the obvious.

Do think that the sled dogs doing the Alaska race could run these miles for hours and hours and hours? Just keep it cold enough for them.

I am sure most Greyhounds can do it easily...considering one of the greyhound racing distances is 9/16th of a mile and they cover it in around 1:00-1:10 on average.

I read through this entire thread waiting for someone to mention greyhounds.

I'd be willing to bet a Saluki could run several sub 4 minute miles in a row with no issues.

"The working gait of the Saluki is a double suspension gallop (all four feet are off the ground in flexion and extension) and they are considered the endurance runner of the dog world. In peak condition the Saluki can attain speeds of 35 to 40 miles-per-hour and keep it up for up to five miles in pursuit of its quarry. "

http://www.k9web.com/dog-faqs/breeds/salukis.html

http://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/episodes/dogs-that-changed-the-world/video-speedy-saluki/1326/

26mi235 wrote:

I forgot the obvious.

Do think that the sled dogs doing the Alaska race could run these miles for hours and hours and hours? Just keep it cold enough for them.

That would be the problem for many dogs. They can overheat very quickly.

X-Runner wrote:

Racehorse wrote:

I remember a dog doing close to a 2 minute mile pace, but that was in the movie Vacation.

Seriously, a dog can get to sub 5:00 very easily

Poor little guy. Probably kept up with you for a mile or so.

Here's the leash, sir. I'm going back to get the rest of the carcass off the road.

I once read the Proghorn Antelope is the ultimate aerobic animal. With VO2 the highest of any mammals (not sure how they tested it. Maybe using Jack Daniels formula?)

Idiot wrote:

You two are way off.

A horse is only 120ish and an Antelope is in the 300s!

This is an easy one. Tell a female dog

"just run bitch"

All kidding aside, for certain breeds many sub 5's in a row is not a problem. My German Shorthair Pointers run twice daily beside my mountain bike on a fitness trail. An average run with them in cool weather is 5k in around 13-15 minutes. Their best has been in the 12 min range but I don't specifically try to get them to go faster. People just don't understand these running/hunting breeds-six minute pace for them is the equivalant to an easy walk for us. I could actually post a gps file of some of the runs as I generally always track them to see their max speed. When they are excited, they can hold 20mph for a long way. In fact, my mountain bike fitness isn't up to the challenge some days, especially if it's windy and we're heading into it... I become an anchor for the dogs.

Do a youtube search on bikejoring, there are some crazy videos and a number of them use breeds like shorthairs. Here's a few that will give you an idea:

(pulling mountain bike)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1MRIitiUI2A

(pulling scooter)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wcZaS_TrxfU&feature=player_embedded#

!