How Fast Can A Great Dane Run?

Great Danes are considered one of the fastest dog breeds due to their long legs and slim bodies.

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However, it’s not clear to many how fast these dogs can run.

Before acquiring a Great Dane for home activities like exercising or hunting, you may want to get informed.

So, how fast can a Great Dane run?

A Great Dane can run at the fastest speed of 48.3 KPH or 30 MPH.

At this speed, Great Danes are ranked second in terms of fastest dog breeds.

Therefore, if you’re looking for one of the fastest dog breeds, Great Dane should be one of your choices.

Great Danes’ breakneck speed does not come naturally.

Like professional athletes, Great Danes need the training to attain that high speed.

Keep reading to find out the best diet and how to train your Great Dane for the top-most speeds.

The Best Diet for a Great Dane

A proper diet is essential for any dog breed that wants to attain the fastest speeds.

The best diet consists of high-quality proteins, healthy fats, and complex carbohydrates for a Great Dane. This diet will give your Great Dane the energy to run at top speeds.

When it comes to proteins, you should look for lean sources low in fat.

Some good examples of lean proteins include chicken, turkey, and whitefish.

As for healthy fats, you can find them in olive oil, avocados, and nuts.

Vegetables and whole grains contain complex carbohydrates needed by Great Danes.

Great Danes need to consume many calories to maintain their energy levels.

Therefore, you should feed your Great Dane multiple times per day.

A rule of thumb is to feed him at an interval of 8-12 hours.

Keeping your Great Dane hydrated is also essential.

Make sure to give him plenty of water before and after his meals.

Training Supplements

Apart from the usual dog diet, vets recommend dog supplements for a Great Dane during training.

Your furry friend needs extra assistance, especially with minerals like calcium, phosphorus, and sodium.

These minerals are essential for keeping your Great Dane’s bones and muscles healthy.

They also help in the repair of damaged tissues.

You can find these supplements in most pet stores or online retailers.

Examples of these supplements include:

Fish oil
Glucosamine
Probiotics
Antioxidants

When to Start Training a Great Dane

Most dog parents start training their Great Danes right during puppyhood.

The argument is always that they want their puppies to mature as excellent runners.

Although this argument is genuine, training your canine from puppyhood is a big mistake.

Puppies’ bones, muscles, and tendons are not as developed as those of an adult dog.

Therefore, subjecting them to rigorous running training might result in injuries that significantly reduce their speed when they grow up.

The best time to train your Great Dane is around 1.5 years after birth.

By this time, the dog’s bones and muscles will have developed, reducing the risk of injuries.

It’s worth noting that dogs have different personalities.

Some will take to running training quickly, while others will find it challenging.

The best way to know if your dog enjoys running is by observing his behavior.

If your Great Dane loves running around in the backyard, then the chances are that he’ll enjoy running training.

How to Train a Great Dane

Training your Great Dane to be a fast runner is not as complicated as it may seem.

You only need to master a few running steps that are friendly to dogs, as outlined below:

Getting Your Dog Used to Running

The first step is always getting the dog used to running by taking him out for short runs.

These runs should not exceed five minutes. The goal is to make the dog comfortable with running and not exhaust him.

You can gradually increase the duration of these runs as your canine gets used to them.

After a few weeks, you should be able to take your Great Dane out for longer runs without any problem.

Walk Before Running

Loose-leash walking before running is crucial.

This step allows your dog to warm up and get his muscles ready for the more strenuous activity.

Keeping the dog on one side on a leash while walking ensures that he doesn’t get distracted and start running before you’re both ready.

Speed up the Process

When the Great Dane starts walking politely beside you, gradually increasing the speed until you’re both running.

Remember to keep the leash loose throughout the process.

It’s worth using a cue like “let’s go” that gets the Great Dane excited about running.

You can use a different cue like “keep moving” as an instruction to pick up the pace.

Build Endurance

Like humans, Great Danes need to build endurance slowly.

Start by running smaller stretches and gradually increasing the distance as your dog gets used to it.

It’s essential to give your furry friend enough rest between runs to avoid overworking him.

You can start by running three times a week and increase the frequency as he builds his endurance.

End on a Good Note

After the run, it’s essential to cool down just like you would if you were running alone.

This step allows the dog’s muscles and heart to gradually return to normal states.

You can do this by walking for a few minutes before reaching a complete stop.

Do Great Danes enjoy running?

The answer to this question is not as straightforward as a yes or no.

Are Great Danes good guard dogs?

Great Danes are excellent guard dogs.

Even though they are not as aggressive as other dogs, their size is usually enough to deter burglars and strangers.

The Bottom Line

Great Danes are among the fastest running dog breeds.

This is so because of their tall legs and slim bodies that eliminate air resistance to run smoothly.

These qualities make Great Danes good hunting and guard dogs.

Feeding your Great Dane the right diet will keep him stronger and healthy to run faster.

Ensure the diet is rich in proteins, vitamins, and minerals like calcium and potassium.

Do not forget to add dietary supplements and water to the diet.

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Megan Turner

Hi, my name is Megan Turner and I have worked in a dog’s shelter for four years now. It is truly my dream job, and I see hundreds of dogs every month being united with new owners to give them a loving forever home.

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