Australian Kelpies are incredibly fast, with some capable of reaching speeds around 40-55 km/h (25-34 mph) in short bursts, and their endurance allows them to cover up to 60 km (37 miles) in a single day when working, making them exceptional endurance runners. While there's no single "average," their speed is often compared to faster breeds, and they're known for sustained, high-velocity work, easily keeping up with bikes or quad bikes.
Working kelpies might do up to 100km distance in a day and they can go awfully fast. I take my kelpie, Milo for rides on my push bike with him on the lead next to me and we can average about 12km/h with a top speed of around 30km/h.
Check out the Top 10 Fastest Dog Breeds in the World to find your fast, furry friend today!
Greyhound (45 mph)
The Greyhound is the fastest breed in the dog world, capable of reaching top speeds of 45 mph (72 km/h). Originally bred as racing dogs and hunting dogs, Greyhounds have aerodynamic bodies, deep chests, and an athletic build that allows them to accelerate faster than almost any other breed.
Highly Energetic and Active: Kelpies are known for their high energy levels and stamina, making them excellent companions for active individuals or families who enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking, running, and agility training.
Australian Kelpie Temperament
Australian Kelpies make excellent herding dogs, but they are popular as one-man dogs due to their independent nature. They are very energetic and work-oriented. Kelpies are very loyal to their owners; they will respond to their owner's orders even from a great distance.
There's no single "number 1" laziest dog, but the English Bulldog is consistently ranked at or near the top for its low energy, love of naps, and tendency to be a couch potato, followed closely by breeds like the Basset Hound, Great Dane, and Shih Tzu, all known for being relaxed companions. These breeds prefer lounging and short strolls over strenuous activity, making them ideal for laid-back owners.
The #1 smartest dog breed, consistently ranked by experts like Dr. Stanley Coren, is the Border Collie, known for its exceptional ability to learn commands quickly (sometimes in under five repetitions) and obey them consistently, excelling in problem-solving and demanding mental stimulation. Other top contenders for intelligence often include the Poodle, German Shepherd, Golden Retriever, and Shetland Sheepdog, recognized for their trainability and eagerness to please.
Hunting and herding breeds like German Short-haired pointers, Jack Russells, Border Collies and Kelpies tend to suit long distances (over 10km), while Greyhounds, Pitbulls and Golden Retrievers suit middle distances (less than 10km).
The Saluki can reach speeds of up to 42 mph (68 km/h), while the Afghan Hound can hit speeds of 40 mph (64 km/h). Overall, although adorable and speedy in its realm, the greyhound's racing prowess is overshadowed by nature's outrageously fast cheetahs and peregrine falcons.
Some of the world's rarest dog breeds include the Norwegian Lundehund, known for its unique puffin-hunting abilities (six toes!), the ancient Peruvian Inca Orchid, often hairless, the African sighthound Azawakh, the Hungarian herding dog Mudi, and the distinctive-coated Bergamasco, along with others like the Thai Ridgeback, Otterhound, Chinook, Canaan Dog, and Catalburun. These breeds are rare due to specialized functions, geographical isolation, or declining popularity.
It was believed the original kelpie breed was developed by crossing the Scottish collie with the dingo when it first came to Australia, to make it more resilient to the harsh climate.
An hour for a dog feels much longer than an hour for a human because dogs perceive time more slowly due to their faster metabolism and heightened awareness of routines, so a 10-minute wait can feel like 70 minutes to them, and your hour-long absence feels like an eternity, though they don't grasp clock time but rather the intervals between events like meals, walks, and your return.
But there is some good news: a kelpie has a weak spot – its bridle. Anyone who can get hold of a kelpie's bridle will have command over it and any other kelpie. A captive kelpie is said to have the strength of at least 10 horses and the stamina of many more, and is highly prized.
Can your dog outrun Usain Bolt, who has been called the fastest runner in the world? They just might: Usain's fastest time has been clocked at almost 28 mph – yet dogs have been known to reach speeds of 35-45 mph.
Dogs don't perceive time the same way humans do. Assuming that one human year is 7 dog years, every hour to humans works out to seven hours for a dog. Also, 7 dog minutes are equivalent to one human minute. This means a dog hour will pass every 8.5 minutes.
Many dogs are great at running—and some dogs can run very fast. Most dogs can run up to 15-20 miles per hour (mph)! Greyhounds are considered the fastest dog breed, and they can usually run up to 45 mph. For comparison, the average running speed for humans is 5-6 mph, though this varies by age and gender.
For example, Afghan Hounds have the lowest adaptive intelligence, which makes them the least intelligent dog.
The Top 10 Hardest Dogs to Train
Most loyal dog breeds are good family dogs, though some might be better suited for older children.
The 14 Most Dangerous Dog Breeds
10 top naughty dog breeds
If you're going to be out of the house a lot, make sure you choose a breed that's comfortable alone. Dog breeds that can be left alone include Labrador Retrievers, Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs, and Corgis (Welsh and Pembroke varieties).