Dogs are often compared to a wide array of animals. This includes cats, coyotes, wolves, and yes even horses!
When comparing a dog to a horse, there are several questions that are going to come up. One of those questions will be something as simple as, are dogs faster than horses?
Dogs are not faster than horses. The average dog can maintain a speed of 3.8 meters per second in comparison to a horse’s 5.8 meters per second. This ensures the horse covers more distance over a shorter period.
It is an interesting comparison because most people will assume the smaller animal is quicker. This is untrue as dogs do have the ability to run a good amount but they won’t be as quick at a high pace.
This is where the horse is going to stand out and win.
This article will look to explain why a horse is faster than a dog.
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Reasons Horses Are Faster Than Dogs
1. Longer Strides
It starts with not having the ability to maintain longer strides.
This means it is far more difficult for dogs to keep up with a full-paced horse. The strides are going to make it challenging to cover the same amount of distance that a horse would.
In general, dogs are capable of running for 10-15 minutes without slowing down a lot. However, this doesn’t mean they are going to cover the same amount of distance that a horse would. Instead, the horse is going to have the ability to cover more than 5 meters per second.
This is a substantial amount compared to the 3.8 meters per second a dog is going to cover.
When the dog starts running, you are going to notice its feet moving fast and this is what throws people off. You are going to assume an animal’s legs that are moving at this speed must be going faster. This is untrue as the horse is the one that is going to be covering more distance!
2. Higher Top Speed
One of the main details in this comparison will be a simple one and that’s speed.
At the end of the day, the only way you are going to compare the two animals is by testing their top speed. A horse is going to run fast because it can cover more ground and do it rapidly when it starts to move.
In general, the horse is going to go at 5.8 meters per second in comparison to a dog’s 3.8 meters per second. This is a difference of two meters and the distance increases the more the two animals run.
After a minute, the horse is going to be far ahead of a dog even if the dog is running quickly.
It is important to note the numbers that have been mentioned above are averages.
It is possible for some dogs to run faster than 3.8 meters per second including Greyhounds. However, they are not able to sustain these paces for a long time and will tire out.
The horse is going to keep going for longer periods and will maintain its speed for quite a bit.
3. Stamina
When comparing a dog to a horse, you are going to have to focus on stamina.
This is a good way to determine which animal is better at running especially at top speed. It is one thing to hit top speeds and another to make sure they are as stable at those paces as possible.
This is what you are going to get with a horse. They will sustain those speeds for a long time.
Dogs have decent stamina as well.
They can maintain a good speed for approximately 10-15 minutes. There are other breeds such as Greyhounds that are not going to last as long but can be rapid.
This is why it is better to look at averages, which show that horses are faster and have good stamina.
Related Questions
1. What’s Faster A Horse Or Greyhound?
Greyhounds are faster over shorter distances but horses are faster over longer distances as they can hit a speed of 55 MPH once they get going. Greyhounds will start with a burst but only maintain that pace for a minute or so.
2. Can A Dog Beat A Horse In A Race?
Dogs are fast and can run faster over short distances. Greyhounds are renowned for hitting rapid speeds for a minute and will beat a horse in a race. However, on average the horse will be faster once the distance itself increases.
Final Thoughts
Are dogs faster than horses?
Dogs are not faster than horses over long distances. Greyhounds are one of the rare breeds that can easily beat a horse in a short race, while other breeds do put up a good fight.
However, once the distance increases, the horse will always win.
Here’s more on dogs – Islam on dogs, touching a dog’s ears for warmth, training a dog to potty, and how to help a dog eating grass all the time.