12 Fastest Dog Breeds — our top picks
Greyhound
Fastest dog breed, built for speed. Gentle "45mph couch potato" with calm indoor temperament.
Saluki
Ancient Persian sighthound with feathered or smooth coat. Independent, gentle, and built for endurance running.
Whippet
Medium-sized sighthound, gentle and quiet indoors. Perfect balance of athleticism and calm companionship.
Borzoi
Russian sighthound with silky coat and aristocratic bearing. Gentle, quiet, but needs experienced handling.
Afghan Hound
Ancient sighthound with flowing coat and aloof dignity. Independent, elegant, but requires experienced handling.
Sloughi
Ancient North African sighthound. Elegant and noble hunter with aloof dignity.
Azawakh
West African sighthound with elegant, lean build. Independent, loyal to family, but aloof with strangers.
Scottish Deerhound
Gentle giant sighthound, originally bred for hunting red deer. Calm, dignified, and devoted to family.
Galgo Español
Spanish sighthound with gentle, calm temperament. Similar to Greyhound but more reserved.
Ibizan Hound
Spanish island breed with large ears and athletic build. Clean, quiet, and excellent jumper.
Pharaoh Hound
Ancient Maltese breed with unique ability to "blush" when excited. Athletic, intelligent, and affectionate.
Podenco Ibicenco
Ancient Mediterranean sighthound from Ibiza. Elegant and athletic rabbit hunting dog.
How this ranking works: each of DoggyQ's 343 breeds is scored on the traits that matter most for this lifestyle — energy, size, temperament, grooming and trainability — using our vet-reviewed breed database. Read more about our methodology, or take the free quiz for a ranking personalised to you.
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Find your perfect matchFrequently asked questions
- What is the fastest dog breed?
- Based on temperament and care needs, the Greyhound ranks as the top choice for owners drawn to speed and athleticism, followed by the Saluki and Whippet.
- How was this list of dogs for owners drawn to speed and athleticism chosen?
- Each breed is scored on the traits that matter most for owners drawn to speed and athleticism — such as energy, size, grooming and temperament — using DoggyQ's breed database. For a recommendation tailored to your exact situation, take the free quiz.