How fast are Italian Greyhounds?
Italian Greyhounds may look like tiny Greyhounds, but they’re not nearly as fast as their larger cousins. Here’s how they compare:
- Italian Greyhound – They can reach speeds of about 25 mph (40 km/h). That’s impressively quick for a small dog, but not in the top tier of canine sprinters.
- Whippet – Around 35 mph (56 km/h), making them the fastest of the medium-sized sighthounds.
- Greyhound – The speed champion of the dog world, topping out at 40–45 mph (64–72 km/h).
- Average dog breeds (like retrievers, shepherds, terriers) – Typically run between 15–20 mph (24–32 km/h).
So, Italian Greyhounds sit in the “mini speedster” category—faster than most breeds, but not built for the extreme sprinting of Whippets or Greyhounds. Their smaller stride length and lighter build keep them quick, but their endurance is short—they’re more about quick bursts than long chases.