Corgis are high-energy dogs, but their short and stout bodies are not built for speed. It is no wonder that Corgis are not top competitors in speed races, especially when you consider how fast other dog breeds can run. Corgis can only run 23–25 miles per hour. This number includes the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Cardigan Welsh Corgi.
If you want to put a Corgi’s speed into context, you can compare it to other animals and the average speed among all breeds. In this article, we’ll examine what makes a Corgi good and bad at running and discuss tips for exercising your Corgi.
How Do Corgis Compare to Humans? To Other Animals?
Even with a number, it can be difficult to envision exactly how fast or slow a Corgi is without comparison. To provide context, we’ve gathered general speed ranges for humans, other dog breeds, and other animals.
| Animal | Speed Range |
| Corgi | 23–25 mph |
| Human | 18–23 mph |
| Greyhound | 40–45 mph |
| Domestic Pig | 11–12 mph |
| Toy Poodle | 8–10 mph |
| Domestic Cats | 25–30 mph |
| Cheetah | 70–75 mph |
The Corgi is not the slowest animal on Earth, but it certainly isn’t the fastest. If you were planning on signing your Corgi up for some speed competitions, you might want to rethink your plan.
How Fast Do Dogs Run on Average?
We know that Corgis are not the fastest creature in the animal kingdom, but how do they compare to other breeds? There are canines that can run circles around the Corgi, but there are others that are notoriously slow.
A few factors can determine a dog’s speed, and the breed of the dog is predominant among them. However, size, health, and age are also crucial. Some breeds, like the Greyhound, were bred to be fast. Other dogs, like Toy Poodles, were only bred to look cute.
On average, dogs can run 15–20 miles per hour. That means the Corgi is technically faster than the average dog, although not by much.
What Makes the Corgi a Good Runner?
Corgis are full of energy. They were bred to be herding dogs, so they are built to be quick and constantly on the move. Corgis were not designed to be the fastest dog in the world because that wasn’t their purpose. Their purpose was to keep livestock organized, so they only needed to be as fast as the animals they were herding.
As herding dogs, Corgis display short bursts of speed rather than long-distance running. This makes the breed adept at sprinting. If you’ve ever tried to race your Corgi, you know just how quick the little guys can be if they put their minds to it.
What Makes the Corgi a Bad Runner?
The short-legged look is adorable, but it doesn’t allow the Corgi to be good at running. Specifically, Corgis are not built for long-distance running. Due to their stature, prolonged periods of running can lead to back and joint issues.
The most that a Corgi can run at a time is 1–2 miles, and even 2 miles may be pushing it. This also assumes that your Corgi is in reasonable condition and has been slowly building up a tolerance to long-distance runs. It isn’t healthy to run long distances with your Corgi. Short bursts of running are more appropriate, or even long walks can suit the Corgi.
The Corgi’s desire to please you may also be a detriment to it. Even if it is in pain or exhausted from running, it may try to run to please you. You must monitor your dog to ensure that it is not pushing the limits of its body.
How to Best Exercise a Corgi
A fully grown Corgi needs at least an hour of activity each day. Many Corgi owners will walk their dogs for a mile only to realize that they haven’t made a dent in their dog’s energy. Participating in short, intense activities is the best way to help your Corgi burn off energy. Great activities to do with your Corgi include:
- Walking
- Swimming
- Playing fetch
- Hiking
- Playing tug-of-war
- Participating in competitive events
- Herding soccer balls
Some of the best activities for Corgis will play on their innate desire to herd. Herding activities will keep your Corgi entertained for longer periods, allowing you to burn off your dog’s energy more efficiently.
Summing Up
Corgis are lively little dogs. Although they may not be the quickest animals in the world, they are still fast enough to beat the average human in a race and some other breeds. Long-distance running is not the best fit for the Corgi, but short bursts of activity suit it just fine. They may not be the fastest dogs, but they still have plenty of energy that allows them to play for hours on end.
Featured Image Credit: Gorsky Roman, Shutterstock
