Surprisingly fast for their reputation as couch potatoes, Standard Poodles can reach speeds of around 30 mph (48 km/h). Originally bred as water retrievers, their athletic build and high stamina also make them excellent for agility training and exercises.
These fastest dog breeds show how centuries of breeding shaped animals built for speed, agility, and endurance. While many are now great family pets, they still thrive with active owners, regular exercise, and balanced diets to keep their athletic edge.
We created this article in conjunction with AI technology, then made sure it was fact-checked and edited by a HowStuffWorks editor.