AKC Fast Cat Rankings Result In A Whippet Winner

According to the AKC Fast Cat Rankings, the fastest dog in America is a whippet who lives in New Jersey. Winston, owned by Ellen Bonacarti and Susan Farebrother, competed in a broad field of breeds and came out on top in the Pure Speed Division.

The Fast Cat Rankings are held in conjunction with the AKC National Championship, and in late 2022 featured the top five of the fastest representatives of each dog breed, based on AKC Fast Coursing Ability Tests (Fast CAT) ratings. More than 380 dogs from across the country, representatives of 177 breeds, competed.

What Is A Fast CAT?

The Fast CAT (Fast Coursing Ability Tests) competition is a 100-yard dash where dogs run one at a time, chasing a lure. Each competitor runs three times, and its speeds are converted into miles per hour then averaged. Winston's average speed? A heart-pumping 35.7 mph. The runner-up, another whippet named Cinder, came in at 35.6 mph. Needless to say, this kind of competition can often be won by a hair.

Just one year prior, yet another whippet rose to the top of the competition at the AKC Fast CAT. A dog by the name of Reas, who also carries the title for the 2022 Fastest Dogs USA, finished his run in at the AKC competition in an admirable 5.769 minutes. While Winston's time at 5.716 was only just slightly better, it can't help but be noticed that the breed itself can be a powerhouse of speed.

The Whippet's Advantage

The whippet is known for its athleticism and versatility. A smaller version of a greyhound, the breed's demeanor is known to be playful, affectionate and calm. They need room to exercise, but are notoriously good apartment dwellers. The difference comes when you give them on object to fixate on. As Reas' owner Lindsay Manetti says, “he lives to chase those bunnies.”

A focused nature combined with a physique designed for powerful bursts of energy make this dog an excellent candidate for the racetrack. The practice to race these dog breeds and others is not as widespread as it used to be, but training a whippet to run is really only giving into the dog's innate desire to put the paw down. The whippet has its natural advantages, and these are easily displayed in an environment such as the Fast CAT.

A Hairy Field Of Competition

The charm of this AKC speed competition is the open field that exists for competitors. This is an invitational, so having one's paws on the speed circuit is crucial. But mixed breeds are absolutely welcome. The competitors in the The Pure Speed division are entered according to height class and based on how fast they run. And this is how a chihuahua placed second in its own height class with a speed of 22.5 mph.

In that same height class, a Swedish Vallhund named Strider came in first with a speed of 22.9 mph. This low to the ground dog is a cattle herder by nature, and isn't necessarily built to be moving at all times. Rather, they need the proper amount of rest due to their working dog habits. Watching the variety in dog sizes and builds during this competition is one of the best parts about it.

Catch The Full Dog Show

These talented dogs are all part of the AKC National Competition, which takes place at the end of each year in Orlando, Florida at the Orange County Convention Center. Among the other events surrounding this showstopper of canines are the Agility Invitational and the Obedience Classic. For lovers of specific breeds, but especially for lovers of all dogs, these annual events in the competitive dog breed world are a joy to behold.