Several dog breeds have a natural ability to jump high and run fast.
If you have a pet dog who loves to jump over high fences and you want to know more about their breed, or if you want to own a dog that could join pet Olympics and shows, this list is for you!
Here is a list of the 15 dog breeds that can jump high.
Table of Contents
1. Border Collie
The Border Collie bags the number one spot for our list of dog breeds that jump high. Adult Border Collies can jump as high as over 6 feet from standing.
This breed has originated from Great Britain, in the Anglo-Scottish Border, and their usual routine back then is to help out their owners in herding sheep and other livestock.
Their body is well proportioned with a smooth outline, which gives them an athletic appearance. They are also slightly longer than their height, and their loins and chest are muscular but not tucked up.
All of these characteristics enable Border Collies to have the agility that they have.
Border Collie Breed Overview:
- High Jump: 6 ft.
- Long Jump: 4 ft.
- Weight: Male : 14-20 kg; Female: 12-19kg
- Height: Male: 48-56cm; Female: 46-53 cm
- Life Expectancy: 10-17 years
- Origin: Great Britain
2. Shetland Sheepdog
Keeping hungry birds and sheep away from the crops, Shetland Sheepdogs stood guard for farmers in the Shetland Islands in Scotland in the 19th century.
These days, Shelties are kept by pet owners as companions and trained for pet Olympics.
Shetland Sheepdogs are smart and obedient. They are also very food motivated, so they can easily be stimulated with mental tasks and training exercise.
Shetland Sheepdogs are considered one of the best in the field of agility, but they are also exceptional in vertical jumps.
Shetland Sheepdog Breed Overview:
- High Jump: Over 3 ft.
- Weight: Male : 6.4-12 kg; Female: 6.4-12 kg
- Height: Male: 33-41; Female: 33-41 cm
- Life Expectancy: 12-13 years
- Origin: Scotland
3. Papillon
The oldest of the Toy Spaniel, these small de luxe Papillons are graceful yet robust attitude.
These dogs should not be mistaken with Phalene, another variety of Toy Spaniel, because they have more erect ears than them.
Papillons may be tiny compared to other athletic pups, but they are considered one of the superstars in the pet Olympics.
Papillons are very trainable and obedient, and their high levels of energy demand adequate obedience training throughout the day.
They enjoy walking at least once a day, running around your yard, and playing fetch.
If you own a Papillon and you want to make your pet join racing competitions, you better start training them as early as you can.
Papillon Breed Overview:
- High jump: Over 2 ft
- Weight: Male : 3.6-4.5 kg; Female: 3.5-4.5 kg
- Height: Male: 20-28 cm; Female: 20-28 cm
- Life Expectancy: 13-17 years
- Origin: France, Belgium, Spain
4. Australian Shepherd
“Aussie” is a dog breed developed in the United States in the early 20th century.
These fluffy dogs are a mixture of cuteness and power because they are not only famous in dog shows and rodeos back then, but they are also admired for their appearance
Australian Shepherds are incredibly intelligent with strong herding and guarding instincts.
They are generally friendly, but like other dogs, they have to be trained every day to consume their high energy levels.
Aussies have been recorded to jump as high as 4ft, and they are well-known champions in terms of agility.
Australian Shepherd Breed Overview:
- High Jump: 4 feet
- Weight: Male : 25-32 kg; Female: 16-25 kg
- Height: Male: 51-58 cm; Female: 46-54 cm
- Life Expectancy: 13-15 years
- Origin: United States
5. German Shepherd
German Shepherd owners know that these dogs can easily jump over any fence within 4-6 feet high on average.
They might be doing this because they want to chase something, or they might have sensed a stranger roaming around your house, or because of the simplest reason they are bored and want to explore the outside world.
German Shepherd Breed Overview:
- High Jump: Up to 6 feet
- Weight: Male : 30-40 kg; Female: 22-32 kg
- Height: Male: 60-65 cm; Female: 55-60 cm
- Life Expectancy: 9-13 years
- Origin: Germany
6. Greyhound
Greyhounds may be known for their speed, but they are so much more than that.
These dogs have strong and proportioned built, long and straight forelegs, great bone quality, muscular bodies, and long heads and necks, which helps them run as fast as they can.
Greyhounds possess great stamina and intelligence, making them really easy to train in different kinds of doggie sports.
The fastest Greyhound clocked at around 45mph, and the highest jump recorded by this breed is approximately 5ft.
Greyhound Breed Overview:
- High Jump: 5 ft.
- Weight: Male : 29-38 kg; Female: 22-29 kg
- Height: Male: 71-76 cm; Female: 68-71 cm
- Life Expectancy: 10-14 years
- Origin: England, Great Britain, British Isles
7. American Staffordshire Terrier
American Staff Terriers, or widely known as Pitbulls, can jump as high as 3.5-5ft off the ground.
Although they have the shortest back amongst all the dogs who can jump high, their strong, muscular limbs and wide but sloping shoulders seem to have enabled them to do so.
This breed is not only good in jumping; they also hold the world-breaking record of having the highest vertical wall climb of 13ft.
American Staffordshire Breed Overview:
- High Jump: 5 ft.
- Weight: Male : 18.1-27.3 kg; Female: 18.1-27.3 kg
- Height: Male: 46-48 cm; Female: 43-46 cm
- Life Expectancy: 12-16 years
- Origin: United States
8. Australian Kelpie
To solve the problem of the increasing number of sheep in New South Wales and Victoria, Australia with not a lot of manpower to look after them, they have developed a breed that could help them do the job. This is when they had the Australian Kelpie.
Australian Kelpies are incredibly alert, eager, and highly intelligent. They possess almost inexhaustible energy, and they are devoted to their duty.
They have a long and sloping croup, deep chest, and strong and well-muscled loins.
These dogs are known for their agility and their remarkable jumping capability that could reach up to 2.95 meters (9.6ft)
Australian Kelpie Breed Overview:
- High Jump: Up to 9.6 ft.
- Weight: Male : 14-20 kg; Female: 14-20 kg
- Height: Male: 46-51 cm; Female: 43-48 cm
- Life Expectancy: 12-15 years
- Origin: Australia
9. Belgian Malinois
A variety of Belgian Shepherd breed, Belgian Malinois originated from Malines, the French name for the breed’s Flemish city of origin, Mechelen.
These dogs are classified as working dogs. They are usually employed to detect bombs and explosives, drugs, accelerants in arson investigations, and tracking humans for search and rescue missions.
Belgian Malinois are always ready to leap into action. They have a powerful but light body, their withers are pronounced with solid loins that are well-muscled. These features enable them to jump more than eight feet into the air.
Belgian Malinois Breed Overview:
- High Jump: 8 ft.
- Weight: Male : 29-34 kg; Female: 25-30 kg
- Height: Male: 61-66 cm; Female: 56-61 cm
- Life Expectancy: 12-14 years
- Origin: Belgium
10. Rottweiler
Rottweilers are considered to be one of the oldest dog breeds.
Since Roman times, they have been guard dogs, defending and guarding their masters, their herds of cattle, and all of their property.
Until now, these dogs serve as guard dogs so far as to get hired by the police to help them with rescue and tracking.
These dogs are good-natured, obedient, alert, and fearless. They are easily trained, but they are not as athletic as other breeds. However, their physical stature enables them to reach still approximately 3ft when they jump.
Rottweiler Breed Overview:
- High Jump: 3 ft.
- Weight: Male : 35-48 kg; Female: 50-60 kg
- Height: Male: 56-63 cm; Female: 61-69 cm
- Life Expectancy: 8-10 years
- Origin: Germany
11. Vizsla
Vizsla is a dog breed that originated from Hungary. They are natural hunters and very athletic.
These dogs are amiable, lively and they are easily trained. They possess an outstanding willingness to keep contact with their master while working.
Because Vizslas are very trainable, most of them are kept as domestic pets. Vizsla owners can definitely tell you that these dogs are extremely active, and they enjoy doing outdoor activities and running over obstacles through jumping.
Vizsla Breed Overview:
- High Jump: 6 ft.
- Weight: Male : 20-29 kg; Female: 18-25 kg
- Height: Male: 56-64 cm; Female: 53-61 cm
- Life Expectancy: 12-15 years
- Origin: Hungary
11. Jack Russell Terrier
The Jack Russell Terrier breed originated in England in the 1800s.
This breed was developed by Reverend John Russell to suit his needs for a dog who can run with foxhounds and quarry from their dens.
They are very energetic, strong, and flexible. They have a springy gait and can jump up to 5ft.
Jack Russell Terrier Breed Overview:
- High Jump: 5 ft.
- Weight: Male : 6.4-8.2 kg; Female: 6.4-8.2 kg
- Height: Male: 25-38 cm; Female: 25-38 cm
- Life Expectancy: 13-16 years
- Origin: England
13. Bull Terrier
A Bull Terrier is not only recognized for its egg-shaped head, but they also have a very distinctive robust and muscular body.
Originally developed in Great Britain, and what made this dog breed interesting is that the FCI standard says quite deliberately, “There are neither weight nor height limits, but there should be the impression of maximum substance for size of dog consistent with quality and sex. Dog should at all times be balanced.”
Their muscular build doesn’t stop them from being very active dog breeds who enjoy playing outdoors and jumping up to 2ft.
Bull Terrier Breed Overview:
- High Jump: 2 ft.
- Weight: Male : 22-38 kg; Female: 22-40 kg
- Height: Male: 45-55 cm; Female: 45-55 cm
- Life Expectancy: 10-14 years
- Origin: Great Britain
14. Rat Terrier
In the 1920s, Rat Terrier was extremely common in the United States.
They are one of the most domesticated pets because their pest-control abilities are well-sought for by their owners.
Their slim but muscular loins, narrow chest, and long bodies enable them to have better jumping ability compared to other dogs.
Rat Terrier Breed Overview:
- Weight: Male : 4.5-11 kg; Female: 5-12 kg
- Height: Adult: 25-46 cm
- Life Expectancy: 15-18 years
- Origin: United States
15. Whippet
From the 17th-century word Whippet, which means to move briskly, these dogs are a crowd favorite in coursing competitions and amateur racing.
Whippet’s body is tailored for athletic activities. They have broad, well-muscled back, deep and well-defined chest with muscle on its back, belly, and underline well tucked up, and its loins are strong and well-developed.
Spitfire the Whippet, the best dog athlete in the world, set a world-breaking record of 56km/hr speed, 31ft long jump, and 8ft vertical jump.
Whippets are truly amazing, but pet owners should be reminded that they have high energy and enthusiasm to be trained regularly.
The only downside of this dog breed is that if you are taking care of a Whippet, you have to make sure that you keep an eye on it all the time because they can easily jump over puppy gates and fences.
Whippet Breed Overview:
- High Jump: 8 ft.
- Weight: Adult : 6.8-14 kg
- Height: Male: 48-56 cm; Female: 45-53 cm
- Life Expectancy: 12-15 years
- Origin: England
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which dog has the highest jump?
The highest ever jump recorded by a dog was by a greyhound in Frederick, Maryland, USA. The female greyhound, Feather, recorded an impressive jump of 191.7cm or 6 feet and 29 inches high in the air back in 2017!
This slender breed is able to clear hurdles of up to 6 feet in height with ease. Feather’s world record is up to three times higher than the jump of an average greyhound.
Other world record holders for the highest dog jump were awarded to another greyhound, a borzois, and a Russian wolfhound.
You may be surprised to learn that a larger breed isn’t able to jump higher than a middle sized greyhound.
However, greyhounds have powerful, sleek bodies that have been built for a superior athletic performance. So it’s only natural that a greyhound should hold the Guinness world record for the highest jump!
How high can a dog jump straight up?
The height that a dog can jump straight up will entirely depend on their breed, and how healthy they are. Some dogs such as greyhounds can easily jump as high as 6 feet.
This is usually achieved through playing or when jumping clean over fences. Some dogs can even jump higher than this if they’ve been trained to do so.
It’s also worth noting that a dog is unlikely to jump straight upwards from a standing position. They normally need a little bit of space to jump over obstacles so that they can get a good run up to start off their jump.
The dogs which are able to jump the highest are typically middle sized dogs such as greyhounds. These dogs have a lot of powerful muscles which help them to run at terrific speeds. These muscles also lend themselves well to jumping higher than other breeds.
How high can a pitbull dog jump?
If you’re judging a pitbull’s jump from ground level, they are able to jump between 4 to 6 feet depending on how healthy they are. Pitbulls are also capable of leaping forward at great distances. The average pitbull can leap forward around 4 to 5 feet in distance from its starting point.
However, there are some records of pitbulls jumping even higher than this in competitive jumping. This is where the pitbulls are trained to jump against a straight wall to get to higher heights.
There is a record of a pitbull called Antara jumping as high as 13 feet off the ground. Providing the pitbull has the correct training, they should be able to jump up to 10 feet without too much difficulty.
How high can a dog jump without getting hurt?
Trying to determine how high a dog can jump without getting hurt will depend on a few factors. The dog will need to be able to land safely so that they don’t hurt themselves.
They will also need to only jump as high as they’re able to without falling a greater distance. For example, landing on the same surface that they jumped from.
If a dog falls a greater distance than that of how high they were able to travel upwards, they would be more likely to hurt themselves.
The general rule of thumb for how high a dog can jump is around 1 to 3 times greater than their height. It’s important to remember that not every dog will be great at jumping.
Whereas some dogs can easily reach heights of 6 feet, other dogs with smaller legs won’t be able to jump as high without damaging themselves.
Dachshunds, for example, are notorious for suffering from back problems. So these dogs shouldn’t be allowed to jump off high obstacles like sofas or human beds as they can cause serious damage to their spines.
Is jumping bad for dogs?
Determining whether jumping is bad for dogs will depend on several factors. They will need to be jumping from a safe height so that they don’t risk damaging their bodies. The higher your dog jumps from, the more likely they are to hurt themselves.
It’s worth noting that jumping can put extra stress on your dog’s joints. So the higher the distance that they’re jumping from, the more stress that is put on your dog’s joints. Other factors such as weight and the dog’s breed will come into play, too.
The general rule of thumb is that as long as your dog jumps from a safe height, this shouldn’t be bad for them.