July 14, 2021
Dogs are extremely athletic beings. For example, Greyhounds are the fastest dog breed, running up to 45 miles per hour. And Newfoundlands are one of the strongest breeds in the world, with one pulling a record 52 pounds per pound of body weight for a total of 5,045.5 pounds. What about leaping? Here are 16 dog breeds that jump the highest.
1. American Staffordshire Terrier
Though they have short backs, American Staffordshire Terriers are able to jump high thanks to their strong, muscular legs and sloping shoulders. They can jump as high as three and a half to five feet off the ground. In addition, the breed has recorded a vertical wall climb of 13 feet.
- High Jump: up to 5 feet
- Average Weight: 50-70 pounds (male); 40–70 pounds (female)
- Average Height: 18-19 inches (male); 17-18 inches (female)
Australian Kelpies are known for their agility and extraordinary jumping abilities. They can reach incredible heights as high as 9.6 feet.
- High Jump: up to 9.6 feet
- Average Weight: 31-46 pounds (male); 31-46 pounds (female)
- Average Height: 18-20 inches (male); 17-19 inches (female)
3. Australian Shepherd
Australian Shepherds are also known for their agility skills and jumping abilities. They show off the latter in frisbee dog events, with jumps recorded as high as 4 feet.
- High Jump: 4 feet
- Average Weight: 55-70 pounds (male); 35-55 pounds (female)
- Average Height: 20-23 inches (male); 18-21 inches (female)
4. Belgian Malinois
The Belgian Malinois is a strong dog with a light body, pronounced withers and muscular legs and pelvis. This allows them to jump up to and beyond eight feet in the air. Belgian Malinois are skilled wall climbers as well.
- High Jump: 8 feet
- Average Weight: 55-66 pounds (male); 44-55 pounds (female)
- Average Height: 24-26 inches (male); 21-24 inches (female)
5. Border Collie
Border collies are skilled dogs that can jump high as well as long. They can clear fences as tall as 6 feet from a standing position and can jump four feet in length.
- High Jump: 6 feet
- Long Jump: 4 feet
- Average Weight: 30-45 pounds (male); 27-42 pounds (female)
- Average Height: 19-22 inches (male); 18-21 inches (female)
6. German Shepherd
The German Shepherd’s hind legs make it easy for the breed to jump four to six feet high. And if given enough space and momentum, German Shepherds can jump over six feet.
- High Jump: 6 feet
- Average Weight: 66-88 pounds (male); 40-71 pounds (female)
- Average Height: 24-26 inches (male); 22-24 inches (female)
7. Greyhound
Though they are most famous for their speed, Greyhounds are also great leapers. They can jump straight up or over hurdles reaching heights of five feet. In addition, a Greyhound holds the Guinness World Record for highest jump at six feet and 29 inches.
- High Jump: 5 feet
- Average Weight: 60-88 pounds (male); 57-75 pounds (female)
- Average Height: 28-30 inches (male); 27-28 inches (female)
8. Jack Russell Terrier
Jack Russell Terriers are small but strong and springy. They stand around 12 inches tall but can jump up to five feet – which is five times their size.
- High Jump: 5 feet
- Average Weight: 13-17 pounds (male); 13-17 pounds (female)
- Average Height: 13-15 inches (male); 12-14 inches (female)
9. Papillon
Papillons are small but athletic. They are toy dogs that stand around just eight to 10 inches tall, but can jump between two and four feet high. That’s over two to four times their height.
- High Jump: 2 to 4 feet
- Average Weight: 8-10 pounds (male); 7-9 pounds (female)
- Average Height: 8-11 inches (male); 8-11 inches (female)
10. Pit Bull Terrier
Like the American Staffordshire Terrier, Pit Bulls are shorter and extremely strong. Their muscular body and hind legs allow them to jump five feet in the air and even six feet with enough space and momentum.
- High Jump: 5 feet
- Average Weight: 35-60 pounds (male); 30-50 pounds (female)
- Average Height: 18-21 inches (male); 17-20 inches (female)
Rat Terriers are small dogs with long, muscular bodies that give them incredible jumping ability. They can jump five to six feet in the air, despite only standing 16-19 inches tall.
- High Jump: 5 to 6 feet
- Average Weight: 10-25 pounds (male); 10-25 pounds (female)
- Average Height: 16-19 inches (male); 13-17 inches (female)
12. Rottweiler
Though they are not as athletic as other breeds on this list, Rottweilers can still jump fairly high. Their muscular bodies and strength allow them to leap around three feet high, with some reaching up to five or six feet.
- High Jump: 3 to 6 feet
- Average Weight: 110-130 pounds (male); 77-110 pounds (female)
- Average Height: 24-27 inches (male); 22-25 inches (female)
13. Shetland Sheepdog
Shetland Sheepdogs are skilled in both agility and vertical jumps. Shelties can jump more than three feet high, which is impressive given they stand just 13-16 inches tall.
- High Jump: 3 to 6 feet
- Average Weight: 14-27 pounds (male); 14-27 pounds (female)
- Average Height: 13-16 inches (male); 13-16 inches (female)
14. Vizsla
Vizslas are active, athletic and energetic dogs that enjoy running and jumping. Their muscular build enables them to jump up to six feet.
- High Jump: 6 feet
- Average Weight: 44-64 pounds (male); 40-55 pounds (female)
- Average Height: 22-25 inches (male); 21-24 inches (female)
15. Weimaraner
Weimaraners, like Vizslas, are strong and energetic, though slightly larger. They also have an athletic, muscular build that propels them to jump as high as six feet.
- High Jump: 6 feet
- Average Weight: 71-82 pounds (male); 55-71 pounds (female)
- Average Height: 24-26 inches (male); 23-25 inches (female)
16. Whippet
Whippets are similar to Greyhounds but smaller. Their bodies are made for speed and athletic activities, such as jumping. They can leap up to eight feet, with one holding the record for highest vertical jump of eight feet and four inches.
- High Jump: 6 feet
- Average Weight: 18-50 pounds (male); 18-40 pounds (female)
- Average Height: 19-22 inches (male); 18-21 inches (female)