How High Can A Dog Jump (By Breed)

Dogs are very playful creatures and pets. There are a range of breeds to choose from and each have their own qualities that set them apart from each other.

There are some breeds of dogs that can jump higher than others. On average a dog can jump about 6 feet but there are some dogs who just can’t jump. 

The height of a dog’s jump does depend on its health and breed, but don’t be fooled by smaller dogs either. Some small dogs can jump just as high as bigger dogs.

In this article we will go through how high a dog can jump and which breeds can jump the highest. 

How High Can A Dog Jump (By Breed)

Border Collie

This breed originated from Great Britain and is known for helping their owners herd sheep or other livestock. Adult Border Collie’s can jump over 6 feet from standing.

They have an athletic build, great agility and are considered one of the smartest domestic dog breeds.

Jack Russell Terrier

Jack Russell Terriers come from England and accompany people who hunt foxes. They are also considered as part of the working terrier classification.

They are seen as a very loyal and playful dog. These dogs are around 10 to 15 inches tall but can jump up to five times their height.  Don’t be fooled by this breed’s height; they can jump surprisingly higher than you’d imagine. 

Vizsla

Originally from Hungary, the Vizsla are athletic which suits them as natural hunters. This breed of dogs has been acknowledged as a sporting dog. They are seen as a mixture of a pointer and a retriever. 

These dogs are perfect if you have children. They are affectionate, easy to train and have strong protective instincts.

These dogs are very active and can jump as high as 6 feet, so beware of low fences and gates. If you like a good long walk, then Vizsla’s are the perfect breed for you.

Greyhound

Greyhounds are very popular and known for their speed, thanks to their long legs that help them run fast. They have lots of energy, which means they are great for sports.

These are very protective dogs that adore their owners and are extremely intelligent. The highest jump this breed has managed is 5 feet, but there has been a world record where a greyhound jumped 6 feet and 29 inches. 

Australian Kelpie

The Australian Kelpie was bred to keep watch over sheep. Therefore, this breed is known for its intelligence, eagerness and alertness. What helps keep these dogs alert is that they possess a lot of energy that keeps them active. 

The Kelpie is like another sheepdog, but can be found worldwide. These are loyal dogs that can jump an incredible height of 9 feet.

German Shepherd

German Shepherds were bred in the 19th Century by Max von Stephanitz. This is seen as the all round working dog.

This breed is mainly bred in Germany, but there are different types of German Shepherds from other countries. There are two different types of German Shepherds, either the show line or the working line.

Those who are under the working line can jump the highest. German Shepherds are a loving and loyal breed, which make great guard dogs. These dogs have strong legs and can jump between 4 to 6 feet in height. 

Papillons

These are considered one of the oldest Toy Spaniels, which date all the way back to the 16th Century, The Papillons get their name from their butterfly-shaped ears and even their names translate to butterfly in French. 

They may only be 8 to 10 inches tall, but these dogs can jump high. These dogs are very active and can be easily trained. Papillons can jump between 2 to 4 feet.

Rottweiler

Originally from Germany, this breed is one of the oldest breeds and a domestic dog. They were used to herd livestock and pull carts to the market. However today, they help in search and rescue and as guards and police guards.

Rottweilers are obedient and well-mannered. However compared to other breeds they aren’t as athletic, yet they can still jump up to 3 feet. On some occasions it is said that some have jumped as high as 5 to 6 feet. 

Weimaraner

The Weimaraner is now a family -friendly breed but was bred in the 19th Century as a hunting dog. This breed originally was from Germany and a gun dog.

Usually gun dogs locate and retrieve game like birds or rabbits. However this breed also specialises in hunting larger animals like boars and deers.

These are a very independent breed of dog and intelligent. These dogs like to be in charge. Weimaraners are strong dogs that can jump as high as 6 feet.

Whippet

From the 17th Century, the word whippet actually means ‘to move briskly’. Whippets are a favorite breed among amatuer racing and course competitions. Like other breeds on this list, a whippet’s body is made for athletic activities.

They have a slender body, which is quite similar to a Greyhound, Like Greyhounds, Whippets are sighthounds that hunt small game like rabbits. 

These dogs have lots of energy and need to be trained regularly. They are known for their sharp minds and independence. They want to be in control and the boss of their home.

This breed of dog can jump as high as 8 feet. However a Whippet called Spitfire holds the world record for the longest jump, coming in at 31 feet.

Conclusion

All dogs can jump but some can jump much higher than others. They jump out of excitement or greeting. How high they can jump depends on their breed and their body type.

The dogs mentioned above have an athletic body which helps them when it comes to jumping up high. However not all big dogs can jump really high.

Some of the smaller dogs like Jack Russell Terrier can jump just as high, if not higher than some big dog breeds. On this list the average these dogs can jump is between 4 to 6 feet.

Dogs breeds that were originally bred for some form of hunting or herding, we found out are the breeds can jump higher than others. Which means if you own any of these dogs, make sure you don’t have any low fences, walls or gates that these dogs can jump over. 

Daniel Johnson