How far can a dog come back home?
Jacynthe Bogisich
2025-06-21 01:36:47
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Some dogs stay close to home, while others can travel miles in just a day. A dog’s reaction to being lost varies—some may hide, while others may continue moving. High-energy breeds like Huskies, Border Collies, and German Shepherds can cover extensive distances, sometimes traveling over 10 miles in a day. Smaller breeds or older dogs, on the other hand, may stay within a mile or two of where they went missing. A healthy, athletic dog can run for hours, especially if frightened. While every case is different, lost dogs typically travel between 1 and 4 miles in a day. However, there have been cases where dogs have traveled much farther—sometimes covering 10 miles or more if they are highly motivated or scared. A frightened dog may run several miles before stopping, making it harder to track them. In rural or wooded areas, a dog may travel farther since there are fewer immediate dangers.
Maymie Spencer
2025-06-07 07:21:15
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: 13
The simple answer is yes. It depends on the dog themselves, the intensity of their desire to get home, the environment they need to travel through, the distance and much more. Studies show that our pups also recognise the specific scents associated with humans and dogs that they know. That means, if they ever lost track of you, they would be able to pick up your scent and follow it home. Just like us, if your dog is out and about in a familiar area, the chances are they already know their way back home. Not only will they be able to follow their own scent back, but they can also use landmarks to help navigate themselves toward home.
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