# are weiner dogs the most aerodynamic of all the dogs? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [May 13, 2005, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-weiner-dogs-the-most-aerodynamic-of-all-the-dogs/303762 "2005-05-13T22:46:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Washoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/ecae2f/32.png) [@Washoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Washoe)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2005, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-weiner-dogs-the-most-aerodynamic-of-all-the-dogs/303762/21 "2005-05-14T21:52:31Z")
What diameter of PVC pipe would I use to make a dachshund launcher? ---
**Author:** ![Digital\_Stimulus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@Digital\_Stimulus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Digital_Stimulus)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2005, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-weiner-dogs-the-most-aerodynamic-of-all-the-dogs/303762/22 "2005-05-14T23:45:34Z")
Well, our dachshunds are pretty aerodynamic. Lying down, their legs tuck underneath such that they almost can’t be seen. And they have long, pointy noses. On the other hand, their nostrils (no different from other dogs) are right on the front of their noses, which I’d think catch in the air. Also, their ears stick out pretty far from their head; they won’t stick their heads out the car window because they flap around so much. At any rate, hold on a sec… \*\* _Tosses book from my desk onto the couch._ \*\* \*\* _Tosses compact disk from my desk onto the couch._ \*\* \*\* _Tosses male dachshund from my lap onto the couch._ \*\* \*\* _Tosses female dachshund from my lap onto the couch._ \*\* Well, the male flies better than the female (most likely due to it’s larger chest and hence more tapered backside), but neither is very graceful in mid-air. Both fly better than the book, which is now in pieces, as they felt the need to “kill it” while returning it to me. The CD, however, flew better than all of them, ending up behind the couch (that’s one reason I never played football). Thus, I can definitively say that testing the aerodynamicity of dachshunds results in the inability to listen to Eminem or read _The 47 Ronin_. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2005, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-weiner-dogs-the-most-aerodynamic-of-all-the-dogs/303762/23 "2005-05-15T00:03:08Z")
I think debating which is the most aerodynamic bred of dog is kind of like discussing which is the most loyal breed of cat; of academic interest only. That said, I think the Jack Russel terrier has far better laminal flow than a dachshund. ---
**Author:** ![stockton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5a626/32.png) [@stockton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stockton)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2005, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-weiner-dogs-the-most-aerodynamic-of-all-the-dogs/303762/24 "2005-05-15T00:15:18Z")
Google “ashley whippet” - the greatest frisbee dog that ever lived. Basically, the Michael Jordan of the canine set. That dog could fly on her own - no cannon needed. Great dog. ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2005, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-weiner-dogs-the-most-aerodynamic-of-all-the-dogs/303762/25 "2005-05-15T00:22:36Z")
I’m still holding out for greyhound or whippet. I think the added width of dachshund legs relative to the body work against the breed. Surprisingly, a good 5 minutes of googling turns up no authoritative papers on the subject of dog aerodynamics. Disappointing that there’s nothing in the literature. Though look [here.](http://encarta.msn.com/media_461526076/Greyhound_Race.html) The third dog from the left is clearly getting in a very aerodynamic position during extension. As a late addition, don’t forget that a greyhounds ears will fold back onto its head almost perfectly while running. This removes that pesky ‘earodynamic resistance’ that curses other breeds. ---
**Author:** ![scr4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@scr4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scr4)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2005, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-weiner-dogs-the-most-aerodynamic-of-all-the-dogs/303762/26 "2005-05-15T00:33:51Z")
> [@Digital Stimulus](#): > > On the other hand, their nostrils (no different from other dogs) are right on the front of their noses, which I’d think catch in the air. Actually, a hole in the center of the nose has very little effect on aerodynamics. IIRC it’s the optimal position for an air intake. You’re probably right about the ears though. Smaller ears would be better, especially if they can be folded down (back) to minimize air resistance. ---
**Author:** ![Digital\_Stimulus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@Digital\_Stimulus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Digital_Stimulus)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2005, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-weiner-dogs-the-most-aerodynamic-of-all-the-dogs/303762/27 "2005-05-15T01:41:06Z")
> [@scr4](#): > > Actually, a hole in the center of the nose has very little effect on aerodynamics. IIRC it’s the optimal position for an air intake. While true, I just tested this. There seems to be some sort of blockage that prevents airflow out the back end. There was a small, sudden puff that doesn’t seem related though, as I wasn’t even blowing in Howzit’s (that’s the male dog) nostrils at the time. 😉 The vet can attest to the fact that it doesn’t work from the back to the front end either. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2005, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-weiner-dogs-the-most-aerodynamic-of-all-the-dogs/303762/28 "2005-05-15T01:55:00Z")
Having the air inlet at the oint of the nose has some advantages. At high speeds, the air will be forced into the weiner dog lungs, acting somewhat like a supercharger. Now if you could get the weiner dog to empty his lungs into his stomach, as the air passed through the digestive track, you could get a ram jet effect if you follow my drift. If you can’t teach your weiner dog to breathe like that, a similar effect could be had by putting the weiner dog on a Mexican food diet. :eek: ---
**Author:** ![CheapBastid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8baadc/32.png) [@CheapBastid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CheapBastid)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2005, 3:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-weiner-dogs-the-most-aerodynamic-of-all-the-dogs/303762/29 "2005-05-15T03:40:38Z")
I’m inclined to say [the Basset Hound](http://www.insaneanimals.com/items/8.jpg). ---
**Author:** ![lizardling](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f4b2a3/32.png) [@lizardling](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lizardling)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2005, 6:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-weiner-dogs-the-most-aerodynamic-of-all-the-dogs/303762/30 "2005-05-15T06:43:10Z")
> [@Jonathan Chance](#): > > Yep. Greyhounds, whippets, and so forth. > > I’ve rescued Greyhounds for more than 10 years now (anyone want one?) and can tell you no dog is better designed for getting through air resistance than those sighthounds. \Out of curiosity, are greyhounds the fastest breed of dog, on average? I was poking around for some information on salukis the other day for a story that I’m working on, and apparently salukis can and do run down desert gazelles very nicely. They don’t seem to be a well-known breed, however…\ ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2005, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-weiner-dogs-the-most-aerodynamic-of-all-the-dogs/303762/31 "2005-05-15T18:51:25Z")
> [@Ca3799](#): > > Mine is not aerodynamic at all. We suspect she’s part registered snack hound. I’m taking her out for some exercise right now. A family friend had an obese wiener dog, so the vet told him to take it for a walk every evening after work. So the fellow dutifully picked up the dog and carried it around the block every evening after work. ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2005, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-weiner-dogs-the-most-aerodynamic-of-all-the-dogs/303762/32 "2005-05-15T23:30:54Z")
> [@lizardling](#): > > \Out of curiosity, are greyhounds the fastest breed of dog, on average? I was poking around for some information on salukis the other day for a story that I’m working on, and apparently salukis can and do run down desert gazelles very nicely. They don’t seem to be a well-known breed, however…\ In the stuff I’ve seen Greyhounds are the fastest dog breed. Like Salukis they were used (it’s unknown if they were bred for it as the breed is goes back into the BC era) to bring down gazelle and such in Egypt. The only two animals I’ve been told are faster are the cheetah and some form of deer/antelope. FTR, the current record for a greyhound approaches 45 mph. ---
**Author:** ![tofergregg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bbe5ce/32.png) [@tofergregg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tofergregg)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2005, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-weiner-dogs-the-most-aerodynamic-of-all-the-dogs/303762/33 "2005-05-16T02:40:56Z")
> [@Kaotic Newtral](#): > > Aerodynamic, no clue…fast and jumpy as crap…yes! Hmm. I don’t really think crap is fast _or_ jumpy. I’m actually very glad about that. 🙂 -Tofer [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-weiner-dogs-the-most-aerodynamic-of-all-the-dogs/303762.md?page=1)