Konjo breaks world record for fastest dog on two paws

Los Angeles: A tiny dog in the US has become the world's fastest dog on two front paws after completing a five-metre run in just 2.39 seconds, Guinness World Records has said.

Konjo, the half Papillon, quarter Jack Russell, quarter Chihuahua from Tustin, California, claimed the title of fastest five-metres on front paws by a dog with a time of 2.39 seconds, smashing the previous record of 7.76 seconds set by a Pomeranian named Jiff, also from California.

Owner Julia Pasternack was confident about Konjo's ability when she first contacted the Guinness World Records team.

"My dog, Konjo, will break the recently added record of fastest dog on two paws," Ms Pasternack said. "My dog, Konjo, will break the recently added record of fastest dog on two paws," Ms Pasternack said.

"Baby Konjo, as she is so lovingly called, is a very special 2 lb (907 grammes) papillon/chihuahua mix who walks on her front paws on a daily basis at a speed that already does surpass the existing title holder," said Ms Pasternack.

Konjo's record-breaking attempt took place at Tustin Sports Park, Tustin, California, on December 22, 2014. Ms Pasternack also explained how Konjo first started to run on her front paws.

"She started walking on front feet when she was a puppy and does it 100 per cent naturally. My theory as to why she started doing this is that her centre of mass resides primarily in the front, allowing her better balance.

"Her smaller stature probably makes her more agile," Ms Pasternack said.

"She grew up in a two storey home. Because she is so tiny, the height of the staircase step now becomes comparable to her overall length, allowing her to go down at a steeper angle and thus become used to putting total body weight on her front feet," she said.