How far can I walk my Rhodesian Ridgeback?

[John Jerome Smith]

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Hello,

My Rhodesian Ridgeback is one year old. I have always just walked him not too far away from home. He has lots and lots of energy, I take him on several walks everyday and after I've finished work at night I take him on a big field not too far away from where I live for at least an hour.

He is getting older and the weather is getting better and I live next to woods, hills, a couple of rivers, etc, and would really like to take him on longer walks. He is excellent on the lead and with other dogs.

Can a one-year-old Rhodesian Ridgeback comfortably walk for around six miles or even further? There are a few cafes and pubs on the way where I could stop and get some water for him.

Many thanks everyone.

 

[leashedForLife]

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U can take him as far as U like - the weather is a factor, too, not only the distance, plus he needs to build condition for hilly terrain if U go hiking in such areas, so i'd build up to it. Don't forget to keep him well-hydrated with a bottle of water from home - drinking from streams or even puddles is a bad idea, & thirsty dogs suffer year-round, not only when it's summer-warmth.

Wading him in shallow water while U walk dry-shod on the shore is a good way to build muscle while avoiding repetitive stress impacts on joints. // Water is supportive & cooling, & wading forces him to push each leg forward thru the water column. Start off at hock-height, & slowly go deeper over a week or more.

Anything 70' F or warmer, especially if the humidity is above 60%, will cause heat stress in dogs - we're not talking medical dangers, no, merely discomfort & a need for extra hydration to make up for what he's expending as he pants to cool himself.

- terry

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[JudyN]

Anything 70' F or warmer, especially if the humidity is above 60%, will cause heat stress in dogs - we're not talking medical dangers, no

I would say there can be medical dangers, depending on the type of dog and the individual. According to the chart on this page Pet Insurance from Petplan - Trusted for Over 40 Years | Petplan there is 'unsafe potential' at 70F for large dogs, so you do need to be careful.

However, my dog's type can be particularly heat intolerant and at risk of exertational rhabdomyolysis nest.com/rhabdomyolysis-greyhounds-6571.html - the risk may well be much less for ridgebacks, but it's as well to be aware.

 

[PWDmum]

i would think 6 miles at his age might be a little bit to much, at 12 mths of age he is still very much a immature boy, they are big dogs , speak to your breeder (or others who know the breed ) to get a better idea of their rate of development. but a good off lead walk in the woods and to and from the pub sounds ideal,

 

[Jon Roff]

Take him as far as you like, or are comfortable with