How to Exercise a Rhodesian Ridgeback

Co-authored by Colleen Demling-Riley, CPDT-KA, CBCC-KA, CDBC

Last Updated: January 31, 2023 References

Rhodesian Ridgebacks are athletic dogs that need regular, vigorous exercise. To keep your dog happy and healthy, schedule regular exercise for it, and include it in your own outdoor exercise regimen (e.g. jogging, hiking). Let your dog have some off-leash time in the backyard or at a dog park, and take it swimming whenever possible. Look into lure coursing clubs for either competitive or non-competitive coursing tests for your dog. Play games like fetch, tag, soccer, and blanket hurdles to exercise your dog in a fun way.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Keeping Your Rhodesian Ridgeback Active

1
Schedule regular exercise. Rhodesian Ridgebacks require frequent movement and exercise to stay happy and healthy, so be sure to schedule regular, rigorous exercise for your pet outside of everyday walks (2-3 times a week for about an hour). Jogging and hiking are activities that are well-suited to the breed’s stamina level and athletic tendencies. Bring your dog along for your outdoor workouts and stay fit and content, together.^{[1]
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- Wait until your dog is at least 15-18 months old to exercise it vigorously – strenuous exercise can cause problems for developing bones.^{[2]
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- For everyday walks, know that simply going out to potty isn't enough. Take your Rhodesian Ridgeback on at least two 30 minute walks a day.
2
Run with your dog. Rhodesian Ridgeback dogs love to run, but the breed has a natural inquisitiveness that could lead to being easily distracted. The sight of a squirrel or another dog, for example, could lead the dog to run out into traffic and get hurt. Try running with your dog on a leash, an activity that will provide your pet with exercise and stand as a bonding activity between the two of you.^{[3]
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Let your dog move around your backyard. Rhodesian Ridgebacks do best with some outside space - ideally a large yard. Due to their adventurous spirit and natural proclivity to dig holes, however, dogs of this breed should be supervised at all times when outdoors. The yard should also have a sturdy, tall fence (i.e. a fence that is at least 6 feet tall); Rhodesian Ridgebacks have been known to clear fences as tall as 5 feet (1.5 m).^{[4]
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Bring your dog swimming. Rhodesian Ridgebacks are proficient swimmers and enjoy the activity very much. In terms of exercise, swimming is an ideal option for the level of energy and stamina that the breed possesses. Organize family swimming days (at a lake or dog-friendly beach) to include your pet in, but make sure to always keep a close watch on it both in and out of the water.^{[5]
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Visit a dog park. While Rhodesian Ridgebacks love to run freely, they need a safe, enclosed space to do so. Bringing your pet to the dog park will let them exercise off their leash and socialize with other dogs; it is also a good option for exercising your pet if their energy level starts to exceed your own. If your dog is not properly socialized, you should take care before taking it to the park or to a daycare. Try to visit a dog park at least once a week so that your dog is accustomed to playing with other dogs and comfortable with the experience whenever you go.^{[6]
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Look into lure coursing. Lure coursing is a performance circuit developed for sighthound breeds like Rhodesian Ridgebacks to demonstrate their instinctual hunting skills. Within this system of mechanized lures and pulleys (simulating live prey), sighthounds are evaluated based on their agility, speed, and stamina; your dog can participate in either competitive or non-competitive coursing tests.^{[7]
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American Kennel Club
The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show.
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- For more information about getting started, find lure coursing or sighthound clubs in your area by visiting the American Kennel Club website at https://www.apps.akc.org/apps/clubs/search/.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Playing Games with Your Dog

1
Play fetch. Playing fetch, a classic game loved by most dogs, employs your dog’s natural instinct to chase and retrieve. While keeping your Rhodesian Ridgeback active is important, it is also important to keep it engaged and mentally stimulated; when bored, this breed can get into trouble (e.g. digging up plants or trees in the backyard). Use one of your dog’s favorite toys to play fetch with, like a rubber ball or squeak toy.
2
Set up blanket hurdles. For a fun game that will keep your dog active indoors, try setting up blanket hurdles. Clear as much space as you can in the living room, basement, or other venue and create a small obstacle course with rolled up blankets or other safe objects (e.g. plastic toys, pillows). Walk your dog through the course a few times until it is familiar with it, then have it run through the course from one side of the room to the other.^{[8]
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- Once your dog gets used to the course, add a few blankets or pillows to increase the challenge.
3
Play soccer. While soccer may sound like an odd choice of game to play with your dog, it is an excellent activity to try with your Rhodesian Ridgeback. Use a large sized rubber ball that will be difficult for your dog to pick up with its mouth; avoid any balls that will be easy to puncture or deflate. To play, kick the ball and let your dog chase it; let him play for it for a minute once he catches up to it, then gently take it back and kick it again.^{[9]
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- To make the ball more desirable, try smearing a dab of peanut butter on it.
4
Play a game of tag. Tag is an excellent game to play with a dog who is comfortable enough with you to engage with you physically. The game is not a very structured one, but instead involves running, chasing, dodging, and being silly. Play tag in a fenced-in yard or park to ensure that your dog does not run off too far or get lost during play.^{[10]
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- Hide and seek is a great alternative for tag, which will also encourage your dog's mental development.

Expert Q&A

Question

How many hours a day does a Rhodesian Ridgeback sleep?

Colleen Demling-Riley, CPDT-KA, CBCC-KA, CDBC
Canine Behavior Consultant
Colleen Demling-Riley (CPDT-KA, CBCC-KA, CDBC) is a Canine Behavior Consultant and the Founder of Pawtopia Dog Training. With more than 20 years of experience, she specializes in creating and customizing dog management programs for dog owners. She is a Certified Pet Dog Trainer-Knowledge Assessed, Certified Behavior Consultant Canine-Knowledge Assessed, Certified Dog Behavior Consultant, and American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen Evaluator. Colleen is a member of the International Association of Canine Professionals and has been a featured expert in national media including the New York Times, Woman’s Day, Readers Digest, Cosmopolitan, and Yahoo.com.

Colleen Demling-Riley, CPDT-KA, CBCC-KA, CDBC

Canine Behavior Consultant

Expert Answer

Most adult dogs sleep between 8-13 hours a day. Dogs should have a consistent schedule throughout the day. They should be fed, exercised and allowed to sleep at the same times everyday. Your dog should also be allowed to sleep whenever he/she is tired.
Question

Are Ridgebacks good family dogs?

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Expert Answer

For the right family, they can make loyal and loving pets, but the emphasis is on 'right'. They need regular training and a firm set of rules to work to. Likewise, in a noisy, chaotic household, the dog may be over-stimulated, which leads to mouthy behavior.
Question

Are Ridgebacks easy to train?

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Expert Answer

Ridgebacks are strong-willed, as you'd expect from a dog bred to hunt lions. This means they need a confident, preferably experienced owner. They can be frustrating and difficult to train, especially for those who lack the necessary experience.