by Janyne M. Kizer
Carting is an activity that any dog in good physical condition can do. Size is not an issue. Although traditional carting dogs such as Newfoundlands and Bernese Mountain Dogs are large, carts are made for everything from chihauhaus and papillons to the larger breeds such as Great Pyrenees. Traditional drafting breeds offer titles for this activity. Breeds that offer titles for carting include: Saint Bernard (Draft Dog and Team Draft Dog), Bernese Mountain Dog (Novice Draft Dog, DD and TDD), Greater Swiss Mountain Dog (DD and TDD) and the Newfoundland Dog (DD and TDD). Titles are issued but the parent clubs and the AKC is now considering issueing a drafting title.
What is carting? Carting is an activity in which a dog or dogs pull a wheeled device. A cart is normally has two wheels and a wagon normally has four. In fact, Webster's Dictionary still includes dogs in their definition or cart, "a lightweight 2-wheeled vehicle drawn by a horse, pony, or dog." Whether you have a cart or a wagon, if it has wheels and your dog is pulling it, you're carting.
What is the difference between carting and drafting? Drafting is the hauling of material whether by cart or wagon or travois or sled. Carting is hauling material using a cart or wagon.
Now that you're interested in carting, how do you get started? After you have made sure that your dog is healthy enough for this activity and you have done enough obedience work with your dog that you have a reasonble amount of control over him, you are ready to begin training your dog to do draft work.
While there is no best way to train your dog for draft work and carting, this method works for many dogs. Above all, make sure that both you and your dog are having fun! First of all, you will need a harness for your dog. The cart or wagon will eventually be attached to the harness. Get your dog used to wearting the harness. Attach rope to each side of the harness where the cart will be attached. Get your dog used to pulling the rope around the yard. Then attach a piece of wood to the ropes so that your dog gets used to pulling something behind him. Finally, add some additional weight to the block of wood. Finally, you need to add the cart.
In actual draft competition, the dog may be required to back in a straight line in order to position himself between the shafts (depending on the piece of drafting equipment that you are using and the organization that is giving the test). In many draft tests, the dog is required to perform both on and off leash.
A cart can be something fancy like the sulkies that you see in horse harness racing or it can be something simple that is made of wood. Wagons are often modified versions of children's red wagons.
Sources of Information
Internet
Carting with Your Dog
Brown's Cart and Harness Company (plans available)
Saint Bernard Club of America Working Dog Committee
Hawkwind Rottweiler Carting Page
Introduction to Carting
The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Draft Page
PVC Cart Plans
Books
"Draft Equipment Guide" by the Newfoundland Club of American Working Dog Committee
Videos
An Introduction to Canine Carting with Beth Ostrander
© 1998 Janyne M. Kizer