AKC Drafting/Carting Article, December 17 2013

AKC Drafting/Carting Article

December 17 2013

These groups state in their rules that all breeds/mixed breeds are allowed, with preference given to their own breed:

American Bouvier des Flandres

http://www.bouvier.org/pdf/ABdFC_Carting_Regulations_Rev_January_2013.pdf

Bernese Mountain Dog

http://www.bmdca.org/breed_education/pdf/09_bernese_activities_draft.pdf

Greater Swiss Mountain Dog

http://www.gsmdca.org/activities/drafting/

American Working Collie Association

http://www.awca.net/progs.htm

Some clubs do allow “AKC registered dogs,” but state that, “other breeds” can enter at the option of the club giving the test and preference is given to their own breed.

Newfoundland

http://www.ncanewfs.org/working/draft/index.htm 

(see section 22 in Chapter One: “Entries of Other Breeds”)

St. Bernard

http://www.saintbernardclub.org/2008Redesign/Performance/perf_draft.htm

Great Pyrenees

http://gpcaonline.org/competitions.htm

Rottweiler

http://www.amrottclub.org/sites/default/files/public/ARC%20Carting%20Rules.pdf

Mastiff

http://mastiff.org/DRAFTTESTPAGE.htm

Leonburger

http://www.leonbergerclubofamerica.info/publication/lca-drafting-regulations-2009/

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Equipment:

Collar:

Leashes:

Harness:

Siwash:

Has a “V” that crosses from the shoulders down to the front chest and then back down to underneath the dog. This provides a lot of freedom of movement and comfort for dogs pulling weight. This is also the common style of weight pull harnesses, however the Siwash harness will stop at the waist and then be connected to the cart by individual traces

Buckle:

This type of harness has a type of “band” that comes across the chest of the dog from side to side, instead of in a “v” from top to bottom.

Shafts:

All harnesses will connect to the cart through two ways: Once to the shafts on each side of the dog and then by the tracers that connect to the front of the cart. Shafts are the bars that run alongside the dog and connect to the cart. They can be metal or wooden and are sized to fit the dog exactly. The shafts are remove-able from the cart for easy packing. 

On the shafts are “brakes.” Brakes are pieces on the shafts where the harness connects to and those can be individually adjusted on the shaft to the dog. They stop the harness from sliding up and down on the shaft, which is especially important when going up and down hills. 

Tracers:

Tracers are the lines that run from the side of the harness to the front of the cart. These can be individually adjusted to the dog. 

Carts:

There is so much variation in carts, even just for tests. There is an even wider assortment if somebody wanted to do more fancy events like parades. Many times four wheeled wagons are used more for parades and informal work around a ranch, since they are less maneuverable, heavier and sturdier than two-wheeled carts. 

For tests, generally carts are used for tests since they are lighter and easier to move on less agreeable surfaces. Carts can be handmade or come from a professional cart creator. As long as they are able to perform in the test and adequately carry the necessary weight and manuver, they can be used. Since the cart’s weight will be in addition to the weight required to pull in the test, most people try to get a lighter weight cart so it does not add to the weight the dog must pull in the test. For example, Dino has to pull 20 or 25 pounds in a test, so I found a super lightweight plastic cart that only weights 18 pounds. Plus, the cart is full collapsable and can be easily moved in my car. 

Weight:

A common type of weight used in tests are actual bar weights that have the  hole in the middle and then the weights go over a stationary pole in the middle of the cart. I have been using bags of bird seed and ankle weights enclosed in a nylon sports bag. This prevents the weight from moving and shifting in the cart since they are tightly inside the bag. 

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Basic Exercises

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Getting started:

1. Previous training
2. Conditioning
3. Being familiar with rules and regs of each club. Each can be different.
4. Working with an established group for practices

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Sample Titles:

NDD - Novice Draft Dog - Individual Dog On Leash 

DD - Draft Dog Individual - Dog Off Leash 

NBDD - Novice Brace Draft Dog - Brace of Dogs On Leash

BDD - Brace Draft Dog - Brace of Dogs Off Leash 

TDD - Team Draft Dog - Team of Dogs (possibly more than 2 dogs) Off Leash

CS - Carting Started - Individual Dog On Leash

CI - Carting Intermediate - Individual Dog Off Leash

CX - Carting Excellent - Dog – Handler sits in cart 

CST - Carting Started Team- Two or More Dogs On Leash 

CIT-CartingIntermediateTeam-Twoor More Dogs Off Leash

CXT - Carting Excellent Team - Two or More Dogs – Handler sits in cart