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K-9 weight pull is a competitive sport available to any breed of dog in which determination is rewarded. the art of pulling with dogs is not a new one as man has asked canines to pull carts, sleds and wagons for centuries. It was formally introduced in the United States during the 1970's and now can be seen in many different parts of the world. In that time many breeders have began to use weight pull as one of their ways to help determine quality breeding stock. People have many misconceptions about weight pull and think it is harmful to the dog and we make the dogs pull massive weights they cannot handle, on the contrary no respectable organization allows a dog to be leashed or tethered during a weight pull so the dog does not have to pull if it does not want to and when proper training is applied a dog will have much better physical fitness. Others may think that this will cause hip dysplasia but if done correctly a dog will have stronger hip, leg and shoulder muscles causing less stress on hips and other joints providing a better life allowing it to be a healthy dog even longer.
There are many different clubs and organizations that hold weight pull contests, not all weight pulls held are through registration clubs most are held by non profit organizations. The UKC, ADBA, AADR and other registrations hold weight pulls but will be limited to dogs registered with them, The UKC does allow a non registered dog to compete but they must be spayed or neutered. The APA, IWPA and UPF are all non-profit organizations that are open to all breeds, mix breeds and spayed and neutered dogs.
There are several different types of of weight pulls. most people when the think of canine weight pulling they think of arctic dogs pulling heavy sleds through the snow. there are snow pulls but we are only talking about going 15-20ft and ending up with a much heavier load. There are weight pulls held on rail systems which are similar to a small set of rail road tracks typically called rail pulls, or weight pulls with a wheeled cart typically about 3-4ft wide and 5-6ft long, and of coarse snow pulls using a sled like a team of huskies would use in Alaska. everyone has a type of pull they like some dogs are trained for multiple types but many pull at only 1 certain type of venue.
Each pull has its owned determined surface to pull on. Suitable surfaces are dirt or grass considered natural surfaces, carpet with concrete or asphalt underneath that is called a carpet pull or weight pulls on snow or ice shavings for a snow pull. pulling directly on concrete or asphalt is harmful to the dogs pads and nails and should never be pulled on! the safest environment for the dog is always the most important thing.
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Canine weight pulls are all broken down into weight pull classes, usually 15-25lbs per class. no matter what organization it is held with they all have set weight classes for the dogs to compete in. This will consist of 15-20lb little dogs mostly terriers and up to 150-200lb Saint Bernard's, Malamutes and Mastiffs. You will never see a Jack Russell Terrier competing directly with a Newfoundland simply because of their size difference. They will however receive awards for most weight pulled at the event called Most Weight Pulled and what dog has the best weight percentage to the amount of weight it pulled called most weight pulled per pound.
All weight pulls start at the lowest weight or empty cart if the handlers chooses and then proceed each round with a set weight increment depending on the size of the dogs in that class. Each dog proceeds to the next round unless they fail to pull the weight the full length of the track in a certain time frame, if the handler removes their dog knowing it has reached its successful limit or if the handler has been disqualified for breaking one of the rules. each organization has it own set of rules to follow to create what they feel is the safest environment and the best possible situation for the dog with the fairest environment for their competitions.
As each round is finished the successful dogs will continue on through to the next round. The pulling will continue until only one dog is left making a successful pull. At that time that class may be finished for placements but the handler my decide to keep pulling more weight to try to win most weight pulled or most weight pulled per pound.
Man has bred dogs for hundreds maybe even thousands of years to have certain traits to please it owners. Its love and eagerness to please its owner combined with strength and determination make many different types of dogs suitable for weight pulling. It takes a good handler or trainer to make this a fun and exiting sport for the dogs and when a good handler is combine with a good dog it sure is something to see!
To learn more on how a weight pull works click here