[Patt]

What is the max weight in pulling events? Also is it really necessary for a person to want their dog to pull 5K. I would think that this much weight would be harmful no matter how much training the dog has received. Thanks in advance.

 

[Darkmoon]

What is the max weight in pulling events?

Depends on the events. At UKC it's now your dog's 20 point pull so it varies depending on the dog. I just did some research on this subject for my blog and remember these are extreme's and NOT typical weights pulled at every event
Max Pulled on a Sled(www.iwpa.net):
Natural Snow Surface: 1,500lbs by both an Alaskan Malamute and an American Bulldog (www.iwpa.net)
Artificial Snow Surface: 2,630lbs by a Mastiff

Max pulled on a Cart (www.iwpa.net):
Natural Surface: 5,395lbs by an English Mastiff
Artificial Surface: 5,002 by an English Mastiff

Maxed Pulled on a Rail (NWDA):
12,270lbs by Bart an American Bulldog

I list every kind of pulling there is there because there's a HUGE difference in what a dog can pull on different surfaces and on different types of carts/rails/sleds

Also is it really necessary for a person to want their dog to pull 5K.

Actually that really does come in handy if your car gets stuck in a ditch and you need some extra help. Also on the farm it could also come in handy. Is it necessary? Well no but it doesn't hurt the dog.

I would think that this much weight would be harmful no matter how much training the dog has received. Thanks in advance.

Actually, because this topic comes up all the time, it was asked among a lot the pullers if anyone has ever had a dog hurt during a pull (a good 100 or so people). The answer? A few pulled muscles, and some torn and broken nails is all anyone has ever heard of as injuries from weight pulling. Ask Agility people that same question and you get broken legs, CCL tears, sprang paws, heart attacks, and heat stroke in a few rare events.

 

[RottieRuckus]

This was a wonderful, informative read. I didn't get the opportunity to try the sport with my last Rottie, but I plan to try weight pulling with my new Rottie.

Thanks to this discussion, Paris and I are off to a solid start!

 

[Alapaha_Lover]

This forum is great, so much useful info...THANKS!!

 

[Beta Man]

I'm eager to weight pull with my new dog when he gets older, but more for fun/exercise than competitively.

 

[nadia]

I think pulling is an awesome thing to teach your doggy, especially breeds that like to pull such as huskys and pits because it gives them an outlet for their strength endurance and determination. I did watch the videos, and it was bothersome to me to watch a couple of them, a particular one being the Chinese Crested who didn't seem to enjoy it and appeared stressed, even slipping out of the harness. I say if your dog shows continued enjoyment after introduction to the harness and weights then this is great! But I don't think people should try to force their dog to do this, because it could end up in injury stress and fear.

My friend taught her Husky to pull her on a bike, bought a harness and everything, and he loves it!

Also: there are risks of injury in ANY activity for dogs, but weight pulling has a relatively low risk, especially in comparison to agility where dogs can make a wrong turn and tear their ACL or twist/fracture bones.

 

[Aschott]

i know this thread seams dead but i had a question, has anyone seen any conflict with weight pull training and leash training?

 

[Spicy1_VV]

i know this thread seams dead but i had a question, has anyone seen any conflict with weight pull training and leash training?

Conflict? I don't believe so. What would be the conflict. Dogs pull without wearing a leash.

 

[Canyx]

Not sure if this thread is dead or not, but I have some questions!

Here's a short video with three clips of Brae pulling during the same session:

I got the harness for him when he was about 1 or 1.5 years old, so I think his ribcage expanded since. Let me know if the harness fit is off.

There are no venues or groups in my area (or in a hundred mile radius, I'm pretty sure). So I do weight pull for fun and for conditioning. I don't have any fancy carts or rails and I have Brae (2.5yr Dutch shepherd, 75#) pull on dirt and grass. I know weight on a cart or rail is very different than pulling dead weight(?). Is there a conversion chart anywhere regarding how much force it requires to move something dragging versus on a rail?

He's pulling 80# and I usually have him do a total of 200 feet in a session, broken up into multiple smaller pulls (~20' at a time). He seems to enjoy it but is tired by the end. Tired of pulling, that is. Not overall tired. He's still game to do other activities.

I also exclusively use high value food as a reward. He is way more toy driven than food driven and I suspect he would push himself much harder if there was something like a bite pillow at the end. But I'm not sure if it would be bad for him if I made him 'go crazy' for a tug toy instead of for food.