Anyone seen people do this with dogs before?

N

nona1

Well-Known Member
Joined
7 June 2007
Messages
274
Visit site
I was over the local country park and there was obviously some sort of small event or club meeting going on at the back of the car park, with dogs, so wandered over for a look.

It was, um, a bit strange...

They were leading dogs round hitched up to little carts. Not normal sledge type of 'cart', these were little wooden 'horse' style farm wagon things, with little wooden shafts, like mini wagons/the things people put in front gardens with the garden gnomes. Some of them had put bags and stuff in the carts. The dogs were all different types as well, none I would recognise as sled dogs (not that I know much about that, but def. not husky/malamute types). There was one Newfoundland, which I know were used as carting dogs sometimes, but a right mixture otherwise.

Is this a common hobby? Has anyone else seen this? Is it just me or is that really strange....
 
Very common in the States and increasingly popular over here. It's carting, rather than sledding, which is why you won't see husky/malamute types - they are too mental to plod along with your shopping in the back. :p
 
As BC says carting tends to be for the more sedate breeds, Bernese Mountain Dogs are a popular choice, and Newfies as you saw. Nona you should have asked them about it, dog folk always love to chat about their hobby:)
 
Bernese were used for pulling carts with milk churns on in their native Switzerland. They were bred to be an all round dog used to guard the family, herd the livestock and pull the carts.
Wish someone would tell ours to be docile though - we've got 2 and I don't think a cart would stand a chance. The milk would be turned to cheese by the time they'd finished!!
 
I know someone with a scooter type thing that his dogs pull. He has had to stop for teh time being as the more experianced (collie) has pulled a muscle (on a walk not pulling said scooter) and the other (rescue and we have no idea what she is) is too scatty and needs a lead from the collie.

They love it - only have to show the harnesses and they go mad... The jack he has slinks off back to bed!!!
 
...now I want a Bernese. :mad:

Thanks, MM, at this rate I'm going to have a house full of totally unsuitable dogs! :p

Ahh, scootering, that's more my type of thing... this is on my christmas wish list:

[youtube]VEpj48CYFMY[/youtube]

:D
 
Thanks for that link CC, I vaguely remembered seeing pics of shepherds but didn't know where. Margaret Evans has always been keen on working her dogs.
BC a friend looked into getting a Bernese, they are gorgeous dogs but at the time (a few years ago) they had a real problem with HD, hopefully things are improving now though.
 
I expected as much, I doubt there's a large breed that doesn't have problems sadly. Much like the Irish wolfhounds that I'd also adore I imagine they also don't live very long and are prone to arthritic type conditions too. :(

Will stick with the breed with one of the lowest incidences of HD, even if they are mad. :p
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top