Huskies aren’t the only dogs that can pull people! Increasingly popular worldwide, the sport of Carting turns the family pet into a carriage-horse. Specially designed harnesses and carts take the work out of daily walkies for owners. Your dog can run its heart out, while the owner sits back and relaxes, guiding the dog with ‘reins’ and voice command.
Using dogs for cart animals has a long history. Dogs were used as a cheaper alternative to ponies by poor peddlers up until the 19th century as well as deliverymen. In Belgium and the Netherlands, bread and the morning milk carton traditionally was delivered from a cart towed by a dog. In WW2 dogcarts bearing stretchers were used to navigate the battlefield and return wounded soldiers to hospital.
Over time, modern means of transportation replaced the need for dog-muscle in daily life, however recently the rise of Carting amongst pet-lovers has tapped into the old instincts lying dormant for decades in draft dogs-cum-family pets.
Carting, also known as ‘dryland mushing’ has been used to keep sled dogs in condition over the summer months and is a great sport for energetic breeds who generally thrive when given a task to do.
Dogcarts are designed with canine anatomy strictly in mind. Sulkies for humans to ride in are designed to put little to no weight on the dog’s back, circumventing spinal damage that might otherwise result. A common modern sulky uses a single dorsal hitch which attaches from above to the dog’s harness, as opposed to a design with two shafts attached either side of the dog. This dorsal hitch has the advantage of not interfering with the dog’s movement.
Whether the dog intended to pull a cart is a traditional draft breed or not, all dogs require training to become accustomed to participating in the carting sport. Carting enthusiasts usually begin by attaching milk jugs filled with water to the harness to get their dogs used to dragging things behind them. Obedience to voice commands is also essential training.
