Weight pulling is a dog sport involving a dog pulling a cart or sled loaded with weight a short distance across dirt/gravel, grass, carpet, or snow. It is a modern adaptation of freighting, in which dogs were used as freight animals to move cargo. Many breeds participate in this sport, with dogs being separated into classes by weight. Sleddog and pit bull breeds excel within their respective weight classes, having been historically bred to pull sleds and plows, respectively.
The dog is hitched to the sled with a specially constructed harness designed to spread the weight and minimize the chance of injury.
Dog weight pulling competitions are sanctioned by various non-profit organizations. In North America the International Sled Dog Racing Association has sanctioned contests in association with their races. The International Weight Pulling Association was organized in 1984 to promote the heritage of the working dog.
See also
External links
- [1]American Pulling Alliance
- [2] United Pulling Federation
- International Weight Pulling Association
- United Kennel Club
- Weight pulling message forum
- Weight pulling info from Dog Scouts of America
- [3] Alaska K-9 Weight Pulling Association
- Facebook Weightpull Group with links to a multitude of weightpull organizations
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