Dog Carting
According to a
South African dog carting website
there is a very long history of dogs hauling people and supplies: - Many large breed dogs pulled wheeled devices, both for daily activities
and during battles - Dogs of some Native American tribes
hauled goods on a travois - Modern day dogs pull carts to help
their owners move things or - Show off their carting skills at dog shows and in parades
Any breed, even the tiniest, can pull a loaded cart if it's sized properly.In some countries, carting is called drafting.
BUILDING A CART
What kind of cart do you want to build?You may wish to check out the following links for ideas:
Dog carts made from PVC
A dog cart adapted from a bicycle trailer
A dog cart that uses a radio flyer wagon and PVC (cheap!)
A cart that uses a radio flyer wagon and metal shafts and, finally,
A human wheelchair that can be pulled by a dog
Whatever cart you build, SAFETY should be the number one priority. A cart that falls apart, is unbalanced or has sharp edges is dangerous. Special care should be taken if you are building a cart that pulls people. Remember that dogs can spook and take off in unexpected directions.Joy de la Ren of San Diego, who operates Promotions by Puppy Love where her Giant Schnoodles pull her in a dog cart, has this to say: "Carts can be tippy, especially when you hit a bump or curb. Make sure your feet are left free and always available." A wide cart with fat tires may help with stability. You also want to carefully consider balance so your dog is not pulling too much weight. A dog needs to be trained how to pull a cart. See Dog Draft Carts: Training Tips for further information.
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