What Is Dog Carting: A Job, a Competitive Sport, or a Hobby?

The History and Purpose of Dog Carting

Since the 18th century, dogs have pitched in by pulling carts through the fields, hauling the day’s catch in the harbor, and transporting meat and other goods to and from the market. Large, brawny breeds in the working group were appointed to these kinds of jobs, and usually, a lone dog has enough power to pull the cart.

Some of the better-known breeds are the Bernese Mountain Dog, Greater Swiss Mountain Dog, Saint Bernard, Newfoundland, Leonberg, Rottweiler, and Great Pyrenees, to name a few. Terriers were not among them, as you can imagine.

When pulling smaller loads, dogs were preferred to horses because they were less expensive to purchase and could fit through crowded streets and tight alleys with greater ease. Also, dogs double as guards and companions.

However, the Metropolitan Police Act of 1839 outlawed dog carting to lower the risk of rabies. During this period, some residents also started to feel that it was cruel to use dogs for such labor.

During the First World War, dogs once again lent their strength and served alongside humans on the battlefield. Amid the deafening sounds of gunfire and the surrounding horrors, dogs hauled machine guns and pulled supply carts across difficult terrain.

The horrors of the war have ended, and as modern transport takes over, the idea of dogs pulling carts becomes obsolete. However, the pulling instincts of these working breeds are so strong that their owners can’t turn a blind eye much longer.

And evidently so, dog carting gives these powerful canines an outlet to channel their pent-up energy and hone their intellect and inherent capacities. It can be an incredibly fun and fulfilling experience, especially for dogs who have genetic links to draft work.

So in 1988, the Saint Bernard Club of America held its first drafting competition, and the Bernese Mountain Dog Club of America followed suit in 1991.