Weight
pulling is a timed event in which each dog is allowed 60 seconds to pull the
weight-pull trolley a distance of 16 feet. The dog must qualify for the event by
first pulling the empty trolley, which weighs 160 kg. After each dog has
attempted the pull, the trolley is loaded with more weight and each dog who
successfully pulled the previous weight is again given 60 seconds to pull the
higher weight. A dog is out of the competition if it fails to pull the loaded
trolley, and that dog's result gets recorded at the highest weight that it
successfully pulled. In the event that two or more dogs finish up the
competition having pulled the same weight, then the dog that pulled that weight
in the quickest time is placed the highest.
To be successful in weight-pulling, your dog
needs to be trained to pull on voice command, as the handler is not permitted to
use any form of bait or enticement to get the dog to pull in competition. The
dogs that generally perform the best are not necessarily the largest dogs, so
don't think your Malamute won't do well just because it is not a particularly
large or strong-looking specimen of the breed. The dogs that perform well are
more often those with good pulling technique and the right attitude – these
dogs really want to pull and have learnt to lean into their harnesses to get the
weight-pull trolley moving. SAFDSS will encourage affiliated Clubs to offer 5 weight-classes for the dogs
competing in its events so that smaller dogs are not competing against
significantly larger dogs. The results of the competition are based on the
overall weight that the dog pulled within the class, as well as weight to weight
ratio, that is, how much the dog pulled relative to its body weight.
All that you need to compete is
a weight-pulling harness. An
ill-fitting harness can make weight-pulling uncomfortable for your dog, and may
even cause injury. For this reason it is best to have your dog measured and
fitted for a weight-pull harness by someone who has experience in this field,
and Activity days are an ideal place to have this done.
Rules and Regulations
Follow
the link to the left. Events are arranged by the event giving
organizations under governance of SAFDSS as prescribed by IWPA.
