From: bradav@auto-trol.com (Brad Davidson)
Subject: Re: Weight Pulling
Organization: Auto-trol Technology Corporation
Date: Fri, 28 Aug 1992 03:49:02 GMT

>Brad,
>  Tell us more about weight pulling:
>   is this a competition open to all breeds/

Weight pulling sponsored by the International Weight Pulling Association
is open to all breeds of dogs, pure breeds and mixed breeds.

Other breed organizations work in conjunction with the IWPA to support
weight pulling for the pure breed dogs, for instance, Alaskan Malamutes
and Samoyed. 

>   is brute force the main requirement or is training involved?
Actually brute force is not what wins but a combination of mental and
physical strength in the dog and attention to detail by the handler
to make sure to pick the best spot for the cart on the pulling surface.

>   what is its purpose, fun, or has it come about because of sled  
>   and cart dogs?

Some pull for profit, I pull for fun.  Some compete to win the events, most 
compete against their breed.  A Siberian Husky is no match for a pit bull
which has had centuries of breeding for strength.
A weight pulling dog can be used for ski jorging, roller blading, carting or
sledding as wheel dogs, farm draft dogs or yard draft dogs. 
My siberian can pull 980 pounds on snow in competitions, ski jorging he has
easily pulled 5 people on cross country skis.

>   is it hard on the dogs or does training eliviate this?
>   etc.
> -kayti
>

If the dog is not structurally sound, do not weight pull them.  If the
dog is not mentally all there, do not weight pull them.  If your dog can
not stand around 30 other dogs in close proximity then do not pull them.

As some pulls you have 60 dogs in a 20 by 40 foot area.  They have to be
well socialized to other dogs and people since the crowd walk through the
holding area before during and after the pull.

If your dog is mentally and structurally sound then weight pulling is an
excellent way for you and your dog to stay active.  Most pulling dogs take
years to develop.  Those that push too hard end up breaking thier dogs
trust and respect and the dogs just refuse to pull.

No amount of training short of confidence building will bring back that
trust.

No dog has hurt them selves pulling weight, and if training is done
according to the rules of competition then you can not physically hurt
your dog.

What are these rules?  You can not bait the dog with bribes, toys, dogs in
season, etc.  You can not touch your dog while pulling.  You can not have
a lead.  Stand at least 10 feet away from your dog most of the time. You can
use voice or signals, begging is real popular.

Equipment is simple... A weight pulling harness or Frieght Harness, a set
of tire chains, an old tire and lots of dedication and time.  I work out
every other night from september to may.

You need to have at least 1 dog to get into weight pulling, limit of 2 dogs
per weight class. Dogs only compete against dogs of similar size in weight
classes.  The weight classes are: 35# and under, 36-60#, 61-80, 81-100,
101-120, over 120 pounds. All pounds round down to the nearest pound.

At present the IWPA is strong from Washington state east to Michagan. Canada 
south to St. Louis, Mo. A new region is California and if you are in the
El Segunda area and interested I can give a contact name.  Benefit is that
as a new region the competition will be alot easier then the more establish
regions.  It has taken the St. Louis Region about 4 years for a
60# dog to pull more than 1000 pounds.  Regions like Colorado, Washington,
Canada, Wyoming are working on 60 pound dogs pulling 2000 to 2500 pound.

If you live some where between Canada south to Los Angeles and Washington
east to Michagan I can probably find you a weight pull within a couple
hundred miles.  No less traveling then campaigning a show dog.

How old are pulling dogs?  Novice dogs under experienced handlers start
at nine months with light weights Otherwise not until a year old.  Most
pull well into old dog age.  The #1 Siberian Husky for weight pulling
will be 12 or 13 years old this season.  Most dogs that set world records are
in their prime old age.

For example...
Buster, a 7 year 168 pound Old English Mastiff pulled 5200 pounds on wheels.
Bonaza, a 13 year old 34 pound mix set a previous record of 1980 pounds on
   wheels.
Bridgette, the 14 pound poodle retired this year at 14 years old.

If you want to know more on training, etc. just drop me some email.

Brad Davidson
Rebel, #2 Wieght Pulling Siberian Husky in the nation 1992.
Denali's Dazzling in Black, Future #1 Weight Pulling Tibetan Mastiff, I hope.