Dog draft training is a specialized skill that requires focus and dedication. It's not just about teaching your dog to pull a cart, but to work in harmony with you as a team.
A well-trained draft dog can earn you and your dog a series of titles, including Draft Dog, Junior Draft Dog, and Senior Draft Dog. These titles are a great way to measure your dog's progress and achievement.
To start training your dog, you'll need to invest in a cart or sled specifically designed for draft work. This will help you and your dog learn to work together in a safe and controlled environment.
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Bernese Mountain Dogs
Bernese Mountain Dogs are a popular breed that originated in Switzerland, known for their distinctive tri-colored coats and gentle nature.
They typically weigh between 80-120 pounds and stand between 23-27 inches tall at the shoulder. Their thick coats require regular grooming to prevent matting and tangling.
One of the most notable characteristics of Bernese Mountain Dogs is their intelligence, which makes them relatively easy to train. They are often used as therapy dogs and search and rescue dogs.
Their short, sturdy bodies make them well-suited for hiking and other outdoor activities, but they can be prone to joint issues due to their large size.
With proper care and attention, Bernese Mountain Dogs can live up to 8-10 years, making them a long-term companion for many families.
Draft Techniques
In a dog draft, the goal is to select the best players from a pool of eligible players.
A key technique is to prioritize players with high overall rankings, such as those with a top 10 ranking in the article's "Understanding Rankings" section.
Players with high upside, like those with a high ceiling in the article's "Player Ceiling" section, are also valuable.
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Working Animals
Working animals have been a vital part of human society for centuries, and their use in draft techniques is a testament to their strength and endurance.
The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog was a large working dog used by butchers, cattle dealers, manual workers, and farmers, who used them as guard dogs, droving and draught dogs.
These dogs were often used to pull carts, which were specifically designed to match their size. In modern times, dog carting has become a leisure and competition activity.
Headcollars were introduced in the 20th century to make control simpler, and they have become standard equipment in various designs.
Several popular breeds were once bred specifically to pull carts, including Collies, Bernese Mountain Dogs, St. Bernards, Bouvier des Flandres, Newfoundlands, and Rottweilers.
The Bernese Mountain Dog is a large working dog with a calm temperament ideal for pulling a cart, as they used to do in Switzerland. More recently they have been used to pull carts to give children rides, or to appear in parades.
Sled dogs were used to pull equipment and men efficiently over the snow and ice on Roald Amundsen's 1911 expedition to the South Pole.
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Draft
Draft techniques are all about building teamwork and trust between you and your dog. The goal is to develop a working capacity involving hauling, which requires a series of exercises that test obedience, harnessing, and pulling.
In Draft Dog classes, exercises are performed off-leash, and the handler is out of sight for the three-minute group stay. This requires a high level of obedience and trust between the dog and handler.
The Great Pyrenees Club of America Draft Test includes a series of exercises designed to develop a working capacity involving hauling. These exercises include Basic Control, Harness and Hitch, Practical Draft Work, Freight Load, Group Stay, and Distance Freight Haul.
In the Great Pyrenees Club of America Draft Test, dogs must work on a loose leash and perform the tasks without physical assistance. A dog that effectively completes the task within a reasonable time period and without physical assistance should be scored as passed.
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The Bernese Mountain Dog Club of America Draft Tests are a series of exercises designed to develop and demonstrate the natural abilities of purebred Bernese Mountain Dogs in a working capacity involving hauling. Efficiency in accomplishing the tasks is essential.
In the Bernese Mountain Dog Club of America Draft Tests, entrants are evaluated on their performance of the exercises, teamwork, willingness, ability, enthusiasm, naturalness, and smoothness. The handler is encouraged to talk to the dog during most portions of the test.
Titles include Novice, Open, Advanced, and Master for both single dogs and braces.
Harnesses
When choosing a harness for your draft dog, consider the two basic styles: buckle and siwash. The buckle harness is the traditional style often seen in older pictures of Bernese carting in Switzerland.
A siwash harness, on the other hand, is designed for dog sledding and allows for complete freedom of movement in the dog's shoulder assembly. This can be a plus for dogs that prefer a more open harness.
Regardless of style, the harness should fit fairly snugly, without chafing the dog's skin. This ensures your dog stays comfortable and safe while working.
Some dogs are more comfortable with one type of harness than another, so be prepared to experiment and find what works best for your draft dog.
Training and Titles
To earn a Draft title, Bernese Mountain Dog Club of America requires it for the BMDCA Working Dog Award as well as the BMDCA Versatility Award.
Introduce your Berner to a harness gradually, letting them sniff it and get comfortable wearing it around the house and on walks. Your Berner should be completely comfortable at each step before proceeding to the next.
The Bernese Mountain Dog Club of America Draft Tests are a series of exercises designed to develop and demonstrate the natural abilities of purebred Bernese Mountain Dogs in a working capacity involving hauling.
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Bernese Mountain Club of America Titles
The Bernese Mountain Club of America Titles are a great way to recognize a dog's hard work and dedication. A Draft title is required for the BMDCA Working Dog Award as well as the BMDCA Versatility Award.
To earn a Draft title, your Bernese Mountain Dog will need to perform well in the BMDCA Draft Tests. These tests are designed to showcase your dog's natural abilities and willingness to work.
The BMDCA Draft Tests are judged on several factors, including teamwork, willingness, ability, enthusiasm, naturalness, and smoothness. Two BMDCA approved Draft judges evaluate your dog's performance in these areas.
You'll want to encourage your handler to talk to your dog during most portions of the test to showcase their teamwork and communication skills.
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Training
Training your Berner is an essential part of their development, and it starts with introducing them to the harness. Let your dog sniff it, then put it on them and let them wear it around the house and on walks until they're completely comfortable.
It's crucial to take it slow and let your dog get used to the harness before moving on to the next step. Add the traces and let your dog get accustomed to them dragging.
Remember to always do this on-leash, as it will help you maintain control and ensure your dog's safety. Your Berner should be completely comfortable at each step before proceeding to the next.
Introduce your dog to the drafting cart by letting them thoroughly investigate it. Pull the cart around your yard while your dog follows along.
Walk your dog on-leash beside, behind, and in front of the cart to help them get used to its presence. Carts can make odd noises that your dog needs to become accustomed to.
Some people even feed their dogs from the cart or beside the cart to create a positive association. This can help your dog feel more comfortable and confident around the cart.
As you progress in your training, it's essential to introduce big wide turns and gradually tighten them. Your dog must become used to turning into the shafts, and this can take time.
Start by teaching your dog to back up without the cart, and then with the cart, using lots of help and praise. This will help them feel more secure and confident in their abilities.
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Suitable Breeds
Some breeds are naturals at drafting, and they include Newfoundlands, Bernese Mountain Dogs, Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs, Saint Bernards, and Leonbergers.
These breeds were bred to be strong, hardworking, and even-tempered, making them excel at jobs that require an able body and stable mind.
Many breeds, and mixed-breeds, participate in drafting and carting sports, and it's not just limited to the original breeds that were bred for draft work.
Having a job, even one that's just for fun, can make a dog a happy dog, and drafting can be a great outlet for their work ethic and natural traits.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean when a dog is drafting?
Drafting, also known as carting, refers to the act of a dog pulling a cart or wagon. This fun dog sport requires teamwork and trust between the dog and handler
Were dogs drafted in ww2?
No, dogs were not drafted in WW2, but rather voluntarily donated by their owners and selected through a rigorous medical testing process to serve in the military
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