what I learned from a Newfie draft test
1. As in anything, Practice Practice Practice 2. Getting two dogs to back up off lead is easier said than done 
3. All puppies are adorable! 
4. A good trial relies on dedicated and helpful volunteers - there were 15 stewards for 10 spots, more people in the kitchen and at the check in table - and everyone was smiling. 5. Breeders can be friends with the competition and be happy for someone who gets a great dog from another breeder. 
6. At fall trials if you think ahead and offer logo hats and gloves for sale - you can make great money (unfortunately they didn't) 
7. Indoor plumbing rocks!! 8. Always have snack food (for people and dogs ) at any gathering of more than three people
9. walking a mile with your dogs is way easier than walking a mile behind a very determined draft dog 
10. We are so lucky to have the opportunity to share our lives with a working dog!. |
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Sounds like it was a good experience 
Any more descriptions of what you did/saw would be wonderful. I have never seen the exact testing for the dogs - just pictures of parts of it; and I have seen the horse equivalent of the cart tests - it was sooooo interesting! I agree, this would be something to pursue. I would love to get more title events open to our dogs. And some of the breeds I work with don't push for all AKC stuff either - if there isn't an AKC sport they want to use, they either adopt another organization's rules through their parent club (OESCA for us), or adapt their own (because in reality, that's what the other clubs did originally anyway!). And you have pictures, right???? |
| Newfie babies.. and no pictures.. shame shame shame... |
| Where are the Newfie pixs? Then again, maybe not a good idea because I'd start getting ideas and I'm pleased not to be washing slobber off the walls anymore.
I agree, the more activities the dogs can persue, the stronger and more mentally stimulated our mostly urban couch potatoes can enjoy. Plus it gets to owners off their duff as well. |
| Sounds like a fun and interesting day.
More info I dont know anything about draft tests.  |
| Okay I do have pictures but they are still in the camera - I will try to get them out tonight.
As for the draft test, it is in 6 parts. Basic control - a short off lead heeling pattern, and recall Harnessing, hitching and equipment check - dog is in a controlled stay, handler retrieves the harness from the wagon where a steward has placed it and harnesses the dog. the Judges go over the equipment (sort of like the stand for exam in obedience except there may be adjustments to the harness) The dog must back up on command, a distance of at least four feet within 30 seconds, ideally backing into position in front of the cart. The backup must be less than 90°. The dog is hitched to the cart, and pulls the cart at least 20 feet to a position indicated by the judges. Basic Maneuvering (think obstacle course) - like all of the test it is done off lead. the dog has to do at least 2 90 degree turns, a back up (hitched this time) a stop for a removable object, a slow, fast, also can (and did have 360's and figure 8's) Freight load there is a freight load (short) to observe the loads of up to 100 pounds, if they are deemed unsuitable the team fails. People use weight plates, but also can use things like bird seed, dog food etc. Out of sight stay three minutes hitched to the wagon and in a down, sit or stand Long Freight Haul - one mile (followed by a steward) Ours was a lovely wooded course past a pond and a stream. At some point there also must be an unnatural distraction (ours was during the long freight haul there was a cage of ducks in the wood s- none of the dogs noticed. |
| That sounds like fun!
.....I will NOT buy a cart....I will Not buy a cart......LOL I have weight pull friends with St Bernards that do this, I think it sounds like a lot of fun. Is the weight for the frieght a % of the dog's weight? Pulling up to 100 pounds sounds pretty light......and wimpy! Do they pull the same for the long haul? Chewie already pulls me for more than a mile, and trust me - I weigh significantly more than 100#!!! And he's half the size of a newfie. |
| yes the weight is wimpy - but I think its more to prove control - they pull those light loads mighty quickly |
got sheep wrote: That sounds like fun!
.....I will NOT buy a cart....I will Not buy a cart......LOL this is my favorite site http://www.wilczekwoodworks.com/ maybe we can get a deal on multiples |
kerry wrote: got sheep wrote: That sounds like fun! .....I will NOT buy a cart....I will Not buy a cart......LOL this is my favorite site http://www.wilczekwoodworks.com/ maybe we can get a deal on multiples interesting site - beautiful woods!! |
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