Is it harmful for the dog?
No, if the rules are followed: correct harness, progressive weights, warm-up and zero forcing. It becomes harmful when someone skips stages or pushes a dog past its limits.
Strength and pulling
Weight Pull
The dog pulls a loaded sled a few metres in a specialised harness. A pure strength sport, with weight categories and safety rules stricter than in any other discipline on this list.
About the discipline
What Weight Pull is
Weight pull measures how much a dog can pull over a short distance, usually a few metres, within a time limit. The load increases round by round, until elimination.
Competition is by body weight category, and performance is measured against the dog's own weight - a small dog pulling ten times its mass beats a large one pulling five.
Safety rules are essential: a specially designed harness that spreads the force over chest and shoulders, a suitable surface, a compulsory warm-up and an absolute ban on forcing the dog by lead or harsh commands.
How it works in practice
How a trial works
- a sled or cart on rails, loaded progressively
- a short distance, of a few metres
- a time limit for each attempt
- categories by the dog's body weight
- the handler calls the dog from the front, without touching it
- elimination on a failed attempt
A dog is not pushed, not pulled by the lead and not forced. It must pull because it wants to, otherwise the trial is pointless and becomes risky.
Which dogs it suits
- robust dogs with a powerful structure
- pulling breeds and molossers
- adult dogs with screened joints
Never practised with growing dogs or those with joint problems. A prior radiographic examination is a reasonable precaution.
What you need
- a weight pull harness with a rigid spreader bar
- a full warm-up before every attempt
- a surface with good grip
- supervision by an experienced organiser
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about Weight Pull
What harness is used?
A dedicated weight pull harness, with a rigid spreader that keeps the straps clear of the hind legs. A canicross or walking harness is unsuitable and can injure.
Does the biggest dog win?
Not necessarily. Competition is by weight category, and rankings compare the load pulled to body mass, which often favours small, compact dogs.
From the same category
Related sports
Carting
Pulling a cart.
Draft Dog
Controlled transport of a load.
Wall Climb
Climbing a vertical wall, seen at some competitions.
Tug of War
Controlled pulling contests at certain sporting events.
We do not run Weight Pull
This page is informational. We work in mantrailing, search and rescue and preparation for the TSAC and BH exams - but if you want an honest opinion on what would suit your dog, write to us anytime.