Drafting (or sometimes referred to as carting) is a great hobby that builds a wonderful working relationship between you and your dog. The trust, communication, patience and fitness that you develop with your pet is an invaluable outcome of the large amount of training put into this activity.

You and your dog can draft/cart for leisure, competition or practical chores around the house or farm. Carting in parades is always a crowd favorite and you will thoroughly enjoy your new working partner in assisting with hauling the firewood, lawn work and the list goes on!

The Canadian Kennel Club draft tests are open to all pure bred dogs of adequate height and weight that are physically capable of completing their class’ required exercises.

Currently, you can compete for two different levels of draft titles; Draft Dog (DD) and Draft Dog Excellent (DDX). Brace team titles are also offered in each level.

During your basic Draft Dog test, you will encounter various exercises such as harness & hitch, maneuvering a course, figure 8, back up, freight haul and basic obedience. Draft Dog Excellent builds on many of these exercises as well as incorporating working your dog from behind the cart, additional weight and difficulty in the maneuvers and the backpacking portion.

When beginning to cart, please seek the assistance of a trainer, seasoned draft enthusiast or professional. Owners should have a good understanding of all equipment involved before training their pet to draft. If not, avoidable injury to your animal or yourself could occur.

Bonnie Galbraith