European Weight Pulling Federation - Equipment
You
First a few words about the dog handler, you. Be always nice to you dog. You have to be firm and you can expect results from your dog but always remember that you are the one who inspires your dog for goo weightpulling results!
Dog
The weightpulling in todays format was started as a sport for the American Pit Bull Terriers, created by the ADBA club. Today it is a sport for many different working dog breeds. The most imporant for good weightpulling results is the dog's attitude and technique, the power and force is on the second place.
Harness
Most weighpullers use special designed weightpulling harnesses. These harnesses differs from many othe harnesses by many details. For example, the cart is connected to the harness low and behind the dog, not above like in husky harnesses.
If you are interested in weightpulling then it is strongly suggested to buy your dog own special made weightpull harnesses. There are several makers of very good weightpull harnesses, the prices varies usually around 100 €.
Cart
The weightpulling carts are usually custom made for weightpulling. The cart designer should understand to make the cart sturdy enough to carry heavy loads (up to over +2,000 kg) safely. An important detail is that the cart should be made so that every pull is as equal as possible so that the competition is equal for all dogs.
Track or rails
Dirt track and rubber wheels are most economical and movable option.
The rubber wheel cart is possible to build with a budget as low as 50 €.
The problem with rubber wheels and dirt/asphalt/concrete track is that there are some variations between the pulls. Especially the inflatable wheels causes non-linear pullforces with heavy loads and special attention should be put on the dirt track.Rails are smooth and well working but often difficult and expensive to build. Another problem is to move the heavy rails and cart.
If you build a rail cart then note that the rails should be done of quite heavy duty profile, othervise there will be problems.
The rail cart budget starts from 500 €.
Weights
Anything goes as long as it stays on the cart! The problem is that the weight weights a lot!
Many have tried stones, concrete blocks, iron chunks, water tanks, live stock. Most work pretty well.The easiest is if you have many, equally weighting weights. This makes it easy to calculate the whole weight. A good idea is to make a tabel of the weights, that way you don't have to calculate the weights in the competition or training.
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