How much weight can a Newfie pull?

[Baloo]

I was just curious as to how much weight a newfie could safely pull? I do mean in a proper harness and cart. I have been toying with the idea of getting the hubby to build some sort of cart that Milo could fit in and hopefully Baloo could pull around. It's camping season and I don't want the little guy to feel left out. Milo weights 110 right now, figure...say 50 pounds tops for cart.

 

[wrknnwf]

If the cart is well balanced, with proper shaft height and a good siwash harness, 110 lbs is not unreasonable. There are driving dog carts made to hold adult people well in excess of that weight.

Getting Milo to stay put and not unbalance the cart is the trick. Why not let him walk beside it? It would be good practice for when it's his turn.

 

[HannahCB]

I was wondering this too the other day saw a video with dogs weight pulling sacks of dog food i mean like 20 i think the top weight a newf pulled was 1300lbs!!!!!!! i was soo shocked.

 

[bdsagek]

My male OES pulled 340 pounds in his first novice weight pull - never having ever even seen a harness or being hooked up to the cart. And we were disqualified because I looked like I was touching his collar (actually his ear) too much. Believe me - our male Newf is built to pull alot more!

 

[Bär]

Full grown & properly conditioned they can pull a lot of weight. But to start out you have to ease into it.
Under the age of 2 I would not let them pull weight.
Once full grown I would slowy increase the weight & distance. Always taken into consideration the weight of the cart.
I started Bär with 2 empty milkjugs hooked to his harness. Slowy adding gravel for weight. Then I had him pull 2 broomsticks for a while, so he could get used to the trees for the cart.
Now he is pulling a very lightweight handmade cart.
Because he joint problems I have to be carefull with weight, but that does not mean he can not have fun doing what he breed is meant to do.
Just start slow, the harness is the first step.

 

[newfy]

I won't let Merlin pull anything,
no reason for him to injur himself,
walking & swimming & running is all we do.

 

[Bär]

I won't let Merlin pull anything,
no reason for him to injur himself,
walking & swimming & running is all we do.

There is more of chance him injuring himself by running around, then by pulling a cart.
Pulling a cart is controlled exercise, like leash walking.
Letting them run around is uncontrolled exercise, which is where most of the injury s occur.
Even though Bär has joint problems, he can still pull a cart as long as it is properly managed. While pulling the card, I not only physically exercise him, but I also give him mental stimmulation & fullfill his needs as a newf.
I cannot however let him have uncontrolled exercise, because the risk of doing more damage to his joints is to great.

 

[newfy]

There is more of chance him injuring himself by running around, then by pulling a cart.
Pulling a cart is controlled exercise, like leash walking.
Letting them run around is uncontrolled exercise, which is where most of the injury s occur.
Even though Bär has joint problems, he can still pull a cart as long as it is properly managed. While pulling the card, I not only physically exercise him, but I also give him mental stimmulation & fullfill his needs as a newf.
I cannot however let him have uncontrolled exercise, because the risk of doing more damage to his joints is to great.

Good Point!

 

[pabusinesswoman]

We are coming into draft work here.. probably in the fall. So I am still learning about this too. I am sure others who have been doing it may have other suggestions.

I asked around for general information before starting Sadie so I did not damage her hips. I was told not to start weight until at least 2 when the hips are more developed. I could practice with a harness and a milk jug prior, but not to put any excessive weight on her at that time.

I was told the amount of weight would depend on the rear structure and hips of the dog. I was told as an average for draft work... she could probably safely work 100 lbs per Newf. (teams could pull more) and to build them up to that weight level. It was also noted that it is important to have a well balanced load for the pull.

If your looking into the weight pulls.. don't know. You may want to check with an organization who does those sort of things. My other pupper has bad hips and I see the pain she is in. Putting too much weight on Sadie, I would be afraid of blowing her hips.

I hope this helps