Wagon or cart, and why?

[NewfieMama]

The snow is finally melting and we're thinking about starting Cooper in some draft training. I have looked at wilczek and several of the other sites recommended here.

So my question is, which should we do, a cart or a wagon? I can see the differences, visually, but is there a functional difference? Is one easier to "learn" than the other?

Thoughts and recs appreciated!

Mary

 

[KatieB]

Cart if you are going to ever enter a draft test. It has the ability to turn much easier (pivot) since it's on two wheels vs. a wagon with 4 wheels. You have to make tight 90 degree turns in the tests and that would be pretty tough to do with a wagon. IF you are just planning on pulling kids around or something then a wagon is easier to balance.

 

[wrknnwf]

Cart for are easier to learn. Wagons are difficult to turn and are very difficult to back up straight. Can jackknife too.

 

[Angela]

Yes to what KatieB said. Definitely a wagon is very difficult to manoeuvre in a carting test I would think.

 

[janices]

2-wheel cart if planning on entering a draft test. Just easier to manuever through a manuevering course at draft test than 4-wheel cart.

 

[sendchocolate]

Let me just ask...do dogs who do draft work have more cruciate tears? This concerns me...how will you know how much weight is too much?

 

[janices]

Let me just ask...do dogs who do draft work have more cruciate tears? This concerns me...how will you know how much weight is too much?

I don't think you'll find any statistics on that. It's like anything have an out of shape newf pull a cart your chances are greater for injury. Exercise, warm ups, cool downs, conditioning to stay in shape should be done. Newfs are just like any athlete. Proper conditioning is a must.

 

[KatieB]

All three of mine have done quite a bit of draft work and we had our Berner pulling his weight (125 pounds) regularly. We haven't had any issues, knock on wood, but we also run the newfs daily and swim them in the summer as well as doing jumping exercises for obedience etc. If you have a well conditioned dog and work them up to it slowly your risk for injury is far less.....not to say things can't happen. But I would seriously doubt htat draft work increases cruciate tears. And the newfs only have to pull 25 pounds in the draft test. It's really not a strain on them to pull that little amount of weight. We used to take Bella running and then put 55 pounds in her cart so she'd be a bit tired and more in control on the freight haul. These dogs are capable of a lot more than most people give them credit for.