Rottweilers are natural at many tasks. Herding, obedience and of course, Carting - as they are a drafting breed. The dog in this picture, Riley, was my first driving dog (where the handler sits in the cart) but I have trained multiple carting dogs - though only one to this level. It is a lot of commitment and takes the right partnership between dog and handler - and lots of work! Starting slowly, with good equipment and a well trained dog, is vital. Rottweilers, when introduced properly, excel at carting - as they do at most tasks! It is important to have a Rottweiler that has solid obedience training before ever attempting to cart. Also, the harness must be a well fitted one so it sits properly and carries the weight of the cart, and riders or driver. The cart can be a sulky type, as shown in these pictures of my girls, or a draft or freight cart. You can search some of the links pages for more information on equipment and sources. Prior to ever hooking your dog up to a cart, you must introduce the concept to the dog based on the dogs temperament and ability to work with, and trust, the handler. If the dog has great basic obedience, is confident, stable, and has a willingness to try something new, then you have a dog that may make a great carting dog. Young puppies, dogs that are not well socialized, dog reactive dogs or dogs that are not sound in any way, would not be good candidates for this sport. Carting can be fun for the whole family. Once the dog is comfortable with carting, and listens well to commands, there is never a lack of volunteers to ride in the cart. There are also tests that you can enter with your Rottweiler that test his, and your, skills around a course - through the American Rottweiler Club. The three levels of tests are Carting Started (dog on lead), Carting Intermediate (dog off lead) and Carting Excellent (dog driving, meaning handler is in the cart).
Carting with your Rottweiler
Pattern samples below are for Harnesses and Collars.
- Our harnesses are $50 and are adjustable around the shoulders and ribs. - Our Traces are $14 per set, and are also adjustable. - A Set, as pictured below in Teal & Red, is $75 (plus $10 Shipping in US) - Colors for Nylon are Black, Navy, Forest Green, Red, Purple, Royal Blue, Light Blue, Pink, Tan and Brown. We will try to match your cart color if you already have a cart.
Our custom harnesses are sizable and are made to fit your dog perfectly to disperse the weight of the cart and load properly (over your dogs shoulders and across front of chest). 5 adjustments allow for the harness to grow with your dog, and a perfect fit will make maneuvering and backing up much more comfortable for your dog. We can make them in most colors - some of more popular ones shown above - but we also have black and purple (and may offer more variety in the future). You can also choose your color of padding. Our harnesses are $50 (plus shipping) and take a few weeks to make (not including shipping time). Please use the Measurement Chart below when measuring your dog to ensure best fit. Feel free to contact us and we can assist you in measuring your dog.mailto:GeulaR@aol.com?subject=Carting%20Harnessshapeimage_7_link_0
Carting Harnesses Check chokes are great for obedience training or just for walking your dog - they allow a correction without the actual choking part of a regular choke chain. Ours come in an array of patterns and colors. Large - $14.00 Medium - $10.00 Small - $8.00 Carting Harnesses - Prices/Sizing Harnesses & Collars - Patterns Please use a tape measure to properly measure your dog; A. From Elbow, around front, to other Elbow (measure around most prominent part of sternum/forechest) B. Around largest girth of ribs C. From top of front leg, over shoulders, to top of other leg D. From lower point of C, around front of chest, to other side Please email with any questions - the harness is sizable, but it is made to fit over your dogs shoulders, so it is very important to measure correctly. Make sure that the dog and the equipment is well suited for the type of carting you will be doing. If your are planning to have your dog pull weight with a two wheeled cart (vs a 4 wheeled wagon) we strongly suggest the Breast Type Harness shown in the pictures below - and the type we make - because it puts the weight of the cart and rider over the dogs shoulders and not on his spine.
Our Carting Set ($75)includes a Custom Harness, Adjustable Traces, and an Adjustable Check Choke.
 
 
 
Great links for getting started, and finding the correct equipment. Feel free to email with any questions - and happy Carting!
Proper fit of Harness;
 
Harness should sit on top of the shoulders (strap C) and across the chest (strap D) as shown in the picture to the left. Any weight on the shafts would be held up by the shoulder strap, and not the strap that sits over the spine (B).
The two dogs above with the baby and puppy are VERY well trained dos - Kong, on left, and Tiller, on right. Both have competed in National levels and their owners have a great amount of control and training on these dogs. My dog, Tempest, the one shown with my daughter in the Cinderella cart has lots of experience winning at Tests and toting kids around as well. DO NOT put a child into a cart with an untrained dog!