As you may or may not know, the Rottweiler is a working breed with plenty of energy. It may not be as energetic as a sheepdog, but the energy levels of the breed still mean that it needs some kind of physical and mental stimulation.
One particular sport which many people like to take part in with their Rottweiler is Carting.
What is Carting and why should you consider it?
Carting is a sport which many Rottweiler owners take part in with their dogs. It basically involves the dog pulling along a cart filled with something such as firewood or even people. The dog has to be fairly muscular to do this, hence the reason it is ideal for the Rottweiler.
There are different types of carting that you can take part in with your Rottweiler and they include:
Dryland Mushing
Sulky Driving
Each different type challenges the dog a little differently. Sulky driving tends to be the most popular type of carting that Rottweiler owners take part in. It involves a cart with two wheels with the person sitting inside the sulky. The dog is attached to the cart and it has to pull the person along. It is a very physically demanding sport and the Rottweiler does seem to enjoy the challenge.
The one thing that you have to remember is that you should never exceed the weight of your Rottweiler by more than three times the dogs weight. Obviously too much weight could harm the dog and so you need to ensure that you make the activity fair and fun.
In some parts of the world Rottweiler carting is not just a hobby, it is a way of life. They are often used to pull around carts of supplies where cars and traffic cannot easily go. Farmers use them to cart around their crops and food supplies and the Rottweiler seems fairly happy to oblige. As long as they are given something to do, the Rottweiler will take the task in hand and excel at it.
If you would like to try out Rottweiler carting for a little fun then there is bound to be a club in your local area that you could join. It is quite a popular sport and not only does it provide the dog with something to do, but it also gives them the exercise that they need too. You could try driving with the dog which basically involves you being pulled along by your Rottweiler in a fun race.
You can try out carting as a hobby or as a way of life. It really doesn't matter just as long as you do not overwork the Rottweiler. As a breed they are excellent carting dogs and it does help to give them something positive to do in order to keep them content.
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