Latest Project Finished

[Guy Germaine]

Not fine woodworking, but this should be fun! Since winter is on the way, and it's getting too cold for water work, I thought it was time to start Draft Work training with my Newfs. Here is Isabella's new cart:

http://www.fototime.com/C873718641BDB29/standard.jpg

http://www.fototime.com/FC856B50BDDEA5C/standard.jpg

[Rennie Heuer]

Very cool. Isabella is fortunate to have you around. Pardon my ignorance....what is Newfs?

[Guy Germaine]

Newfs are Newfoundland dogs. I have 3 of them. This is Isabella, our show dog. I have been training her for Water Rescue all summer. She is 10 months old in this picture.
http://www.fototime.com/C1CAF841935F6C5/standard.jpg

Here she is doing the "Tow a Boat" excercise:
http://www.fototime.com/25CB8ACC9A9A49B/standard.jpg

[Rennie Heuer]

Newfs are Newfoundland dogs. I have 3 of them.

I suspected......

So, she will pull the cart? Even more cool.

[Guy Germaine]

Yes, she will pull the cart. She will have a harness on that connects her to the cart via the "single tree" (the piece of maple hanging down in the front).

http://www.fototime.com/5D52334C8EB1B31/standard.jpg
The shafts go through loops in the harness to keep them off the ground. There are several different "excercises" they have to do in order to earn their "Draft Dog" title.

[John Fry]

Guy,

The cart is neat and your dogs are beautiful.

Pulling that boat is extremely impressive! How much weight do they have to carry in the cart for the draft work?

[glenn bradley]

That is very cool. We need a pic with Isabella pulling it.

[Blaine Harrison]

Isabella actually looks small for a Newfie. The term "gentle giant" works very well for them. They're neat dogs.

Oh, and to keep on topic, the draft wagon looks neat too.

Blaine

[Guy Germaine]

John,
During the test, the cart will have 25 pounds in it and they will pull it for 1 mile. It's called the "Long Freight Haul". The other excercises are done with the cart empty. (Actually, I may build a "Competition" cart which is smaller, since they have to maneuver in between, and around obstacles.) I'm going to use this one for training and parades, and such. Our club takes the Newfs to various places to show off, and promote the breed. Some of our members that are already cart-trained give kids rides in the carts. They love it.

Blaine,
In that first picture, she is only around 10 or 11 months old. Right now, she is 14 months old and weighs 95 pounds. She is a little on the light side for her age, but keep in mind that she's been in the water, swimming, and training every day since June 5th. She's a little light, but she's solid as a rock! :D
Here is a picture of an adult male that was the Water Rescue test in Indy. I wanted this picture because he would pass for a twin to my first Newf, Teddy. I'm sure this is more in line with what you're thinking. Isabella will be roughly this size when she's full grown, at around 2 or 3 years old.
http://www.fototime.com/22FBC67E3C5AF31/standard.jpg

Glenn,
I have the harness ordered. As soon as it comes in, and we get her used to having the cart attached to her, I'll get some pictures.

[Jerry Olexa]

Nice job and nice dog....

[Corey Hallagan]

great looking little cart! Nice job!

corey