Originally posted by ParNone
Far from cruel. Most dogs are happiest when they're getting to do what they were bred to do. I've got Collies, that can be used as draft dogs, and I've often thought about getting a lil' cart for them to pull my very old Cairn Terrier in on walks.

Par...
Totally agree.

Some of those pics were of Swissies (which is what I have)...and I have been to several weight pull competitions (to watch) and the dogs have tons of fun doing what they do best...working. Swissies were considered the poor man's horse back in the day...and were used to pull carts of milk to people. They are a working breed and pulling carts and weight pulls are what they were initially bred to do. I know many Swissie owners and they treat their dogs just like their own kids. The dogs are not allowed to pull until a certain age and weight. Dogs love to please their owners, and there is nothing like watching a weight competition...watching the owner encourage their dog to pull that cart and the satisfaction from the dog when he does!! If the dog is unable to pull the weight, they still move the cart forward at the end of the alloted time to make the dog feel "satisfied" that it didn't fail...and will do better next time. It is loads of fun to watch. You can definately see the bond between the owner and dog as they work together to pull as much weight as they can. The owner verbally encourages the dog along, w/o touching the dog, and the dog works to accomplish it's goal...and lots of tail wagging and hugs happens after the pull is over. Fun to watch for sure.

BTW, the pic of the little Swissie puppy with the cart attached...is not old enough to pull yet, but he is being fitted for it and will carry around an empty cart to get used to it, and when old enough will pull more weight...they are most likely just trying to get the dog used to it...which is also achieved by just walking next to the dog with the cart and then later fitting it to the dog.