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Pit Bull Pull Demonstrates
Positive Character of Unique Canines |
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A
great time was had by all who attended the Pit Bull Pull at Central
Alabama Farmers Co-op in Selma on Saturday, February 23, 2008.
"The
purpose of this event was to bring everyone together to show how amazing
and strong-willed the pit bull breed is. It was to also introduce them
to the wonderful sport of weight pulling," said Ken Flournoy,
co-owner of Durty Red Kennels (www.durtyredkennels.com) in Ozark,
who provided the weight pull track for the competition.
You
are probably asking "What is weight pulling?"
At
a weight pull show, your dog is harnessed and hooked to a cart (or sled
in the snow) upon which increasing increments of weight are added and
then it is required to pull the |
Reign of Durty Red
Kennels showed how it is done by pulling 3,350 pounds winning him the
award for Most Weight Pulled 55 Pounds & Over.
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for 16 feet (15 feet for the American Dog Breeders Association, ADBA) in
60 seconds. If the dog hasn’t completed the distance in this time, the
pull is over at a sanctioned ADBA pull. However, if the cart is still
moving, the American Pulling Alliance (APA) allows the dog to finish the
pull with assistance of the handler so it may succeed. But you do not
score any points if the dog is helped. |
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Lisa Lockhart of
Bullheaded Bullies with her dog, The Prince, who won Most Weight Pulled
Per Pound 55 Pounds & Over by pulling 3,308 pounds.
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You
are allowed to encourage the dog from the finish line or drive the dog
by walking to the side and behind it while encouraging it to pull the
weight.
The
dog having the highest body pound percent according to its weight class,
wins the class. Should there be a tie when two dogs pull the same weight
and weigh the same, the fastest time wins. Using this system you will
see big dogs lose to little dogs because the little dog pulled more
weight compared to their size in open pulls. Some organizations offer
pulls for a specific breed (which was the case of the pull in Selma).
But with the APA, it is open to all breeds of dogs.
Also,
different organizations have different rules. For example, the
International Weight Pull Association (IWPA) and the UKC do not allow
"baiting" while the ADBA does. Baiting is using something to
lure the dog to you, like its favorite toy or treats. All three
organizations state you cannot touch your dog in any manner while
pulling and physical corrections are also penalized.
Some
organizations allow the dog to pull on a platform of carpet and plywood
32 feet in length, while the cart rides on metal rails. This allows for much
higher weights than when the cart and dog are on the same surface
like a rubber wheeled cart on dirt or carpet. Because each pull offers a
different surface and conditions, pull weights cannot be compared from
pull to pull.
Weight
pulls offer a great way to get outdoors and get some exercise with your
dog while giving your dog a job to do. In the end, it’s a unique sport
for unique canines and owners who enjoy the competition and excitement
of a successful pull. (Sources: RealPitBulls.com,
PitBullLovers.com) |
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"It
takes a lot of hard work, long days and nights, and dedication to get a
dog ready for the weight pull circuit," said Flournoy, who is a
certified judge and an Alabama representative for the APA. |
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"It
took me ten months to get my first dog ready for an event."
Flournoy stated, "You must first establish a strong bond with your
dog. But once he has imprinted on his mind what you expect him to do,
the ‘sky is the limit’ for both of you."
Flournoy
said Durty Red Kennels strive to maintain, promote and better the image
of this fine breed of canine.
Tim
Wood, general manager of Central Alabama Farmers Co-op, commented,
"We were excited to participate in an event showing pit bulls were
not a vicious breed but loving animals ready to give their all for those
they love."
"Although
the weather was not great, a great time was still had with great people.
It gave families in the area a chance to come out with their dogs and do
something positive for the American Pit Bull Terrier," said Lisa
Lockhart of Bullheaded Bullies and Twisted Whiskers Pet Spa in Jasper.
"This
was a great way for families to bond and pass on to future generations
the need to care for animals and not just Pit Bulls but all types.
Everyone seemed to be smiling. And that is what it was all about,"
added Lockhart.
If
you are interested in the American Pit Bull Terrier or weight pulls,
contact Ken Flournoy at (334) 408-1421 or durtyredkennels@yahoo.com,
or Lisa and Jeff Lockhart at (205) 387-7962. For more information on
weight pulls, visit APA at their website www.weightpull.com
and see if you can find a pull in your area. |
Jeff Lockhart of
Bullheaded Bullies with his dog, Sable, who won Best Conditioned Dog. |
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