German Shepherds are popular for their strength, energy, and intelligence. That’s the reason they are also defined as the best working dog but there is one query are German Shepherds able to pull a sled?
Because of their physical strength, German Shepherds have such stamina that can let them pull a sled with much comfort and they can easily pull a sled when they are trained to do so. Since a German Shepherd is a double-coated canine that also allows them to pull the sled in snow areas with the athleticism they have got naturally.
If there is any competition among different dog breeds in pulling a sled then Siberian Huskies can easily win the competition because of the physical structure they have got. However, there are a lot of tips and tricks that also help working dogs how to get the actual strength to pull a sled when required.
Let’s explore the topic with great training skills and tips that will allow your dog to pull a sled even in snowy conditions.
Table of Contents
Can A German Shepherd Pull A Sled?
German Shepherds have got a great ability to show their strength that’s why they are favorites for police or military work. If we look at their family history they are also known for their courage but when it comes to sled pulling many of you may wonder and ask the question can a German Shepherd pull a sled?
Yes, a German Shepherd can pull a sled due to its physical strength. If we look at their history, they were initially designed for working and herding jobs, and people have used this breed to pull carts or sleds for decades.
Even when German Shepherds are trained to pull the sled they can do this work more efficiently. However, the weight of a healthy German Shepherd dog is around 65 to 90 pounds and they can pull twice their body weight.
However, the sled pulling for German Shepherds also depends on several factors like their size, weight, health, training, of course, climatic conditions. If a German Shepherd is healthy and is not prone to hip or elbow dysplasia then they can easily pull sleds.
You should also note that German Shepherds are also prone to hip or elbow dysplasia so it would be difficult for them to pull any weight. So in such conditions, you should observe their health and avoid such activities.
Rather it would be best to provide some exercises that treat their joint issues before you decide to engage them in any physical work that demands a lot of energy and strength. Provide your dog calcium-rich diet to prevent any joint issues.
How Much Weight Can A German Shepherd Pull?
The history of German Shepherds tells us everything as people used this breed for various purposes like protecting the livestock or pulling the cart which also signifies that they can pull weight. But here we have to know how much weight can a German Shepherd pull.
A healthy male German Shepherd can pull twice their weight. As far as their weight is concerned male German Shepherds weigh around 30 to 40 Kg while female German Shepherds are 22 to 32 kg but they can pull the weight because of the strength they have got naturally.
You can also understand it by an example, if the weight of your German Shepherd is 35 then he can pull a weight of 70 kg. Though the weight of a female German Shepherd is slightly low it can also pull the weight.
However, If you want your German Shepherd to pull some weight it’s important to observe their fitness level as the healthier they will the more weight they can pull. You can also train your German Shepherd to pull some weight as training will determine your dog much weight they can pull.
Always look for their safety while pulling the weight as proper precautions and equipment must be taken for their safety. If you want your German Shepherd pup to pull weight then you must consult professionals to train them as this will ensure their safety with proper safety.
Also Read: Why Is My German Shepherd So Lazy? 10 Important Facts To Consider!!!
How Fast Can A German Shepherd Pull A Sled?
The average pace of a German Shepherd is 30 miles per hour, and well-trained German Shepherds are capable of pulling sleds, but you might be wondering how quickly they can pull the sled.
A German Shepherd can pull a sled at an average speed of 15 miles per hour. It’s obvious to lose pace while pulling the weight as they use to run 48 miles per hour without any weight but there is the possibility that they can gain more pace while pulling the sled it all depends on many factors like their fitness level, age, gender, the weight of the sled and climatic conditions.
Let’s discuss some of the factors that allow German Shepherds to pull a sled at full pace:
Fitness Level
All we know German Shepherds can easily pull sleds but it all depends on their fitness level as a healthy GSD can pull weight twice their weight.
However, it’s always important to observe their health, if your dog is suffering from hip or elbow dysplasia then you must not allow them to pull weight rather you should consult your vet for their treatment.
Age
Age also plays a crucial role for German Shepherds in pulling the sleds. When they are fully grown they can pull the weight at a much more impressive pace because of their muscular body and strength.
If you are trying to force your German Shepherd puppy to pull any weight then you must stop it immediately as it can hurt them and affect their body because they are in the growing stage and they should pull any weight.
At the same time, older German Shepherds will also lose their strength and they will also face difficulty in pulling mush or any type of weight. Every dog owner must see their age if they want their dog to be a sled puller, you should try to allow them when they are fully grown as this is the age when they provide full service.
Gender
A male German Shepherd pulls the sled faster than female German Shepherds and males are also able to pull heavier weights than females. Though the top weight pulling can of both genders may differ slightly they can pull the weight double their body size and weight.
Weight Of the Sled
The weight of the sled is also important for the dog to pull the weight at a much more impressive pace. The heavier the weight will be the less speed they will gain while pulling the sled.
Distance
Distance is another factor that also affects the speed of the German Shepherd while pulling the sled. They can go with their actual pace when you allow them to cover the short distance but if your dog has to cover a longer distance it would be quite difficult for them to pull the sled with the actual pace.
As a good German Shepherd owner you should never allow your dog to pull the heavyweight for long distances as they can easily pull the load twice their weight so you should take the proper initiative that does not affect their health.
Also Read: Should I lock My German Shepherd Puppy In His Crate At Night? 7 Factual Reasons To Know!!!
How To Train A German Shepherd To Pull A Sled?
Every dog breed enjoys sled pulling whether they are small or large animals. Some of them like huskies were bred for pulling sleds and are famous for such tasks common in snowy regions but there is always the risk of forcing the dogs to pull the sled.
There may also be a few dog owners who want their dogs to be great sled dogs and pullers, though sled pulling is fun at the same time you must train your dog to be among the great sled pullers. If you own a German Shepherd then it will be easy to train as they are strong enough to be great sled pullers.
Here are some steps you can also follow to train your German Shepherd to pull the sled.
Purchase Right Equipment
Before you start training your German Shepherd dog for sled pulling you need to have the right equipment that is required for sled pulling. This means that you require a sled first that fits your German Shepherd.
There are many sleds available in the market but the right sled allows your dog to be comfortable while pulling the sled. You can choose traditional sheds which can be a smarter choice and your dog’s body will be more comfortable while pulling it.
Introduction Of Harness
Once your dog is accustomed to riding on sleds, you should introduce a harness that fits them. Your dog might not feel comfortable with it at first, but after interacting with it for a while, it will become accustomed to it.
So, it’s crucial to pick a harness that fits their physique and won’t damage them. Always choose a harness that is simple to adjust and stays on the body.
Teach Your Dog Sledding Commands
Another step is teaching your dog sledding commands. You should become a musher for your dog so that communication must be easy with you and your dog as they must obey all your commands while pulling the sleds.
Here are some of the sledding commands you can teach your German Shepherd:
Hike: Hike or let’s go command tell your dog to move on and pull the sled as this command tells your dog to run with some weight.
Gee: This command is for moving your dog right. This means that when your dog is moving straight then you can direct them to gee so that they can immediately move right.
Haw: With the help of “haw” commands you direct your dog to move left.
On By: “On By command” allow your dog to pass the object while running and pulling the sled.
Whoa: When your dog is running and pulling the sleds comfortably then you can use the Whoa command that allows them to stop.
Easy Command: “Easy command” will let your dog slow down while running and pulling the sled.
Line Out Command: With the help of this command, you will teach your dog to stretch out in a straight line.
Mush: It is a highly important command that encourages your dog to run and move the sled at an impressive pace.
It’s always important for you to keep the commands simple and teach them consistently so that your dog may always respond to them.
Practice Consistently
Practicing your dog with all the commands consistently is very important as it will allow your dog to learn all the processes and do the job with all the tasks without any difficulty.
Once your dog becomes habituated to the situation you can be a good team and with proper communication and training you both can pass all the obstacles as a musher you can easily navigate them in difficult terrain and cover long distances.
Precautions To Take While Training Your German Shepherd To Pull A Sled?
Training your German Shepherd to pull a sled can be an enjoyable activity for energetic dog, but it’s also important to take precautionary steps when you allow your GSD to pull a sled. Let’s also look at some of the precautionary steps that you can also implement while training your dog in pulling the sled.
Here are some of the precautionary steps you can follow while letting your German Shepherd pull a sled:
- Consulting Veterinarian
- Use of Genuine equipment
- Start Slowly
- Observe Your GSD’s Health
- Find a Safe place for sled pulling
- Always be patient and consistent with your dog
Remember dog sledding demands both mental and physical stamina for you and your dog. It’s always important to take all the precautionary steps while training your dog for any recreational dog sledding and pulling. You can also hire a trainer or handler who can ensure full safety for you as well as your dog.
What Dog breeds Can Pull Sleds?
Apart from German Shepherds, many other dog breeds are also strong and have got the instinct to pull sleds even with heavy loads.
Here are some of the other dogs from the dog breeds that pull the sleds comfortably in favorable weather conditions:
- Saint Bernard
- Alaskan Malamute
- Alaskan Huskies
- American Pitbull Terrier
- Siberian Husky
- Greenland Dog
- Chinook
- Bernese Mountain Dog
- Canadian Eskimo
Final Thoughts:
German Shepherds have the instinct to pull the weight and they can be great sled pullers but it’s important to look out for the equipment and their training lessons. They are also able to pull the weight but making the weight puller will be done after looking out for their health.
However, some may prefer German Shepherds as sled dogs to huskies or other dogs but remember they can pull the weight twice or thrice their body weight so it’s important not to overload as it can hurt them and they can’t cover a long distance. If you are training your German Shepherd for sled pulling ensure their safety and provide them with proper time to learn all the commands.
Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs):
Q1. Isn’t Dog Sledding Dangerous?
Any outdoor activity done by dogs can some time risky so yes dog sledding can be also dangerous sometimes if you ignore some of the conditions like weather conditions, terrain area, the equipment they are pulling the sleds, and your dog’s health.
Q2. Can any dog breed be a sled dog?
Dogs who have got strong physiques can be suitable for human sled pulling so not all dog breeds can be sled dogs as they will not have such traits and characteristics that are required to do such tasks or pull the sled.
Q3. Do German Shepherds pull?
The answer to this question is yes German Shepherds can pull the weight because of their strong bodies and athleticism but remember they are not natural sled pullers when they are properly trained for doing a such task they can pull the sleds even in challenging conditions.
Q4. How Strong Is A German Shepherd Pull?
A healthy and fully grown German Shepherd can pull twice and thrice their body weight, however, the sled pulling will depend on many other factors like their health, weather conditions, size, and age.
Q5. How Much Weight Can 1 Sled Dog Pull?
1 sled dog can pull twice or thrice their body weight for example if your German Shepherd dogs are around 40 to 50 pounds they can pull a sled weighing 80 to 120 pounds but remember never to overload their weight.