Bernese Carting Group - Draught Tests

Bernese Carting Group - Background

The Bernese Carting Group was initially set up in 1996 to promote and agree standards for the 'working cart course' and other carting activities. A meeting of all interested parties was convened on the 21th January 1996 at the Crossroads Hotel, Weedon where the following people were elected to represent the group.
The aim of the group is:

'The development and promotion of all aspects of responsible carting activities'


The group initially represented the following three Bernese Mountain Dog Clubs:
The group agreed standards for the carting course (please see the levels and layouts below), set up a judges list and agreed on appropriate advice for judges to improve consistency of judging standards. Seminars were arranged to to promote judging skills, techniques and encourage new carters to become judges.

The Carting Certificate

It was agreed that a carting certificate would be awarded for each level of the carting course to dogs who twice achieve the required standard (the award to be retrospective since the new carting course was set up at the Festival of Bernese Working Day in 1991). The points total and requirements are outlined below:

Beginners Intermediate Advanced
      Draught Test     Score       Draught Test     Score       Draught Test     Score
      Control Test     0
      Weave            10
      Chicane 1       10
      Load 1           10
      Pond              10
      Bridge            10
      Halt               10
      Unload 1       10
      Chicane 11    10
      Weave 11      10
      Trot               10
      Ease of Control     30
      ------------------
      Total Marks:  130
      Pass Mark:    117
      -------------------
       As the beginners plus:

      Gate               10
      Ribbon Rail     10
      Figure Eight     10
      Rattle Board    10
      Noise Test       10
      -------------------
      Total Marks:  180
      Pass Mark:    162
      -------------------
       As the intermediate plus:

      Leave/Recall     10
      Ramp                10
      Load II             10
      Reverse             10
      Unload II           10
      Kerb                 10
      Handling Test     10
      -------------------
      Total Marks:  250
      Pass Mark:    225
      -------------------

Please note that this is just a brief outline of the carting course requirements. More detailed information is available at all carting events. A list is shown below:
*Note: The Scottish club has only just started the carting course tests and will only be working up to intermediate level this year. They are keen to progress and will gradually work up to advance level in the near future.

Carting Medals (Gold, Silver and Bronze):
These are awarded to the best advanced dogs over the whole of one season. The best three markes are taken into account with the highest score obtaining the Gold award etc.

Our dogs have achieved the following medals:
     1999      Tia   Gold Medal          Bailey   Bronze Medal
     2000      Tia   Gold Medal          Bailey   Silver Medal
     2001       Bailey and Bess tie for the Gold Medal
     2002       Bailey   Gold Medal          Bess   Bronze Medal

Other Clubs that have Draught (Carting) Tests:
Both the Newfoundland and Leonberger clubs have draught tests which are open to all breeds. Bailey has successfully completed the first Newfoundland draught test. Bailey, Rio (Aussie) and Jay (Aussie) have just successfully completed the Leonberger level 4 and level 5 draught tests.
More information on these tests can be found on their own sites.

Please see Tia's Advanced Carting Certificate below:

 (Please click for a larger view, press the back button to return).

Baileys Advanced Certificate
Ruddles, Bailey and Bess have also achieved their Advanced Working Cart Certificates

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this link to return to the working page.

Thanks to Fuzzy Faces for the background:
Graphis by Fuzzy Faces