Carting and Draught Dogs: Bernese and Newfoundland Puppies

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About carting and draught work

Carting, or draught work, is the traditional job of several large breeds. The dog pulls a cart, and sometimes a load, under calm control. In Switzerland, Bernese Mountain Dogs pulled carts carrying milk and produce from farm to dairy and market, and Newfoundlands hauled loads for fishermen and on shore. Today UK breed clubs keep that heritage alive through training days, club events and, for Newfoundlands, formal draught tests. This page covers what carting involves, who runs it and what to ask a breeder of a carting dog.

What this work involves

A draught dog works in a fitted harness between the shafts of a cart. It must stand steady while it is hitched, walk to heel, stop, back up and turn on command, and pull a load without rushing. A draught dog test checks exactly these skills.

The joint Newfoundland draught test regulations, in force since October 2019, set out five levels:

Beginners: control and a simple pull
Level 1 (Intermediate): control, manoeuvring and a haul
Level 2 (Bronze), Level 3 (Silver) and Level 4 (Gold): harder control, a group down-stay, manoeuvring and a longer loaded haul

The tests are non-competitive. A dog must pass each level before it can try the next, and a pass earns a certificate of competence. Minimum ages apply: 12 months for Beginners, 18 months for Level 1, 24 months for Levels 2 and 3, and 30 months for Level 4. Dogs aged eight or over cannot enter Level 4. Before a test, judges check that every harness fits and every cart is safe.

Who trains and supplies these dogs in the UK

Carting is run by owners and breed clubs. Owners train their own dogs, and the clubs provide the structure.

The Newfoundland Club, founded in 1886, runs official draught tests alongside the Northern Newfoundland Club and the Southern Newfoundland Club. All three use the same draught test regulations, which they agreed jointly, and each club adds its own rules for junior handlers and for non-Newfoundlands and crosses. Upcoming tests, such as those on 17 and 18 October 2026 at Lenches Lakes in Worcestershire, are advertised on the clubs’ websites.

The Bernese Mountain Dog Club of Great Britain has served UK Bernese owners since 1971. It has published guidance on starting carting with a Bernese, covering harness fit and choosing a cart, and its club events have included carting classes.

Breeders listed on this site sell puppies, not trained carting dogs. A breeder can give you a well-built, health-tested puppy with the steady temperament draught work needs.

Breeds and lines

Bernese Mountain Dog. A Swiss farm breed with a calm, willing nature. A 2006 Kennel Club health survey, cited by the breed club, found an average age at death of eight years, and the club’s own death survey reports that around two thirds of reported deaths are from cancer. Longevity in the pedigree is worth asking about.
Newfoundland. Strong, patient and bred for work on land and in water.
Leonberger. A large, powerful breed whose owners sometimes train it to pull.
Other Swiss mountain dog breeds. These include the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog, another traditional draught breed.

For both the Bernese and the Newfoundland, the Royal Kennel Club lists hip and elbow scoring as good practice. For Newfoundlands it also lists a DNA test for cystinuria as good practice, and eye testing as best practice.

What to ask a breeder

What are both parents’ hip and elbow scores under the BVA/KC schemes?
For Newfoundlands, what is each parent’s cystinuria DNA result, and have they been eye tested?
How long did the grandparents and earlier generations live, and what did they die of?
Have the parents done carting, draught tests or other activities, and how is their temperament in a busy public place?
What exercise and growth advice do you give, and when do you suggest starting harness work?

Frequently asked questions

At what age can my dog start carting?

Get your puppy used to a harness early, but leave real pulling until it has finished growing. The Newfoundland draught tests will not accept a dog under 12 months for the Beginners level or under 30 months for the top level. Check with your vet before you add weight.

Can other breeds take a Newfoundland draught test?

Each of the three Newfoundland clubs sets its own rules for non-Newfoundlands and crosses. Contact the club running the test before you enter.

What equipment do I need for a dog cart?

You need a properly fitted draught harness and a cart sized for your dog, with shafts at the right height. Test judges check both before a dog starts, and they reject anything ill-fitting or unsafe.

Do your dogs do carting or draught tests, or do your lines come from traditional draught breeds? Add your listing to Canine Breeder so owners looking for a carting dog can find you.

Carting and draught work