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Carting
What is Drafting?
If the word “drafting” is new to you, you’re not alone. In dog sports, drafting—also called carting—is the act of pulling a cart or wagon.
Originally used in agricultural settings, dogs would haul goods such as milk to market. Today, the sport is a recreational activity enjoyed for exercise, training, and competition.
Carting
Bouviers at Work: The Strength, Spirit, and Joy of Carting
A Tradition Revived
Historically, Belgian dairy farmers relied on Bouviers to pull milk to market, making them an essential part of rural life. Yet, in the 1990s, the sport had no formal program in the American Bouvier des Flandres Club (ABdFC).
Inspired by the carting trials of other breeds, one dedicated Bouvier enthusiast ran for the ABdFC Board of Governors to change that.
After a year of research and development, the ABdFC Carting Test Program was born—celebrating the breed’s history and capabilities.
Bouviers and Carting
The Bouvier des Flandres was bred to be strong, hardworking, and even-tempered, making them a natural fit for drafting work.
While no longer a necessity for farmers, carting offers Bouviers a chance to:
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Showcase their work ethic
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Channel their natural instincts
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Enjoy the mental and physical benefits of having a “job”
As any dog owner knows—a busy, working dog is a happy dog.
20 Years of Excellence
This year marks the 20th anniversary of the ABdFC Carting Test Program.
Congratulations to the many Bouviers who have earned their carting titles over the past two decades—you’ve carried forward a proud tradition, one cart at a time.