Dogs pull their weight in competition
It's a new addition to the Utica Zoo's Snowfari that organizers hope will attract even more attendees and others say can give the community a better appreciation for man's best friend. Our Sarah Blazonis has more on the city's first International Weight Pull Competition.
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UTICA, N.Y. -- There’s no doubt about it; Ranger has a competitive streak.
"He's currently the IWPA national champ on wheels, he's also the IWPA's national champ on snow, and he's currently the IWPA's national record holder on snow at 2,105 pounds," said Ranger's owner, David Gallagher.
The five-year-old Alaskan malamute was one of the stand-out competitors at the first-ever International Weight Pull Association event to be held in Utica. It was part of the Utica Zoo's Snowfari.
"In February, everyone's tired of snow, everybody wants to get outside, so this gives them a chance to kind of get out," said Beth Irons, Director of Development and Communications with the Utica Zoo.
The IWPA is a non-profit group with members from all over the US and Canada. Dogs of all breeds are welcome to compete in pulls it says keep dogs in shape.
Dogs will pull sleds that, by themselves, weigh 50 pounds or 120 pounds depending on weight class. Cinder blocks are added onto it and owners say competitors have pulled as much as 2,000 pounds in previous competitions.
That may seem like a lot of weight for little dogs, but owners say the dogs know their limits.
"If they don't want to do it, they'll just sit there and look at you or stand there and say, 'No, I'm kind of done. I don't want to do this anymore,'" said Michele Izzo, an IWPA member.
But pulling does have its benefits.
Laura Yaghy's pit bull, Greta, was rescued from an abusive situation. Her former owner clipped her ears when she was just four weeks old. Yaghy says competition has helped with the healing process.
"She definitely has a super high energy level, so things like this actually really help her a lot. She gets all excited and wound up so it definitely does help," said Yaghy.
Win or lose, owners say old pros like Ranger, newbies like Greta, and youngsters checking out possible future competition can all gain more than prizes by pulling their weight.