Vintage Photo Friday..Cart Dogs

Carts pulled by dogs were once a common sight in European cities and even in parts of America up until the turn of the 20th century.

I love the little puppy by the boys feet looking up at the other dog.

Dogs have, without a doubt, been working like this for thousands of years. Around the turn of the century animal cruelty activists banned the practice in England and the Netherlands, no doubt because many animals were being mistreated. Dogs were used by poor families who could not afford larger draft animals, and many were worked much harder than they should have been. Recently, dog carting has been reborn as a recreational activity.

Historical information and photos from Sweet Juniper