JANESVILLE — Stephen Hoyer stood beside his two Samoyeds, Kira and grand champion Skyler Blue, at the Humane Society of Southern Wisconsin’s Pooch Pull in Janesville on Saturday, a proud handler of the powerful and ancient breed.
Kira, her thick white coat glistening in the cold air, stood beside Hoyer. At her peak, the dog had pulled an astounding 2,400 pounds.
At Saturday’s event, each dog was harnessed to a wheeled cart loaded with weights tailored to their ability. Their owners stood at the end of the short runway, calling and encouraging them to pull. If a dog showed no interest, they weren’t forced—this event was all about willingness and enthusiasm…