Huntaway facts for kids
A New Zealand Huntaway
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| Other names | New Zealand Huntaway New Zealand Sheepdog |
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| Origin | New Zealand | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Huntaway (also called the New Zealand Huntaway) is a large, strong dog breed. It is used for herding sheep in New Zealand, where it first came from. These dogs were specially bred to use their loud, deep bark to move sheep.
This breed is quite new, starting in the late 1800s. Huntaways are chosen for their working skills, not just how they look. While there's no strict rule about their appearance, they are usually black and tan. Only Huntaways that win at special sheepdog trials can be officially registered.
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What Does a Huntaway Look Like?
Huntaways are big dogs with deep chests. They usually weigh between 25 and 45 kilograms (about 55 to 99 pounds). Their coats can be many different colors. Most often, they are black and tan, sometimes with white or brindle markings.
Their fur can also feel different. It might be smooth, rough, or grizzly (a mix of colors). Huntaways usually have floppy ears. They typically stand about 56 to 66 centimeters (22 to 26 inches) tall.
Amazing Working Skills
Huntaways need to be very smart, quick, and full of energy. This is because they work for many days in tough, hilly areas. They cover long distances to move very large groups of sheep.
Their bark is deep and repeats, usually with a short pause between barks. This helps them bark for a very long time without getting tired. This special bark is key to how they herd sheep.
How the Huntaway Breed Started
The Huntaway breed was created because of the special farming conditions in the New Zealand high country. These huge farms, called "stations," needed dogs that could work for days. They had to cover vast areas of rough, steep land. Many of these high country stations were huge and didn't have fences.
Early New Zealand farmers used British sheepdogs. Most of these dogs herded sheep quietly. But sometimes, a dog would use its bark to move the sheep. Farmers liked this barking trait, especially for moving sheep on steep hills where a dog might go out of sight. A barking dog was more useful there.
Farmers would breed their barking collies and other working sheepdogs with any other dog that had good traits. These traits included being big, having lots of energy, and a steady bark. These are the qualities that make the Huntaway different from other sheepdogs today. We don't know their exact family tree.
The first mentions of Huntaways are from the late 1800s. In 1870, a sheepdog trial even had a special competition class just for Huntaways. Newspapers in the 1880s also had ads looking for or selling "huntaway sheepdogs." The Huntaway became its own separate breed during the 1900s.
Official Recognition
In August 2013, the Huntaway breed was officially recognized by the New Zealand Kennel Club (NZKC). This was the first time a dog breed from New Zealand was given this special recognition. The NZKC has a set of rules for what a Huntaway should be like.
However, the New Zealand Sheepdog Trial Association believes Huntaways should not be shown in dog shows. This is because they come in many different colors, shapes, and sizes. Also, their main job is working with sheep, which can't be shown in a ring. They also think Huntaways should not be kept only as pets.
Living with a Huntaway
Huntaways usually live for about 12 to 14 years. They are generally very healthy dogs. They are smart, friendly, and have a lot of energy. They need a lot of exercise to stay happy and healthy.
Because they were bred to work in the hills, farmers use spoken commands and whistles to talk to them from far away. Huntaways are known for being noisy, especially when they are working. Their looks and personalities can vary depending on their family line. Some are perfect for big farm work, running and barking all day. Others are more relaxed but still great at herding.
Huntaways are the second most common dog breed in New Zealand, after Labrador Retrievers. They are also becoming popular in other countries. There's even a New Zealand Huntaway Club in Japan! Huntaways are now being bred and used in Australia for work and dog trials.
In New Zealand, the town of Hunterville has a famous statue of a Huntaway dog.
