Huntaway Dog Breed

The Huntaway is not recognized by the AKC, UKC, FCI or any other large kennel club, but it is easy to categorize them as herding or working dogs. They were produced exclusively to herd sheep in New Zealand where terrain and conditions can be punishing when running, barking and jumping about all day. Because of this, it is very strongly recommended to not have them only as companion pets, and preferably not for other jobs too. Only experienced herding dog owners should have Huntaways, and even those owners should have experience with barking-herding dogs.

PROS

• Playful
• Friendly
• Highly trainable
• Very intelligent
• Calm personality
• Great with children
• Fine with other pets
• Inexhaustible stamina
• Very few health problems
• Independent in a good way
• Brilliant sheep-herding dogs

CONS

• Not a good watchdog or guard dog
• Barks long and loud while working
• Must be trained to bark only when working
• Lack of barking training will quickly lead to trouble
• Not recognized by AKC, UKC, FCI or The Kennel Club

The New Zealand Huntaway is not a breed but a hybrid dog produced from select British Sheepdogs, the Collie, and other herding breeds. These dogs were conceived expressly to herd sheep in New Zealand (NZ). They come in all colors and can also come in somewhat different shapes due to the many breeds in their bloodlines.

The Huntaway is a very intelligent and highly independent dog that has one rare aspect for dogs this sharp: they are not stubborn or difficult to work with or train. They tend to be at the top of their class in New Zealand sheep dog trials and elsewhere. They need a master who is as good with them as they are with sheep, and they are not well-suited for other types of work.

It's common for them to lose sight of stray sheep as the herd is driven to their destination, and the dog is bred and trained to control sheep with vocal commands. When not working, they are typically quiet as well as very friendly. They make neither good watchdogs nor guard dogs.

This is a remarkably energetic dog that requires the kind of activity that only sheep-herding in New Zealand — with its endless hillocks and rocky patches — can provide. These dogs are not at all meant to be merely companion dogs unless you are a marathon runner who plans to train daily for the entirety of the dog's life.

The Huntaway dog temperament is the result of careful cross-breeding to produce a dog that is exceptionally regional in his development. This dog is a very hard worker, is great with kids and most all other animals, and is very friendly. Another Huntaway characteristic is that they are extremely energetic, and they tend to not get upset easily — a trait that is very good for the seemingly endless repetition required to successfully herd sheep. They are barking-herding dogs who must be trained to only bark when they work. If they are allowed to be vocal when they want something such as food, affection, etc., this can quickly lead to them accelerating their attempts to dominate you and the household just as they do the sheep herds.

The Huntaway has very few specific health problems. This comes not just from the hybrid vigor that helps eliminate most genetic problems that purebreds inherit from in-breeding, but from the careful breeding management. Such management involves select purebreds used to produce them as well as culling of non-healthy puppies.

There are a few things you should be aware of, however:

• Cancer
• Hip dysplasia
• Twisted bowel
• Work injuries

The typical Huntaway's average life span is 12 to 14 years.