They tend to be at the top of their class in New Zealand sheep dog trials and elsewhere. [2] There can be variation both in appearance but also in nature and abilities depending on the bloodline, some dogs being more suited to large station work which requires them to eagerly run and give noise all day, some being a more laid back and "handy" dog with an instinct to head stock off and use noise only when necessary while still being larger and more powerful than most heading dogs. In a country with the densest population of sheep in the world, sheepdogs have always been in high demand in New Zealand. Only experienced herding dog owners should have Huntaways, and even those owners should have experience with barking-herding dogs. In New Zealand they are referred to as being “all bark and no bite”. This characteristic was liked by some farmers, especially for driving sheep on rough, steep hill country where a dog may disappear from view, making a dog that drives stock by sight less useful. [3][4] British sheepdogs used by early New Zealand farmers mostly worked sheep silently, but occasionally a dog would use its bark to herd sheep. 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. The Huntaway or New Zealand Huntaway is a herding dog that originated in the New Zealand sheep country. [9][10] There is an NZKC standard for the Huntaway breed, but the standard notes: Huntaways generally live to around 12 to 14 years of age. Hunterville in the North Island of New Zealand is known for its statue of a Huntaway.[13]. There are a few things you should be aware of, however: The typical Huntaway's average life span is 12 to 14 years. Only dogs that win at trials may be registered by the New Zealand Sheep Dog Trial Association in their studbook.[1]. They are well known for being a noisy dog, especially when working. They make neither good watchdogs nor guard dogs. In addition to the bark, they bred for stamina and size. There is no prescribed appearance or lineage, but they are usually black-and-tan coloured. 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. They are required to have great intelligence, agility and stamina for days of working on steep, rough country over large distances, driving very large mobs of sheep. 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. The Huntaway is a hybrid dog that comes from careful crossbreeding of British Sheepdogs, Collies, German Shepherd Dogs, and Rottweilers, among other breeds. They are generally very healthy, but some inheritable diseases have been identified. Because of this, it is very strongly recommended to not have them only as companion pets, and preferably not for other jobs too. [12] They are intelligent, friendly, very energetic, active dogs that require a lot of exercise. The Huntaway dog temperament is the result of careful cross-breeding to produce a dog that is exceptionally regional in his development. Although bred to work, the Huntaway makes for a wonderful companion and family pet because they are so reliable and trustworthy in a home environment. Collies and other working sheepdogs with the barking trait would have been crossed with any other breed that had other desirable traits, including size, stamina and a steady barking ability, as these are the traits that differentiate the huntaway from the heading dog today, but the exact lineage is not known.[1]. High country stations typically cover many thousands of hectares, and were often unfenced. 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. This dog is a very hard worker, is great with kids and most all other animals, and is very friendly. They have no specific look, but they do have a rare characteristic: their barking, which is used to herd sheep. The Huntaway has very few specific health problems. As of August 2013 the Huntaway breed was recognised by the New Zealand Kennel Club (NZKC). When not working, they are typically quiet as well as very friendly. Because they were bred as a barking-herding dog, they need to be trained when to bark and when not to bark. They were participating in field trails in 1870 and ads for them were seen in newspapers by 1884. 'Farm dogs - Heading dogs, huntaways and all-purpose dogs', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, updated 1-Mar-09 URL: Robert Peden. Huntaways are known for their kind and even temperaments. 'Farm fencing - Early fencing methods', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, updated 1-Mar-09 URL: Carl Walrond. Their coats can also come in different textures; they can be smooth, rough, or grizzly and they are generally floppy eared. These dogs are very intelligent, so this is not difficult to do. They are barking-herding dogs who must be trained to only bark when they work. 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. They were first developed in New Zealand in the 20th century, and they were meant to endure that country's unfriendly environment without tiring out. High country stations typically cover many thousands of hectares, and were often unfenced. The vast pastoral runs or "stations", such as those in the high country of the South Island, required teams of dogs who could work mustering for days on end, covering great distances on rough steep country. 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.