The New Zealand Huntaway (aka the New Zealand Sheepdog) is the second most popular dog in New Zealand, and a unique sheep dog that uses its loud, deep voice to drive sheep. Special events were developed for these dogs at sheep-herding trials in the 1900s which were referred to as “huntaways,” and eventually gave the dog its name.  The dogs are now regarded as part of the heritage of New Zealand.

Huntaways that win at trials may be registered by the New Zealand Sheep Dog Trial Association in their studbook, and many have been exported to Great Britain where they participate in field trials and work sheep. In NZ, all large sheep properties keep heading dogs, and typically one or more Huntaways where they are valued for their high intelligence and stamina. They’re easily trained, are very vocal (they’re said to have a “huge” bark), and come as long haired and short haired.  One source we found wrote that the dogs are bred specifically for farm work,  and those not showing very strong working ability are culled very early in their career. They are, the source added, a working dog in its purist form. That said, the dogs are becoming increasingly popular as companion dogs.

Here’s the tricky part. The breed isn’t currently recognized by any kennel clubs that we could find, though there breed pages on Facebook,  and breed clubs (there is a NZ Huntaway Club starting in Japan). As of a few years ago, there was a movement afoot to get the breed recognized, though some might ask if the Huntaway is even a purebred dog versus a landrace breed;  we err on the side of “yes,” in part because the dogs seem to breed “true,” and have done for a long time.