“A shepherd is not a shepherd without a working dog” …or so they say! But to be fair I do think there is some truth in that statement because without work dogs on farms here in New Zealand you wouldn’t be able to get at least half of your jobs done. They are so critical to a farming operation and yet they have to be most humble and loyal work colleagues anyone could ask for!
When I think about my childhood and growing up on a farm the majority of my memories involve the farm dogs in one way or another. From the ear piercing whistles from Dad to send the dogs away as we bumped around in the ute during every school holiday, to being aged 4 and taking my favourite heading dog, Laddie, with me to chase the pigs out of the garden; working dogs have been a part of my life for forever! (true story on the pigs by the way! – poor Mum & Dad woke to find me missing and I was down the farm in my red dressing gown and gumboots chasing the pigs with a stick and the dog! Whoops!!)
Since moving back to the farm with Freddie and watching him learn how to work with the farm dogs for the first time, it has given me a real sense of appreciation of how amazing they are at what they do. So, I guess today’s blog is a little bit of a tribute to them and to also look into how the humble New Zealand working dog came to be.
For those of you who don’t know there are two types of working dogs here in New Zealand, the Huntaway and the Heading Dog. The Heading Dog can trace its origins back to the Border Collie, which is of Scottish descent. But the Huntaway is alleged to be the only indigenous dog breed of New Zealand. The Huntaway breed can be traced back for over 160 years with the first registered huntaway being from the South Island.
The main differences between a heading dog and huntaway are their way of working with the stock. Heading dogs are renowned for being an “eye” dog – this essentially means that they will eye up the sheep and direct them with their movement rather than barking and causing the stock to move from the barking. Huntaway’s on the other hand most definitely use their bark. They will of course move/follow the stock and cause them to move with their body language but a Huntaways’ bark is its major attribute.
Scooby one of our Huntaways
Heading dogs will also be mainly black and white in colour with small parts of tan through them as well, whereas the Huntaway will primarily be tan and black in colour. Despite the differences in how they work, both dogs will work well together and often complement one another on the same job. Working dogs will typically begin basic training once they are weaned from mum and off to their new homes. From there they are slowly introduced to stock and as they get older the more intense their training gets. Typically, you can have a good working dog going by the time they are a year to 18 months old.
Mighty, one of our Heading dogs, and me hanging out on the farm
A real test of any dog and owner relationship is the test of dog trials where you are judged on how well you can move up to 3-4 sheep through a series of obstacles in a set time. Dog trialing can be extremely competitive and some breeders will be able to sell offspring for big money if they have a top trialing dog.
To see either one of these breeds working can be truly amazing, especially when you consider the years of breeding and training that it can take to get a top dog going. I have always loved watching Dad work the dogs when shifting sheep & cattle, and it is now just as great to watch Freddie learn the ropes too.
Jed, Mighty, Toad and Scooby waiting outside the yards
Sid and Toad, who are both Huntaways
I hope you have enjoyed learning a little more about the New Zealand working dogs and their different ways of working! I don’t think I have a favourite breed between the two as they are both so unique and we seem to always have great dogs from both breeds. But I would love to know if you prefer a huntaway over a heading dog or vice versa?! Or if you are not from New Zealand what is your favourite type of work dog?
Until next time,
L-J x
