Huntaway
Also called New Zealand Huntaway, New Zealand Sheepdog
From New Zealand, developed on the large high-country sheep stations.1
At a glance the quick version
Coat and looks how to spot one
smooth or rough coat
A big, deep-chested, athletic working dog whose coat can be smooth and short or rougher and grizzled.1
Personality what they are like
A clever, agile and tireless sheepdog, bred to work with a lot of independence over huge stretches of hill country.1
Daily activity how busy a day looks
Very high: bred to work long days across steep, rough country, so it needs lots of exercise and ideally a real job.1
Home where they are happiest
Best suited to farms or rural homes with plenty of space.1
The story where it all began
The Huntaway was shaped in the late 1800s to cope with New Zealand's vast, unfenced high-country stations. References to the type go back to around 1870, and farmers were advertising for huntaways by 1884. Dogs were chosen for working ability and voice rather than looks.1
Fun facts for the dinner table
- 1
Unlike most herding dogs, the Huntaway moves sheep mainly with its loud, deep bark.1
- 2
Its bark comes in steady, repeated bursts with short pauses, so it can keep calling for long periods.1
- 3
The North Island town of Hunterville has a statue in honour of the Huntaway.1
- 4
In 2016 it was the second most registered breed in New Zealand, after the Labrador Retriever (per Wikipedia).1
Recognised by the official bits
- New Zealand Kennel Club (Dogs NZ)
- Recognised in August 2013, the first recognition of a dog breed of New Zealand origin (per Wikipedia).1
Popularity Second most popular registered breed in New Zealand, after the Labrador Retriever1
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Huntaway. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.
- Brushingevery week
- Bathevery 8 weeks
- Nail trimSooner if you hear clicking on the floorevery month
- Ear checkFloppy ears trap moisture, so check and dry themevery week
- Teeth brushingDaily brushing is idealevery 2 days
- ExerciseDaily walks and playevery day
- Flea, tick and worm protectionSchedule as your vet recommendsas your vet recommends
- Vet check-upSenior years usually start around age 7every year
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Where this comes from
Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at support@furrydiary.app and we will fix it.
- Huntaway - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.orgused for all fields
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.