New Zealand trials have kept their original character as a test of practical shepherding.
Through television and public exposure, dog trialling has become a competitive sport of great interest.
The “heading” dog originated from the border collie, is bred to head or cast around sheep, eyeball them to close quarters, hold them together and bring them back to the handler.
They are mainly black and white or tri-coloured (with tan) strong or plain-eyed when stalking stock.
They are discouraged from barking on sheep but handy to bark on cattle.
The “huntaway” is a New Zealand development. Original imported strains were all heading dogs.
Early New Zealand shepherds needed noisy dogs to flush sheep from cover in rough country.
They watched, trained and bred a dog that would bark on command.
I believe a harrier hound and labrador were crossed into the breed.
Today’s huntaways are big, strongly-built dogs used for everything — heading, huntaway and backing sheep in the yards.
They are bred for a loud, deep bark and are usually black or black and tan.
They are smooth or long-coated. There are some beardy types as well.
-
