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Pastoral · New Zealand

Huntaway

A walker's guide to the Huntaway: how much exercise they need, what to expect on and off the lead, and what to ask the owner before the first walk.

Large, 25 to 40 kgHigh energyHerding breedBarks to workNeeds open spaceLivestock interest
Exercise a day2 hours plus
Energy4 of 5
Walk styleBig strides, loud, far-ranging
With other dogsSociable, boisterous

Overview

The Huntaway was developed on New Zealand hill stations to move large flocks over rough country using its voice rather than the silent stalk of a collie. It is a tall, rangy, usually black and tan dog bred purely for function, with a huge work ethic. In the UK you will meet them mainly on farms or with owners who came from farming.

They are friendly, straightforward dogs without the intensity or reactivity some collies carry. The two things a walker needs to accept are the volume and the need for distance; neither is negotiable.

Exercise and walking needs

Two hours a day is a realistic minimum for a fit adult, and more if the dog has nothing else to do. They thrive on long runs, hill walks and anything that lets them stretch out at a lope. A short lead walk round the block is a warm-up, not a walk.

Older dogs and retired working dogs may be stiffer than their age suggests after years on hard ground. Adjust pace to the individual.

Daily minimum120 minutes
Ideal2 walks a day
Off-lead timeYes, with recall proven

On the walk

  • Barking: Huntaways bark when excited, when they see other dogs and when they want to move you along. It is bred in, not a training fault, but it will attract attention in quiet neighbourhoods.
  • Recall: Usually good; they were bred to work far from the handler and come back on command. Test it first in a secure space.
  • Other dogs: Sociable and playful with a boisterous style. Smaller or nervous dogs may find the barking and size overwhelming.
  • Livestock: Expect intense interest in sheep. Even a pet Huntaway may try to work them. Give flocks a wide berth and keep the lead on near fields.

Tips for professional walkers

  1. Choose open routes: moorland, big fields, long beaches. Narrow streets and busy parks do not suit the breed.
  2. Let the dog run but build in recall practice with a reward it values.
  3. Carry water and offer it on long runs; they do not always stop to drink.
  4. Plan walks for times when barking will cause least trouble.
Every dog is an individual. Treat this as a starting point and go with what the owner tells you about their dog. Anything to do with health belongs with the owner and their vet.

What to ask the owner

  • Has the dog ever worked livestock, and how does it behave when it sees sheep or cattle?
  • How reliable is recall around other dogs and wildlife?
  • How much exercise does the dog currently get, and does it settle afterwards or stay wound up?
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