AKA: New Zealand Sheepdog

Description: The New Zealand Huntaway does not have a standard look. It comes in various shapes, sizes, and coat colors. This is mainly due to the fact that the breeders weren’t really concerned about the appearance of the dog and focused instead on the dog’s abilities.

Dynamics: The New Zealand Huntaway is a sheep herding dog unique for using its voice in driving the sheep. It got its name from special events called “huntaways,” developed at sheep-herding trials for the breed. The New Zealand Huntaway is not a guard dog, and is not a good watch dog. But it has a bark that can alert its owners, and it can be trained when and when not to bark. It can be trained to keep quiet and save its voice for work.

The New Zealand Huntaway is an intelligent and friendly breed. It gets along well with children, and is friendly with strangers. It is also good with non canine pets. Its owner should be calm and confident, training the dog in clear and concise ways. The owner should also know how to discourage the New Zealand Huntaway from barking when he wants something as this is allowing the dog to be dominant.

Breed Group: Herding

Weight: general 40-65 pounds (18-29.5 kg); the New Zealand Huntaway come in various shapes and sizes.

Height: 20-24 inches (51-61 cm)

Color: The New Zealand Huntaway comes in any color.

Country of Origin:The New Zealand Huntaway is the product of breeding barking sheep-herding dogs. There were many breeds involved in the program, including the Black Labrador, Hound, Border Collie, nd Germn Shepherd. The New Zealand Huntaway is the proof of the success of the breeding program, and is recognized in its land of origin, New Zealand, as the breed made for the intended purpose of sheep herding.

Activities: As sheep herding dogs go, the New Zealand Huntaway is an active and playful dog. It should be taken outside regularly for a walk and plenty of exercise. It should also be given a time to run around free in a safe and open area.

Grooming: Combing and brushing the coat of the New Zealand Huntaway is enough for grooming. Bathe only when necessary.

Other Info: The New Zealand Huntaway has a life expectancy of 12 to 14 years. This breed is generally healthy and can do well living in an apartment as long as it has sufficient exercise.

Photo: Cgoodwin

AKA: New Guinea Highland Dog, Singer, NGSD

Description: The New Guinea Singing Dog has the appearance like that of a fox, with a triangular head, prick ears, and triangular eyes. It is a small- to medium-sized dog with a plush coat that can be either average or long in length. Its body is muscular, and the New Guinea Singing Dog is agile and graceful. The body ends with lean hindquarters and a brushy, soft, and fluffy tail.

Dynamics: The New Guinea Singing Dog is not as domesticated as a regular pet dog. This breed is closely related to wild dogs. One of its wild characteristics is that it howls more than it barks, even dramatically changing the pitches of its howls. This is where they actually got their name. But it can be tamed and can become devoted to an owner when properly socialized. Generally, this is not a dog for may people.

As a breed of the wild, the New Guinea Singing Dog is active and alert. It is instinctive and uses its fives sense when exploring its environment. It has a great hunting drive, coupled with optimizing all its senses in hunting and chasing prey. It is flexible and can slip through any opening wide enough for its head. The New Guinea Singing Dog is also an aggressive animal, especially with dogs of the same sex.

Breed Group: Southern

Weight: 18-30 pounds (8-14 kg)

Height: 14-15 inches (35-38 cm)

Color: The New Guinea Singing Dog can come in red or shades of red, black, and tan. There can be white markings on the body but it should not cover more than one-third. The white markings can be on the muzzle, face, neck and shoulders, belly, legs, feet, and tail tip.

Country of Origin: The New Guinea Singing Dog is from New Guinea. In the 1950s, breeding with imported dogs almost made the breed extinct. Thankfully, pure dogs were found in the isolated Lavanni Valley , and another pair was caught in Irian Jaya’s Eipomak Valley in Indonesia. This breed can be seen in many zoos around the world, but is already rare in New Guinea.

Activities: The New Guinea Singing Dog needs a lot of exercise and physical activities. As a wild dog, it should be taken outside everyday.

Grooming: Brushing is enough for the New Guinea Singing Dog. Its coat is weather resistant, and does not really need regular grooming.

Other Info: The New Guinea Singing Dog has a life expectancy of 15 to 20 years. This is a hardy breed and has no irregularities. This dog is versatile and can adapt to any place and under any climate.

Photo: Valerie Abbott

AKA: American Labradoodle, Standard Labradoodle

Description: A Labradoodle is a breed developed by crossing the Labrador Retriever and the Standard or Miniature Poodle. The general breed Labradoodle pertains to the American Labradoodle and not the Australian Labradoodle, which is a purebred dog and not a crossbreed.

Both its appearance and behavior varies, resulting to no formation of standards over the breed. The hair can be wiry, soft, straight, wavy, or curly.

Dynamics: The Labradoodle’s behavior and temperament is still unpredictable in general, and may depend on the method of raising it. Most often the Labradoodle grows up with the desired traits of a dog but it is not final yet.

Weight: Standard Females 45-60 pounds (20-27 kg.) Males 55-77 pounds (25-35 kg.), Miniature 30-50 pounds (14-25 kg)

Height: Standard 22-24 inches (53-60 cm.), Miniature 17-22 inches (44-56 cm.)

Color: The color of the Labradoodle’s coat can be white, cream, gold, apricot, red, brown and black, and other Poodle colors.

Country of Origin: The development of the Labradoodle first started in 1989, when Wally Conron crossed the Labrador Retriever and Standard Poodle for Guide Dogs Victoria in Australia.

Activities: The Labradoodle needs to be taken outdoors and exercised from time to time. This breed was developed to be a guide dog for the blind, and was also used as assistance dogs and therapy dogs.

AKA: Australian Native Dog, Maliki, Warrigal. Noggum, Mirigung, Boolomo

Description: The Dingo is a medium-sized wild dog that is widely seen in Australia. It is well-furred, with the texture of the coat varying according to the climate. It has wild eyes that ranges from yellow to orange. Its ears are naturally round and stand erect on its head. The tail is bushy and relaxed. The legs are lean and muscular, and do not have dewclaws like other breeds.

Dynamics: The Dingo is one of the most mysterious of the dog breeds, due to its nature that has never been fully domesticated. Its personality can be unpredictable and are not suited as family companions when untrained. Dingoes have to be trained starting before they reach their sixth week of life. When they are more than 10 weeks old, they should not be taken out of the wild as this breed will already be too hard to train.

Training the Dingo has to be firm, consistent, but gentle. Despite its wild beginning, the Dingo can become a nice pet when properly trained and cared for. It can be a bit aloof and reserved with people.

A wild Dingo usually shies away from people, rarely showing aggression. After many years of persecution, the Dingo has inherited the habit of flight (instead of the bite temperament) when in the presence of people. It has also learned to play possum (playing dead) as a means to survive in the wilderness.

Breeding season for the Dingoes only happen once a year, around May or June. A male dingo taken in as a pet will be restless during this season.

Breed Group: Southern

Weight: 50-70 pounds (23-32 kg), however dogs up to 120 pounds (55 kg) are documented

Height: 19-23 inches (48-58.5 cm)

Color: The Dingo’s coat color is usually yellow-ginger, but can also be tan, black, or white, or an occasional brindle. Albino Dingoes are also not rare. A purebred Dingo has white hair on the feet and on the tip of its tail.

Country of Origin: The Dingo coming from Australia is a misconception, although it is now very rare outside of the continent. It is a direct descendant or original pariahs from the Middle East and southeastern Asia, and was brought to Australia about 4,000 years ago.

Activities: As an animal undomesticated and brought out from the wild, the Dingo needs a lot of exercise. It should be taken outdoors from time to time.

Grooming: The Dingo’s coat is weather-resistant and was made to take care of itself. This breed also doesn’t have doggie odor.

Other Info: The Dingo has a life expectancy of up to 20 years. It is physically healthy and able. It is not recommended to raise the Dingo in the city or in an apartment. This wild breed needs lots of action and space. They should not be taken off the leash when outdoors and a securely fenced yard is needed. Unlike other breeds, the Dingo only has one breeding cycle each year. It also chooses a mate for life and the pups are protectively cared for by them. Dingoes hunt in packs in the wild. They howl and do not bark.

AKA: Aussie Bulldog

Description: This is a graceful breed  with good body built, muscular and has good structure with broad chest. Their body is long and tail set straight on their back and has a perfect shoulders.  Their body coat is short and is shiny,smooth and not thick. The Head is very strong and square in shape, considered one of their best asset, and is described as “a box on a box” by the aussie bulldog breeders. This breed is known to have wrinkles in 3 folds across their nose and has large dark brown eyes set wide apart with an alert expression. Usually for females, a nice long body is important to produce good whelpers. Jaw is wide in structure which is most preferred for this breed,and square. Aussie Bulldog comes in variety of colors red, apricot,mahogany,fawn,white they also comes in an arrangement of patches on their body with white as base color.

Temperament: They very sociable kind of breed, could get along well with children.  Also, they could be good watch dog but not as guard dog. They are loyal to their owner also affectionate and fun-loving dog. so they could be trained to be an obedient dog since they could be rough & noisy that would cause bad behavior but above all, they are an ideal pet dog.

Activity: They enjoy outdoors like frisbee, swimming and like to play with ball. It is recommended for them to have daily walk but not too much exercise.

Grooming: This breed is an average shedder. They are easy to groom with their short silky coat. A firm bristle brush would be good for them when combed. This breed should be bathed only when needed. Wipe their face daily to clean inside their wrinkles.

Health Problems: Proper care is a must for them to keep them away from a illness.

Color: Aussie Bulldog comes in variety of colors red, apricot,mahogany,fawn,white they also comes in an arrangement of patches on their body with white as base color.
Height: around 18/20” to the shoulder for males and 17/19” for females
Weight: Males-28/35 kg Females- 23/28kg
Country Of Origin: Australia

Dynamics: Aussie bulldogs are very confident dogs also,calm and intelligent, easy to train obedient dog and very friendly to dogs and humans.

AKA: Australian Cattle Dog, Australian Heeler, Hall’s Heeler, Queensland Heeler, Australischer Treibhund, Blue Heeler, Red Heeler

Description: The Australian Heeler is a powerful and agile working dog with a body a bit longer than it is high. It has a broad head, dark brown oval eyes, and moderately pointed ears. Its teeth forms a scissors bite. Its tail is slightly curved and reaches down to the hock.

Dynamics: The Australian Heeler is one of the most intelligent breeds. Born a working dog, this breed needs to be always in motion. Leaving it alone and making it bored might lead to behavior problems. Training it will require a firm hand and lots of attention.

The Australian Heeler is a loyal and protective dog. It tends to be a one-person dog. This dog can be aggressive and suspicious of people and other dogs. It has to be socialized with children and other pets since puppyhood if it has to get along with them very well. This breed also makes an excellent guard dog.

Breed Group: Herding

Weight: males 32-35 lbs (15-16 kg), females 30-35 lbs (14-16 kg)

Height: males 17-20 inches (43-51 cm), females 17-19 inches (43-48 cm)

Color: The Australian Heeler comes in either blue or red-speckled (Blue Heeler and Red Heeler, respectively). The Blue Heeler may have black, blue, or tan markings on the head with tan points. The Red Heeler is evenly speckled and may have darker markings on the head. The Australian Heeler is born white but the adult color can be seen in the paw pads.

Country of Origin: The Australian Heeler was developed by pioneer settlers in Australia in the 19th century. The breed came from a mix of smooth blue-speckled Collie imports form Scotland and wild Australian Dingoes. Other breeds crossed to make the Australian Heeler are the Australian Kelpie, Dalmatian, and Bull Terrier.

Grooming: The Australian Heeler has a short water-resistant coat so it is easy to groom. Comb and brush with a bristle brush. Bathe only when needed.

Activities: The Australian Heeler has a great amount of energy to use. Exercise and work are important for this breed. The Australian Heeler’s talents consist of retrieving, herding, guarding, agility, competitive obedience, and performing tricks.

Other Info: The Australian Heeler has a life expectancy of 12-15 years. It is generally healthy but is prone to hip dysplasia, PRA, and deafness. The Australian Heeler is not suited for apartment life. It will fare better in a home with a wide and open yard or field nearby.