{"data":{"slug":"new-zealand-heading-dog","name":"New Zealand Heading Dog","url":"https://techtools.cz/tools/dog-atlas/new-zealand-heading-dog","api_url":"https://techtools.cz/dog-atlas-api/v1/breeds/new-zealand-heading-dog","also_known_as":["Heading Dog","NZ Heading Dog","Huntaway Heading Dog"],"kind":"breed","extinct":false,"group":{"key":"herding","label":"Herding","fci_group":1,"fci_group_name":"Sheepdogs and Cattle Dogs"},"size":"Medium","origin":"New Zealand","countries":["New Zealand"],"height_cm":{"min":50.0,"max":60.0},"weight_kg":{"min":18.0,"max":27.0},"life_expectancy_years":{"min":12,"max":15},"temperament":["Intelligent","Active","Focused","Hardworking","Alert"],"exercise_level":"High","wikipedia_views_60d":2418,"summary":"A tireless New Zealand sheepdog derived from the Border Collie, bred to head stock silently at long distances. It is a true farm worker, happiest with a job to do.","photo":{"url":"https://techtools.cz/tools/dog-atlas/photos/new-zealand-heading-dog-34ce0fbfcd-1280.webp","small_url":"https://techtools.cz/tools/dog-atlas/photos/new-zealand-heading-dog-34ce0fbfcd-640.webp","width":1280,"height":1280,"author":"GrimGee","license":"CC BY-SA 4.0","license_url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0","source_url":"https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Young_New_Zealand_Heading_dog.jpg"},"updated_at":"2026-10-15T14:51:16Z","ratings":{"energy":5,"exercise":5,"grooming":1,"shedding":3,"trainability":5,"barking":2,"kids":2,"other_dogs":3},"coat":"Short, smooth and straight","colors":["Black and white","Tan","Black"],"fun_fact":"Heading Dogs were selected to stand rather than lie down like Border Collies, so shepherds can spot them from far away in tall tussock grass.","sections":{"overview":"The New Zealand Heading Dog is a working sheepdog bred on New Zealand farms from Border Collie stock. It is sturdy, long-legged and smooth-coated, and it controls sheep with sharp eyesight, intelligence and fast movement.\n\nThis is a dog for work rather than a casual pet. It is among the most common dog breeds in New Zealand, valued by shepherds across the country.","history":"Early settlers brought Border Collies from the Scottish borders to herd sheep in New Zealand. The long coats suited hot local summers poorly, so the dogs were crossed with shorter-haired types and selected for the local conditions.\n\nBreeders also favoured dogs that stand rather than drop to the ground, so the shepherd can see them across tussock country, and that run long distances. Some lines were made larger and tougher to manage cattle. Sheepdog trials, which began in Wanaka in 1867, have been a big part of the breed's story.","appearance":"A medium to fairly large, athletic dog with a straight, smooth coat and long legs built for covering ground. Most are black and white, often with a dark mask on the face, though tan and other colours occur.\n\nThe overall look is of a lean, fit worker rather than a show dog.","personality":"Extremely intelligent and driven, with a strong instinct to gather and control animals. It works with a strong eye and usually little barking or nipping, though some will use more pressure when needed.\n\nWithout enough work it can become restless and may try to escape or herd small animals and even children.","care":"This breed needs a farm or similarly active setting, with hours of purposeful work or vigorous exercise each day. Mental tasks and training are as important as running.\n\nThe smooth coat is easy to look after with occasional brushing. Secure fencing is essential for a dog that likes to roam.","health":"Generally robust and hardy working stock. Like other active herding dogs, it can suffer injuries from hard work, so keep it fit and check joints and feet regularly."},"recognition":{"fci_number":null,"fci_standard_url":null,"akc_url":null},"sources":{"wikipedia":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Zealand_Heading_Dog","wikidata":"https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q13551303","wikipedia_revision":1267391528},"profile":{"written_by":"AI model (Claude Sonnet) from the sources above","written_at":"2026-10-15T13:59:38Z"}}}