New Zealand Heading Dog

New Zealand heading dog

New Zealand heading dog in truck carrier box
Other names	New Zealand heading dog New Zealand eye dog
Country of origin	New Zealand
Traits Coat smooth Color black, white, tan
Classification and standards Not recognized by any major kennel club
Dog (Canis lupus familiaris)

The New Zealand heading dog or New Zealand eye dog is a farm herding dog that uses its eyes and quick movements to control sheep. It was predominantly bred from the Border Collie, and therefore generally black and white, sometimes tan in colour.

History

The Border Collie was a common farm dog around the Scottish border in the United Kingdom. Early British settlers to New Zealand bought these dogs with them. The Border Collie is long haired and has a tendency to lie down, and this trait was not desirable in the new country. To counter the warmer environment, shorter haired dogs were bred. They could be spotted by the farmer from a further distance since they no longer had the tenancy to lie down.

The New Zealand Heading Dog has been integral to sheepdog trials which likely began in New Zealand as early as 1867 in Wanaka.^{[citation needed]} The competitive dog sport involves herding sheep around a field and into enclosures. The sport became popular on television in the 1980s when A Dog's Show was broadcast to New Zealand audiences.