Just a few photos now, more later when more time (and can download a video of a working Huntaway when we get home)….
We’re on the Banks Peninsula now, just south of Christchurch, gorgeous place, staying at a B & B called the Olive Grove (complete with olive trees and yummy high quality olive oil). Yesterday we went to a working NZ sheep farm, Paua Bay Farmstay, a fantastic place. Sixth generation farmers, great connection to the land and the history of NZ. Will write longer post on our visit, but here are a few photos:
Here’s one of their Border Collies (some called them Heading Dogs, some Border collies, while some say that BCs are different than Heading Dogs, although all derived from Scottish BCs.) S
Here’s Kate, a young Huntaway, doing the barking typical for her breed:
And here’s a tiny slice of the land on the way to this wonderful farm, which is also run as a small B & B. It is in a heart-breakingly beautiful area. If I’d known more about it I’d have lobbied to stay there. If you are going to NZ and are interested in staying on a working farm in about the most beautiful place you can imagine, stay here! I’ll write more about our visit later and attach a video of Kate working. We’re just back from a sail into the Akaroa harbor and a visit with the tiny Blue Penguin and a brief sighting of Hector’s dolphins.
More later, time for a nap!
AnneJ says
I am just dying to go to New Zealand after your pictures, and would love to stay at the farm B n B.
Jessica says
Wow. So beautiful.
I visited New Zealand for a couple weeks several years ago. I’m still so blown away by the beauty.
Rose T. says
Thanks for sharing your trip with us. Enjoy every moment of it 🙂
kiwichick says
I am from Christchurch. Thanks for the photo’s 🙂
pm says
Yes, thank you for sharing your trip with us, really looking forward to the video of Kate. How special for you to get to see working dogs there.
And how special for us that you share so much of your knowledge and experience with the rest of the world. We’re lucky that you’re so tireless – and now, do take this as a compliment – kind of like a wonderful BC yourself. 🙂
EmilyS says
great photos! Do you think those “collies” have some other breeds mixed in? What’s the breed heritage of those “huntaway” dogs?
Lisa Hiley says
What a treat to catch up with your blog – we were just in New Zealand last month (South Island only), and returned just as you were heading out. What a fabulous country; wish we’d had time to spend on a farm – will just have to go back!
Beth says
Thanks for the update and the pics of the working dogs!
One thing that bothers me about some show breeders I’ve corresponded with in online forums is that they say the reason that they don’t breed much for working instinct is that there just isn’t a call for working dogs any more.
I look around and see herders and guard dogs, police dogs and seeing eye dogs, search and rescue dogs and assistance dogs. Working dogs everywhere!
They’re still out there, and they still play such an important role. Nothing like seeing a dog do what it was bred to do. Love it.
Heidi N says
More posts, please! I miss your humor and educational posts!
To get way off topic, I wonder if you might address a topic in a future blog post. Today while driving on a busy road next to a park, I saw a man hitting his German Shepard dog in the face. My first thought was to stop in the middle of the road and block traffic and run up to this guy. How does one approach a person who is being cruel to their pet? What is the right balance of educating them without embarrasing them, so that they change their behavior (or at least think twice before doing it again)? I have been mad at myself all day for not stopping…I could have driven to another side of the park and parked my car and approached him. The image of his dog wincing as he lifted his hand is branded into my brain. I should have done more….