Working dogs are an integral part of life on a high country station – out mustering a well-trained dog will spot sheep, round them up and save its master many hours of walking. Hard-working, instinctive and fiercely loyal, working dogs have been bred over many generations into 2 separate types: the smaller, very quick, heading dog.
is bred to round sheep up and bring them towards its master, whilst the rangy huntaway is a large dog with a good bark and the instinct to hunt sheep away.
Each shepherd has his or her own team of dogs with several from each breed. Many an old dog has taught a young shepherd a thing or two about moving stock!