NZ Huntaway

NZ Huntaway Rufus
Originally uploaded by Aishihik.

After spontaneously following a sign indicating “field trials” Nick and I ended up in the hills at a sheep trial competition. Meet Rufus – a NZ Huntaway competitor in the sheep dog trials just north of Napier. It was here that we met Dave and Jan, the owners of Rufus and Zippy – two of their 40 dogs, who asked us to join them for the morning. In this trial Rufus (NZ Huntaway) is expected to work the sheep up a mountain through whistle commands and Zippy (the collie) works the sheep down the mountain. It was absolutely amazing to watch Dave work his dogs in the competition! Unfortunately – it was not his day to be the winner – the dogs did well just the same though……