Huntaway is originated from New Zealand but Shepard Labrador is originated from United States. Both Huntaway and Shepard Labrador are having almost same height. Huntaway may weigh 10 kg / 23 pounds more than Shepard Labrador. Both Huntaway and Shepard Labrador has same life span. Huntaway may have less litter size than Shepard Labrador. Both Huntaway and Shepard Labrador requires Low Maintenance.
The Huntaway or New Zealand Huntaway is a herding dog that originated in the New Zealand sheep country. Their main purpose is to drive sheep and they are not an old breed. They were developed late in the 19th century for their working skills. The only real criteria was that they were black and tan. A dog must win a trial in order to be placed in the New Zealand Sheep Dog Trial Association studbook. They drive sheep mainly through their deep, loud voice.
In the New Zealand high country there was a need for a working dog with stamina, agility and intelligence to work the sheep as a drover (herder). The dog had to be able to handle rough, steep land and work with very large groups of sheep. The sheer area of land that the sheep graze and the dog would have to cover, demanded that this dog have stamina and strength to cover large pasture land and work for days if necessary. Before this the shepherds had used British sheepdogs but they preferred dogs that barked while working. So they bred the British Sheepdogs with Collies, Border Collies, Labrador, Rottweiler, Doberman and other barking sheepdogs to create the Huntaway. In addition to the bark, they bred for stamina and size.
They were participating in field trails in 1870 and ads for them were seen in newspapers by 1884. They became a separate breed in the 20th century. Today they are spreading around the world and are becoming very popular. It is not recommended that they be kept as pets however, since they are true working dogs.
The Labrador/German Shepherd mix, known as the Shepard Labrador was no doubt first bred in the United States from two very popular dog breeds - the Labrador and the German Shepherd.
Breeders of this dog were looking to bring about a dog that could be an exceptional companion with characteristics from both breeds.
Also referred to as the Sheprador, the dog will surely have an amazing temperament.
The Huntaway is a large dog with a deep chest and a black and tan coat. They are strong, big and muscular with voices to match. They herd, head, work the sheep in pastures and force them into pens. They are bred to have that big authoritative, deep bark. They do not yap. Their bodies are well proportioned but longer than high. They have well - padded feet and a deep chest for stamina, along with strong legs and body that allows them to run fast and change directions at will.
The tail of a Huntaway if long, while their heads are shaped like blocks while the muzzle is long and the nose is black. They have dark, round eyes and long ears. An unusually attractive dog, they have dense fur with fringe on the tail and chest. There is characteristics a very large variety in the in the way the breed looks from one dog to the next. Thus they do not participate in confirmation events, as the standard is based on working characteristics rather than appearance guidelines. They are more a “class” than a “breed”.
With the Shepard Labrador, because the puppies come from two pure breeds – the Labrador and the German Shepherd, there is no really knowing how your pet will turn out. There is therefore no standard appearance.
Some will have floppy ears like the Labrador, some erect ears like the German Shepherd. The tail will always be long. The coat will always be thick and be short to medium in length. Some puppies will be born with a fawn shade and others will have the dark colors of the German Shepherd. Some will have a mix of colors.
They will be fairly large dogs standing at between 53 and 62m in height and weighing between 23 and 36kg.
Between two such splendid dog breeds, you’re guaranteed to get a wonderful temperament – after all, that's why the two breeds were brought together. Your Shepard Labrador will be friendly, playful, social,smart, courageous, loving, loyal and energetic, just loving to be around his human family.
These dogs get on well with children, and with training and socialization will get on well with other pets in the home. This dog really makes a splendid family pet.
There are studies that show that dogs provide us with so many good things – companionship, comfort and relaxation.They provide us with entertainment too because some of them are so amusing with their antics.
The Shepard Labrador is like that – he is social, friendly, loving and devoted and by bringing him into your home, you’re signing up for 10 – 14 years of sheer pleasure, less stress and superb companionship.
The Huntaway is a pretty healthy breed, developed as it was from the sheepdogs and collies. They still face some inherited issues such as:
The Shepard Labrador is a healthy dog breed, and with the right nutrition and exercise can reach 10 to 14 years of age. There are always going to be those common dog illnesses that many dogs succumb to. Some of them are hip dysplasia, cancer, skin problems and parasites.
Hip dysplasia is a condition where parts of the hip joints don’t fit properly together. This creates a situation where there is abnormal wear and tear on the joints. It can lead to arthritis even and pain for your dog.
The tapeworm is a parasite spread to dogs but also to people, and it is through the ingestion of infected fleas. You can often detect this when you discover parts of the worm crawling in your dog’s bowel movements or they can be around the anus. You can suspect this when you see your pet losing weight and having diarrhea. Speak to your vet about how to control fleas with your dog.
This is a fatal disease where dogs are infected through bites from rabid animals. You’ll notice horrible behavioral changes in your dog. Unfortunately with this terrible disease, once symptoms appear, it is virtually too late for treatment.
If you are not using your Huntaway to herd, then feed a medium formula not a high protein, high calorie formula. Feed 3-4 times a day and 1-2 cups.
3 cups per day feeding twice a day high quality medium calorie food.
Exceptional stamina
This herding breed has a great need of mental and physical stimulation. They were born to herd and to do so over vast tracts of land in challenging conditions. They need to be challenged. They need daily exercise at a very high level. A Run them every day or take them on a couple of long walks. They will excel in field trials, Barnhunt, agility and rescue. They love to learn.
◆Brush the coat of your Shepard Labrador twice a week to rid the coat of loose hairs and to keep the coat shiny ad healthy. Many people add in the Omega 3/6 oils to the dog’s food to ensure a healthy skin and coat.
◆Check the ears and eyes for infection. Make sure there are no signs of redness and discharge.
◆Check the inside of your pet’s mouth He has no way of telling you that a rotten tooth in the mouth is causing hi tremendous pain and affecting the his health.
◆Provide your pet with a warm, dry place to sleep. Make sure if he is outdoors that he has both sun and shade.
◆Feed your pet the best food there is. Your Shepard Labrador will no doubt be served commercially manufactured food. There are good and bad varieties. Make sure it is one of the better brands to ensure you don’t end up feeding your pet foods packed full of unhealthy ingredients such as colorants, preservative and fillers.
Try and include some home-made food to the diet. Boiled chicken, brown rice or pasta and spinach, sweet potatoes and carrots are a healthy choice for your pet as it won’t upset your dog’s digestive system.
Also try and include some raw meat into the diet as this can help in fighting off skin problems. Ensure your Shepard Labrador always has access to a bowl of fresh, cool water.