North Country Beagle vs Huntaway - Breed Comparison

North Country Beagle is originated from United Kingdom but Huntaway is originated from New Zealand. North Country Beagle may grow 21 cm / 8 inches shorter than Huntaway. North Country Beagle may weigh 35 kg / 77 pounds lesser than Huntaway. Both North Country Beagle and Huntaway has same life span. Both North Country Beagle and Huntaway has same litter size. Both North Country Beagle and Huntaway requires Low maintenance.

History

Known also as the Northern Hound or the Northern Beagle, the North Country Beagle hailed from Britain and is extinct.

It hailed more specifically from- and was native to the Yorkshire and Northumberland regions of England. As a scenthound it was known for its hunting skills.

There isn’t much known about the dog but it is one of England’s oldest hound breeds, with much of its ancestry been lost. There are many theories surrounding the origins of this dog. Also, the date at which the North Country Beagle was developed is also debatable but it has always been a good hunter.

huntaway - historyThe 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.

Description

The North Country Beagle seemed to vary quite a bit in size and because there isn’t much information on this extinct dog, we can assume he was much the same size of the Beagle we know today which is roughly 33 – 45cm in height and weighing between 9 and 11kg.

Not much is known about the dog’s appearance but it is believed that it looked much like the Southern Hound and English Foxhound. It was likely a medium sized dog with longish ears, thick bones but always agile and athletic.

Temperament:

There is very little known on what this dog’s temperament was like. He was strong willed and if you owned such a dog you would have had to have him trained and socialized. It was a dog that showed very little signs of aggression. It seemed the dog was friendly, social and loving to his human family.

huntaway puppy - descriptionThe 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”.

Characteristics

The North Country Beagle was a social, energetic dog who loved spending time with his human family. They were intelligent too, so training and socialization were possibly easy for him.

They weren't regarded as raucous kind of dogs and were fairly quiet. They were quite social and didn't like being left alone for too long. They were adaptable too, slotting quite easily into country- or city life.

Coolish with strangers, the North Country Beagle made a good pet and companion with a generally happy, contented disposition.

Children friendliness

huntaway dog - characteristicsThey are very good with children and love to play with them.

Special talents

Stamina, speed and independence

Adaptability

Not really. Don’t do well in small spaces. Better off in the country.

Learning ability

Very intelligent, quick learner, loves learning new things.

Health Problems

The North Country Beagle had a lifespan of 12 to 15 years, and while he was a fairly healthy dog breed, there were some common health issues to look out for. Some of these were patellar luxation, epilepsy and glaucoma.

Glaucoma:

This is a condition where there is pressure in the eye and where there is inadequate fluid drainage as well. Left untreated, it can lead to permanent damage to the optic nerve which can lead to blindness.

It is fairly common in certain breeds. There is primary and secondary glaucoma and symptoms for instance with primary glaucoma can be this high pressure within the eye and also a cloudy appearance in front of the eye along with redness of the blood vessels and dilated pupils. There can also be headaches and loss of appetite.

huntaway puppies - health problemsThe Huntaway is a pretty healthy breed, developed as it was from the sheepdogs and collies. They still face some inherited issues such as:

  • Hip dysplasia – can cause lameness and arthritis
  • Cancer of bone – life threatening
  • Ear Infections – long eared dogs are prone to infections
  • Mucopolysaccharidosis Type IIIA (MPS IIIA) – rare metabolic issue can cause neurological problems.
  • Dilated Caridomyopathy (DCM) – enlarged heart can cause heart failure

Caring The Pet

Your North Country Beagle was a social animal and he always had a whole lot of love and friendship to offer his human family.

Today, if you bring such a dog into your home, its your responsibility to care for him and provide him with love.

Diet:

A puppy such as this would have been fed 4 times a day. As he got older he would have had his meals cut down to one or two a day. His owners would have chosen a dog food according to age and activity levels, but always made sure that the food was rich in vitamins and minerals.

Dry kibble has the advantage of keeping your dogs teeth clean. Home-made food was and is always a welcome treat and can occasionally be added to the dry kibble. Keep the food consistent and simple to avoid stomach upsets.

Boiled chicken, brown rice or pasta and some cooked vegetables such as carrots, sweet potato and spinach would have kept the Beagle happy and healthy and is an excellent diet today for modern dogs. Sometimes you can also give a little bit of raw meat. Never leave any dog without a constant supply of fresh, cool water.

Exercise:

Your North Country Beagle would have required lots of energy and will have required being exercised. His owners may have taken him for walks every day, and modern Beagles today would require ball games and games that also provide him with the chance to think and work things out.

Veterinary Care:

If you bring a pet home such as what the North Country Beagle was like, as a puppy, you would have had to make a vet appointment to ensure he had his vaccinations to protect him from deadly diseases.

Grooming:

General grooming of your North Country Beagle would have required you brushing him twice a week, checking inside and outside his ears for infection. This is particularly of importance with floppy eared dogs like this. Check his eyes and teeth too. His nails couldn't be neglected either, as left long, they could have hooked onto objects, tearing and causing pain and bleeding.

Feeding the Puppy

huntaway dogs - caringIf 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.

Feeding the adult

3 cups per day feeding twice a day high quality medium calorie food.

Points for Good Health

Exceptional stamina

Games and Exercises

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.

Basic Information

Group:
Hound dog
Herding dogs
Origin:
United Kingdom
New Zealand
Height Male:
33 - 45 cm
12 - 18 inches
56 - 66 cm
22 - 26 inches
Height Female:
33 - 45 cm
12 - 18 inches
52 - 62 cm
20 - 25 inches
Weight Male:
9 - 11 kg
19 - 25 pounds
25 - 46 kg
55 - 102 pounds
Weight Female:
9 - 11 kg
19 - 25 pounds
20 - 35 kg
44 - 78 pounds
Life Span:
12 - 14 Years
12 - 14 Years
Litter Size:
2 - 7
5 - 7
Size:
Medium dog
Large dog
Other Names:
Northern Hound, Northern Beagle
New Zealand Huntaway, New Zealand Sheepdog
Colors Available:
black, orange, Mainly white, perhaps tan
commonly black and tan, tricolour, variable
Coat:
Short and smoothish
smooth or rough
Shedding:
Moderate
Minimal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Courageous, Energetic, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Loyal, Playful, Responsive, Sweet
Grooming:
Low maintenance
Low maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Pharaoh Hound vs North Country Beagle - Breed Comparison
  2. Redbone Coonhound vs North Country Beagle - Breed Comparison
  3. Norwegian Elkhound vs North Country Beagle - Breed Comparison
  4. Santal Hound vs North Country Beagle - Breed Comparison
  5. Podenco Canario vs North Country Beagle - Breed Comparison
  6. Podenco Andaluz vs North Country Beagle - Breed Comparison
  7. Podenco Galego vs North Country Beagle - Breed Comparison
  8. Polish Hound vs North Country Beagle - Breed Comparison
  9. Russian Harlequin Hound vs North Country Beagle - Breed Comparison
  10. Russian Hound vs North Country Beagle - Breed Comparison
  11. Sabueso Espanol vs North Country Beagle - Breed Comparison
  12. Schillerstovare vs North Country Beagle - Breed Comparison
  13. Schweizer Laufhund vs North Country Beagle - Breed Comparison
  14. Schweizer Niederlaufhund vs North Country Beagle - Breed Comparison
  15. Serbian Hound vs North Country Beagle - Breed Comparison
  16. Silken Windhound vs North Country Beagle - Breed Comparison
  17. Smalandsstovare vs North Country Beagle - Breed Comparison
  18. Stephens Stock vs North Country Beagle - Breed Comparison
  19. Thai Ridgeback vs North Country Beagle - Breed Comparison
  20. Walker Hound vs North Country Beagle - Breed Comparison
  21. Whippet vs North Country Beagle - Breed Comparison
  22. North Country Beagle vs Basset Hound - Breed Comparison
  23. North Country Beagle vs Basenji - Breed Comparison
  24. North Country Beagle vs Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsla - Breed Comparison
  25. North Country Beagle vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  26. Old English Sheepdog vs Huntaway - Breed Comparison
  27. Rough Collie vs Huntaway - Breed Comparison
  28. Saarlooswolfhond vs Huntaway - Breed Comparison
  29. Huntaway vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  30. Huntaway vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  31. Huntaway vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  32. Huntaway vs Briard - Breed Comparison
  33. Huntaway vs Bouvier des Flandres - Breed Comparison
  34. Huntaway vs East German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  35. Huntaway vs Estrela Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  36. Huntaway vs Czechoslovakian Wolfdog - Breed Comparison
  37. Perro de Pastor Mallorquin vs Huntaway - Breed Comparison
  38. South Russian Ovcharka vs Huntaway - Breed Comparison
  39. Mioritic Sheepdog vs Huntaway - Breed Comparison
  40. Samoyed vs Huntaway - Breed Comparison
  41. Mixed vs Huntaway - Breed Comparison
  42. Presa Canario vs Huntaway - Breed Comparison
  43. Perro de Presa Canario vs Huntaway - Breed Comparison
  44. Rhodesian Ridgeback vs Huntaway - Breed Comparison
  45. Saluki vs Huntaway - Breed Comparison
  46. Mountain Cur vs Huntaway - Breed Comparison
  47. Rajapalayam vs Huntaway - Breed Comparison
  48. Schnauzerdor vs Huntaway - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds