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Listings refresh regularly, so check back soon — new rescue dogs arrive all the time.
The Huntaway is New Zealand's own farm dog: a big, strongly built all-rounder that farmers use for heading sheep, forcing them into pens, backing (jumping onto the backs of sheep packed in a yard) and working them in yards and woolsheds. Dogs NZ lists the NZ Huntaway in its Working group. What sets it apart is the voice. Every Huntaway is bred to bark, selected for a loud, deep bark on command rather than yapping, because it moves stock with sound.
Huntaways vary a lot in size and shape, and their coats can be long and shaggy or smooth, usually black and tan. Te Ara, the encyclopedia of New Zealand, describes them as generally good-natured and anxious to please. Many rescue Huntaways are crosses, often with Collie, Kelpie or Labrador.
That working background is what an adopter has to plan for. A Huntaway needs a lot of exercise and something to do, and the bark that makes it a great farm dog can be a problem for close neighbours. In the right home, with space, activity and training that gives the bark an outlet, a rescue Huntaway is a loyal, eager companion. Browse the Huntaways and Huntaway crosses listed below.
Get notified when a Huntaway is listed
We will email you when a Huntaway or Huntaway cross becomes available for adoption in Sydney, from a rescue or an owner rehoming.
Need to rehome a Huntaway?
If you can no longer keep your Huntaway, listing it for rehoming on LocalPetFinder connects it directly with adopters across Sydney and NSW, and keeps it out of a shelter. It is free.
List your dog for rehoming →Huntaway Adoption FAQ
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How many Huntaways are available for adoption in Sydney?
As of October 2026 there are no Huntaways listed in Sydney rescue on LocalPetFinder. Huntaways are among the rarer dogs in Australian rescue, and availability turns over quickly, so setting an alert is the most reliable way to catch one when it arrives. Huntaway crosses are worth considering too.
Where can I adopt a Huntaway near me in Sydney?
LocalPetFinder lists Huntaways available for adoption from rescues across Sydney and New South Wales, including the Inner West, Eastern Suburbs, Northern Beaches, Western Sydney and the Sutherland Shire. Rescues that regularly take in dogs of this type include RSPCA NSW at Yagoona and Animal Welfare League NSW at Kemps Creek, alongside foster-based groups. Listings update regularly, so browse the Huntaways above and apply directly through the rescue.
Are there Huntaway rescues near Sydney?
Yes. Several Sydney and NSW rescues regularly have Huntaways and Huntaway crosses, including RSPCA NSW, Animal Welfare League NSW, Sydney Dogs and Cats Home, Monika's Doggie Rescue and Maggie's Rescue, plus breed-focused foster networks. A dedicated single-breed rescue is not always active, so the fastest path is to set an alert here and watch the general rescues. Use LocalPetFinder to see which rescues currently have Huntaways available near you.
Where can I adopt a Huntaway puppy in Sydney?
Purebred Huntaway puppies are uncommon in Sydney rescue and are usually adopted very quickly, so the best strategy is to set an alert here and be ready to apply fast. Most Huntaways in rescue are young adults, older dogs, or Huntaway crosses, and these make just as loving a pet as a purebred puppy while often being calmer and already part house-trained. A rescue puppy or young dog costs a few hundred dollars fully desexed, vaccinated and microchipped, against several thousand from a breeder with a waitlist. If you searched "huntaway puppies sydney" or "huntaway puppies for sale", browse the Huntaways above and set an alert for new arrivals.
Are these Huntaways for sale in Sydney?
Not for sale, for adoption, which is usually the better deal. Every Huntaway here comes from a Sydney or NSW rescue, not a breeder or classified seller, and the adoption fee already includes desexing, vaccination and microchipping. That fee is typically a few hundred dollars, against often several thousand from a breeder with none of the vet work done. If you searched "huntaway for sale sydney", adopting gets you a vetted dog for a fraction of the price.
Where can I buy a Huntaway in Sydney, and should I?
You can buy from a registered breeder, but it is worth weighing against adoption first. A reputable breeder often charges several thousand dollars and may have a waitlist, while a rescue Huntaway costs a few hundred dollars fully vetted and may be available now. Be cautious of cheap "for sale" ads on classified sites and marketplaces, which are a known hotspot for scams and backyard breeding. The ACCC Scamwatch has documented deposit scams for pets that do not exist. For most Sydney families, adopting a rescue Huntaway is cheaper, faster and gives a dog in need a home.
What is a Huntaway?
A Huntaway is a New Zealand farm dog bred to work sheep. Te Ara describes huntaways as big, strongly built dogs used for heading, forcing sheep into pens, backing and yard work, and Dogs NZ lists the NZ Huntaway in its Working group. Unlike a heading dog, which works stock silently, a Huntaway is bred to bark.
Do Huntaways bark a lot?
Yes, it is what they are bred for. Every Huntaway is selected for a loud, deep bark, and on farms they bark on command to move sheep. In a suburban home that instinct does not switch off, so plan for plenty of exercise and training, and think about how close your neighbours are before you adopt.
Are Huntaways good family pets?
They can be. Te Ara describes them as generally good-natured and anxious to please. The bigger questions are space, exercise and noise: a Huntaway is a working dog with a lot of energy and a strong bark. An adult rescue Huntaway whose temperament and energy are already known is often an easier fit than a young dog.
What health problems do Huntaways have?
Te Ara lists inherited defects seen in New Zealand working dogs, including hip dysplasia, which excess weight makes worse, jaw faults (undershot or overshot), cleft palate, and retina problems that can cause early blindness. Keeping a Huntaway lean helps its hips; ask your vet to check joints and eyes.
How big do Huntaways get?
It varies a lot. Te Ara notes that huntaway size and shape varies widely, and Dogs NZ describes the breed as medium to large. Each rescue listing gives that dog's own size or weight, which tells you far more than a breed average.