What is a working dog?
A working dog is much more than a pet.
Stock dogs
Working dogs are highly trained and skilled dogs kept to assist humans. We distinguish between two main categories of working dogs.
Stock dogs are kept principally for the purposes of herding or driving stock. Stock dogs are not required to be microchipped. The following breeds are considered by Council to be used as stock dogs:
- Collie
- Huntaway
- Heading Dog
- Australian Cattle Dog
- Kelpie
- Maremma Sheepdog
- Any of the above crosses
No supporting information is required. A dog control officer will be notified of any registrations for other breeds. The officer may request a demonstration of the dog working, when it is of age.
If you are unsure if your dog qualifies as a stock dog, watch the video of Jorgia below as an example of what qualifies a stock dog.
Other working dogs
These include seeing-eye dogs, government dogs, guard dogs and pest control dogs. These dogs are registered with a professional body and are required to be microchipped, Council will need evidence of the dog’s registration with a relevant professional body.
Disability assist dogs
Photo/copy/scan of certification the dog is a disability assist dog from one of the following organisations:
- Assistance Dogs New Zealand
- Hearing Dogs for Deaf People New Zealand
- K9 Medical Detection New Zealand
- Mobility Assistance Dogs Trust
- New Zealand Epilepsy Assist Dogs Trust
- Perfect Partners Assistance Dogs Trust
- Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind Incorporated
Government dogs
Photo/copy/scan of documentation from one of the following Government agencies:
- Police
- Customs Service
- MPI (Fisheries, Forestry)
- Ministry of Defence
- Department of Conservation
- Department of Corrections
- Aviation Security Service
- Civil Defence Emergency Management
Pest dogs
Photo/copy/scan of the pest management plan under the Biosecurity Act 1993.
Guard dog
Dogs owned by a licensed property guard for work under that legislation.
Photo/copy/scan of property guard approval documentation.
(viii) owned by a property guard or a property guard employee as defined in section 17 of that Act, and kept solely or principally for the purpose of doing the things specified in section 9(1)(a) to (c) of that Act.)
7 December 2022