New Zealand Dog Names

Rajah was a German Shepherd and was classified as a working and performing dog in New Zealand in the 1930's. Although unofficial , he was the first police dog in NZ and was nominated for a replacement for Rin Tin Tin during his time in Methven. A representative of Fox Film Corporation proposed an offer that Rajah replace Rin Tin Tin but the family declined as it was too big a move. This impressive dog became famous throughout the country for his acting performances and location work performed with the New Zealand Police in several locations in the South Island. Rajah was owned by Constable John Robertson who was the only serving police officer at the time and Rajah assisted Robertson although he was not officially designated to the position. Rajah's work consisted of finding weapons and other notable items, and was used to locate remains. Rajah only failed once to find the body of a missing woman believed by police to have met foul play and then dumped alongside the railway line. Rajah failed to find the body, but years later the reason was discovered. The body had been entombed inside a concrete pillar. This amazing dog led a full and happy life working alongside his beloved master and friend. On record, Miska is the first official New Zealand Police Dog, and she was employed in 1957. She, as well as five other German Shepherds, were brought from Surrey in the United Kingdom and became the first recruits for the Dog Training Centre at Trentham, Upper Hutt.

If you are ever passing by Lake Tekapo in the beautiful South Island of New Zealand, you will notice a bronze statue of the Mackenzie Sheep Dog. It resides beside the stunning lake and the tiny Church of the Good Shepherd. The statue is dedicated to the working Collie dogs of the Mackenzie Country who endured harsh winters and scorching hot summers in their loyal toil as working dogs. But there is also another story, of a man named James Mackenzie who was a Scottish Shepherd turned sheep stealer. In 1855 he actually discovered this basin that now bears his name. Known for driving flocks of sheep inland with the help of his loyal dog Friday, it avoided them being discovered by the authorities. In local lore it is told that Friday would drive the sheep without his master's control until the authorities finally managed to capture him. This just goes to prove how amazing dogs are and that their loyalty is unending. The Mackenzie country owes a lot to the dogs that helped them to settle in this area and build a thriving stock business.