Whistling up the Dogs

THE National Working Dog Stock Dog and Futurity and Sale to be held at the end of the month has cemented itself as a “pretty good yard stick for working dogs,” said organiser Dean Taylor.

Now in its eighth year, this year’s sale has already attracted more than 50 dogs and 12 pups from as far as Victoria through to the New England and the quality of the dogs this year is expected to be even better than last year.

“Last year the top dog sold for $12,000 and had another two make over $10,000, while there might not be the highest prices because of the season, the quality of the dogs is up on last year,” Mr Taylor said.

“The sale is standing up well and people will still pay good money for the right dog, there are a lot of people making a good business with good money out of selling the right dog,” he said.

“The futurity is a good and we have one pup that was bought for $350 at a previous sale coming back to compete for $5,000, so it’s a nice incentive,” Dean Taylor said.

Cattle and sheep dog trials as a sport are growing in popularity and both farmers and triallers expected to be at the sale.

“We mainly get people to come there for work, but there are a few people who come there to buy a dog to trial and trialing is a bit easier on the body as a sport when you are a bit older,” laughed Mr Taylor.

“I think people love having pets and if they’ve got something where they can go away and do; and it’s one of the cheaper sports you can do with your animals compared to say horse sports,” he said.

“It’s a good day out, we’ll have a full canteen, bar, coffee cart and good Murrurundi weather,” laughed Dean Taylor.

For more information including the catalogue and video of some dogs on sale visit: National Working Stock Dog Futurity.

• WHEN: Beings 7am on Friday, June 22 and 8am on Saturday, June 23.
• WHERE: Rosedale Complex, 4 Rosella Street, Murrurundi. (Behind the Wilson Memorial Oval on Mayne Street)
• COST: Free spectator admission.