Tasmanian success at Australian Premier Working Dog Auction

Six working dogs have made their way to Tasmania following the 30th Australian Premier Working Dog Auction in Casterton, Victoria last weekend, in some cases almost back to where they were born.

The auction, held alongside the Australian Kelpie Muster, is the most prestigious auction of its kind in the country and this year featured 59 dogs of which 52 were sold at an average price of $9144.

The highest price paid was for a kelpie named Stella, sold by Paul McPhail of Beloka Kelpies in Welshpool, Victoria, which fetched $23,500.

Paul also secured the highest price for a puppy, with Flea selling for $20,000.

The second highest priced dog came back to Tasmania for a price of $23,000 paid by the Davies at Darlington Park, Cressy.

Another top dog is making his way to King Island.

Tasmania’s Matthew Johnson, a prominent local breeder and regular demonstrator of working dog training at agricultural shows and clinics, sold one of his Pandara Kelpies dogs for $13,000.

The three-year-old red and tan Basil was bought by Mark Webb of Whitemore, not far from the Johnson’s Birralee stud.

“Mark had a good look at him before we went and it was great that he bought him back to Tasmania,” Matthew said.

“He’s a good solid farm dog with plenty of free bark and power, capable of driving livestock and doing pretty much everything - he’ll catch a sheep if needed.”

Another dog bred by Pandara and trained by Jess Russell of Sidmouth, Pandora Holly, fetched $8500, well above her reserve of $6000, and went to a return client, Ian Jones, of Casterton.

Michael Osborne from Pages Transport at Carrick took two dogs over and sold one for $5000 and another young pup for $2000.

Brady Woods from Longford also had two that fetched $3000 and $4500 respectively.

Clint Shelton from Cressy sold two at $3500 and $10,000 and Amanda McHue of Travelers Australian Cattle Dogs and Kelpies at Wesley Vale sold one for $1750 and the other was passed in after missing his reserve price by just $150.

He has returned home to continue his education and be re-offered for sale at a later date.

“With good prices being paid now for cattle and lambs and good stockmen thin on the ground the value of these dogs are being recognised,” Matthew said. 

“Once you would never expect to sell a working dog for $20,000 but that is becoming the norm now for a good dog that’s fully broken in.”