A TWO year old kelpie named Whiskey has taken home the title of Casterton’s top dog following a $15,000 price tag at Australia’s Premier Working Dog Auction over the long weekend.
Keith farmer Trent Bettess paid the top price for the pup bred by Jack Leonard after being impressed by her temperament and long casting when in the yard during Sunday’s pre-auction demonstrations.
Mr Leonard, who is based at Melville Forest, had his bloodline featured among the 66 dogs sold on Sunday, which equated to more than $280,000 in total sales with a clearance rate of 86pc.
“I’m happy with her and I’m happy with the price but I did think the prices were going to be higher,” Mr Bettess said.
“The last 12 months from Keith to Mount Gambier has been a cracker of a season and so I thought the price would be a bit higher.
“Knowing her breed and her trainer she should be good at her job, I have brought dogs from him before and they have all been great.”
Starting to wean his lambs in September, Mr Bettess said his focus with Whiskey now is to start bonding with her, as well as light sheep work.
“If you start working them too early you can take them backwards rather than forwards,” he said.
“She has settled in well so far, I spent two and three hours with her Monday walking her around the yard and building the relationship with her.”
Casterton Kelpie Association president Karen Stephens said despite prices not reclaiming world record status following last year’s success, the committee was ecstatic with the results produced over the weekend.
The event raised an additional $15,000 from 2018 totals with an average of $4900 per dog.
Ms Stephens said over the 23 years the auction had generated $2.9m worth of kelpie sales.
“This year we attracted buyers from across Australia with one couple traveling from as far as Western Australia to purchase two dogs,” she said.
“The addition of AuctionPlus also assisted to engage a broader market of buyers, keeping bidding competitive.”
With an estimated 10,000 in attendance across the weekend, celebrations have continued with a working dog school.
Glenelg Shire Mayor Anita Rank said the iconic event continued to grow and engage a new generation of dog lovers.
“The Kelpie Muster is one of regional Victoria’s greatest attractions and is successfully engaging a new global audience,” Ms Rank said.
“We had visitors from the Netherlands, UK and a Japanese journalist at the weekend, all wanting to learn more about this unique working dog.
“The economic and social benefits to this community are beyond financial return.”
