There were nine quality dogs showcased in this year's Wroe and Co Working Cattle Dog auction in Emerald to produce a top of $8000, and record-breaking sale average of $5530.
There was no shortage of demand over the weekend at the Ag-Grow Field Days working dog sale, as buyers were quick to take advantage of the quality line of dogs on offer.
Two females and six males were featured on Friday to gross $44,250 in sales, and average $5530, breaking the previous sale record for the highest average in this auction.
The top selling dog Shadowvale Bo, owned by Adam Sibson, Belyando, dazzled the audience to sell for a cracking $8000, equaling the current standing record at Ag-Grow set by Martin Holzwart with his dog Randy in 2019.
The two-year-old Border Collie was sold to Darren Gilliam, Lake Elphinstone, who also purchased the second-highest selling dog in this year's sale, Brutonvale Black Jack for $7750, owned by Sam Donovan, Comet.
Mr Gilliam said what he looks for in a dog is their balance, kick out, stops, and the way they work and was immediately drawn to the young dog's ability.
"I know the breeding, I know the parents and Adam does a good job bringing them through," he said.
Mr Gilliam, who evidently balances dog trialing with managing roughly 40,000 hectares of land at Lake Elphinstone, said he firmly believes the dogs are getting stronger and better with every sale.
Managing a large property where all cattle work is completed using horses and dogs, he sees the return on investment these animals provide.
"When you have good dogs, working cattle becomes a lot easier as they're more settled," he said.
Mr Sibson, who is also president of the Queensland Working Cattle Dog Association, said this was his second time selling a dog at Ag-Grow.
He described his dog as having a lovely nature with a good working style and was more than happy with the result he received.
"It was a good sale, there was good prices for good dogs."
Long-time event organiser and renowned working dog trialler Paul Wroe, Middlemount, said he believes the demand for dogs is growing, and that was certainly reflected in the sale over the weekend.
Mr Wroe also presented two dogs in the sale, with six-month-old Billaroo Solo, and rising four-year-old Moonya Mason, together grossing $11,000.
"I was really happy with the price I had; $3750 for a six-month-old pup - that's useful money as far as I was concerned.
"I think people are starting to realise just how much dogs are worth, and how much they can get done on their own with some useful dogs."
