A 14-month-old Border Collie dog called Addy's Lucy sold for a sale record breaking $23,000 at this year's working dog sale at CQLX Gracemere on Sunday.
Following the success of the inaugural sale in 2021, buyers were quick to take advantage of the quality line of dogs on offer in this year's sale.
At the fall of the hammer, 56 dogs sold for 98 per cent clearance and an average of $7218 during a sale which attracted buyers from Queensland, NSW and even Tasmania.
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With a full capacity crowd in the grandstands and 750 people viewing on Stocklive, 19 lots sold online.
Offered by Marty Addy of Addy's Working Dogs, Blackwater, the top price black and white female was the AI daughter of Mighty Gelert 324298 and Biles Billie.
Lucy broke last year's sale top price by $13,000 and was sold to Judy Hamilton of Thangool.
Claiming top price honours for the pups was Carrdoon Marley, who sold for $17,000 to Brodie Zahl.
The four and half-month-old Border Collie pup was offered by Gavin Carr of Mundubbera and is from an AI litter from Moss 342840 ISDS and Carrdoon Zoey QCD2987.
Overall, 105 registered bidders were on the grounds and 121 registered bidders online.
Two dogs sold to Tasmania and King Island, while in NSW they went to Matheson, Tatham, Greenridge, Gulgong, Cassilis, Wollongbar, and Kempsey.
Dogs were sold into many areas of Queensland including Goondiwindi, Alpha, Injune, Springsure, Kingaroy, Clermont, Wallumbilla, Einasleigh, Fairy Bower, Julia Creek, Marlborough, Eidsvold, Theordore, Thangool, Mount Surprise, Consuelo, Bushley, Normanton, Baralaba, Kabra, and Taroom.
Ray White Gracemere's livestock manager Gary Wendt said he believes the demand for dogs is growing, and that was certainly reflected in the sale over the weekend.
Mr Wendt said people working stock are seeing a great avenue for a quality working dog.
"We've almost tripled our lots offered this year, which in last year's sale we only had 20 dogs on offer," he said.
"I think most people are willing to pay top dollar for a good quality working dog, considering how much money they'd save them in the long run."
Mr Wendt said both the sale and the working dog trial were well attended.
"We had good attendance in the trial itself and very good attendance on the vendor side of the sale and the buying side, which was good," he said.
"The trial helps buyers see the working dogs in action and they see what they're like. Until they start working, you won't know how'll they handle working livestock out in the paddock."
The working dog sale normally occurs every three years and coincides with Beef Australia, but Mr Wendt said the growing demand for good working dogs has resulted in the sale becoming an annual occurrence.
Working dog trial results
The Ray White Livestock Rockhampton Open Dog Trial attracted strong crowd numbers ahead of the Working Dog Sale.
The trial tests the ability of the owner and their working dog in handling cattle or sheep.
The trial was well supported this year, with 143 trial dogs and 44 competitors competing for the top award.
The 2022 working dog trial winning title was awarded to Andrew Jansen with Riverside Drifter on 252 points.
The overall place getters.
- Andrew Jansen - Riverside Drifter - 85 - FS = 252
- Martin Holzwart - Shadowvale Dee - 87.5 - FS = 243.5
- Martin Holzwart- Shadowvale Ned - 80 - FS = 230.5
- Steele Cannell - Mysticview Lara - 80.5 - FS = 225.5
- Steele Cannell - Carrdoon Zippo - 86 - FS = 225
- Simon Mollee - Mollee's Jacko - 84.5 - FS = 218
- Sam Connolly - Huckleberry Queen - 81.5 - FS = 216.5
- Ross Kehl - Bob N Co Pippa - 46.5 FS = 206.5
- Paul Wroe - Brutonvale Pepper - 61 - FS = 201
- Jamie Sturrock- Craiglea Lego - 63 - FS = 197
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