Boronia Posted June 11, 2012 Share Posted June 11, 2012 http://www.abc.net.au/local/photos/2012/06/11/3522577.htm?site&xml=3522577-mediarss.xml#bigpicturepos click on the link as there are heaps of great photos I like David Edgecombe and Peg from Adelaide best :-) The Australian working dog muster brings breeders, farmers and dog-lovers together each year in the south-west Victorian town of Casterton. The town on the banks of the Glenelg River claims to be the birthplace of the kelpie breed. Novelty events include dog most like its owner, egg and spoon race and the fattest dog. But serious competitors have come from far and wide to compete in working dog trials and the triathlon; made up of the kelpie dash, high jump and hill climb. If triathlon winner Mack wasn't competing on the track or barking with excitement from the sidelines, you could find him in the arms of owner, Tony Wilson, from Balliang, in Victoria. Maybe the extra cuddles gave this sheep dog the competitive edge to win the muster triathlon, concluding with the hill climb - where dogs individually sprint to their owner calling them from the top of the hill. "He travels in the front seat of a ute, he sleeps indoors in the house. He is very, very well looked after," Tony says. Although Mack won the high jump in 2009 and 2010 and was last year's triathlon runner up, Tony says he's surprised at how well he did. "Mack's excited because he gets more attention." The high jump is the obvious festival favourite. Gippsland man Hugh Mawhinney's dog George placed first, clearing a height of 2.72m. "It's natural ability, we didn't have to teach him. We had him in the hay shed, he jumped a few bails of hay and the rest he's done all by himself," Hugh says. The record remains with breeder Claire O'Callaghan and her dog Riley, who jumped 2.91m in 2007. While some leave Casterton once the competitions are over, others are getting ready to do business. The festival auction attracts people in search of the best young working dog around. Ross Fletcher travelled 1,600kms from Walcha in northern New South Wales to find a dog ready to work with his 5,500 fine wool merino sheep. "I'm looking for dogs to better our dogs at home, and looking at dogs for a neighbour," he says. "I want a dog for immediate work, so I'm going to need to have pretty deep pockets I think." The auction record was set this year with a two-year-old kelpie from Tasmania which sold for $12,000. Listen to the audio for more from the 2012 Australian Kelpie Muster. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weasels Posted June 11, 2012 Share Posted June 11, 2012 Gosh Mack is a handsome devil! Love a good b&t :D My favourite photo has to be the red & tan sniffing the dog statue though! :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MishB Posted June 12, 2012 Share Posted June 12, 2012 Wow, I cant imagine paying $12000 for a dog!! I would love to see that dog working, it must be impressive. Great pic of the Kelpie looking at the statue, such big, curious eyes :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the doggy diaries Posted June 12, 2012 Share Posted June 12, 2012 :) Hi, I've just joined cos I followed a 'trail'...that's my friend Rodney and Randy in one of the pics...how cool...one day I would love to get down there...his new puppy Ruby is too cute. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weasels Posted June 12, 2012 Share Posted June 12, 2012 Wow, I cant imagine paying $12000 for a dog!! I imagine it helps to consider it a business expense! Compared to the costs of hiring someone to help out, then adding the costs of quad bikes or horses to move the employees around it doesn't look so bad :) And you never have to worry about worker morale or bludging with a good kelpie! :p -- Welcome The doggy diaries :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alkhe Posted June 12, 2012 Share Posted June 12, 2012 brilliant photos! I love the guy in the BC suit too :laugh: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris the Rebel Wolf Posted June 12, 2012 Share Posted June 12, 2012 What awesome photos!! Kelpies are such classic looking dogs. Love Mack at the dash and on his dad's shoulders! And Claire's chocolate tris - WOW! But oh man, that fattest dog makes me so sad. I wish they wouldn't wreak such a fun event with a competition like fattest dog. *sigh* Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Panto Posted June 13, 2012 Share Posted June 13, 2012 love the pics, but the poor fattest dog, and any other contestants, I hope they get the dog in good health again and stop promoting such a bad thing to be recognised for. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MishB Posted June 13, 2012 Share Posted June 13, 2012 Wow, I cant imagine paying $12000 for a dog!! I imagine it helps to consider it a business expense! Compared to the costs of hiring someone to help out, then adding the costs of quad bikes or horses to move the employees around it doesn't look so bad :) And you never have to worry about worker morale or bludging with a good kelpie! :p -- Welcome The doggy diaries :) Haha you are so right Weasels! Cheap employee at that price! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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