Good boys and girls go for top prices at sheep and cattle dog sale

The 62nd annual Ashburton sheep and cattle dog sale has been held at the Mayfield Showgrounds.

Working farm dogs with short names like, Scout, Prince, Spec, and Boy were popular.

At this year's PGG Wrightson auction top prices were paid for top dogs.

Three heading dogs fetched $8000 apiece, and two huntaways brought in more than $7000 each.

Of the 44 entries, 34 were sold on the day and others passed in for later negotiation.

There was the frisky beardie - priced to sell at $600 - and big-footed huntaways with deep-chesty barks.

Also up for sale were the dogs of high-country shepherds, and those from the plains.