Photo / Supplied
For the first time, the Cobber Working Dog Challenge is welcoming New Zealand dogs to compete against their Australian counterparts.
The top 12 dogs vying to be crowned the hardest-working dog were announced this week, and three Kiwi finalists are in with a chance.
New Zealand will be represented by heading dogs Pine from Canterbury, Spark from Otago, and Trix from Southland.
Heading dogs were a new breed for the Cobber Challenge, which had historically been dominated by kelpies, border collies and koolies.
Stock manager Cam Clayton was competing with Pine.
Clayton managed a 12,000-hectare sheep and beef farm in Ashburton. He said 4-year-old Pine was his best mate.
"When the day is long and the work is hard, Pine is always there and happy to work. I believe we have a really good chance to take out this competition," Clayton said.
Pine was still Clayton's main heading dog, despite losing his bottom teeth after a run-in with a cow.
"Pine never gives up. I think we'll give the Aussies a run for their money."
Peter Aitken will compete with Spark.
Aitken was the head shepherd on Limehills, a 4000ha sheep and beef station in Otago.
He said 3-year-old heading dog Spark was the easiest he'd ever trained.
Spark's natural abilities, instincts, work ethic and drive to impress came down to his breeding - he was from one of New Zealand's best-known sheep dog trialists and trainers, Lloyd Smith.
"When Spark's working, he has amazing focus. And while he's happiest when he's working, he can be very playful when we take a break," Aitken said.
Spark sired his first litter of pups this year and was part of Aitken's plans to rebuild his working dog team after changing roles.
Josh Tosh from Dipton, Southland, will compete with 2.5-year-old Trix.
Tosh had taken over his parents' 4500ha station, where they ran 12,000 ewes and 500 head of angus cattle and 1800 red hind deer. He also worked as a shepherd in the hill country around Otago.
Trix was fast becoming Tosh's mainstay heading dog, as she was young, fit and loved to run.
Tosh estimated he used Trix for 90 per cent of his jobs, as she loved heading and working in the high country.
Trix used her small size to her advantage and was quick on her feet, and able to dart in and out.
Trix mainly worked on sheep, but loved to work cattle too.
Cobber was excited to have New Zealand at this year's challenge, marketing manager Kellie Savage said.
"The three Kiwi competitors work in incredible landscapes and I think their dogs will cover impressive distances."
"We're thankful to everyone who applied. How much everyone values their dogs as part of the farm team shone through in the nominations."
Now in its sixth year, the 2021 Cobber Challenge will run from August 16 to September 5.
Each dog will wear a GPS collar to track how far, fast and for how long they work over a three-week period.
Each day of the competition, data is uploaded to the Cobber Challenge website so fans can follow the performance of their favourite dogs and national team.
The dogs will be scored based on distance, speed and duration of work per day with points accumulated based on daily activity to determine the winner of the Cobber Challenge trophy.
Follow the action at cobberchallenge.com.au and on the Cobber Dog Facebook page.
New Zealand
• Cam Clayton and Pine, from Ashburton, Canterbury
• Josh Tosh and Trix, from Dipton, Southland
• Peter Aitken and Spark, from Millers Flat, Otago
Australia
• Antony Mulder and Narroonda Ritz, from Prairie, Queensland
• James Knight and Krui Snowy, from Devon Park, Queensland
• Daniel Pumpa and Turbo, from Koorawatha, NSW
• Emma Stocks and Koby, from Coolac, NSW
• Bradley Dunlop and Roxy, Wanganella, NSW
• Rob Sibley and Boof, from Kojonup, WA
• Ben Jeffery and Skyblue Jack, from Wannon, Victoria
• James Leahy and Glenlyon Jill, from Highlands, Victoria
• Bree How and Kit, from Oatlands, Tasmania