TOUGH DOG #1
THIS KELPIE NEVER STOPS
AUSTRALIA’S hardest worker might just be this Barrabool top dog.
Sarah Richards’ kelpie Futura Mate is one of 12 competitors in the running to be crowned Australia’s toughest working dog in the annual Cobber Challenge.
The challenge is run by placing GPS collars on the 12 dogs throughout three weeks of work, tracking how fast, how far, and for how long each dog runs on each day.
The combination of speed, distance and duration will be calculated to crown Australia’s top working dog.
Ms Richards said work should be picking up for the pair by the end of August when the challenge begins.
“We are on a fine wool merino stud, but he works cattle as well,” she said.
“There should be a bit of work going on at the end of the month, and I’ve got a few trials to take him to as well for a couple of competitions.”
Ms Richardson said she wasn’t sure just how far Futura Mate ran each day, but said there was one clear sign he was working hard.
“He sleeps pretty solidly. I get home from work about 5.30pm and he’ll be out the back having a good nap.”
Cobber Challenge competitor data will be lodged every night and loaded on to the competition website for fans to follow their state representatives.
Owners will send the data in every night to be cleaned and loaded to the website so people can follow their state representatives or favourite dog.
The Cobber Challenge showcases the contribution working dogs make to Australian farms every day, with last year’s winner shown to run more than 60km in a single day.
For more information, or to follow Futura Mate’s progress from August 28, visit cobberchallenge.com.au