Demand for British genetics has seen sheep dogs fetching higher prices at market, with buyers from Japan, Russia, Australia, Korea and The United States all showing interest and purchasing border collies at UK auctions. Friday saw a new record price set for a working dog.

On Friday, 26th October, a dog at Skipton Market in North Yorkshire sold for 8,000gns (£8,400, of which the breeder will receive £8,000). An 18 month old black and white bitch bred by Shaun Richards, of Burnley went for the new world record price to Eddie Thornalley, a shepherd from Suffolk. The dog was sired by 2008 World Sheep Dog Trials champion Roy, and a locally owned dam.

The previous record price was 6,000gns (£6,300), set in 2011, also at Skipton. According to the International Sheepdog Society, trained dogs regularly sell for up to £4,000 at market. Despite modern technology taking over many aspects of farming, the sheepdog remains an essential tool for hill farmers.

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