Muster Dogs is back and Bluey's a viewing staple in many Australian homes, so it's no surprise some breeders have noticed an increasing demand for working dogs.
If the shows' clever and charming four-legged stars have you thinking about a working dog breed, there are a few things you should know. Let's take a look at some of the more popular options.
1. Australian working border collie
Gets a treat for being:
- Intelligent
- Easy to train
- Friendly (but primarily gives their attention to their owner)
Keep in mind:
- They need a structured and disciplined environment and an active owner
Source: Dogs Australia
As their name suggests, Australian working border collies have been bred to work, and are highly regarded for their intelligence and ability to be trained.
But the man behind this year's Muster Dogs litter, Mick Hudson, says characteristics differ between breeders.
Some focus on dogs' herding skills and temperament, while others focus on looks.
Loading..."[You won't] have a great dog just because it's a border collie," he says.
"It's got to be genetically well-bred — whether it's a pet or a working dog."
If you're considering adding an Australian working border collie to your family, it's important to:
- 1.Know what you want from your pup. Is the dog for adult companionship or as a pet for children? Will it be housebound or with you on the road, at work and at home?
- 2.Do your research into the traits that different breeders focus on
For Mick, regardless of breed, the most important thing to remember when training your pup is that it takes time.
"[You] need to be prepared to put in the time and effort into them and give them something to do," he says.
But, at the end of the day, Mick says knowing what bloodlines and genetics you want are key to getting the right dog for you.
"If they're not superbly bred, you can't make a silk purse out of a sows ear," he says.
2. Kelpie
Gets a treat for being:
- Alert, eager and highly intelligent
- Loyal with a devotion to duty
Keep in mind:
- They want to be with their owner and don't like to feel left out
- They have an almost inexhaustible energy
Source: Australian Kelpie Club of NSW
You are not alone if you watched season one of Muster Dogs and fell in love with kelpies, but some breeders are quick to warn they're better suited as working dogs than pets.
Echoing Mick's advice, dog training expert Neil McDonald says genetics are the critical clue for finding a dog with the traits you're looking for.
"People need to understand they have to pursue the family lines within a breed, more so the breed itself," Neil says.
"Working dogs aren't actually bred to be pets.
"So it's a tricky one when you're making the number one priority for a working dog to be a companion."
Despite being a high-energy breed, kelpies can thrive away from a farm environment, but it all comes down to fulfilment.
"It's not the size of the area it runs in, it's the fulfilment of the mind," Mick says.
"Probably in the city, you would need more mental stimulation.
"It's making them feel important and having fulfilment in their life."
3. Australian shepherd
Gets a treat for being:
- Intelligent, loyal and enthusiastic
- Good with children and other pets
Keep in mind:
- They can be aloof with strangers
- They may become destructive or anxious without adequate exercise or mental stimulation
Source: Australian Shepherds of NSW
Despite its name, the Australian shepherd was originally bred in the United States to work on ranches, and is known as a breed that's intelligent, adaptable and relatively easy to train.
"They're a little more easygoing and laid back," breeder Kate Dourley says.
According to Kate, one thing to remember is that they can be manipulative "in some situations".
"This shows itself as a desire to please their owner," she says.
Kate has been breeding Australian shepherds since 2000 and says most are kept as pets, but they still have strong working dog traits.
"[They] make good pets for active, intelligent and interactive people," she says.
Kate says owners should be willing to invest "serious time and energy" in the first 12 months to avoid behavioural issues.
"The work you put in builds a fantastic companion," she says.
"But if you don't put in the time, you can end up with an anxious, noisy, destructive or overly excited dog."
4. Koolie
Gets a treat for being:
- Neither nervous nor aggressive
- Bold, intelligent and readily trainable
- Strongly attached and loyal to its owner
- Responsive and wanting to please
Keep in mind:
- That without training, exercise and mental stimulation, koolies can become bored and frustrated
Source: Koolie Club of Australia
They may not be as recognisable as border collies or kelpies, but koolies are one of Australia's oldest working dog breeds.
President of the Koolie Club of Australia Danny Ruben says with the right training, koolies make good working dogs and long-term house pets.
Danny says koolies have "a sensitive working style" and can be anxious, but are eager to please their owners.
He adds that it's important to maintain a strong training routine in a koolie's first year for "setting them up for success".
"It really comes down to how they are introduced to different environments and how they are taught," Danny says.
"Koolies can be demanding, but where they are different [to other working dog breeds] is their desire to have positive feedback.
"They are a highly intelligent breed that can read and react to your body language and voice."
As with any breed, it's important to research breeders to ensure you find the right fit for you and your lifestyle.
"Speak with the koolie breeder about their requirements and their lifestyle," Danny says.
"Owners should have a plan of how they want to teach their koolie based on their personality. Different personalities require different training."
5. Maremma
Gets a treat for being:
- Loving and loyal
- Able to bond closely with its family
Keep in mind:
- They can be aloof and independent so training can be a challenge
- They are protective of their territory and cautious of odd noises and strangers, so can become a nuisance barker
- They are not happy to be left home alone
Source: Dogs Australia
Not to be confused with a light-coloured golden retriever, Maremmas (originally known as Maremmano-Abruzzese sheepdogs) are a 2,000-year-old Italian guardian dog breed.
They were bred to protect livestock like sheep and goats, and to this day are used as guardian dogs all over the world.
You may recognise these adorable Maremmas as the dogs used to protect penguins from foxes on Middle Island in Victoria.
Patricia Corbett, a marine biologist at Deakin University, has coordinated the Middle Island Penguin Project and has also worked closely with the Maremmas.
Patricia says the breed has very strong instincts to protect its territory and anything within it, but they generally don't make good pets.
"They are very different to other domestic dogs and even a lot of working dogs," she says.
"They don't want to herd livestock … and they are more difficult to have as a domestic dog as they are very strong-willed and want to be doing a job.
"I love how loyal they are, and seeing the incredible instinct they have right from a young age."
Patricia says Maremmas often take at least two years to train fully, and many people don't do their research before getting one.
"They will bark all night. It's instinctive and not something that can be easily stopped," she says.
"They are very difficult to train … they are not a breed for everyone.
"Unfortunately, a significant number … end up being surrendered."
6. Dachshund
Gets a treat for being:
- Full of character, obedient and faithful to their family
- Intelligent and easy to train
- Friendly and good-natured
- Alert and reliable watch dogs
Keep in mind:
- They can be lively and courageous to the point of rashness
- They have an extremely strong sense of smell, which can leave little focus for anything else
- They have a major food drive putting them at risk of being overfed
Source: National Dachshund Council, Dachshund Club of Qld
Loading...While you might be surprised to see dachshunds (affectionately known as sausage dogs) on this list, they were originally bred to hunt badgers.
Even though their small stature doesn't lend them to the same kind of duties as other working dogs, dachshunds — if given the right training — will give farm work a go.
According to president of the National Dachshund Council, Elke Moser, these loveable dogs can have a mind of their own.
"Dachshunds are universally loved for their loyalty," Elke says.
"They can also be stubborn and like to practise selective deafness.
"Dachshunds do make wonderful pets … but they do not like being alone for long periods of time.
"They can become anxious, and this is when destructive behaviour can start."
If you're considering a dachshund, Elke says there are a few important things to know.
"They are known for their supreme digging, so a secure yard is a must," she says.
"Ask yourself if you have the time to commit to looking after a dachshund.
"If you do, he or she will be your friend for life."
Stream the brand-new series of Muster Dogs on ABC iview to find out how Mick’s finely bred litter of Australian border collies get on with five graziers across Australia, to compete for the title of Champion Muster Dog.