Muster Dogs: Collies and Kelpies on ABC and ABC iview S3E1 – Following on from the success of previous seasons, Muster Dogs season 3 introduces an exciting new twist in the experiment, putting Australia’s top working dog breeds, Border Collies and Kelpies to the test to determine the ultimate Champion Muster Dog.
In this six-part series, six passionate graziers embark on a challenge to train a puppy – three Collies and three Kelpies – into efficient working members of their mustering pack within 12 months.
In episode one, on Mick and Carolyn Hudson’s property in NSW we meet first-time mother Nikki and father Boss. In the early hours of the morning Nikki delivers seven gorgeous Australian Border Collie pups. Meanwhile, on the other side of the country Neil and Helen McDonald anticipate a litter of Kelpie pups from Reba and GoGetta Bets. After five hours Reba delivers more than the expected number of Kelpie pups, delivering ten beautiful Australian Kelpies. Among these pups, six (three Border Collies & three Kelpies) will steal our hearts as we watch them grow in a twelve-month experiment.
Both dog breeds come from esteemed bloodlines, bred to be Champion Muster Dogs. Training experts Neil McDonald and Mick Hudson will monitor the dogs closely.
Through various challenges, they will evaluate the similarities and differences between these two iconic breeds, focusing on training techniques, aptitude and job suitability.
At twelve weeks, the pups are delivered to six graziers across Australia, who will each train their pup to be crowned Champion Muster Dog. There’s Marlene, a sixty year old grazier with over three decades of experience in Bingara, New South Wales; Jack a new father with diverse interests in Dunkeld, Victoria; Blythe, a first generation farmer in Uduc, Western Australia; Kim who is juggling her farm with a busy family life in Kaniva, Victoria; Nathan, a school student in his final year who is passionate about working dogs on his families property in Kingaroy, Queensland; and Renee, an organic, grass-fed cattle farmer from the Central Highlands.
Each trainer is given their new pup; Marlene, Nathan and Renee get Border Collies, while Jack, Blythe and Kim receive Kelpies. These cute new puppies instantly wriggle their way into the hearts of our new owners as training begins for the first five-month milestone assessment.
Production credit:
Commissioned by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. An Ambience Entertainment production for the ABC with production investment from Screen Queensland, Screen NSW and financed with support from the ABC. Series Director: Monica O’Brien. Director: Sally Browning. Producers: Sally Browning, Michael Boughen, Monica O’Brien. Co-producer and additional direction: John Unwin. Executive Producer: Mathew Street. ABC Executive Producer: Rachel Robinson. ABC Commissioning Editor: Jo Chichester. ABC Head of Documentaries and Specialist: Susie Jones. International Distributor: ABC Commercial.
Muster Dogs: Collies and Kelpies on ABC and ABC iview – Sunday 2 February at 7.30pm
TV Central ABC content HERE
Muster Dogs: Collies and Kelpies on ABC and ABC iview S3E1
