Muster Dogs: Collies and Kelpies on ABC and ABC iview S3E4 – As the eight-month assessment looms, the pressure is mounting for our handlers and their pups.
The dogs may look grown up, but they’re still puppies at heart, needing constant attention and training to transform them into quality working dogs. Differences between the two breeds are becoming more evident – while Kelpies show strong instincts but struggle with commands, Collies are eager to work and follow instructions but aren’t as natural at rounding up stock.
In Uduc, Western Australia, Blythe is dealing with a severe drought and plummeting livestock prices, but Banksi remains a bright spot with a great attitude. Renee in the Central Highlands, Queensland is finding it tough with Pockets, as her usual Kelpie training methods aren’t working. Pockets is too in tune with Renee’s clumsy working style.
Meanwhile, In Dunkeld, Victoria, Jack is managing the farm alone while his farmhand is away, leaving little time to train Pesto. Despite being fizzy, Pesto is showing she can get the job done. In Bingara, New South Wales, Marlene is considering retirement and planning to pass down the farm to her son. She’s feeling confident in Hudson and is certainly putting the training in.
As the treasurer of the South Australian Yard Dog Association, Kim is balancing farming, motherhood, her responsibilities to the association, and training Banjo. For school student Nathan, the countdown is on with less than 100 days left of school. Despite the pressure, he’s found the right tempo with Chief, managing to train him in between his studies.
It’s judgment day for our six pups and the results are certainly surprising. While all pups have improved since the last assessment, a few challenges remain.
With only four months left until the Champion Muster Dog is crowned, the competition is tighter than ever, with no clear front-runner. Will it be Team Collie or Team Kelpie taking the title?
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 23 February at 7.30pm
TV Central ABC content HERE
Muster Dogs: Collies and Kelpies on ABC and ABC iview S3E4
