Top 5: Queensland’s best farm dogs of 2023
Whether they help with sheep, goats or cattle, with pest control or are all rounders. From more than 50 entries here are the state’s top 5 most loved working dogs as voted by readers.
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Searching high and low across Queensland, more than 50 of the most hardworking dogs were nominated in the effort to crown the state’s toughest, smartest, and most efficient dog in action.
Voting has finally come to a close, after 12 days and more than 100 votes, the state’s top farm dogs can be revealed.
Seven nominees have ranked in the top five positions, with two tied for third place and two tied for fourth place.
5. Shaundar Pink
An award-winning Australian dog and farm all-rounder — working cattle, sheep and both feral and domestic goats — Pink (Shaundar Pink) came in fifth place with 3 per cent of the votes.
Pink and her owner Tammie Conroy are currently at the Australian Utility Championships representing Queensland. She has also competed successfully in three sheep trialling, yard dog trialling and utility trialling competitions.
“She is no slouch though,” Ms Conroy said.
“Pink only competes on weekends and spends her week days mustering and working on many local properties.”
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4. Tied; Enzo and Swift and kelpie Nick
Skilled cattle musterer duo, Enzo and Swift from Gundiah, and three legged cattle Musterer, Nick from Charters Towers City have tied for fourth place with 4 per cent of the votes.
Enzo and Swift work as a great force in the cattle yards at Suzanne Fordham McCowen’s farm in Gundiah.
“They have a presence about them, and a terrific eye, that makes the cattle move without them needing to bark or bite,” Ms McCowen said.
“They listen to our calls and do exactly what we need them to do, when we need them to do it. Enzo is my dog and he protects me.
One day I slipped over in the yards and he forced all the cattle away from me until I was back up on my feet. He just knows stuff!”
Genine Jackson’s hard working kelpie, Nick has recently become three legged, after one of his back legs had an extensive break and dislocation while working on his owner’s farm in Charters Towers City.
“Nick came to me as a rescue at 5 months old, and safe to say he is a workaholic and quickly turned into my best work dog,” Ms Jackson said.
Last year, Nick participated in the cobber working dog challenge and placed the 6th position among a total of 12 participants, he was the sole cattle working entrant (rest were sheep).
“Even on four legs, Nick was an amazing dog but the resilience he has shown since losing his leg is remarkable,” she said.
“Just three weeks after surgery he was back showing his kids how to work the sheep.”
3. Tied Layla, Walter, Lexie of Warwick and Legs of Coleyville
Working dog bred border collies, Layla, Walter and Lexie from Warwick, and the small but mighty Staffy x Terrier, Legs from Coleyville have tied for third place with 5 per cent of the votes.
While they certainly have the instinct for it, Layla, Walter and Lexie are more pet dogs than working dogs.
“Our true working dogs are not as beautiful as these three,” their owner, Janelle Henderson said.
Outstanding in her field, Legs is a chief navigator, senior machinery operator, head of pest/vermin control at her owner's farm in Coleyville, Scenic Rim.
According to her owner, Amanda Bolton, Legs is a true character and is described by her peers as “a good doggo.”
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2. Mutley from Oakhurst (Carratum Park)
The mascot for his owner’s equestrian coaching business, and thoroughly loved by everyone he meets, Desiree Roos’ dog, Mutley has come runner up for Queensland’s best farm dog with 13 per cent of the overall votes.
Described as a hard working athlete, the epitome of his breed. Mutley is a great help for his owner at Carratum Park, where he assists with leading the way on trail rides, mustering the wondering thoroughbred horses back on track, and supervises arena rides and children’s lessons.
“He loves the land cruiser trips to horseshows and clinics and makes every new friend Carratum Park meets feel welcome,” Deziree Roos partner Cindy Gannon said.
“Mutley is also the master of fetch and convinces even the most reluctant people into playing.”
1. Paddy from Gympie
In first place, Deb Brown’s Border Collie Paddy has been named Queensland’s best farm dog of 2023, proving that dogs can be both beautiful as well as exceptional workers.
A farmhand all-rounder, Paddy helps his owner on her Gympie farm with irrigation and shifting the sheep and cattle into the paddocks.
Paddy also guards the motorbike and blocks gates well — “sometimes a little too well,” said his owner.
“He is happy to hitch a ride when he can or he will run all day.
He has the best nature. He loves everyone, and everyone loves him. And he is my best mate!”
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