Working dogs jumping for joy at the Sydney Dog Lovers Show

Working dogs have found a new home — and new tricks — thanks to charity organisations which will showcase their furry friends at the Sydney Dog Lovers Show this weekend.

Thanks to the hard work and generous hearts of Carey and Di Edwards, more than 10,000 working dogs have been saved.

The masterminds behind charity organisation Working Dog Rescue, the Edwards dedicate their lives to liberating dogs due to be euthanised­, and then pairing them with loving homes.

A carpenter by trade, Mr Edwards said he fell in love with cattle dogs as most builders will have one on site.

Spook the dog from the Australian Working Dog Rescue gearing up for the Sydney Dog Lovers show.

“(Cattle dogs are) an iconic Australian breed — but there wasn’t a single kelpie rescue anywhere and yet there are thousands in the pounds,” Mr Edwards said.

Fifteen years after he and his wife began helping to organise­ rescues in the US, the volunteer-run Working Dog Rescue now facilitates the rescue of more than 2000 dogs a year throughout Australia.

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“Who wouldn’t be proud to say that you’ve saved 10,000 lives?” Mr Edwards said, quick to thank his hardworking volunteers.

Carey and Di Edwards with Spook, Nimble, Tricky and Pudding of the Australian Working Dog Rescue.

Mr Edwards, who is passionate about raising awareness of the value of working dogs as family pets, will be heading to the Sydney Dog Lovers Show this weekend to “demonstrate just how good these second hand dogs can be.”

One of the prime examples of this is Nimble — one of Mr Edwards’ dogs who has had her fair share of limelight.

Nimble the kelpie, who was surrendered to the organisation­ as a puppy with her litter, holds the world record for a high jumping dog.

Mr Edwards and Spook showing off their skills.

Mr Edwards and Nimble practising their tricks.

“Nimble was proving to be what we call a problem dog.

“She was very bitey and problematic,” Mr Edwards said.

“The decision was to take her in and train her up to demonstrate how good these dogs can be and she’s ended up having a fan following and known throughout the world,” Mr Edwards said.

The “ambassadog” has 40 commands, has won a yard dog trial, an open three-sheep field trial, and has placed in duck trials — all on top of being a working stock dog.

Nimble “loves the audience”, Mr Edwards said, and will be at the show along with many other of the organisation’s dogs — all very happy for a pat.

“They’re all awesome. No matter how bad of a day you’ve had you turn around and look at the dog — it’s always happy to see you,” he said.

Suzanne Matthews of Working Breed Rehab, which takes working dogs and helps to rehome them, with 10-week-old Kelpie Cronk. Picture: Jess Husband.

Working Breed Rehab puppies Jersey (Kelpie Boarder Collie Cross) and Steffi (Kelpie Cross).

Suzanne Matthews, who runs Working Breed Rehab, said her organisation found houses for up to 750 dogs each year, but this was her biggest year for puppies.

“We have saved more than 600 dogs this year already, so it will be our biggest year,” she said.

“We socialise the dogs to make sure they are fine with kids, cats, guinea pigs, whatever, and will be great companion animals.”

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Howling success

The Sydney Dog Lovers Show will be on at the Royal Hall of Industries and Hordern Pavillion this Saturday and Sunday

Tickets from $12, details at dogloversshow.com.au

More than 500 dogs will join 200 exhibitors and there will be dog shows and celebrity vets