Sheep dog Zoe is The Weekly Times top canine

A Kelpie-Border Collie from Kinypanial has won The Weekly Times 2024 Dog Calendar competition. See where you can get your copy here.

When Zoe was born in 2016, she wasn’t the first pick of her litter.

“She was the runt of the litter, and I just kind of felt sorry for her,” said owner, Ashlea Martin.

Named after the lead character from the American comedy-drama Hart of Dixie, the small in stature Kelpie-Border Collie is second-in-charge at the sheep farm in Kinypanial.

“She may be small in size but she makes up for it in work ethic and character,” said Ms Martin.

“She is the first dog in the yards to help, and the last dog to leave your side at the end of the day”.

Zoe, the Kelpie-Border Collie has won The Weekly Times 2024 Dog Calendar competition. Picture: Zoe Phillips

Initially bred as a pig dog, when Ms Martin and her partner then opened a sheep farm, Zoe took to it naturally.

“I think she prefers the sheep. She’s got an eye for slowly moving them along, rather than being aggressive with the pigs,” said Ms Martin.

Adding to her impressive career to date, Zoe has this year won The Weekly Times 2024 Dog Calendar competition, after Ms Martin nominated her.

Zoe and her team will feature in the 2024 edition in the month of September.

Kelpie Izzy with Kelpie-Border Collies Flick and Zoe, alongside Kelpies Cricket, Moreton, Gidget and Jinx from Kinypanial. Picture: Zoe Phillips

“She’s a super affectionate dog. She loves sitting next to you, loves sitting in front of you. Always in the passenger seat with you looking out the window,” said Ms Martin.

“We love her, she’s a really great pet, and really great work dog. A true companion.”

The Weekly Times 2024 Dog Calendar will be available from selected retailers from October 25 to December 20, or while stocks last.

More details on the calendar can be found here.